Today we’d like to introduce you to Dennis Crosby
Hi Dennis, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Well, I had the great honor to share my story with you years ago, following the release of my first book, Death’s Legacy. I cannot thank you enough for that. That novel was published in 2020, and despite launching during a pandemic, I was fortunate to find some success with that book despite the challenges we all faced. It was well-reviewed, and well-received, and managed to snag a few awards. Since that time, I’ve published two additional novels in the Kassidy Simmons series, and I’ve had twelve short stories published with one more on the way this spring.
I work a full-time job in the non-profit world. My job entails developing and strengthening programming that assists adults impacted by homelessness and/or housing insecurity. We operate during the work week, and as one might imagine, the work can be intense. So, writing becomes my escape. When crafting a novel or short story, I can get lost in a world of my own creation, and, if I’ve done it well, others can get lost in that, too. In essence, storytelling becomes my superpower, and given that I am, at my core, a pop culture/comic book/sci-fi fanatic…I’m in heaven in those moments.
My writing career has been on a steady progression, and it’s led to greater opportunities for me to not only meet other creatives, but to share my experiences and what I’ve learned with other writers who are breaking into the business. I’ve been a guest speaker at conferences, a presenter for multiple writing groups, and a panelist at Comic-Con, WonderCon, and StokerCon (for which I also served as Co-Chair of the organizing team). I’ve enjoyed all of that a great deal and look forward to more opportunities to participate in those types of events. I find that in sharing my experiences, I also learn about the experiences of others, and at the end of the day, that makes me a richer, stronger creator and member of the writing community.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
When I look back at the road that got me here, I see a ton of off-ramps to a lot of side streets and neighborhoods. Sometimes, I can’t believe I got back on the road to get where I am, but I am, nonetheless, grateful for every stop, layover, and lesson. The path to publishing is long and one that takes a great deal of patience and understanding. But getting to that point is one of the most rewarding feelings you can have. When we last talked, that’s where I was. Since then, I’ve embarked on another journey—that of continued publishing and presence. And again, I have to thank so many people within the writing community for helping me stay grounded.
I think that sometimes there can be a misconception that publishing a novel means that everything afterward will be a walk in the park. It’s certainly a foot in the door, but it is an early step in your career. The next goal should be publishing more. Continuing to get better. Not only should your writing skills improve, but so too should your understanding of the publishing business. That’s what I mean by being grounded. If I’d not been taught that early on, I’m not sure that my expectations would have been terribly realistic. I have to remember that rejection letters will still come. Opportunities to participate in projects and special events may not come. The most important lessons for me were, 1) Rejection is not a reflection on your work or your talent. It’s simply not right for that project or that audience. 2) Keep going. People have different tastes, and your work may be their flavor. You’ll find your audience. Your audience will find you. Just. Keep. Going. I do my best to share that with people who reach out to talk, or who may be seeking advice. Being grounded has helped me stay the course and not get discouraged.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I don’t know if there’s anything that necessarily sets me apart from others. What I can tell you, is that I absolutely love creating new stories, in multiple genres. My novel series is urban fantasy. Set in and around the city of Chicago, it tells the story of Kassidy Simmons, one-time Reaper of Souls, now Death God. She must navigate this “other” world to keep it from destroying the real world, all while managing her own inner demons and trauma. Fans of Greek Mythology and shows like Jessica Jones, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Supernatural will enjoy this series. I’ll be working on book four in the series and hope to publish it toward the end of the year. I also write short stories featuring characters from that universe. That way I can keep readers engaged with Kassidy and allow her story to grow beyond the novels.
Another step in my writing evolution is editing anthologies, and this year I’ve decided to dip my toe in those waters. Local San Diego author KC Grifant and I will be co-editing a horror anthology to be published by No Bad Books Press. We’re gathering San Diego area writers who’ll share stories for this project called Dread Coast: SoCal Horror Tales. We’ll be donating a portion of the proceeds to help with relief efforts for those impacted by the Los Angeles area wildfires. This is an exciting project that will showcase some amazing talent, and the best part is, it’s for a wonderful cause. The Los Angeles area has just been devastated, and we want to do our part to help our neighbors to the north.
It’s hard to choose what I’m most proud of, too. Publishing my first novel was a dream come true. Getting my first short story accepted for publication was huge. Having a story accepted for Weird Tales Magazine, something I grew up reading and loving still has me on cloud nine. In the end, writing is my passion. I’m proud of everything I’ve done thus far, and I’ve been able to see my skills improve over time. Short stories have been a terrific way for me to sharpen those skills. Those stories exist primarily in the genres of horror, urban fantasy, and a couple of thrillers, and I’ll continue to write them and submit them for publication. Editing is a new venture for me and I’m super excited about it. I think we’re going to produce a great collection. Every aspect of my writing career is new and exciting because I’m really only at the beginning of it. Every accomplishment has led me to the next great experience, so each day I look forward to seeing what comes next.
What matters most to you? Why?
That’s a great question. On a smaller scale, when it comes to my writing career, what matters most is putting together a solid story. Whether it’s a 4000-word short story, or an 80,000-word novel, I want the story to be entertaining and thought provoking. On a larger scale what matters most to me is living in a world where we can all come together peacefully, respectfully, and make lives better both now, and in the future, and I honestly feel that one of the best ways to accomplish that is through artistic expression.
In this day and age, we desperately need artists of all types. Writers, actors, singers, musicians, painters, dancers, all of them. In art lies the chance to escape from the challenges of the real world, but, in art, there is also truth. The arts help us see and appreciate the beauty in this world. The beauty of different cultures, beliefs, and the chance to test the limits of our imaginations. The arts give us the opportunity to see things from a different perspective and open our minds to possibilities. The arts bring us together, and in a world that is divided by so many different things, we desperately need that. I am honored to be a part of that community, and as a writer, will continue to do my part to help us get closer to that ideal.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://denniskcrosby.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/denniskcrosby
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Denniskcrosby
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denniskcrosby
- Other: https://bsky.app/profile/denniskcrosby.bsky.social
Image Credits
Personal Photo – Jason Liu
