Author Spotlight – David Grassé

In an effort to introduce my readers to other authors and their work, every week I run an Author Spotlight, sharing information about an author, their work, and how they go about writing their books.

Born in Casa Grande, David Grassé is a third-generation Arizonian, raised in Tucson. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in History and a Master’s Degree in Library Sciences. David has five published books, A Killer is What They Needed: The True, Untold Story of Commodore Perry Owens, The Bisbee Massacre: Robbery, Murder and Retribution in the Arizona Territory, 1883–1884, The True Story of Notorious Arizona Outlaw Augustine Chacón, From the Footlights to the Tenderloin: The Tragic Life of Actress Edna Loftus, and The Red Light Districts of Tucson, 1870 – 1918. He is also the author of numerous magazine, newspaper, and journal articles. David is a member of The Wild West History Association, and The Arizona Historical Society. He is employed as a reference librarian, as writing western history does not pay the bills.

A conversation with David:

When did you decide to become an author, and why?

I was encouraged by a professor at university who read a biographical paper I wrote to turn it into a book. The result was published by Graphic Publishers as A Killer is What They Needed.

How long have you been writing, and what was your first book?

My first book, A Killer is What They Needed: The True Untold Story of Commodore Perry Owens was published in 2013, and it took me about three years to write it.

What genres do you write in?

Only one – non-fiction history. More specifically, with only one exception, I write Arizona Territorial histories.

How many books do you have out?

I have five published books and the sixth will be released in early 2027.

Are you trade published, independent, or a combo?

My books are trade published.

What is your writing style? Panster or plotter or?

Panster, but then in writing history, how the story ends is predetermined.

Do you write more than one book at a time?

I will only start a new project if I hit a dead end. If for some reason, some necessary resources or documents are unavailable, I will move on to another project.

How much research is involved in your writing?

It typically takes three years to write a book. About half of this time is spent researching the subject. This includes searching online databases, visiting archives, and often traveling to the place or places which I am writing about.

Where do you write? Do you have a home office, write in a coffee shop, or what?

At home at my desk, though sometimes I write at work.

Do you use any programs like ProWriting Aid, Grammarly, or ?

Aside from the spellcheck function in MS Word, I do not use such programs, though my editor probably wishes I would.

How do you promote your books?

I regularly attend book festivals, conferences, and give presentations. Thankfully, my publisher does a lot of the marketing for me as far as contacting distributors and sending out review copies.

What are your writing goals, long and short term?

My short term goal is to have my first book published by an academic press. My long term goal is to be named as the official Arizona State Historian.

Any advice to new authors or someone who wants to become an author?

For every finished book, there are probably a thousand more that never got past being a vague desire to write a book.

You can learn more about David’s work and his books at the following links:

www.davidgrasse.com
https://www.facebook.com/davidgrasseauthorhistorian
https://www.amazon.com/stores/David-Grass%C3%A9/author/

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Did you know that you can find all of my books and sign up for my free author’s newsletter on my website at www.nickrussellbooks.com?

And finally, here’s a chuckle to start your day from the collection of funny signs we see in our travels and that our readers share with us. There has to be a story behind this sign, and I want to know what it is.

Thought For The Day – The difference between the almost right word and the right word is the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning. – Mark Twain