Horror Author David Sodergren #Interview
David Sodergren Interview
David Sodergren
1. Congratulations on the publication of your most recent book Dead Girl Blues? Can you please tell us a little about it?
Thank you very much! Dead Girl Blues is a violent mystery-horror that takes inspiration from hard-boiled noir detective fiction and slasher films, particularly the Italian thrillers of the 1970s known as giallo films. It’s a tale of obsession, as one woman is drawn into the murky world of snuff movies.
It’s my third novel, and moves away from the more explicitly supernatural elements of my first two into a grittier, more realistic style.
2. You’ve self-published multiple novels. What is something you wish you knew about self-publishing before you started that journey?
To be honest, I’m still learning every day! I think most people are. Some elements — for example advertising — I’ve not even scratched the surface of. Then there are the tiny details, the minutiae that I had never even considered when I first sat down and started writing. For example, what size do I want the book to be? I prefer the smallest trim size, closer to the classic mass-market paperback size, but that means less words per-page, which then means more pages, and ultimately less profit per-book sold, as Amazon charges per-page for their printing costs. But I’ve muddled through with the help of some authors who’ve been here before me.
And Google, of course. Where would I be without Google?
3. For those who want to self-publish, can you share some marketing tips you’ve found successful?
If I knew the answer to this, I’d have sold more books haha! For me, social media is key. I was lucky in that I had a mildly popular Instagram account when I first published, so I had a built-in audience ready to buy my first book. After that, all you’ve really got is word-of-mouth.
Otherwise, just be yourself on social media. Post about your interests, try to be funny. I’ve lost count of the amount of books I’ve bought purely because the author seemed like a nice person who was clearly very into horror. It doesn’t always pay off, but I’ve discovered some of my favourite new authors that way, people like Bradley Freeman, Steve Stred, and Gemma Amor.
4. What is your horror “brand”?
I guess it’s a sort-of ‘modern-retro’. All my influences are from the 50s to the 80s, and my work definitely shares a similarly grimy, sex-and-violence packed aesthetic with those books and films, from the covers to the contents. However, I got fed up with the lack of diversity in old horror stories, and in particular the trope of the square-jawed, pipe-smoking professor-hero so prevalent across the genre. Due to this, I try to make my main characters a lot more interesting and relatable to a modern audience.
5. When did you first develop a love for horror?
It goes back as long as I can remember. My earliest memories are watching the 1933 King Kong on TV, as well as Jack Arnold’s fifties monster classic Tarantula. Before I started school I was collecting rubber skeletons. By age eight I had my own glow-in-the-dark replica Jason Voorhees hockey mask. It’s in my blood, and several decades later, I’m still as passionate about the genre as I have ever been.
It helps that horror is in such a healthy state at the moment, especially in literature. It feels like every week there are a bunch of great new releases, and exciting up-and-coming or brand new authors. Critics of self-publishing maintain — sometimes correctly — that it has allowed any old numpty with a computer to publish their garbage. That may be true, but it’s also opened the doors to many immensely talented authors. I find myself reading less and less traditionally published material these days. The fringes are always where you get the most exciting stuff.
6. What are you currently reading?
I’m reading Kill River 3 by Cameron Roubique, the third part of his epic slasher trilogy, and it’s been worth the wait. By the time I finish that, Laurel Hightower’s new book Crossroads should be out. I’m also re-reading Stephen Thrower’s two epic books on the life and films of Spanish erotic-horror specialist Jess Franco.
7. Let’s have a little fun. Would you rather live in the world from A Quiet Place or live in Derry from It?
It would have to be Derry, as I live with a pug who is incapable of staying quiet. If he’s not barking at shadows cast by the trees, he’s slumped across my shoulders snoring loudly.
We wouldn’t last five seconds in A Quiet Place!
8. What’s next for you? Any projects you can discuss?
Next is my Halloween release, a blood-drenched folk-horror tale called Maggie’s Grave. I’m very excited about this one, it’s a return to the supernatural horror of my first novel, The Forgotten Island. After that, I have a collaboration coming up with Canadian horror author Steve Stred, which should be out first quarter of next year.
9. Where can people find you online?
Best to find me on Twitter or Instagram
I use Twitter mostly for discussing old horror films, and Instagram for posting photos of the aforementioned pug posing alongside vintage horror books. I always enjoy hearing from readers.
10. Last chance! Anything else you’d like to say?
Please support independent horror. Like I said before, it’s where most of the really exciting stuff is happening, be it in film or literature. Support diverse authors, read widely, experience the world and other cultures through someone else’s eyes.
Have fun, stay safe, and wear a damn mask!
