From conjuring zombies at university parties to crafting festive Victorian tales, Daniel Parsons takes us on an exhilarating journey through his imaginative world. Discover how this self-published author blends humor, adventure, and a dash of the fantastical in his ever-evolving literary quest.
Can you tell us about your personal journey to becoming a self-published author?
I always wanted to be an author, so much so that I came up with my “book-signing” signature aged eleven, which I still use to this day. After leaving school, I did an English Literature degree at Cardiff University and self-published my first book while still studying in 2013. After that, I’ve gone on to work for five publishing houses, doing everything from editing to production to marketing, all while I continued to write and publish my own work.
How do you find inspiration for your stories and characters?
Usually, my stories start with a “what if” question. Last Crawl, the first novel in my zombie series, for example, started after I asked, “What if a zombie outbreak happened during a university’s freshers week and the students realised the zombies wouldn’t notice them if they were drunk?” Then I simply created characters that I knew would get on each other’s nerves. I’ve found that approach stirs up some hilarious antics.
How have you evolved as a writer since your first book publication?
I had no idea what I was doing in 2013. Not only did I write without an outline but I also wrote whatever captured my interest, regardless of genre or intended audience. It was fun but led me to create some bizarre stories and straddle multiple genres, which lost me a lot of readers. These days, I still don’t write perfectly to market but I do think a little more about sticking to my core genres, which is a better strategy if you want to build a loyal readership.
Can you tell us about a book that significantly impacted your life and your decision to become an author?
It’s impossible to pinpoint a single book because I read prolifically as a teenager. That said, Anthony Horowitz’ Alex Rider series inspired a lot of my early fiction, as did Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series. I admire both authors for the sense of adventure they summon inside readers, as well as their wit and humour. There’s nothing pretentious about their work. Yet, they were profoundly impactful.
How do you infuse your own life experiences into your narratives?
Typical writer wisdom states that you should write what you know. And while some of my fiction clearly drawers inspiration from my life – my zombie books, for example, drawer from my university party experiences – I don’t really follow that wisdom. Generally, if I don’t have a life experience that I want to describe in a story, I try to get it first-hand while writing the first draft. That way, I can write about anything that interests me and get the details right. For instance, a few years ago, I wanted to know what it felt like to fall of a building so I booked a bungee jump. It was a lot of fun!
What has been the most memorable feedback from a reader and how did it impact you?
My editors have always given me my most useful feedback. I do my best to hire ones that don’t hold back for that reason; flattery isn’t going to help me improve. That said, I did once get feedback about the impact of my work from a reader that, while not constructive, warms my heart to this day. It came after she read my first book The Winter Freak Show while pregnant. According to her, she enjoyed it so much that she named her new son after my protagonist. In the grand scheme of feedback, that one stuck with me and, of course, I dedicated the sequel to her little boy.
What of your book(s) are you the most proudest of, and why?
I’m always inclined to say I’m yet to write my greatest work. And while that’s probably true, my biggest published achievement to date is The Twisted Christmas Trilogy boxed set. As a trilogy in one book, it’s my first complete series and contains a rich universe of characters that readers rediscover in the lead-up to every festive period. Pretty soon, I hope to produce a high-end collector’s edition – and I can’t wait to see it! Set in Victorian London, it provides the perfect backdrop.
What is your most recent book and/or what are you working on currently?
Right now, I’m working on Last Resort – the sequel to Last Crawl. This time, zombies break out at an all-inclusive Spanish party island resort. Think Benidorm with zombies. So far, it’s been a hoot to write and I’m looking forward to sharing it with my readers.
Is there a book project you have in mind that you plan to write one day? If so, can you tell us a little bit about it?
As a perennial daydreamer, I’ve got countless ideas jostling for position in my head so I couldn’t give you an exact project. I have to finish my zombie series first. Once that’s done, though, I’m considering maybe leaning into a thriller subgenre – one that still includes a bit of fantasy but that has a wider appeal. Watch this space!
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