I got to interview D.L Snell a little while ago. He’s the author of the zombie/vampire/lovecratian novel Roses of Blood on Barbwire Vines and is the author of numerous short stories and novellas both in print and online. I got to ask D.L about self-promotion and how he’s gained his fanbase.

1. Before your debut novel, Roses of Blood on Barbwire Vines, was picked up by Permuted Press, you helped with editing projects. Do you think your position as an editor has helped your credibility as a writer?

I think editing establishes my credibility with the writing community more than with the readership, because only the writers get to see the extent, depth, and skill of my edits–but the gig does get my name out there, so in a way it’s good advertising. (Permuted Press’ Undead series, most of which I co-edited, are extremely popular and probably the biggest reason people recognize my name.) However, if your main goal is to be a writer, be careful that editing doesn’t hog your free time.

2. You are part of the Horror Writers Association. Has being a part of the HWA helped spread your name as a writer?

In a way, yes. For example, some magazines offer advertising discounts to HWA members, so I was able to advertise in a leading genre zine for dirt cheap. Also, one of my short stories will appear in the HWA’s humor/horror anthology Blood Lite, due from Pocket Books in October 2008; if I hadn’t been part of the organization, I wouldn’t have been able to submit.

Of course, I had to seek out these opportunities. Simply being a member of the HWA will do nothing for you unless you actively participate and take advantage of the available resources. Which is the way it should be.

3. You are also a graphic designer. Do you believe having multiple talents (Ex: Graphic Design, Editing, etc.) is beneficial to a writer? Do you believe that the more talents you have the easier it is to promote yourself in different ways?

Most definitely. I hold a certificate in Digital Graphic Design, so I was able to create my own web banners, advertisements, and website (www.exit66.net). Usually you have to pay someone to get this done. The one downfall is that designing takes away from the time you could spend writing.

4. How do you promote yourself outside of the promotion that Permuted Press does for Roses?

Book signings, staying active on message boards, handing out bookmarks, advertising, sending review copies to reviewers–you know, the gamut.

5. Have you attended any book signings or events to help sell Roses? If so, how much success did you receive?

I’ve held several book signings with varying success. It really depends on the venue and the audience. For example, I attended a book fair at a local university and sold nothing, because most people (they weren’t students, but community members) were there for poetry, nonfiction, and literature, not a zombie/vampire novel like Roses of Blood. Then when I held a book signing at a local bookstore (the same day that the last Harry Potter debuted) I sold more than most local authors do, according to the store owners.

6. What is one thing you think every writer should have before they start marketing themselves?

A plan. Marketing builds on itself. For example, an article or book review in the local paper can drive readers to a book signing, but only if it comes out right before the event, and only if the event is mentioned in the paper. That kind of coordination takes preplanning, so it’s good to be prepared.

7. What has been the greatest promotional tool for you so far?

Advertising, probably. And I don’t mean spamming message boards, but buying ads in genre magazines with huge circulations, and on sites with lots of traffic.  Reviews are great too, because they help readers determine if they’re interested.

8. What would you recommend people avoid at all costs when it comes to spending your money on promotion?

Any kind of program that claims it can make your book a bestseller in record time.  They’re usually expensive–and, really, who knows if they work, or if the methods they teach are ethical? Spend that money on promotional materials, review copies, and advertising.

9. Do you think blogging, being active on message boards, and other such things are beneficial for new writers?

Sure–as long as you write more stories than blog entries. And be careful on message boards when promoting a book; I made the mistake of posting advertisements for Roses of Blood, and it pissed off some people. So if you’re going to post advertisements on message boards, make sure the board allows it in their policy and don’t bump your ad mercilessly. That’s a good way NOT to sell books.

10. Finally, has your promotion helped you gain the status that you have right now? Is there anything else you would’ve done? Anything else you want to do promotion-wise?

Promotion certainly helped get my name out there and generate book sales. The trick is to get readers to see your name all the time and yet not get annoyed by the repetition. So you have to be assertive, but not aggressive, not annoyingly in-your-face.

The one gimmick I’d love to have: a free Flash or computer game based on Roses of Blood. That would be awesome. And if it were a good game, it would generate a lot of interest in the book.

Thanks for the interview, Kody!

And you’re very welcome, D.L. Be sure to visit D.L’s website at Exit66.Net for more info about Mr. Snell.

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.