David S Grant Promotional Interview

You have been invited to share your promotional experience with others.
Your Name:

1. Where you are from and where are you now? [DG] Born in Milwaukee, WI, currently live and work in New York City.

2. How did you get started writing? [DG] Like most, I guess I’ve always been writing. It was around the year 2000 when I started and finished my first novel.

3. What do you do when you are not writing? [DG] Working in the corporate world and having fun. My books have a very “live in the moment” appeal and I try to live the same way, enjoying life, daily. Not just focused on the “end goal”, but enjoying the ride along the way.

4. What would readers like to know about you? [DG] The question I often get from readers is where do I get my ideas, whether for my novels or short stories. Many stories from my short story collection, Emotionless Souls, came from my work in offices. I find the corporate setting provides a nice back drop for disturbing stories no one wants to discuss.

5. What inspired your first book? [DG] Part fiction and part autobiographical, my first book (just recently published as a double novel with Blackout, the sequel) was inspired by both my life, stories of friends, and my love of transgression fiction.

6. How many books have you written? [DG] I have written four books. Corporate Porn was published in 2005 through Silverthought Press. Emotionless Souls, my short story collection, and novella The Last Breakfast were published in March 2008 through Brown Paper Publishing. The drug and rock fueled double novel, Bleach and Blackout is now available through Offense Mechanism, an imprint of Silverthought Press.

7. What are the titles of your books and what genres are they? [DG] Literary fiction, humor, transgression fiction, and social satire. That pretty much covers it.

8. How do you decide on that topic or genre? [DG] For me it’s not really a decision I can make. These are the types of books I enjoy writing. Regardless of an audience this is my passion, my entertainment. My therapy.

9. How do you manage to keep yourself focused and on track? [DG] If writing for enjoyment this is easy, I personally do not write each day, but rather log notes and outline, only writing when ready to really focus on my project. I admit that I am a binge writer and am seeking help with my problem.

10. Do you write to make money or for the love of writing? [DG] For the love of writing. I am fortunate that I have great publishers working with me that turn my writing into fantastic books. Of course, if I can make money, and maybe someday a career out of this that would be the icing on the cake.

11. What are some traditional methods of marketing you have used? [DG] Press releases, book release parties, and book signings.

12. What are some unique methods of marketing you have used? [DG] Writing short stories and posting on literary websites as a way to promote a novel; writing for websites in exchange allowing me to promote my work.

13. Do you sell through a website? If so, what’s the address? If not, why not? [DG] My website, http://www.davidsgrant.com, contains links to all of my books, interviews, and reviews.

14. Where can people order your books? [DG] At my website, http://www.davidsgrant.com and also at these locations: www.silverthought.com, www.brownpaperpublishing.net, www.amazon.com, www.barnesandnoble.com, www.target.com, and www.borders.com. My books can also be purchased at the following book stores in New York City: St. Marks Bookstore (Manhattan), Drougas Books (Manhattan), and Book Court (Brooklyn).

15. What format are your books – e-book, print, audio etc? [DG] Print

16. Will you write more books? [DG] Yes, I have a finished manuscript being reviewed and am also working on Bliss, a prequel to Bleach and Blackout.

17. What does the future hold for you and your books?[DG] I hope to continue working with my current publishers with future projects and promotion of my current catalog.

18. What was the most successful thing you did to promote your books? [DG] Anytime you can get someone to read and review your books brings potential new audiences to your work. Reviews, whether online or in print, have opened up my books to subsequent reviews and also publishers requesting my work.

19. What was the least successful thing you did to promote your books? [DG] It’s hard to say, specifically the viral online marketing what works and what doesn’t. I have learned that a well worded AND timed press release makes a world of difference for initial promotion and making people aware of your books.

This interview was done in conjunction with Nikki Leigh, author of the Book Promo 101 series. For more information, visit – www.nikkileigh.com/promo.htm.