Interview with Phil Rossi

When did you first get the writing bug?


If you were to ask some of my long-time friends—I’m talking buddies who go back twenty years—they’d tell you I’ve always been “full of shit,” because I’ve always liked telling stories, particularly of the campfire variety—the ones that start with, “So, this is a true story…” The earliest I can recollect feeling something akin to passion about writing was at age 11. I think I was too young and naïve to actually recognize passion, much in the same way that I was too young to appreciate the climbing-the-ropes sensation. All I knew was that both felt good in a dangerous way. The kind of good that blocks out everything else. I wrote pretty solidly through middle school and into high school, but it was a purely a self-indulgent exercise. I didn’t share my work with anyone other than my English teachers, girlfriend, a few close friends and maybe my parents. And the reviews were rave. Unfortunately, I was too easily distracted and never finished any piece of writing. Then it was off to college – the land of discovery and infinite distraction. It wasn’t until several years after hitting the real world – a term I try to use as loosely as possible – that I decided to sit down and try my hand at writing a complete novel, from soup to nuts. 



How did you first find your way to the podiobook concept?


I’ve always been a fan of the audio book. I’m a runner and I’m a commuter, so that leaves a lot of air time to fill. My Audible subscription couldn’t keep pace with my consumption rate, so I had to fill the gap somehow, and that somehow was through podcasts. I started with “Talk Radio” style shows which eventually led me to Podiobooks.com. My first taste of a podcast novel was Jack Mangan’s Spherical Tomi and shortly thereafter, the inimitable Scott Sigler’s Earthcore. I was a little astounded by the quality of the writing and the sheer entertainment value—and that it was free. At the same time, I was getting back into my own writing and these podcasts and podiobooks were largely responsible lighting a fire under my ass. It struck me that maybe I could put something to pen that was mildly entertaining and, at the very least, that I could offer my work as a free podcast.


You’ve given away your latest novel, Crescent, for free as a Podiobook. How does that translate to you making a living as a writer?


Having Crescent out there in the wild, free of charge, didn’t translate directly into dollars and cents, at least initially. What it brought me was a fan base, loyal and vocal. People were into what they heard, they told their friends and it snowballed from there. Several of my well-established, high-rollin’ podcast peers got behind Crescent as well. Now, here I am two years later, with roughly 20,000 people who have listened to this book. A compelling reason for a publisher to pick me up, which Dragon Moon Press, a small publishing house based in Canada, did in 2008. So, essentially, I’ve got the small publishing house backing, I’ve got distribution, I’ve got an amazing editor and I’ve got a core fan base. These look like the seeds of revolution to me. 



So tell us what we need to know about Crescent itself. It’s a book about…


Crescent is a ghost story. Crescent is an adventure story. Hell, it’s a love story. The novel is about sin and greed—it’s the human experience. It follows Gerald Evan, a smoking, drinking salvage pilot and anti-hero with no small amount of self-love, who comes to Crescent Station seeking a small fortune and early retirement. He lands a lucrative contract with Crescent’s corrupt mayor, Ezra Kendall, only to get caught up in the mayor’s devious machinations. But, in the shadows, Gerald soon discovers that the evils of man are the least of his worries. An ancient malevolence is stirring within the bowels of the station; it’s hungry as hell, and it’s coming for everyone.

On July 9th your fans all purchased the paperback version through Amazon.com at the same time in an attempt to drive it up the charts. How does an idea like that come about, and how did it turn out?


This first hit my radar when Scott Sigler did the Ancestor Chart Rush with tremendous results. Since that time, a number of my fellow podcast-to-print compadres have had similar success. The whole Chart Rush experience represents a significant vehicle for exposure and a great interactive way to celebrate with the fans who are responsible for where I am today. I did a live concert and reading via uStream and ended up performing for four hours straight to hundreds of people – it was one big, digital party. That was one of the best parts of the Chart Rush – the sense of celebration. The other exciting result was the sales ranking: Crescent hit #1 in Movers and Shakers, #5 in horror (kept from #1 by Charlaine Harris’s vampire books), #3 Hot New Releases for Science Fiction and Fantasy, and #52 overall. 



Fellow podiobook authors Scott Sigler and J.C. Hutchins have great things to say about Crescent. Do you guys have a secret club we should all know about?


You know – I caught those guys holding hands once and they told me it was a secret handshake – so, there very well could be a club. I don’t knock on hotel room doors after hours at the conventions. In all honesty, Sigler and Hutchins have been huge supporters and have really helped me out along the way. They are as kind as they are talented. Many of my fans surfaced as a result of their evangelism. As far as their glowing reviews about Crescent, it’s a great book and they have solid taste. 



Now that the paperback is out the door, what’s next for you?


On July 2nd, I began the release of Harvey, my latest podcast novel. Harvey is the story of musician and ex-singing competition contestant, Calvin Hubbard, who travels to the small town of Harvey, Virginia to record his opus and regain his musical credibility. Harvey doesn’t turn out to be as quant and quiet as Calvin had hoped it would be. Someone or something is killing people and it’s not long before Calvin, oblivious, steps right into the whole mess. In tandem with the podcast, I plan to release the album that Calvin is recording in the book. I’ll also record some companion episodes that will involve the real-time construction of the album – Calvin’s actual songwriting sessions – and provide some insight into the character’s creative process.


Tell us about your other project, Phil Rossi and the Bad Habit.


Phil Rossi and the Bad Habit represents my primary music outlet – though, at this time, I’d emphasize the Phil Rossi end of things. I’ve been so wickedly busy promoting Crescent, I haven’t had time to get the band (the Bad Habit) back together. The music is dark and at times brooding, dealing in themes like excess, loss, vulnerability, fragility, and of course, love – again, the human experience. I don’t go out of my way to sound dark— it’s more like, I can’t get out of the way – if that makes any sense. The sound has been compared to everyone from Cohen to Kravitz and from Waits to Morrison. I plan on firing up the Bad Habit to support the Harvey album and do some concert tour/book signings for Crescent.

iProng Magazine #43: Paul van Dyk, Phil Rossi, Burn Halo, War Tapes and more

iProng Magazine #43: Paul van Dyk interview and more

iProng Magazine has released its 43rd issue featuring a cover story interview with Paul van Dyk, podiobook author Phil Rossi talks Crescent, and reviews of Documents To Go and Bed Bugs. Also interviewed: Burn Halo, War Tapes, Daniel Brusilovsky, Jamie Lynn Noon and much more.

Tap here to read this issue