Debut Author Mike Matzdorff Asks: What if THE UNIVERSE ran out of an office in Queens?
Indie Author Insights Featured Author Series
Debut author,
lives in California—and sometimes his home state of Wisconsin. He is a father of two and has a love-hate relationship with his two (Covid) cats. Mike likes a good mystery, historical stuff, and bad jokes! He plays the guitar and would like to walk across a continent sometime.Mike’s first novel, The Universe, debuts June 10, 2025. Tony “Monk” Shalhoub narrated the audiobook. While this is Mike’s first book, he is no stranger to writing, editing, or the creative arts. He is the co-creator/consulting producer of Breaking Bread and the writer/director of Feed the Fish.
Read on to get Mike’s insights as an indie author and the story behind The Universe.
How did you come up with the idea for your book?
The idea, “What if the universe was run out of an office in Queens,” popped into my head after I pitched three other things to an animation executive. The meeting was over, and I said, “Can I run another idea by you?” That sentence was followed by a suggestion to “Write that into a short story.” I did, and it became The Universe.
What do you hope readers will take away from your book?
I hope they will appreciate the machinery of the universe that makes the world go around. I hope they will realize that their actions have meaning. I hope they consider their own choices and how they might affect the world.
What was the most challenging aspect of getting your book published, and how did you overcome it?
I found the querying process frustrating. Either not hearing back or hearing back with what is clearly a form letter. I’d say “have a heart” and write a personal note. I ended up going out to a few small publishing houses, and am glad I did.
What is your writing routine, and any specific habits or rituals that have helped you stay productive?
Really only to LEAVE MY HOUSE: I write every day and work until I feel the need to stop, go to another coffee shop and repeat. I don’t edit ideas during writing. I try to make things as good or as bad as they can be. I’m not a big outliner, I start with a paragraph of the whole story and keep expanding it until it bursts into chapters.
How do you handle writer's block or moments when you feel creatively stuck?
That doesn’t happen often, but I go for a walk, write something short (like the 100 word stories), talk to strangers, clean my house.
What are you working on next?
A warm-hearted revenge thriller, Ben Birch Can Fix Anything. After that is a WIP called RESET which proposes a future I don’t prefer. I am also putting together a collection of one hundred, 100-word short stories that are currently behind a paywall on Substack. I feel they deserve to be delivered in print.
If you could do a book signing anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Cork, Ireland. A good part of my second novel takes place there, and I’ve never been.
What advice do you have for aspiring authors?
Read some good books.
Write every day.
Don’t plan too deeply, or if you do, assure yourself it’s ok to let the novel where it wants to go, and not where you thought it did.
Don’t worry about technical perfection, worry about a moving story.
Read The Graduate, it’s hilarious.
What do you love about being an author?
I can make things up and no one can stop me. I can tease and torture and twist, and maybe even get a laugh. It’s a constant opportunity for growth.
What do you dislike about being an author?
The pay ain’t great. Other than that, nothing. I love it.
What is the most valuable lesson you have learned on your journey as an author that you wish you had known before you started?
Woof. Hard question. As far as the writing goes, that it’s ok to really push it, as long as it’s believable. I hope people love my characters for their grit, their determination, and everything they’ve been through. They’re the kind who never give up.
What is your favorite quote?
“Everyone is one decision away from a completely different life.” (This is a passage in novel #2 Ben Birch Can Fix Anything).
Where can we find you?
mikematzdorff.ju.mp
I’m primarily on Substack @mikematzdorff. Also IG, Threads, & Facebook - I try to stay off most of it though.
Is there anything else you want to share?
Only that this is the most fun part of my professional life - I think everyone should do it.
Also, July 10-20, I'm driving from LA to Green Bay, WI via Oklahoma City, Kansas City, Chicago, Madison & Milwaukee for my mini book tour 2025.
Check Mike’s website, Notes, or Miguma Publication for book tour updates!
Book Lovers & Indie Authors
Thank you for reading! If YOU would like to be a featured author, write something up or answer the author interview questions you can find at writerkat.com, message it to me on Substack or email kathy@indieauthorsassociation.com, and I will take it from there.
There is no charge for author features thanks to the generosity of Indie Author Association members, patrons, and founders: Ashley Gary Johnson (Vita Continuat), Bess Sturgis, Bonnie Lieberman, Jennifer Huston Schaeffer, Jill Ebstein (A Sense of Belonging), Leland P. Gamson, Lloyd Mullins, Nancy Nau Sullivan,
, , and Teresa Keefer. Thank you for supporting indie authors. We appreciate you!