Interview with David Dunwoody, author of EMPIRE
I got the chance to talk with David Dunwoody. David is the author of Empire, a serial novel that got picked up by Permuted Press. You can visit him online, or check out the online version of Empire.
1. Your recently-published novel, Empire, was an online serial novel. How has going from an online serial novel to a print-publication reflected your view of how self promotion works?
I started out just promoting myself through e-mail and forums, and then caught the attention of Jacob at Permuted Press, who was able to provide greater promotion. Self-promotion is a step toward getting attention from outlets who can help to promote you even better.
2. How did you promote Empire when it was up in serial form?
I just hit up every horror forum I could think of (those that allow this sort of self-serving spam, you’ve got to respect their rules). I also sent out a mass e-mail to all my contacts in the field, which wasn’t much, but it did include Permuted who later published Empire in print format.
3. What websites do you commonly use to promote yourself? You’re active on the Permuted Press forums, but do you have any other websites you use to spread your influence?
Permuted is my main haunt. I also regularly visit pretty much every horror and zombie community you can think of – if there are any out there where I’m not around, it’s because I haven’t found you yet!
4. Did you expect Permuted Press to approach you about supporting Empire via their website? What was your original response?
I was caught off-guard by Permuted’s proposal to buy me a domain name and promote my serial novel. My original intent was just to self-publish the story and get my name out there – I was very lucky in that Permuted noticed me immediately.
5. How did you connect with your Empire readers?
Through comments on the site (which is in a blog format), and a mailing list. I love the way that online publishing gives you such widespread and immediate feedback from readers.
6. Do you plan to continue writing novels for online serialization, or was Empire a one-time thing?
My next serial novel is The Harvest Cycle (http://harvestcycle.blogspot.com/). As for the Empire sequel…I’m open to serializing that as well. If readers want it, I’ll do it.
7. How was the process of converting Empire from an online serial to a full novel? Did you expect it to be difficult, was the editing process easier than you expected? Did you add anything new to the novel to entice readers to buy it?
I added 20% new material to the novel for the print version. Editing in some ways was hellish, in terms of converting the blog posts to a traditional manuscript, but I didn’t have to deal with it – my awesome editor Ryan C. Thomas did. Next time will be a lot smoother, I don’t want to put him or anyone else through that again.
8. What’s the best advice you could give someone regarding online promotion, or promotion in general?
Just do it. Don’t hold out for sponsorship or paying markets, get out there and show the world your stuff. They’ll find you.
9. Anything you warn against?
Not really – I would say avoid PublishAmerica and outlets like that who have a bad rep. Just do your research – with the Internet you’ve got everything at your fingertips and you can find out who’s legit and who isn’t. I know some people have had success with PublishAmerica but it wasn’t because of any effort PublishAmerica put into the process. It was all on those authors’ shoulders and that’s not fair with someone who says they’re not just a vanity press.
10. On a final note, what would you tell writers who wanted to go the serial novel route? Do it, or stick it out and wait for a publisher to pick them up?
I would say, if you have the opportunity and the time to shop around, and that’s what you want to do, go ahead and try it. But there’s no harm in going the online serial route – it’s immediate exposure. Sure, you’re giving it away for free, but there has to be a part of you that loves seeing people read your work hot off the keyboard. Do it for the love of storytelling, keep a positive outlook and watch the other angles come together.
