Please tell us a little about yourself and Berticus. 

I’m pretty much your typical ADHD kid who couldn’t sit through school and was bored out of my mind doing anything I didn’t want to do. But I powered through and graduated from American University despite my aversion to school. I work in the entertainment industry as a TV producer and content developer. In addition to writing this book, I just recently opened an ice cream shop in our NYC neighborhood where I live with my wife and two young daughters. Yep, I’m a proud member of the Girl Dad club. Sure, my girls are totally nuts, but I am in infinite awe of them every single day.  

How did you choose the genre for Berticus?  

A genre never occurred to me. Nor did the idea of even writing a book. I only wrote it because a few years back, my mom told me to write a funny book for the 10- to 12-year-olds. My mom is an educator with a master’s and PHD in, uh, something to do with reading, I think. She said to write a “hilarious” chapter book for kids who dislike reading. But I disliked the idea of writinga book for kids who dislike reading. But my mom wouldn’t let up. So, to end the badgering, I finally buckled down and wrote it so she would stop bugging me about it. I guess she was right, as always, because it turned out pretty good. Anyway, I wrote funny anecdotes from my life between those years.  

What was your editing process like?  

I have no idea. Once I finished writingit I gave it back to my mom, who found an editor. There’s no way I’d have the patience to edit Berticus. That’s like homework. The book is 200-plus pages. Sheesh! 

How did you develop your characters? 

Berticus, his family, and the surrounding characters are based loosely on my family, friends, and classmates I grew up with. Some sparked to me as characters that would be amusing within the various school-related situations. 

What are you working on now? 

I’m ramping up marketing and promotion at my new ice cream shop. And, of course, my mom has been badgering me to start working on the next stage in the life of Berticus as he embarks to battle it out with sixth grade! I already wrote the first chapter, where Berticus has a substitute teacher who inadvertently locks themself in the school’s supply closet. It’s pretty funny. 

Portions of this Q&A were edited for clarity.