Linda T Kepner Web Site

Dale has written how-to-write
books as well as collections
of short stories, and an ongoing
mystery series featuring
his detective Zack Taylor.
This short-story collection
is his newest release.
Dale's web site is
www.daletphillips.com

DALE T. PHILLIPS!


Linda first met the talented and energetic Dale T. Phillips at his table at a Greater New England CraftArtisan show. Both Linda and Dale had vendor tables (so did several other authors - come to a GNE show and meet them all!). Dale was greatly inspired by his college writing teacher, Stephen King. Dale's many works include mystery and suspense novels, short story collections, non-fiction (some well-received how-to books about writing), and over 80 individual short stories. Dale has also appeared on stage, on television, in an independent feature film, and competed on Jeopardy, losing in a spectacular fashion (ask him about it when you meet him). He co-wrote and acted in a short political satire film, He has traveled to all 50 states, Mexico, Canada, and through Europe.

Note: Be sure to type that "T" in the middle when you search for Dale's books! (Linda has this problem, too - there are "T-less" Lindas out there.)

Dale, how would you describe your writing genre?
Scary books and murderous crooks. I work in different genres.

What are you working on, currently?
A retelling of The Odyssey, where a man returns to his hometown and family after twenty years in prison. And a few other things: poetry, non-fiction, a Reader’s Companion to my Zack Taylor mystery series, and more.

What are you proudest of?  
Pretty much all of them. I work hard to make them good before release. Thirty-eight books so far.

What made you start writing?
Taking Stephen King's writing seminar in college was inspirational, and he’s so passionate and knowledgeable about the craft of writing. Doing stories was fun, and I began work on my first novel, but did not publish it until it was good, thirty-five years later.

Describe your typical work day.
No day is typical. Life changes so much, and schedules always move around. I do try to get a thousand words in each day.

What are some of the most amazing or unusual facts you have uncovered during your story research?
Sometimes I write a thing and research later, to discover I got it right. Geography in a part of Canada, mines in eastern Ohio. One bit of research was for a story of bootleggers off the coast of Maine during Prohibition. Someone told me to look up a boatbuilder of the time, Will Frost, "The Wizard of Beals". His boats were so fast, they were in great demand from the rumrunners, to try and evade the Coast Guard. I was later contacted by a relative of his via marriage, who wondered where I’d got my research.

How do you set your writing goals?
I have a host of ideas, and certain things bubble to the fore every now and then, or else The Muse whacks me up-side the head and tells me to work on a particular thing. Sometimes another project will slide in ahead of others in the queue.

You have received recognition for your work. What recognition has made you proudest?  
The honest praise from a number of long-time professional writers, who allow me to put their name on my books as blurbs.

What life experiences have helped you most with your writing?
My wide, wandering life before I got married and settled down. Many different jobs, travel all over the country and half the globe, and learning about so many things.

Please stay in your comfort zone, here – but tell me about your family, your pets, where you live and work.
I’ve been to all fifty states, but remain a staunch New Englander. Happily married with two daughters. Retired now, but busier than ever!

No wonder I like you so much! We have that "non-retirement" in common, too, along with the T in the middle of our names. Thanks so much for taking the time for this interview. See you at the Hampshire Dome!