Our profiles of the evolution of bestselling authors continues this week with the master of horror.
At what stage in your life did you first publish a book?
Like many authors, I simply published a book while working a full-time job and raising a family. Still, I have to thank Amazon for democratizing the publishing process. Now anyone can publish a book, and that’s a good thing. It was a boon for Indie authors.
Did you send it to agents and/or publishers, or did you publish independently?
Self-published. No rejections, lol.
My first novel published is my time-travel supernatural thriller, Velvet Rain. Like all of my novels, it has a dynamic cast of unforgettable characters and a high-octane, explosive storyline. It’s the story of Kain Richards, a tormented man on the run, fleeing a madman who held him captive doing time-travel experiments. Kain is the last of his kind, with the ability to turn back time.
Is there anything about your first book that you wish you had written, or done differently?
While I was happy with my first book, I was never happy with the original cover. I kept putting off a redo due to more pressing things, but finally got around to it.
The Dark is a darkly atmospheric story of a child twisted by an omnipresent, ancient evil that feeds off the blood of the young and devours the soul of an entire town.
How do you think your writing and your books have changed since then?
Honestly, my writing voice hasn’t changed. Being a photographer, I’m a visual person to begin with. And as a writer, I’m extremely visual in my storytelling. My stories and characters are immersive, drawing you in and keeping you there. I’ve had so many people tell me that my books feel and read like films, and that’s true. I do see scenes in my head very clearly, and I simply write what I see.
Fosgate’s Game is a chilling novella with an eerie, old-time ghost-story feel, it’s a tale of greed, dark magic, and murder. It’s the perfect cup of tea to curl up with on a cold, blustery Halloween—and you’ll never think of a game of chess the same way again.
Tell us about your work in progress.
I’m working on Book 2 of my Dark Shapes, Dark Shadows series. It’s a novella called “The Pond.” Like Book 1, “HauGHnt,” it’s a deeply eerie story that is right out of the Twilight Zone.
Inspired by the sudden and unexpected death of my mother, the short story Never Too Late is a cautionary tale to us all. It’ll have you questioning your life choices.
What are some things about others’ books that you love?
I grew up with Stephen King—he taught me how to lie your ass off and make people believe. Clive Barker taught me how to imagine—and then to imagine more.
My fifth book is Book 1 of the Dark Shapes, Dark Shadows series, a collection of eerie short stories and novellas. Book 1 is “HauGhnt,” a twisted take on a deal with the devil. It’s one of my highest-rated books, with an ending that’ll blow you away.
What are some things about others’ books that you don’t like?
Far be it for me to criticize any particular author’s work or approach. But if pressed, I’m not a fan of splatterpunk or extreme gore. I truly believe that less is more, and that’s certainly reflected in my stories. I write horror, and yes, I’ve written some horrifying things, but never have they been written for the sake of the gross-out—my horror always advances the story.
Gateway, is my latest novel. It’s a terrifying supernatural thriller about a tormented horror novelist who can see souls—but when he unwittingly opens a gateway into the soul of an epileptic child, a relentless evil is unleashed, twisting peaceful townsfolk into psychotic crazies and cold-blooded killers. It’s my highest-rated novel so far.
What advice do you have for new or aspiring authors today?
Respect. The. Craft.
Thank you, David!
About David C. Cassidy
Award-winning author David C. Cassidy is the twisted mind behind several chilling books of horror and suspense. An author, photographer, and graphic designer–and a half-decent juggler—he spends his writing life creating tales of terror where Bad Things Happen To Good People.
Raised by wolves, he grew up with a love of nature, music, science, and history, with thrillers and horror novels feeding the dark side of his seriously disturbed imagination. He talks to his characters, talks often, and most times they listen. But the real fun starts when they tell him to take a hike, and they Open That Door anyway. Idiots.
David lives in Ontario, Canada. From Mozart to Vivaldi, classic jazz to classic rock, he feels naked without his iPod. Suffering from MAD—Multiple Activity Disorder—he divides his time between writing and blogging, photography and Photoshop, reading and rollerblading. An avid amateur astronomer, he loves the night sky, chasing the stars with his telescope. Sometimes he eats.
To learn more and connect with David, you can follow him on Twitter and Facebook, or visit his: