On June 6, 2020, I published a story titled #MarkedMan about a cursed guy named Rob who’s traveling through England while being stalked by supernatural monsters.

For the ebook cover, I dressed my son in a field jacket and drove him to the middle of nowhere to pose as my protagonist. My wife lent her graphic design skills, and photoshopped an inverted pentacle on his back. I got such great feedback on the story that I went on to include it as the prologue in my first novel—which led to a second one, and another spinoff novel.

I’ve got more Team Van Helsing adventures on deck, and I’m super proud of the mythology that started five years ago with this little story.

(I plan on making the novels available in places other than the ‘Zon, just like “Marked Man” is already available on Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and others.)
#bookstodon #books #IndieAuthor #HorrorAuthors #IndieHorror #SupportIndieHorror #HorrorCommunity #DavidRider #WeAreVanHelsing #AncasUndeadPlaylist

https://books2read.com/u/bPp8rR

I started my indie writing career on May 10, 2015. I used Kindle Direct because it seemed to be the simplest option for a beginner. As time passed and I networked with other creative folks, I learned how much I was limiting my exposure by sticking with Amazon. And when it comes to that place—especially in recent years—I can’t morally justify being exclusive to them. That’s why I devoted time and money to learning how to use IngramSpark and Draft2Digital. My future book releases will now be available from multiple marketplaces. Onward and upward. Happy ten-year anniversary to me!

On March 20, 2022, I released my novel We Are Van Helsing - Book Two, which wrapped up the duology I began in the first book. It told the tale of Ilse Van Helsing, a woman whose family legacy has been targeted by a powerful, dangerous mastermind.

At the time, I didn’t know those books would form the core of a mythology that continues to this day—spinning off a solo novel featuring my Romani vampire Anca, with more stories in the works.

What I do know is those books have filled me with an incredible sense of accomplishment. The advice is true: if you write a little each day—say, during a pandemic, before a full-time job—you’ll eventually finish a novel. Mine ended up being 194,000 words and needed to be split into two books. I learned a lot about my craft. I felt excitement when the characters wrested control from me and took the story in unexpected, amazing directions. And when I finally held both paperbacks in my hands, I experienced the pride that comes with being an indie horror author.

Here’s to the three-year anniversary of WAVH: Book Two!
#bookstodon #books #IndieAuthor #IndieHorror #SupportIndieHorror #HorrorCommunity #DavidRider #WeAreVanHelsing #AncasUndeadPlaylist

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CRZ8DFG8

I set a personal writing record. In the past 45 days, from January 1 to February 15, I’ve written and revised three complete horror stories. The third tale is a simultaneous submission with two slightly different versions. And as of this morning, I’ve sent them to four different indie publishers.

Story #1 - 2,001 words
Story #2 - 3,300
Story #3 (long version) - 7,100

Focusing on my creative output is the game plan for 2025.

Other than a lot of writing and less social media, here’s the game plan going forward…

The Glen Ellyn Public Library will host their Emerging Author Expo next Saturday, January 25, 2025. The doors swing wide at 1:00 PM, with open mic readings from 1:30-3:30. The event ends at 4:00. Come grab a beverage at The Cafe and say hi to your local authors. I’ll be there selling and signing my books. Don’t feel obligated to share if I ask for a sip of your cold brew. I won’t blame you—and I’ll still answer any questions about indie publishing and offer my take on vampires and the Van Helsing legend.

Missing the #Svengoolie BOO-Nanza Double Feature because I’m in St. Louis attending AuthorCon IV and fighting real monsters with Scares That Care. This is a wonderful cause and I’m happy to join so many other horror authors and help in my small way.
#AuthorCon #ScaresThatCare #FightRealMonsters
#bookstodon #books #IndieAuthor #IndieHorror #HorrorCommunity #DavidRider #WeAreVanHelsing #AncasUndeadPlaylist

I’ll be joining scores of horror authors in St. Louis next weekend, October 4-6, to help raise money for a wonderful cause: Scares That Care presents AuthorCon IV. Please visit the link for details.
#ScaresThatCare #AuthorCon #StLouis #bookstodon #books #IndieAuthor #IndieHorror #SupportIndieHorror #HorrorCommunity #DavidRider #WeAreVanHelsing #AncasUndeadPlaylist

https://scaresthatcare.org/author-con-iv

I’m at C2E2 with other members of the HWA Chicagoland Chapter. We’re appearing in the Friday panel “Frightening an Audience: How Horror Writers Generate Fear.” (My answer to that topic will be an exaggerated shrug.) Afterwards we’ll be signing books at Anderson’s Bookshop, booth #163.

You’ll also find me lurking in the Writers Block area, in or around booth WB-3, both Friday and Saturday.

EXCLUSIVE DEAL FOR USERS OF MASTODON (how social media is *supposed* to be): whether you buy a book from me at the panel or the HWA table, mention the Fediverse and I’ll knock two bucks off the price of my three novels:

We Are Van Helsing - Book One
We Are Van Helsing - Book Two
Anca’s Undead Playlist

Hell, you’ll get the discount if you tell me you love #Svengoolie.

#C2E2 #bookstodon #books #HWA #HorrorWritersAssociation #IndieAuthor #IndieHorror #HorrorCommunity #DavidRider #WeAreVanHelsing #AncasUndeadPlaylist

https://www.c2e2.com/en-us/guests/guest-profile.html?gtID=346116&guest-name=David-Rider

I’ll miss tooting during #Svengoolie next week, since I’ll be at #C2E2. And don’t forget on Friday, April 26, after the “Frightening an Audience” panel with other Horror Writers Association Chicagoland Chapter members, I'll be doing a book signing with my fellow panelists. You can find me at Anderson's Bookshop, booth #163. Come say hi. I'll even sign your forehead—whether you want it or not.
#bookstodon #books #HWA #HorrorWritersAssociation #IndieAuthor #IndieHorror #HorrorCommunity #WeAreVanHelsing #AncasUndeadPlaylist #DavidRider

https://www.c2e2.com/en-us/guests/guest-profile.html?gtID=346116&guest-name=David-Rider

I’ll be at C2E2 next week. For the first time I’ll be attending as a member of the Horror Writers Association Chicagoland Chapter. On Friday evening I’ll be making my debut as a panelist with three other fear-strikin’ folks to discuss the topic “Frightening an Audience: How Horror Writers Generate Fear.” Come meet the local HWA gang at booth WB-3 in the Writers Block area. Maybe I’ll get to meet #Svengoolie again this year and give him another one of my novels!
#C2E2 #bookstodon #books #IndieAuthor #IndieHorror #HorrorCommunity #HWA #HWAChicagolandChapter #DavidRider #WeAreVanHelsing #AncasUndeadPlaylist

It was a pleasure meeting Bram Stoker Award-winning author John Everson, fellow member of the Chicagoland HWA. He was appearing at the Wheaton Public Library, along with a slew of other local authors. Mr. Everson was cool enough to chew the fat with me for a while, and also signed a copy of his book Voodoo Heart. Since I’ve got a WIP that touches on New Orleans and Haitian vodou, I can’t wait to read this story!

#bookstodon #JohnEverson #VoodooHeart #IndieAuthor #IndieHorror #HorrorCommunity #DavidRider WeAreVanHelsing #AncasUndeadPlaylist #Goblin

Chicago architect and urban sketcher extraordinaire Mark Jones posted a review of my novel Anca’s Undead Playlist on Goodreads. “But Dave,” you say, “isn’t he a friend of yours?” Yes. “And haven’t you known him since high school?” Well, yeah, but the guy doesn’t usually write reviews at all, so I was happy he liked my book enough to take the time to write this one.
#bookstodon #books #IndieAuthor #IndieHorror #HorrorCommunity #WeAreVanHelsing #AncasUndeadPlaylist #DavidRider #vampire

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CRQDS8GK

Chicago punk band Sweetie inspired a chapter of the novel Anca’s Undead Playlist, a story about a teenage punk rock vampire by indie horror author David Rider. On March 15, 2024, we invite you and the rest of the Windy City’s Undead community to celebrate Sweetie’s next chapter at the Gman Tavern on Clark Street for a music video release show with Shannon Candy, featuring drag performances by Sindy Vicious, Lucille Faux Fur, and Spencer Moneyyy. Get tickets now.

#Sweetie #SweetieBand #DevilGirl #Showgirl #PunkRock #LipstickPunk #Chicago #DavidRider #IndieAuthor #IndieHorror #bookstodon #AncasUndeadPlaylist #vampire #GmanTavern #ShannonCandy #SindyVicious #LucilleFauxFur
#SpencerMoneyyy

https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/50643177/sweetie-music-video-release-showshannon-candy-featuring-drag-performances-by-sindy-viciouslucille-faux-furand-more-chicago-gman-tavern