Meet D.C. Phillips

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful D.C. Phillips a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

D.C., we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?

Growing up, my mom always told me, “It never hurts to ask.” So many people–including myself at times–are afraid to put themselves out there and expose themselves to potential rejection or ridicule. As a writer, I experience this sense of vulnerability when I share my work for critique, whether I’m seeking feedback from a beta reader or submitting a piece for consideration in a zine. It’s akin to watching a clip of yourself or listening to a recording of your own voice.

It’s essential to confront that fear and work through it, though. What’s the worst that could happen? Someone says no? That your work isn’t their cup of tea, or doesn’t fit the theme of a particular anthology? I’d rather try and face rejection than not try and wonder, “Could that have been my next big opportunity?” What-ifs are unbearable for me!

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I just celebrated the launch of Effigies and Incantations, an anthology of supernatural terror I compiled, surrounded by contributing authors, the incredibly talented cover artist Lynne Hansen, and the ever-diligent copy editor Anna Dunn. Seeing a new book in print for the first time never gets old, and bringing together a group of creatives this way feels like capturing lightning in a bottle.

Effigies, which features stories involving haunted dolls, cursed objects, and diabolical games, is a true thrill ride. From traditional ghosts to cosmic horror, we’ve got our subgenre bases covered, and I believe fans of The Twilight Zone will be pleased. This project showcases stories from more seasoned authors as well as newcomers to the publishing game, which is something that makes me proud.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

I’d have to say persistence, people skills, and project management. How’s that for alliteration? We’ve touched on this, but you have to be persistent. If you don’t push toward your own goals (within reason), who will? You have to be your own advocate first and foremost.

Of course, you have to temper persistence with self-awareness. That’s where the interpersonal element comes into play. When networking, show genuine interest. If you’re an author like me, avoid spamming links to your work all over Bookstagram without context or further engagement. That’s a surefire way to be ignored (or worse, blocked), and I’m confident this advice applies across disciplines. Don’t take without being willing to give. Find people who are in your same lane and discuss ways you can support one another organically.

Last but not least, my career experience with project management has come in handy time and again. Regardless of the endeavor–publishing a book, launching a product line, or opening a small business–take one step at a time and enjoy the journey, as my husband often reminds me to do. Assemble a team that supports your end goals, and don’t be afraid to seek out help along the way. It’s a process for sure.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

I’m always open to collaborating with others–whether they’re fellow writers or indie entrepreneurs. There’s something truly invigorating about working with like-minded creatives, as cliché as that may sound. Even if we’re simply discussing elements of our works in progress that flow well (or don’t) over coffee, the passion can be contagious and it’s a great way to forge a path through writer’s block.

Community is important, and it’s evolved over the past five years or so, for obvious reasons. Whatever community looks like for you–maybe an online workshop or an in-person meetup through a professional organization–find your tribe. Don’t underestimate the power of connection and networking. You never know what might stem from an initial conversation. You can find me across social media (@FrightfulFables).

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktree.com/frightfulfables