Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve been knocking around the writing biz since college. I started out writing screenplays. There were some slight options. I stumbled into writing for an animation series, a video game and several comedy troupes. A few years ago, looking for an outlet, I began taking some of those scripts and turning them into books. I’ve got 4 books out, one on the way and I’m included in several anthologies.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Halloweenies is a much more lively version of my love of Halloween. I’m the kid who would make his own costume, because I was too picky about store-bought ones. I was the one who decorated the house. I was the one to set the trap to catch the neighborhood pumpkin smashers. Also, I’m a big fan of candy. I wanted to do a funny, joyful story about a kid who loves and enjoys the holiday.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write on a boat! I live in Staten Island and have to commute to the city to work. So, twice a day I get to ride the Staten Island ferry, which is a great place to pull out the pad and pencil and start writing.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Catch-22. Our high school English teacher assigned that book. It was the first time I was exposed to “literature” that was funny. Absurd situations, snappy dialogue. I found a meeting place where my love of old movie comedies and English Lit met. I was dumbfounded.
What are you working on now?
I’ve doing the final prep on my latest Nick Flebber detective series. I wrote Lost Claus and liked the character but figured that was that. Then a group of writers were putting together an anthology about love and an idea came up for a sequel to Lost Claus, a short story. That turned out so well, I pulled out some old notes and found some material where I had been pitching Nick Flebber as a series and had several stories mapped out. That led to me writing Space Case and now I’m coming out with Author in the First.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Nagging people on Twitter and Facebook seems to get results.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep writing. If you have one story, you have two. And if you have several stories, it makes a bigger mass for people to run into.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Just keep getting your material out there.
What are you reading now?
The Account, a Wall Street thriller
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m working a another Nick Flebber story. And I’m trying to get my script writing muscles active again and do some major work on an old script of mine, The Men from S*W*A*K. Submitting smaller pieces to some websites. And sketches to some comedy troupes.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The Harry Potter series. Man, those books sucked me in so bad. And they’re quite funny, too.
Author Websites and Profiles
Dan Fiorella Website
Dan Fiorella Amazon Profile
Dan Fiorella’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account