Interview with Sean Fitzgibbon

Author of DomestiCATed: Paths Once Crossed

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

I am originally from Webb City, MO and I reside now in Fayetteville, AR.

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

I moved to Fayetteville in 2003 to attend grad school where I attained my MFA. I’ve been teaching
art and exhibiting art here in Fayetteville as well as working on graphic novel and illustration projects.

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

I’m an artist and I’ve always been interested in telling stories with my art.

How would you describe your books to first time readers?

DomestiCATed: Paths Once Crossed is a graphic novel made up of three, dark short stories that follow a black cat as it ventures into the nefarious underbelly of domestic human existence.

The final story in the book is a modern day retelling of Edgar Allan Poe’s The Black Cat. I originally came across this work in an anthology series by artist Bernie Wrightson entitled “Bernie Wrightson, Master of the Macabre” by Pacific Comics Press. His take on Poe’s classic was so exquisitely drawn and well told that I immediately read the original and eventually it made its way into this book.

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

Fans of the anthology format and particularly short works by Richard Matheson, Flannery O’ Connor, Philip K. Dick, Harlan Ellison, Shirley Jackson, Charles Beaumont, Stephen King, Ray Bradbury, and on and on will connect with this graphic novel. These stories will also connect with enthusiasts of Alfred Hitchcock, EC titles such as “The Vault of Horror” and “Tales From the Crypt”, as well as Rod Serling’s classic series “The Twilight Zone”.

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

The publishing industry can be absolutely bewildering and finding a literary agent and/or publisher is no easy task. Creating graphic novels is very difficult as well and before you decide to create one, I recommend working on subject matter that you are passionate about. It is easy to burn out if you’re not completely engaged in the material.

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

Be patient and explore every publishing option you can find.

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

As many dark anthology fans as I can reach.

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

Creating graphic novels requires all your attention and life can be full of distractions so you have to find plenty of time to go to your studio, shut the door and work!

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

a. I love telling stories visually so I tend to write like I’m creating a film script.

b. I like meeting new people so networking is something I do naturally.

c. I’m pretty good about getting my content out there once I have some momentum built up. Trying to get your work in front of as many eyes as possible is an art form in and of itself.

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

a. The classic writers block is always something to overcome.

b. Finding the right literary agent and/or publisher for your book can be daunting. Often times the process seem absolutely impossible. All I can say is stick with it and network with everyone you can think of that are in anyway connected to the publishing world.

c. Marketing your work takes a lot of time so balancing your art workload with promoting your art can be daunting.

When do you think you will you write your next book?

I’ve already written it. “What Follows Is True…Crescent: The Baker Years” is an upcoming graphic nonfiction that explores the stories surrounding the Crescent Hotel’s years as The Baker Hospital, an experimental cancer hospital.
The illustrated and painted graphic narrative blends oral histories, newspaper articles and Norman Baker’s own vanity biography to examine this historical happening and the complicated determinations of yesteryear’s monsters.

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

My book “DomestiCATed: Paths Once Crossed” is self published through Infinity Publishing.