Dale L. Sproule has over 50 published stories in markets ranging from Ellery Queen’s to Pulphouse the Hardback #1 to The Colored Lens and The Exile Book of New Canadian Noir. His collections include Psychedelia Gothique (2014) and Psychedelia Noir (2021). His first novel, The Human Template appeared in 2020. The second, Battle for the Carnivorous Forest. will appear in 2022.
How long have you been writing and what got you started?
My first story was published in Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine in 1984 and my writing career has ebbed and flowed ever since. I did find that editing my own magazine (TransVersions) in the mid-90s made my name more recognizable, made it easy to meet other editors, imbued an almost instant credibility, got me onto panels at conventions with well-known writers and editors, and otherwise helped move my career forward throughout that five-year period. It did cost money out of pocket – especially since we paid semi-pro rates, but in my opinion it was well worth it. It also taught me A LOT about writing and publishing.
Do you favor the traditional route or self-publishing?
There are so many writers and so many stories these days that it is harder than ever to make an mark strictly as a writer. The paths to success are to either write masterfully or to be extremely prolific. If you can do both at the same time your chance of establishing a fanbase are much better.
What is the best piece of advice you have for new writers?
Since I am not a fast writer, I have concentrated on writing well and developing a distinctive voice. It seems to me that being prolific works best with a ‘safe’ approach that sticks with ‘writing for the market’ – giving people what they like. Being experimental will probably lose you readers. It’s harder to find writers who craft unique stories with an idiosyncratic style, but those are the books that stick with me as a reader – and are therefore what I try to write. All the greatest books are the ones with a vision and a voice unlike any other.
Oddly, that approach will probably not make a writer popular. Too many readers are unwilling to go out of their comfort zone – but work that is much harder to forget or dismiss.
As for tips for other writers, the main one is “keep writing” – but don’t write for the market – write for yourself. Try not to take criticism too seriously or personally. If someone’s feedback resonates with you or gets you excited, then use it to help make your work live up to your own ambitions. Look for ways to get better, figure out what your weaknesses are, find advice for how to improve that aspect of your work. And keep writing the stuff that doesn’t come naturally. It’s the only way to get better.
What is your favorite type of fiction and who are your favorite authors?
My two story collections were marketed as horror, but the work contained therein reflects my complete lack of regard for genre labels.
What book are you reading right now?
I love ambitious books – books that don’t follow any formulas at all. William Gibson’s work was totally unique when he broke out. If his voice seems dated these days, it’s mostly because he had so many imitators. The list of books I love is long and filled with cult writers: Nathanial West’s Miss Lonelyhearts is my favorite early 20th century book. Philip K. Dick was a mad visionary. Tim Powers specializes in making the outlandish real – his novels are adrenaline filled and ingenious. William Browning Spencer’s Zod Wallop has a permanent spot on my bookshelves..
Books that have made a strong impression on me recently include Nick Harkaway’s The Gone Away World, Peter Watts’ Blindsight, N.K. Jemisen’s The City We Became and C.J. Lavigne’s In Veritas
What do you think the publishing industry will look like twenty-five years from now?
While being traditionally published offers more prestige, more money up front, and better promotion; it may also be more of a trap. Traditional publishing has never treated mid-list writers well and 98% of us are mid-list writers at best. Self-publishing does cost money up front, but the writer’s share of the profit is much better, our backlist can live forever, and we can have complete control of the process. I think self-publishing is the future.
Is there anything you’d like to plug? Feel free to share a link.
I have two story collections and my novel, The Human Template is available now…with Book Two – Escape from the Carnivorous Forest scheduled for later this year. All the details are on my website, https://dalelsproule.com
