Interview with Chris Vuoncino

Author of Who Will Survive

Where are you from originally and where do you reside now?

I was born and raised in northern New Jersey, but currently reside in Long Beach, CA.

If you currently reside somewhere besides where you were born, what’s the story that lead from there to here?

I had wanted to move to California for many years, and a few years ago, my wife and I, who are also musicians, decided it was time to move away from the New York City scene and try life on the west coast. It has been a fun adventure, and has helped fuel and push forward our creative endeavors.

What made you decide to write and publish your first book?

The book itself is inspired by the music of one of my favorite bands, Murder By Death. Their second album lays out the story of a man who shoots the Devil in the back and the consequences which are paid upon a small town. It’s such a great album, both musically and thematically, and it had always inspired such strong imagery and imagination any time I listened to it. When I began writing the book, I was able to get in touch with the band and receive their blessing for the project.

How would you describe your books to first time readers?

I would tell readers that it is a struggle between good and evil, an entertaining journey through the ideas of living a good life and the demons which inevitably haunt all people.

Who do you feel is most likely to connect with the topics you write about?

I think individuals that enjoy stories of fear or light fantasy would gravitate towards my writing. Although I found the subject important and engaging, I hope that my story is also fluid and enjoyable to the average reader.

What unexpected or surprising thing did you learn during the process of writing and publishing?

As I said, I am also a musician, so the process of writing, editing and releasing a project is familiar, but at the same time, a book just felt like it came with more pressure. Writing songs is who I have been for many years and I trust the work I put into that craft. As an author, I really put myself up against the books I love and felt the weight and achievement of putting together my first book.

If you could, what advice would you give to your past self before embarking on this journey?

I would have told myself to focus on it more, develop it sooner, but then again, it was the pauses and growth in my personal life which helped me reach this point, so maybe I needed the struggles I encountered.

How many people would you ideally like to reach with your books?

I hope to reach a very large audience. As an artist, I always think big. I wrote this story because I think it has universal messages in it and could translate well to a visual medium some day!

What has been the biggest challenge and frustration during the process to date?

I think the biggest challenge has just been trying to market the book. As a musician, I have specific strategies and past experience to help guide me. Releasing a book comes from a whole different marketing perspective so I am learning to find new outlets and ways to reach the public.

What’s your biggest strengths when it comes to book a) writing, b) publishing and c) marketing?

I think the writing is my strongest suit. I have always been a very avid reader, and even as a student, writing and language came easy to me. Once the ideas start, I trust my grasp on language ability to engage my readers/

What’s your biggest weakness when it comes to book a) writing, b) publishing and c) marketing?

I would say that I feel weaknesses in all three. As a writer, I know that I need to grow as a proofreader and better step outside myself for periods to assess my writing. When it comes to publishing, this was my first book, so I was seeing the process for the first time, I know it will get easier with each new project though. Finally, in terms of marketing, I feel I am still in the beginning stages of the marketing process for this book, so I trust that I will only improve my ability to reach an audience.

When do you think you will write your next book?

I have begun to map out the story, but it will probably be a few months before I decide to dive into it. Music is still a focus and large part of my life, so much of my creative energy remains in that territory.

Are you self published or did you use a hybrid publisher, or a traditional publisher?

I used a hybrid publisher, Bookbaby. They were great at helping me get my project together and then ensuring that it was promptly available through major digital retailers.