Luca Pesaro's book Zero Alternative is an action packed thriller worthy of a movie! I wanted to learn more about the author and he graciously agreed to answer some questions for me.
Where did the idea come from for your book?
I’ve
worked in Finance for over fifteen years, and it’s always struck me as the
perfect setting for a thriller. There are so many weird characters, shady deals
and twisted incentives revolving around money and power that it just screams to
be used as a setting. Then with the rise of computers and the financial crisis
of the last few years it become clear that I had something to say about the
state of the world, and about how momentous decisions can often be taken behind
closed doors by people you hardly ever hear about. A lot of what happens in "Zero Alternative"
is possible/likely, and not in a far-off future. But I also wanted to tell a
story of love and priorities in life, and of how people can change and develop
even through impossible trials.
How did you decide on your cover?
The
designer for my book cover , the excellent Jennie Rawlings, asked me what sort
of covers I liked in the thriller genre. I came up with a selection and it
became obvious I liked an uncluttered style, with a few, powerful markers. I
also mentioned how much I loved the graphic look of “The Matrix” branding and
she did wonders in synthesizing it into the final design.
What is something personal about you people may be surprised to know?
I’m
one of the physically laziest people you’ll ever meet. I regularly drive to my
local bar/pub even though it’s less than two hundred yards from my house, and
once I spent five days on the sofa, almost without moving – my family was away,
and it seemed like the perfect place to stay. I only need some food and reading
material, and I’ll be fine lounging about for days on end.
If you had to change anything about the process of writing this book,
what would you have done differently?
I’d
probably work a little harder on the outlining process. Every writer is
different, but I do tend to get stuck more easily if I don’t have a clear idea
of where the next 30-50 pages should head. It’s also easier to avoid falling
into plot-holes, which then often require a lot of work to get out of.
Where can people follow you to get information about you and your books?
I’m
on twitter with the handle @biagiotrader, and I also have a blog at http://lucapesaro.com
where I talk about life, markets, sports and writing. I also have a Facebook
author page at: https://www.facebook.com/lucapesarobooks
What is one thing about your main character that isn’t in the book, but
might interest your readers?
Walker
is a terrific snooker player – snooker is the British version of pool, played
on a much bigger table with smaller pockets. It’s a game of skill and strategy,
and terribly difficult. It’s how he helped pay his way through college.
Your thoughts on receiving
book reviews - the good and the bad -
Publishing a book is a little like seeing one of your
grown-up children leave home – there’s a mixture of pride and fear, and
obviously good reviews help in boosting your confidence that you’ve actually
produced something that people enjoy. And it’s a big spur to come up with
something else, trying to make it even better. Bad ones I don’t mind too much,
especially if well reasoned. They’re unavoidable, because not everyone will
like/be interested in what you have to say, but they can help in growing as a
writer. Also, I guess after so many years in financial markets I’ve grown a
fairly thick skin. I just don’t like people with pre-conceived opinions, or
preaching from a pulpit – we’re all trying our best!
If you were deserted on an
island, who are 3 famous people you would want with you?
Stephen Hawking, because I love to think about the
mysteries of the universe, Bill Clinton because I’m interested in politics and
would be enormously curious about what he’s seen and done, and David Attenborough
because I love documentaries and animals.
Do you have a book
trailer?
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