Interview with Thomas Gaffney

Author of Stranger Things Have Happened

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

I was born and raised in Northeast Philadelphia (reppin’ the 215), and I now live on the opposite side of the state in Pittsburgh, PA with my wife.

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

My wife was a pharmacy tech at a drug store and loved it enough to want to pursue it as a career. She ended up applying to several schools and fell in love with Duquesne University (we actually visited the campus on our honeymoon). When she got accepted, I quit my full-time job in the Philly suburbs as we both moved out to Pittsburgh.

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

I’d been bouncing back and forth between a few ideas for novels, but could never finish one. I read some advice online to try short stories if you’re having trouble actually completing a project. So I started on a short story (FEEEEENIX is the story), and at that point, I saw a magazine was holding a short short story competition (1500 words or less) so I edited FEEEEENIX down to 1500 words in less than a week and submitted it. I lost. But I kept writing short short stories until a friend from my old writing group of fellow baristas suggested I bundle them all together into a collection and self-publish it. So I did.

How would you describe your books to first time readers?

Hopefully scary. Or, at least, weird or eerie or spine-tingling. I try to take normal characters in your average, ordinary, everyday life and put them in situations that are straight out of horror movies. A terrifyingly evil bad guy against some sort of super-powered hero isn’t always relatable because we’re not super-powered people. The devil facing off against your younger sibling is scary to your core because what are you going to do? Who is going to believe you?

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

People who like to be scared. People who see a clown on the street and wonder (deep inside) if it’s a murderous clown. People who go to bed at night worried that the creaking noise from the kitchen might be a nefarious beast from another world.

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

The first one would be that it’s HARD. That was both expected and unexpected. I didn’t expect this to be easy in any way, shape, or form, but WOW is it difficult. The characters go off and do their own thing, and then you’ve lost the plot. Or your 1500 word story is now 4000 words. The second one would be that I can be a perfectionist. This is more in the self-publishing aspect because it took so long to find a layout I liked. Then find a cover image. And font. And title placement. And colors. And paper type. And glossy or matte cover. There is so much more that goes into self-publishing than you would think. You can do it cheap and quick and easy, or you can do it with some money and carefully and painstakingly. It all depends on what you want to get out of the end product.

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

As for writing – I would tell my past self to FINISH. That, and PLOT. I don’t know how many years I wasted on a draft, only to get through four chapters and lose my way, shelve the draft, and start something else only to repeat. As for publishing – even though I did put a lot of time and effort into it, it probably could’ve used more. Don’t rush things.

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

I’d love to say ALL OF THEM, but I don’t think kids should be reading my work. I do have bad words and adult topics, and my work is more geared to adults. And as much as I would love for EVERYONE to like my stuff, I know it’s not for everyone. Stranger Things Have Happened, for example, is a collection of short stories – and that’s not for everyone. A lot of my stories veer towards horror and that’s not for everyone. So I’d really like to reach the Stephen King/Shirley Jackson fans. I cut my teeth on their stories and I feel those people would like what I write.

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

Marketing and getting my books into people’s hands. I don’t like talking about myself (despite this interview lol), and I’m not the most outgoing of people either (around strangers). So I could probably be marketing myself and my work more. When I do get it out there, I do get more positive reviews than negative ones, but I have a hard time just getting it out there.

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

For writing, I would say I don’t suffer too much writer’s block. As long as I have a synopsis or outline and some good music, I can write all day long. Even if it’s slow coming – the words still come and get put down on paper (or the computer screen). As for publishing, my eye for design isn’t as good as my wife’s, but I do have an idea of what looks good. So I can prep an ebook or paperback to look almost professional. As for marketing, I will let you know when I have a strength… Haha

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

If I’m writing without an outline, I can run off the rails and a full day’s output can end up in the garbage. Or I’ll decide something I wrote 100 pages ago isn’t good enough and I’ll stop actively writing to edit when the work isn’t finished and I’ll be stuck in a never-ending loop of edits. Publishing, I still don’t know all the avenues of options for publishing. I’m sure I’m missing out on tons of options I could’ve used to publish my book and make it a success. And everything I do about marketing is a weakness LOL. I need to work on it quickly before I have another book to make available.

When do you think you will write your next book?

My next book (the first draft at least) is already done. I’ve edited once myself, and I’m in the process of typing up the second draft to send to friends, family, and a freelance editor I’ve been communicating with online. It is a full-length horror novel and it is the first novel I’ve ever completed.

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

My collection of short stories, Stranger Things Have Happened, was self-published. In both ebook and paperback versions. Once I finally edit, tighten up, and complete the novel I’m working on, I’m hoping to get an agent and go the traditional route. If that fails, I will probably self-publish it and cross my fingers for my next book.