Interview With Author David Powell
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is David L. Powell III, and I write stories that live in the shadows—where trauma, truth, and theology collide. I’m a screenwriter, filmmaker, and now, the author of Blood & Scripture: Memoirs of the Philadelphia Slasher—a confessional-style novel that reimagines real-life unsolved murders through the warped lens of redemption and violence.
Blood & Scripture is my debut book, but storytelling has always been in my bones. I’ve ghostwritten several books, written over 20 scripts, and have an IMDb page tied to past film projects in the horror genre. I don’t write to entertain—I write to unearth. To expose what’s been buried. And this book is the first of many.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is called Blood & Scripture: Memoirs of the Philadelphia Slasher. It’s part fictional confessional, part psychological horror, and part social commentary—written from the perspective of a serial killer who believes he’s delivering salvation through murder.
The inspiration came from a mix of real-life unsolved murders, the crack epidemic of the 1980s, and personal reflections on generational trauma, addiction, and the twisted ways people seek redemption. I wanted to explore what happens when pain isn’t healed—but repurposed. When scripture becomes a sword. And when a broken boy becomes a prophet of violence, convinced that each kill is a sermon.
It’s not a story for the faint of heart—but it’s the kind of truth I needed to write.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write like I’m confessing a sin.
Most of my work starts late at night, when everything’s quiet—when the world feels more like a memory than a moment. I’ll light a candle, sometimes play ambient or eerie gospel music, and sink into the headspace of the character. I don’t outline in the traditional sense. I build altars—folders, images, scriptures, crime reports—and let the story haunt me until it has no choice but to come out.
Sometimes I write entire scenes in my head before I ever touch the keyboard. And if it doesn’t feel like I’m bleeding onto the page, I delete it.
I don’t chase inspiration. I wait until it stares back at me.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I draw inspiration from powerful Black voices who bend genres and speak truth through fiction. Octavia E. Butler’s Fledgling and Parable series changed how I view storytelling—she made science fiction feel ancestral, prophetic, and deeply human. Tananarive Due’s mastery of horror and historical trauma continues to influence how I build dread with meaning. I also hold deep respect for the lyrical weight of Toni Morrison, the unapologetic fire of James Baldwin, and the gritty brilliance of Donald Goines. Each one carved a path through darkness and dared us to follow.
What are you working on now?
I’m currently working on a follow-up to Blood & Scripture—a darker, more introspective descent into the mind of someone who believes their violence is divine. This next installment explores the weight of legacy, identity, and the voices we inherit or invent to justify our actions. It’s not just a continuation—it’s a deeper cut. The new narrator sees the world through scripture and vengeance, believing his mission is sacred. Each chapter peels back more of the psychological rot that drives him. It’s a gospel of blood, purpose, and the lies we call redemption.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Authenticity has been my best tool. I’ve found the most impact through Instagram—using bold visuals, cinematic reels, and dark, poetic captions to match the tone of my book. I also connect directly with readers and reviewers who focus on Black literature, horror, or true crime, especially through platforms like Bookstagram and Black indie book blogs. Rather than rely solely on ads, I treat each post like a scene—designed to haunt, provoke, or intrigue. Word of mouth, striking imagery, and staying true to the soul of the book have been my strongest forms of promotion.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
1. Write what disturbs you.
Don’t chase trends—chase truth. The stories that haunt you, that pull from your wounds, memories, and unresolved questions—those are the ones with power. The reader doesn’t want perfect—they want honest.
2. Structure is your friend, not your prison.
Even the most poetic chaos benefits from a skeleton. Whether it’s the three-act structure, Save the Cat, or commandments like in Blood & Scripture—find a framework that helps you organize your wildness, not dilute it.
3. Read like a thief.
Study the writers you admire. Don’t just enjoy their stories—dissect them. How did they open that scene? Why did that chapter break feel perfect? What did they not say that made it hit harder?
4. The first draft is exorcism, not execution.
Let it be ugly. Let it ramble. Don’t edit your raw thoughts before they have form. You can shape it later—but you can’t revise a blank page.
5. Finish.
Ideas are cheap. Endings are rare. Even if you hate it by the time you’re done—finish. Because once you cross that line, you stop being someone who wants to write a book, and become someone who has.
6. Market like it’s part of the story.
Your book isn’t just words—it’s a movement, a moment, a message. Treat your promotions like you’re expanding the world of your story, not begging for attention. Readers want to believe in what you’ve built—give them a reason to.
7. Protect your voice.
Feedback is helpful. Critique sharpens. But not everyone deserves to edit your truth. Learn to differentiate between notes that make you better, and ones that make you blander.
8. Write like no one’s watching—then revise like everyone is.
Create in freedom. Then revise with ruthless clarity. Make sure every word earns its place.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Write like no one will ever read it. Then edit like the whole world will.”
That changed everything for me. It gave me permission to be raw, unfiltered, and brutally honest in the first draft—to write without fear or shame. That’s how Blood & Scripture was born. I wasn’t trying to impress anyone. I was trying to exorcise something.
But once the truth is out, the real work begins—shaping it, sharpening it, turning pain into poetry. That balance between honesty and craft… that’s where the real art lives.
What are you reading now?
Right now, I’m reading My Dark Places by James Ellroy. It’s part memoir, part true crime, and all obsession—which resonates with me. I’m drawn to books that stare into the abyss and don’t flinch. Stories that feel more like confessions than entertainment.
I also revisit The Bible often—not for salvation, but for symbolism. The contradictions, the blood, the wrath, the grace—it’s all there. It’s not just scripture. It’s a blueprint for human chaos.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m building on the momentum of Blood & Scripture with its upcoming sequel—diving even deeper into the psyche, the scripture, and the silence between sins. The next book will expand the mythology without losing the raw, confessional tone readers connected with.
I’m also developing other dark projects across genres, all rooted in themes of trauma, faith, and the blurred line between salvation and damnation. Whether it’s books, film, or other mediums, I plan to keep telling stories that haunt long after the last page.
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?
I’d bring The Bible—not for religion, but for rhythm. The poetry, prophecy, violence, and contradiction in it have shaped my voice more than any writing manual ever could.
The Autobiography of Malcolm X would come with me too. It’s a reminder of transformation, purpose, and how pain can forge clarity.
Then I’d pack a survival guide by Bear Grylls—because reflection is powerful, but survival takes skill. Knowing how to purify water, build shelter, or not die from eating the wrong plant suddenly becomes essential.
And I’d still want a blank journal. Because if I’m stranded, I’m either writing my way out—or leaving something behind that tells my story right.
Author Websites and Profiles
Author Interview Series
To discover a new author, check out our Featured Authors page. We have some of the best authors around. They are just waiting for you to discover them. If you enjoyed this writer’s interview feel free to share it using the buttons below. Sharing is caring!
If you are an author and want to be interviewed just fill out out Author Interview page. After submitting we will send it out in our newsletters and social media channels that are filled with readers looking to discover new books to read.
If you are looking for a new book to read check out our Featured Books Page.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.