Today, the concepts raised in the Pulstar trilogy and Nerve are my belief and my way of understanding the cosmos and existence.

Giancarlo Roversi – 16 May 2023

The Back Flap

Three strangers who share a forgotten past confront a vengeance they incited when their bodies weren’t human.

In Astralvia, a nation on the brink, astronomer Jeral Murh’s life is in limbo.

She’s woken from a coma with fresh memories and is certain of two things:

Her past actions are already haunting her present.
1  She is not entirely human.
2 She must abscond from Astralvia before an ancient enemy wreaks revenge.

Everything is against her. Also, she must find Aris Castilho, her former ally, and make him remember what they once meant to each other. She can’t leave without him.

Will she find Aris and convince him of their common past?
Will they reach Esther, their third ally?

Time is short … the ultimate reckoning is coming … and it’s unthinkable, indescribable—the worst thing that can happen to any human being.

Find out the fate of this trio of allies in this puzzling sci-fi thriller, where the stunning ending is just the beginning. Get ready to reflect on your place in the cosmos, your raison d’être, and what being human actually means.

Riddled with mystery, suspense, and a smattering of romance, Pulstar I: The Swan Barely Remembers is the enigmatic and addictive first installment in the Pulstar trilogy; although you can also read it as a stand-alone novel.

About the book

What is the book about?

Pulstar I – The Swan Barely Remembers is about three strangers living in a fictional country called Astralvia and confronting a vengeance they incited in a common past they don’t remember.

When did you start writing the book?

Long story, but I will cut it short. I started writing the first draft of what would become Astralvia I and Astralvia II in 1995. I published those books in 2002. In 2012, after my band broke up, I revisited them and transformed them completely. This resulted in Nerve and Pulstar I – The Swan Barely Remembers.

How long did it take you to write it?

Ten years, excluding the entire process I have just described.

Where did you get the idea from?

When I was a teenager, at my sister’s birthday party, a guest spoke about a topic that would become my obsession. As I developed the Pulstarverse, that initial idea shifted significantly. Today, the concepts raised in the Pulstar trilogy and Nerve are my belief and my way of understanding the cosmos and existence.

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

Hehe, all of them. Considering that I started from the books Astralvia I and Astralvia II, which together add up to 250,000 words. Besides, I translated the whole Pulstar trilogy and two of its prequels from Spanish to English; yes, the translation has been the most challenging aspect.

What came easily?

I wouldn’t say easy, but in Pulstar II and Pulstar III, some characters’ points of view were refreshing. One prequel to Pulstar I and Nerve is an erotic thriller called Marlenh, which I plan to publish soon. So far, this process has been more accessible.

Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?

Most of them are fictitious. There are some based on people who have been in my life, and others who ended up destroying my country, Venezuela. There are more characters in Pulstar II and Pulstar III that many readers (especially Venezuelan) will recognize.

We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?

My favorite authors are George Orwell, Isaac Asimov, Ray Bradbury, Dan Simmons, Anne Rice, Gillian Flynn, Cormac McCarthy, Oriana Fallaci. Phew, this list could go on for hours.

Do you have a target reader?

I think people who question why we exist, who admire the cosmos, who consider this Homo Sapiens system wrong and unjust (especially to the other species on this planet and to nature), who are open to new ideas, and who enjoy puzzling and challenging plots might give the Pulstarverse a chance.

About Writing

Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?

Sure, sure. I outline the story in my head for a long time. Then I draft a summary on paper using a pen or a pencil. I’d also include information about the characters, points of view, tone, genre, how long it will be, etc … For days (or years) I’ll keep thinking about this outline, jotting down the ideas that seem appealing and erasing the ones that don’t resonate much. When I feel I’m ready, I write the first chapter. With Pulstar I, I also had books two and three mapped out. In fact, the end of Pulstar III has been one of my primary driving forces.

Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?

I outline the entire book and write a paragraph (usually long) below each chapter, explaining what that chapter is going to be like.

Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?

I do both, but it’s the muse who’s in charge.

Did you hire a professional editor?

Yes, I hired several editors for the English version, since my native language is Spanish. I have no words to thank them for their patience. They’ve helped me and taught me so much.

Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?

Thank you for this question, please! Of course I do! Without music, it’s almost impossible for me to write. Actually, I prepared playlists for each book and certain chapters. What gets the fingers tapping? Wow, so many musical geniuses I look up to: Atticus Ross & Trent Reznor, Hans Zimmer, Tangerine Dream, Jed Kurzel, Johann Johannsson, Abel Korzeniwoski, Clint Mansell, Cliff Martinez, Philip Glass, Max Richter, Vangelis, and a lot lot lot of soundtracks… 😊

About Publishing

Did you submit your work to Agents?

I queried several times when the pandemic was breaking out, but the manuscript wasn’t ready; the worst thing was the English translation.

What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?

The main reason is that I wanted to ensure that I would publish the whole trilogy and have more control over it. It’s gratifying and… delirious to self-publish. What a challenge. I published four books at the same time: El Nervio (Spanish) – Nerve (English) – Púlstar I “El cisne apenas recuerda (Spanish) – Pulstar I “The Swan Barely Remembers” (English) Only a crazy person does that, I guess. 😉

Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?

Oh, the covers. With Nerve, my great friend Maximiliano Martínez, an artist I admire since he did the cover of the Astralvia I and Astralvia II books, made the cover for Nerve. I created about fifteen covers for Pulstar I, but in the end, a professional designer made the definitive one, fortunately.

Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?

Sometimes I think I have a plan, but most of the time I guess I’m winging it. Marketing is the hardest part of self-publishing.

Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?

Wow, this is a tough one.

They have to love writing, otherwise, there’s no point. It’s hours of solitude and requires an extreme sacrifice on a social, economic, and emotional level that perhaps only other writers or people connected to the literary scene would be able to fully understand. However, if the uneasiness and the inner burning are there and never go away, we have no choice but toss it out, hoping our message connects with other people.

About You

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in my country, Venezuela, in Caracas.

Where do you live now?

In Getafe, Madrid.

What would you like readers to know about you?

I would love them to connect with this whole Pulstarverse that merges music with literature. I composed the music for the Pulstar trilogy and its two prequels. All this is on my website https://giancarloroversi.com

What are you working on now?

I’m finishing editing Pulstar II and Pulstar III, plus the prequel Marlenh. I’m also completing the production of the soundtracks for Nerve, Pulstar I, and Marlenh.

End of Interview:

Get your copy of The Swan Barely Remembers from Amazon US or Amazon UK.