We had the good fortune of connecting with D.C. Phillips and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi D.C., do you have any habits that you feel contribute to your effectiveness?
Over a decade ago, I sent a fan email to one of my favorite authors, John Saul. This was just before the social media “boom,” so public figures weren’t quite as accessible. I waited for weeks, not expecting a response, and gasped when Mr. Saul’s name popped up in my inbox.

Among other things, Mr. Saul told me to write every day; even if you only write a paragraph, it’s something. You may revisit it later and feel inspired. As simple as this advice sounds, it helped me to form an important habit. As a writer, there’s a tendency to take a break when creativity isn’t flowing, but it’s critical to exercise the mind like any other muscle. I’m sure there’s a larger life lesson on persistence somewhere in there!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’ve always been a writer. As a kid, my favorite school assignments involved telling stories and creating images to go with them. Even outside of school, I spent time filling notebooks with tales of killer sharks, living scarecrows with pumpkin heads, and deranged relatives. (For context, I read a lot of Goosebumps and watched Night of the Living Dead at an outrageously young age. My work is heavily inspired by cult classics, often with Southern Gothic flair.)

As I grew up and considered publishing—self-publishing, in particular—self-doubt crept in. Was my stuff good enough? Would people read and connect with what I had to say? As it turned out… yes and yes! Sure, it takes time (perhaps years) to connect with the right audience, whether you’re an author, a singer, a podcaster, or an entrepreneur. Not everything is for everyone, but finding your niche is 100% worth the investment.

That’s the message I’d like others to take from my trajectory. We all have at least one passion from childhood that gets lost in the adult shuffle of the day job, our own insecurities, and so on. Don’t let it die out, because you never know where it might take you and what kind of outlet it may provide.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I live in the ‘burbs, but I know when people come to Atlanta they want to see the “lights, camera, action” of it all. Depending on my guests’ sensibilities, I’d typically start at Oakland Cemetery—which shouldn’t be a surprise coming from a genre author. We’re talking history, architecture, and views galore. The juxtaposition of the tombstones that just out against the skyline always leaves me in awe. In that area, there are also GREAT places to eat. I love southern-fried seafood, so I’d choose Six Feet Under.

From there, I might recommend visiting filming locations, embracing the wackiness of Little Five Points, enjoying an authentic meal from a variety of cultures along Buford Highway, or taking in the fresh air of the North Georgia mountains. There are so many options!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d like to dedicate my shoutout to the Atlanta Chapter of the Horror Writers Association. I lurked for years, quietly publishing short stories in anthologies and online, attending meetings and cheering on similarly macabre-minded creatives. Being surrounded by that kind of talent and enthusiasm is both encouraging and contagious! As a result, I attended the Decatur Book Festival as a first-time vendor years ago and fell in love with that people-facing side of the business, building an audience and chatting with fellow book lovers. So, this one’s for them.

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Image Credits
Goosebumps setup: Charm City Goosebumps
Killer clown: Debi Fermin

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