We had the good fortune of connecting with Merrill David and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Merrill, what’s something about your industry that outsiders are probably unaware of?
Independent authors self publishing their work; what they (outsiders) don’t realize is; WRITING THE BOOK WAS THE EASY PART… There’s so much more involved in the process. So anyone considering the venture; do your research first!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
About ten years ago, my wife encouraged me to put some of my own zombie story ideas down on paper. Not long afterwards I experienced a couple of major setbacks along the way; I had a brain tumor removed in 2013 (maybe I can attribute some of my deranged story ideas to my now dissected brain). Just a year later my wife unexpectedly and suddenly passed away from a heart attack. I went through some very dark and blurry times since then. The drinking and depression began to take its toll on me. I have since remarried, to a wonderful woman who was very supportive of me finishing up what I had started with my Wicked Awake zombie novel series. Now, my writing has proven therapeutic, easing and replacing my self destructive ways. Having found that new sense of peace and back on track again, here I am!

In addition to my zombie series, I also started to break off into the ‘extreme’ or ‘splatterpunk’ horror genre as well and have already released a coming of age first contact cosmic horror ‘splatterpunk’ sci-fi called “Fester,” as well as a paranormal horror novel called “Season Pass”‘

Currently I’m working on a splatterpunk/mafia crime combo novella due out in December. I’m also working on my second extreme horror/Western short story. After those projects are complete I will work on Wicked Awake 5; Happy Endings Cost Extra. That will be the final book of five in my zombie apocalypse series.

Like most writers I have rituals; processes I perform to aid and enhance my creativity. I seem to get a lot of my ideas when I’m driving, then I use my voice recorder to save them for later. As for my favorite time to write, it’s mostly at night when it’s dark outside. I like to start by brewing up a pot of dark roasted black lava, sit down in my office and make the magic happen. Often I will put metal music on (can’t go wrong with some early Killswitch Engage) in the other room to set the tone. Once the coffee is gone, a Sam Adams beer and a shot or two of peanut butter whiskey always gets the juices and ideas flowing even further.

What have I learned over the short time I’ve been writing? Character development is very important, although too much backstory can sometimes lull your readers to sleep and make them move on to something else that’s faster paced. But you have to create personalities that your readers will love, hate, and can relate to. You need to have a good story, plot twists and surprises are great because you don’t want to be predictable. And just as important, be different. Have your unique style of writing and don’t come off as anyone else’s mirror image; ‘YOU DO YOU.’ Also don’t let bad reviews dissuade you from continuing. We all get them. If they are constructive then learn from them. If they’re just hateful and mean, then make that reviewer a character in your next zombie book and have them devoured by a hungry horde.

In 2022 myself and a dozen other authors got together to establish The Texas Author Con and Book Festival. We were, and still are, an all volunteer-organization, with no salaries or paychecks issued to any staff member involved with the event. We are just writers supporting writers and reaching out to readers. It was a free, family friendly convention designed to showcase individually published authors’ work in all genres and help gain exposure while also providing readers with the opportunity to connect with their favorite writers. The group of thirteen authors assembled in a Dallas hotel ballroom on a Sunday in July. After a nice turnout and receptive response, we decided to grow the show. In July of 2023, we held the free event again; this time featuring over sixty authors/vendors for the two day event which also included a separate enclosed room for informative panels, educational classes, discussions, book readings, and Q and A sessions. In July of 2024 we will hold our event again at the Hilton Richardson/Dallas. Come out to support and meet these wonderful indie authors, make some memories, and experience a great, fun weekend with us. Oh, yeah; and take some beautiful signed books home with you to enjoy!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I love the Sixth Floor Museum at the West End in Downtown Dallas. The museum offers an eerie look into one of the most memorable incidents in American History. I also enjoy taking in a Rangers game out at the stadium in Arlington (I won’t name it just in case they change it AGAIN), particularly when my Boston Red Sox are in town (I’m originally from Rhode Island but moved to Dallas in 1990.) Also high on my list are restaurants with great Italian, Thai, Vietnamese cuisine in particular. And nothing better than taking in a good metal concert at some of the smaller concert venues (such as The Factory in Deep Ellum), followed by a late night stop at the local Whataburger on the way home.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My shoutout? It has to go out to all of those inspired souls out there who feel the need to put thoughts and ideas to paper or keyboard; whether they create to gain insight into their emotions (therapeutic purposes), or for their own entertainment, or for income. You are forthcoming enough to share your work, for the entire world to see. Easier said than done, though. The difficult part, particularly for us independent authors is connecting with the readers. So that’s where the efforts of the Texas Author Con and Book Festival and other such outlets are crucial in helping spread the word.

So my shout out goes out to all the indie authors out there fighting the good fight and who KEEP ON WRITING!

Website: https://1merrilldavid.wixsite.com/wickedawake

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/merrilldavidhorror/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/1merrilldavid/

Other: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Merrill-David/author/B0869TK5LL?ref=ap_rdr&store_ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20201208.Merrill_David

Image Credits
photo credit Hannah Harrington

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