Post date: Apr 7, 2016 1:13:33 PM
Don D'Ammassa interview with David Alan Binder
His bio from Amazon: Don D'Ammassa has been accumulating books ever since and his library is now approaching 60,000 volumes. He began reviewing science fiction and fantasy in the 1960s and sold his first novel, Blood Beast, in 1988. Since then he has sold well over one hundred stories, six more novels, and three reference books.
Website: www.dondammassa.com
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Don-DAmmassa/e/B001JPA5X2
1. How do you pronounce your name (only answer if appropriate)?
Duh-MASS-Uh
2. Where are you currently living?
East Providence, RI
3. What is the most important thing that you have learned in your writing experience, so far?
Limit your expectations of financial compensation. If you don't enjoy writing just for the fun of it, you're probably in the wrong line of work.
4. What would you say is your most interesting writing, publishing, editing or illustrating quirk?
I suppose it's my fondness for puns or hidden meanings to words and names. For example, in one of my novels there is a starship named Helen of Troy that has a crew of one thousand. It's the ship that launched a thousand faces.
5. Tell us your insights on self-publish or use a publisher?
I have sold a dozen books and a couple of hundred stories, and have reprinted them through self-publishing in recent years. Self-publishing is a good way of getting things no longer in print back into circulation.
6. Any insights eBooks vs. print books and alternative vs. conventional publishing?
I don't read eBooks myself, but all of my books have eBook editions. They sell fewer copies than the print editions.
7. Do you have any secret tips for writers on getting a book published?
No. Write a good book. Be aware of what is being published.
8. How did you or would you suggest acquire an agent? Any tips for new writers on getting one?
I briefly had a terrible agent many years ago. She never communicated with me and it turned out she hadn't read or offered any of the three novels I had sent her. I've never had another agent since, although I've tried.
9. Do you have any suggestions or helps for new writers (please be specific and informational as possible)?
No
10. What was one of the most surprising things you learned your creative process with your books, editing, publishing or illustrating?
How bad some professional editors are in terms of grammar and proofreading, and how good some of the others are.
11. How many books have you written?
Forty, not counting three early ones that never left my trunk.
12. Do you have any tricks or tips to help others become a better writer (please be as specific and information as you possibly can)?
Be aware of what the editor you are submitting to wants. You're not going to sell an urban fantasy to Analog.
13. Do you have any suggestions for providing twists in a good story?
Not all stories require twists. If you're writing a mystery novel, I suggest a very detailed outline.
14. What makes your or any book stand out from the crowd?
Unfortunately, all too often it is the cover art
15. What are some ways in which you promote your work?
I'm lousy about promotion. I mention new books on Facebook and I joined the local writers' group, which sponsors a lot of meet the author type things.
16. What is the one thing you would do differently now (concerning writing or editing or publishing or illustrating) and why?
I'd have tried mystery novels earlier than I did. And nonfiction.
17. What would you like carved onto your tombstone? Or what saying or mantra do you live by?
I'm going to be cremated. Or destroyed when the sun goes nova.
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