Recently, Lefthand Path Press had the chance to catch up with award-winning author David Niall Wilson. We didn’t have much time to catch up with him on all of his latest projects, as he was busy giving each of his cats attention and working on his next big projects. Still, the time that we did have and the answers we got were very eye-opening into the life of an Author who has had a long, impressive career and whose works have gone down some dark, twisted paths into the macabre and terrifying, and who was the president of the Horror Writers Association at one point.
So please sit back, relax, turn off the lights, and enjoy as we look behind the scenes at one of horror’s brightest writers.
Lefthand Path Press
Thank you for taking the time to chat with us today! Your writing has inspired countless others over the years, but I wanted the first question asked today to be: what inspires you? What inspires your writing?
David Niall Wilson
I have always said that, rather than coming up with ideas, I live them. It’s nearly impossible to nail down a single thing, or even a group of things, that inspires my writing because it often comes out of the blue. A remembered line from something I watched or read. An article in a newspaper or a conversation with someone that left remnants behind.
A fair number of my stories and novels were born from nothing more than a title I came up with and could not shake. The best of what I’ve done are stories and novels based on personal experiences, whether painful, entertaining, or simply memorable. When those bits and pieces of myself come through in the writing, I feel absolutely centered.
Lefthand Path Press
That’s quite amazing! Plenty of other writers say they draw on personal experiences, but how everyone’s experiences shape their writing voice has always been fascinating to me.
With that said, how did you get started on your writing career? I’d imagine it’s not as easy as just opening your notebook one day and deciding that this was what you wanted to do with your life.
David Niall Wilson
I have always said that I was a writer. I wrote poetry and a short story or two in high school, but there came a time, while serving in the USN, that I realized it was time to either write – or quit saying I was a writer. At that point, I signed up for a course called “Writing to Sell Short Fiction” through Writer’s Digest Magazine. My assigned mentor/instructor was prolific author J. N. Williamson. He introduced me to the small press, to HOWL (now the Horror Writers Association), and helped me to actually finish writing a few things.
During that time, I also published my own magazine, The Tome, and the connections I made doing that have lasted a lifetime and were invaluable in getting my early work into print. Since then, I’ve had more than 40 books published, two hundred or so short stories, and more all the time. It’s definitely been a lifetime commitment.
Lefthand Path Press
And what a commitment it’s been! I know writers who struggle to get one book published after years of work, so it’s inspiring to hear that one has to keep at it, make connections, and workshop their stories.
You mentioned your assigned mentor being J.N Williamson. Have there been any other authors whose works helped shape your writing voice over the years?
David Niall Wilson
Every writer finds things they love and hate about the work of others. While I believe my ‘voice’ is basically mine and distinguishable, there are things I’ve learned from Stephen King, Poppy Z. Brite (Billy Martin), Kathe Koja, Clive Barker, Edgar Allan Poe, and more recently, Stephen Graham Jones, Ai Jiang, and Wole Talabi.
When I read something that I like, or that moves me, there are always phrases, methods of conveying thoughts, and images that stick with me, and those are absolutely in my mind when I write. I find, though, that it is best not to consciously think about whether you are or are not influenced while doing the actual writing because that way lies madness.
Lefthand Path Press
That’s pretty sound advice, and one many should take to heart. I know several of those Authors have dabbled in genres outside of the ones they’re known for, so that leads me to my next question: Other than Horror, are there any genres you enjoy reading or writing in?
David Niall Wilson
I read a wide variety of books, including horror, fantasy, mystery and thriller, biographies, nonfiction, and history. I try very hard not to fall into a rut because every new thing you learn or love becomes a part of you moving forward. If you stick too closely to one thing, you can lose your edge.
I’ve written Science Fiction (including Star Trek and a Stargate novel with my wife, Patricia Lee Macomber), mysteries, thrillers, tons of short stories, and a book about baking pies. I’ve also been working for some time now on a memoir/book on writing titled “Writing What Hurts.”
Lefthand Path Press
Oh, wow! That Memoir must be full of amazing stories, and a book about baking pies? I’ll have to go and check that out as well.
With that said, do you consume any media besides literature to help shape your stories? They say that a well-written writer is a well-read reader, but good stories can come from anywhere.
David Niall Wilson
Lol. I listen to music constantly and watch more movies than any human should watch. We watch very bad movies, very good movies, just about anything. We also watch a ton of TV series across mystery, true crime, horror, fantasy, and science fiction. I don’t believe there are many types of media we don’t follow, and, as I sort of intimated earlier, everything you live through and experience becomes a part of you in some small or large way. Everything influences me.
Lefthand Path Press
You weren’t kidding when you said that everything influences you! It makes me feel better that I find my influences in more than just books, since I also enjoy everything.
Now that we’ve discussed what inspires you and helps shape your stories, let’s delve into your writing process and what it looks like when creating your next book or short story. My first question is, how many words do you write on an average day?
David Niall Wilson
Not as many as I used to. I wrote my first novel in 21 days, revised it in 7, and sold it in two weeks. That was “This is My Blood,” a retelling of the gospel with Mary Magdalene as a fallen angel. These days, I’m content to get 500-1500 words a day, sometimes more and often less, but I have a full-time day job, a publishing company, and a family that includes eleven cats… it adds up more quickly than you’d think. The old NaNoWriMo challenge of 50,000 words a month is less than many authors produce. If you write 2k words daily, you get 60,000 in a month… It’s just a matter of starting when you feel inspired and stopping before you lose that.
Lefthand Path Press
That’s not bad at all! Many writers are self-conscious about their output, but to hear from a professional that less is alright is heartening. What does your writing schedule look like to achieve that 1,500 average?
David Niall Wilson
I write in the mornings on weekends, and every other day, I do Crossroad Press work until about 9:30 or 10, and then write for at least an hour. If I can work it out, I keep my work in progress open all day long and write “between the cracks .”In other words, I don’t really have a set schedule, but I try to have one.
Lefthand Path Press
Sounds like you have a full day! Are there any writing rituals that help you? Anything you do before, after, or while you write?
David Niall Wilson
Not that I can think of. I open the word processor, and I write. Very often, it starts, ends, and includes in the middle at least one cat crossing my lap or tapping my leg to get some attention, but not really any rituals.
Lefthand Path Press
Cats really are the best when it comes to the writing process. They certainly know how to tell you it’s time for a break. Well, when your cats aren’t pulling you away for some attention, and you’ve finished a story or a project, what’s your editing process like? Do you prefer to do it alone, or do you have a team that helps?
David Niall Wilson
I write a first draft, and then I go through it once as carefully as I can. Next, I hand it off to my wife. Trish is an award-winning editor who has been invaluable in cutting, arranging, and fixing the words. When she is done, I generally give it one more pass and send it along. The one exception has been my most recently completed novel. I’ve been working on it so long that my perspective on it is skewed, so when a publisher my agent submitted it to had suggestions and said they might look at it again if those were addressed, I hired a developmental editor who was not tired of it yet to get fresh eyes. That’s a one-off, though. Trish and I generally handle one another’s first edits.
Lefthand Path Press
It’s always good to have support that is willing to tell you precisely what you need to hear. Shout out to your wife, Patricia Lee Macomber, for helping! Writing a good story can feel like a group effort when you need someone to review your writing.
With all that said, what does your writing space look like? Is your office big and fancy, or are you more comfortable writing wherever possible?
David Niall Wilson
I have a small desk behind the couch in our family room. The laptop is in the center, a bigger monitor is on the right, and a smaller portable monitor is on the left. I can see the television, watch a baseball game on the smaller portable monitor, and then, when the time comes, focus on the writing. I was in the US Navy, and during that time, I developed the ability to shut out everything around me and work. It was absolutely necessary then because space was at a premium, privacy was unlikely, and there were always distractions. I’m good at ignoring things when I need to, so having my writing space in the main room with everyone else allows me to interact with them and still get my work done.
Lefthand Path Press
Maybe I should learn this skill. It would certainly come in handy. But it sounds very relaxing and cozy, especially if you can pet your cats, hang out with your wife, watch a game, and then focus on your work when needed.
Let’s discuss your books, short stories, and other writing ventures if you’re open to more questions! What is one story you’ve done that you’re most proud of?
David Niall Wilson
I could say “The Gentle Brush of Wings,” which won the Bram Stoker Award for short fiction, or “Deep Blue,” which became the novel by that same title later on. I think, though, that the title story of the collection about to come out from Left Hand Publishing – Hickory Nuts and Bones – is one of those times when I tapped into my past, took it somewhere darker, and did something better than usual… so currently that is probably my favorite.
Lefthand Path Press
You’re certainly sending chills up my spine thinking about it. I know everyone at Lefthand Path Press is excited about it when it releases, and if your previous work is any indication, readers will love it, too.
What about those you felt underperformed but were surprised to be so well received? I think everyone has an incident where they had a story they just wanted to get done and over with, but it turned out to be an actual hit.
David Niall Wilson
I wrote a story long ago for a small press magazine, Thin Ice, that has been one that people are drawn to, no matter how many times it gets reprinted. That story is a short one titled Etched Deep, and it’s very, very dark, while being dark without a lot of blood or gore… Another more recent story that did better than expected was titled “Interred” and was published in my last collection, The Devil’s in the Flaws & Other Dark Impressions. That story was written for an open-call anthology, but like most of those, there were only about four slots open, and I did not get one of them. I put it in the collection and was surprised how many readers chose it as one of their favorites.
Lefthand Path Press
At least it shows that your stories resonate with readers when they get a hold of them!
What kind of ideas do you have for future novels/novellas/short stories that you want to explore? After 40 books, 200 short stories, numerous articles, and other projects, the well hasn’t run dry, has it?
David Niall Wilson
I try not to get too far ahead of myself. I have a short story that already has a market involving humans allowing virtual computers to run in the unused portions of their brains, and how that could go wrong. I am working on a novel using nearly every horror trope in existence, all in one book, that I will be getting back to shortly. There will be(if the first book sells) a sequel to the novel I just revised, Tattered Remnants, featuring a detective with an eidetic memory, and a very strange man who is, among other things, a bookbinder. I also have several series projects that will no doubt get new entries as time permits. There are so many words…
Lefthand Path Press
So many words, but you know how to get someone excited to read these! In addition to your upcoming projects, I’ll need to keep an eye on these stories in the future.
What about other things other than writing? Have anything in the pipeline beyond novels and shorts?
David Niall Wilson
I’m always pushing for the idea of something getting optioned for film, but who knows?
Lefthand Path Press
That would be exciting, especially since you’ve got quite a backlog that could be called on. Horror films could use some fresh ideas.
I should have asked this earlier when we discussed the writing process. But do you have any advice for writers who want to start their journey? Something they should be fully aware of before they dive headfirst into getting published?
David Niall Wilson
The only important advice I could offer is to understand your motives. If you get bogged down in your brand, your social media, and trying to emulate the success of others, that isn’t likely to go anywhere. There are far too many people calling themselves writers who are more interested in that – calling themselves writers – than in actually writing. My website and the book on writing I am working on are titled “Writing What Hurts,” but that could as easily be “Write What Matters to You.” And always write. Don’t get bogged down in the rest of it because there is no secret sauce. It’s a game of hard work, persistence, and often luck and chance. None of it will happen, though, if you aren’t writing.
Lefthand Path Press
That is very sound advice. It’s hard to be successful if you’ve not produced anything. The writing lifestyle and being successful at it can be a hard path.
After all is said and done, is there a favorite way to decompress after a long writing session, or when you complete a project?
David Niall Wilson
I play guitar, run (usually longer distances), and take a lot of naps, buried in cats. Trish and I like to go to conventions, sometimes with our daughter Katie in tow, but we don’t do that as often these days. I also read—a lot. I’ve finished 31 books so far this year and reviewed all of them because I feel very strongly about supporting others and not just acting like it’s a community.
Lefthand Path Press
It also makes me want to read more. I’ve got quite the backlog, and there’s no excuse for it. Plus, it’s always great to support other authors because you are right; it’s a community for a reason, after all.
Speaking of Authors and Communities to support, what was your tenure as President of the Horror Writers Association of America like?
David Niall Wilson
Short. Honestly, I haven’t got a lot of memories of that time. The paperwork was two presidents behind that I was supposed to receive. I only became president because Richard Laymon passed, and that put a shadow over all of it. I remember signing a lot of Bram Stoker certificates and working to try and figure out how we could help members get insurance, but there was not a lot of continuity at that time. I am glad to have had the trust of my peers and the experience, but I don’t have a lot of vivid memories of that time.
Lefthand Path Press
Oh, so there are no interesting, funny, or memorable stories to tell from that time?
David Niall Wilson
Not that I recall.
Lefthand Path Press
Well, at least you did what you could and undoubtedly contributed your voice to shaping the organization that it is today.
What about themes or tropes that you enjoy writing with? You mentioned earlier that you were writing a story using every horror trope out there, but is there any you always fall back on, or that you like to use and explore?
David Niall Wilson
Other than the novel I mentioned above, I hope it’s become fairly obvious that writing novels along the same themes and tropes is not something I’m interested in. I have written a number of novels and stories involving the darker side of organized religion, but, as Lucien (a character in the most recent novel) says, there is craft, and then there is art. Almost anyone can be taught a level of craft that is acceptable, but art has to be attained – not saying I’m some literary genius, but I try not to write down the worn paths.
Lefthand Path Press
Well, you’ve been doing something right! You may not have gone down the same worn paths, but you’ve created one yourself by forging ahead, and that’s admirable. Is there any way that fans of your work can support you? Do you have a Patreon, Ko-fi, Ream, or something similar?
David Niall Wilson
Buying my books, buying books from Crossroad Press, reading, and reviewing. My newsletter is only occasional, and I don’t have the bandwidth to add keeping up with a Patreon or something like that to my agenda. As a writer, the only support I ask from readers is that they read. And whether they like what they read or not, to react – reviews are the lifeblood of marketing these days.
Lefthand Path Press
Well, if buying books is one of the best ways to support you, are there any specific places to buy them?
David Niall Wilson
My books are available on every eBook platform. Print editions are available for most on Amazon, and many of my books are also available in unabridged audio through Audible / iTunes and Amazon. I am also always willing to sign books, and if you search my name on eBay, there are small mountains of books.
Lefthand Path Press
Perfect! It’s good to know that we can find your books in various places. What about Social Media? Do you have any Social Media presence we can follow to stay up to date?
David Niall Wilson
I am on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/DNiallWilson/—not as active there as I used to be—and on BlueSky at https://bsky.app/profile/davidniallwilson.com, where I am very active. I deleted Twitter and Instagram for toxicity and have never looked back.
Lefthand Path Press
To be honest, that’s pretty fair. What about upcoming shows, faires, conventions, book signings, or the like? Have anything for fans to come and meet you at and get one of those signed books?
David Niall Wilson
Honestly, we make it to about one show a year, usually Authorcon in Williamsburg and sometimes NECON in the spring. Our lives have been tumultuous for a while now, and we don’t have the time or energy to sell at a convention, so we go if one of us is a guest, or we attend as regular folks and spend time with friends. There is nothing upcoming.
Lefthand Path Press
It sounds like if people want to say hello in person, those are their best chances! Plus, that does sound fun: going as a regular guest and meeting new people.
What about a newsletter? I know you mentioned you only update it occasionally, but is there a way for those who don’t have social media or don’t want to travel to conventions to stay up to date?
David Niall Wilson
I have a newsletter: https://david-nialls-newsletter.beehiiv.com/
Lefthand Path Press
Excellent! You mentioned your website earlier—where to find your books and more —but how about one more plug for it?
David Niall Wilson
My website is at: https://www.davidniallwilson.com
Unfortunately, that was all the time we had for David Niall Wilson! It was a very illuminating interview with someone who has worked hard for so long and knows the publishing business and what it takes to write horror of all types.
Don’t fret, though. We’ll be seeing a lot more of David Niall Wilson in the coming days. As he mentioned, he’s got an anthology series of horror shorts titled ” Hickory Nuts and Bones” coming out for Lefthand Path Press and a host of other projects in the works.
For those who enjoyed the interview and want to read more of his novels, short stories, and other works, you can find him practically anywhere books are sold. His collected works are also on his website, mentioned above.
Happy reading! And as always, keep your eyes on the shadows.
David Niall Wilson is a USA Today bestselling, multiple Bram Stoker Award-winning author of more than forty novels and collections. He is a former president of the Horror Writers Association and CEO and founder of Crossroad Press Publishing. His novels include This is My Blood, Deep Blue, and many more. His most recent published works are the collection The Devil’s in the Flaws & Other Dark Truths, the historical fantasy novel Jurassic Ark – a retelling of the Noah’s Ark story… with dinosaurs, and the novella “When You Leave I Disappear,” From Short-Wave Publishing. David lives in way-out-yonder NC with his wife Patricia, 13 cats, and a chinchilla named Pook-Daddy.