In Conversation with Damien Coluccio: The Wine-Dark Daughter
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Danikka: Hey there, welcome to the Snailed It podcast with Danika and Erin, brought to you by Authors Own Publishing.
Erin: Hi everyone, welcome back to the Snailed It podcast with Danika and Erin. Today we are joined by Damien J Coluccio, author of The Wine Dark Daughter, which has just launched. Welcome Damien.
Damien: Hello.
Danikka: We're so excited to have Damian on the podcast. We normally try to space out the in-conversation episodes, but we wanted to get this episode as close to Damian's launch as possible. One, because it's just really good to have a podcast episode close to your launch. But two, Damian's extra special because he's our first Authors Own author to complete our whole process. So we just thought this would be a really fun episode because Damian met me before Authors Own was even really a thing and kind of like came on board blind.
Erin: Hey, I'm doing this thing, what do you reckon?
Danikka: What do you reckon? Let's do it. And so we just thought it would be fun just to talk about Damian's book because it is brilliant and the reviews coming in from the ARC reviewers as we're recording this episode at the moment, because we're recording pre-launch, is just really good. So I'm so excited about that. And yeah, we just thought it'd be really fun. So Damian, tell us a bit about the book. I think giving you a chance to like talk about the inspiration and like the characters kind of, even though I'm the editor and I can do it, I want the author to do it.
Erin: Yeah.
Damien: Yeah. Gosh, it's always like, you know, put on the spot. It's just like, tell us about your book. And you're like, oh no, I forgot every character in it.
Erin: I remember nothing about my book. Yeah.
Damien: Well, look, so it actually all started, me and my husband went to a museum at Sydney Uni, just because we're like, let's go do something for the day. And they had like a Mediterranean exhibition and they had this big plaque, which said across the wine dark sea, which is like a quote from Homer. And I just saw that and suddenly I was like, oh, cool. That's a, you know, a cool turn, like a cool phrase. And then suddenly it's like the wine dark daughter. And it just went from there. Suddenly I had this image. I was like.
Erin: You had the title first.
Damien: Yes. I had the title first. I was just like The Wine Dark Daughter. And then I had like the first major sort of, you know, in the book, there's a temple celebration, but that was the first thing that came into my head. And I was like, cool, how do I get to that point? And that was when it started. I took a picture of the, of the quote and then went away with it. And then as I usually do spend a couple of months sort of ruminating on it and just be like, where's it going? Who are the characters? What's happening? What's the main thing? And obviously it has to be inspired by ancient Greek mythology because it's the best mythology. So it's, yeah. So it's, it's inspired by ancient Greek mythology. It sort of follows that like adventurer tragedy sort of vibes, but I wanted to create my own world from it. I mean, there's, you know, it's very, if you know, like ancient Greek mythology, you can clearly see the, where I drew inspiration from. But I wanted to make it my own and be able to go in directions that like, if I was just doing a retelling, I wouldn't be able to do. So, and what I love about fantasy is you can take what you want, make up what you want, leave what you want. So I was like, brilliant. I don't have to follow any rules while I'm doing this on my own. So I could take, you know, the main sort of goddess is the goddess of love. So inspired by Aphrodite and Venus, but could make her however I wanted, you know, how I envisioned, you know, how I wanted the world to be. And it was just, I love world building. I know, like in some books, people like all the world building kind of like it can drags on, or it can be a bit slow in the beginning. I love those things. I'm like, if you just gave me a history book on the world of this place, I'd be like, great, I will read that. So I definitely really enjoyed being able to create this whole world. But obviously it was good that Danikka came in to be like, cool, let's get back to the story.
Erin: This is all fascinating, but.
Damien: Not so much, you know, the origin of where this food came from. And I was like, okay, well, I think it's really important, but whatever. But that was, that was really how it started. So, you know, that was like back in beginning 2021. So I didn't finish the book until mid 2023. So it took me just over two years to write it.
Erin: Was it the, is this the first thing you've ever written or have you written stuff?
Damien: No, I have written things before. I think this is probably like the fifth thing I finished. And when I go back and read the things I've written before, I'm like, my God, these should never see the light of day.
Erin: Yes, that is what we all do.
Damien: But it's very interesting looking at like when I wrote them and being like, oh, I can see the progress I'm making.
Erin: Oh yeah, that's amazing.
Damien: Yeah. So I can clearly see like, I'm like, wow, that was so clumsily done. Or it's like, I've just completely ignored this giant plot hole because I did not fix it. This is just completely plagiarized from something else. You know, I mean, that was when I was much younger and was like, I'm going to write the eighth book of Narnia because, you know, plagiarism is another thing I know of. Exactly. But yeah, so it was, but I think when I wrote this one and finished it, that when I was, this is the first book where I was like, I could go further with this. Like I haven't just finished it and now put it aside, not knowing what to do. It was like, no, no, I feel like this is the first thing where it's like, I actually want this to go out. So that's what sort of led me around, like, I think it was June of last year when I was like, what is the next step? What do I do?
Erin: What do I do? Yeah. Yeah. And so then how did you find yourself crossing Danika's profile?
Damien: Well, actually what happened was my, I was talking to my husband and he did some Googling. He was like, oh, there's this thing called Writing New South Wales and you can do like an hour session with like an editor. So doing that first, you give them like a small, like a few pages of your book and they read through it and you meet them and go and talk about it. And that was really good because I think what that session did was solidify that I was ready to go to the next step because the editor told me, she's like, I don't have a lot of notes because there isn't a lot to say on it. Like she's like, I think you're ready.
And that's when I was like, oh, cool. It was like, that was the thing I needed to be like, great next step. And I was looking around trying to find editors. And I remember months ago, I had screenshotted this Instagram profile that popped up being like editing services. And I was like, oh yeah, you know, future Damien dreams, like that could be something I could look at. And then I was like, where the hell is the screenshot going through 70,000 photos on my phone? And it was Danikka.
So I was like, oh, okay. I had a look and being like, oh, Danikka services are very different to any of the other editing services I found. And so my instant reaction was maybe it's not the right thing because it's different. So I went back to look at other more traditional editors who, you give your book, they give you an essay telling you what's good and what's bad about it. And I've reached, reaching out to them and talking, and it was all very businessy and professional and kind of cold in a way.
Erin: yeah ok.
Damien: Much like, here are the fees, here are the, it's like, if you want extra meetings, if you want this, this is all the booking stuff. And there wasn't really a conversation happening. And then I went back to Danikka and I was like, oh, you know, what, what harm can it do? She does free coffee chats.So booked it in, booked it in for that night. So I was like, I'm not putting this off. Let's just book it in for like four hours away and met with Danikka. And suddenly there's just this warm, bubbly personality being like, hello, what is your book about? Tell me everything.
And I was like, this is what I was missing. This is what I was for. You know, it's like writing is so personal and I look, everyone's different. I'm sure that people just want to get an essay and have that distance. But I was like, I need someone where we can talk about like the, you know, the smallest things or fangirl or have the conversations. And that's what like Danikka's whole business is like built on is having these sessions where you can work together. And after that, that coffee chat, like it really wasn't much of a decision, but I went away to pretend I was making a decision. I wanted to play hard to get. But yes. And then I just, yeah, messaged Danika back being like, I would love to work with you because I want to give this a proper chance. And I feel like the way Danika works is the way I need to work with someone for something like this.
Erin: Yeah. I was exactly the same. Yeah. I think I even didn't even try to play hard to get. I was like, let's just book it in like during the coffee chat.
Danikka: Yeah, you did. You were like, how do I pay?
Erin: There was zero chill from me.
Damien: Oh my goodness. Yeah.
Danikka: I was just like, I'm so glad that we don't video record these because I'm like getting warm in the face. But it's just, it's like, it's so heartwarming because it's like the progress of like the business since I first met Damien because Damien was like pre-Authors Own, like it was like mid developmental edit. I think that I started talking to you about Authors Own packages and kind of like what I was thinking of doing next steps of like next year. Cause you,
I think it was like, we were kind of, I think about two thirds through your dev edit and you were like, what do I do after this? Like typical Damien, like thinking 10 steps forward. It's like, okay, so this is great. I'm loving this, but what do I do next? I've just got all of these plans. And I was like, well, like there's trad publishing, you can do this. And like, I kind of gave you the breakdown of that. And then I was like, I gave you the breakdown of like what I was kind of envisioning for Authors Own and roughly how much I thought it was going to cost and was like, I don't know yet, but like, this is what I have in mind. And, and yeah, I was just like, if you, if you're interested when, when we kind of get to the end of dev edits, I'll give you more information. And yeah, Damien, obviously.
Erin: And here we are.
Danikka: So I guess like, I feel like cause we're still like in the process, it's too early to be like, how has the process been for you? And like, there's been so much that's happened, like both in both our lives, like we've both moved houses, like done quite substantial moves, both had big birthdays, both just like, like you just got a puppy. There's still so much happening, but like, how does it feel? Like, cause I just saw your Instagram post this morning of your box of paperbacks sitting. Like, how does that feel?
Damien: Well, literally right next to me, there are seven boxes of paperback books and it's just, it's just insane. I'm like, I walk past my library and look in and being like, there's just pile of boxes full of my book sitting there. And I think it's been, I think it's been nearly a year. I think it was, I think we, we had our chat first chat in August of last year. So it's full circle, one year's past and it's gone from, Oh, Hey, like, what, what do you do? How do your services work? To being like, here is, that's kind of my books ready to go.
So like, it's been like, well, it's just been like incredible. Like the whole thing, obviously it's like my first book got like first time going through this. So I have no sort of knowledge or expectation of how it's meant to be, but like, I found like the development edits were so much fun. Even when you made me rewrite people's POV. But like, it still was just incredible to like going through that and just seeing like where my book was and where it went to with just guidance from you. Cause you know, you'd be like, Oh, look, I feel like you should write this scene and left it at that. And was like, go for and do something with that. Yeah.
Erin: Write away!
Danikka: But it was just incredible to get enough guidance where it's like, Oh yeah, ‘cause you know, when I first came to you, it was like, I don't know what to do. I don't think I can change a single thing. I cannot think of a way forward. And then being able to think of all these new scenes, new ideas was just incredible. And because I was writing book two at the same time, I was applying a lot of what I was learning and changing into book two. And I found that actually a very helpful process to be writing book two while editing book one, even right up to the very end, I was making tiny little changes to book one, because I'm like, Oh no, wait, this is going to echo forth down the series. When I wrote it the first time, I was like, um, blah. And then later I was like, actually make blah to Blair.
Erin: And that'll make a big difference in book 3
Damien: But yeah. And then, you know, but because it was so much like, it wasn't like, you know, just the development and close editing. It was like the cover art concept. I found that really fun. Um, and like, just amazing. Cause I had no idea at all. Poor Casey. I was like, well, look, it's called The Wine-Dark Daughter. So let's go with something wine colored, extent of my health. And then not only-
Erin: And it's inspired by Greek mythology. That's it.
Damien: But I don't want it too Greek mythology, you know, I just want like a light dusting.
Erin: Like a hint.
Damien: Yeah. And that was literally it. And then Casey came with this amazing, not just this amazing cover, but she also created three incredible bookmarks for me. One of which, you know, Danikka saw, I provided a wonderful sketch in paint that just looked like a blob with two blob hands.
Being like, this is the, this is the thing I want. And Casey turned it into something incredible. So it was just so amazing seeing these things becoming real. And, you know, it's like, and then because one of the, the reason why it's coming out in August is because I'm going to a book fair in November. And that was one of the key things I said to Danikka from the beginning. It's like, I really want to get my book ready for this book fair that's coming up. So that was sort of like the deadline we set ourselves.
So it was like preparing for all of that, you know, getting like the banner, getting all the things that I didn't realize you would need as a self-published author. It's like, oh, I need ABNs. I need business emails, websites. I need all of these things. And I was like, wait, I just wanted to publish a pretty book. Yeah. I guess I should put in some effort. And, you know, Danikka just reminding me very nicely that I should be marketing my book on Instagram.
Erin: Are people not just going to find it?
Damien: Yeah. I was like, well, I have to post about it. My God, it's all the work I have to do. But no, it was, it's, it's just been like such an incredible process. And like, you know, I'm like, I'm ready to go through it all again next year with book two. Although, you know, it'd be a lot easier because once you get a lot of the things set up first, you don't have to do it again. And it was like a big learning curve figuring out Amazon and Goodreads. That was a headache trying to figure out how you put a book on Goodreads. I got there in the end. It was actually relatively simple once you figured it out. But it's just been yeah.
And then like when, you know, even things like I found because like we've sort of been going through this because it's the first book going through it together. So, you know, when I saw things like, you know, like when the National Library did a talk, you know, I was like sending it to Danikka being like, oh, did you see this? Because, you know, we have chatted about it or had questions about it. So it's been just a really great to go through it like step by step together. But yeah, honestly, it's such been such a fun process and I've just learned so much that I'm just excited to keep doing it. Yeah.
Danikka: Yeah. I like doing the ARCs for you was like I feel like the biggest challenge for me because I feel like around the ARCs point is usually when my touch point with my authors kind of stops because I get everything kind of ready and I get to see concepts of covers. I get to help like make decisions and things like that.
Like I get to see drafts of blurbs, like all of that kind of like pre-production stuff is stuff that I, even if I haven't been, it's because it's been pre-Authors Own, haven't been facilitating it the way that I have with Authors Own. It's all stuff that I, you know, am pretty familiar with. I know the process. I, you know, have talked to cover designers or blurb writers or Jessie blurb writers. Jessie
Erin: blurb writers, Jessie.
Danikka: I've talked to Jessie before. But like when it got to the ARC stage, like that was very just like, I've never done this part before. So it was like, we were very much learning together as we kind of went through that part. And so it was like so scary for me, but you like, you were so patient and like, we just kind of went through it together and we got the ARCs out on time. And then all of these cool reviews are coming through and like, yeah, we are just, it was so fun. Like once the bookmarks came in, like doing up the little packages for the Australian arc readers that I've sent out now.
And so like, hopefully we'll see them some kind of coming up on Instagram in the next couple of weeks as well. And it's just like, just so exciting to kind of see it all come together. And now we're just kind of like waiting for pub day when it's like, now like go forth. The book is in the world like, and then like, we'll finally get to meet in person at your jubilee and then at book fair in November. It's just like, yeah, like it's just, I know we said it a few weeks ago, but it just kind of hit me again when you were like, yeah, we met in August last year. And like, here we are in August this year, recording this podcast preparing for your launch. Like, it's just like,
Erin: that's amazing.
Danikka: It's like blowing my mind. It's like, it's just like dreams do come true. And like, that's what I wanted to start Authors Own with. Like it was about making authors dreams come true. It was about, you know, like meeting people who don't know what to do. Like there are some authors out there who have like the capacity in their life and they have the, the self-confidence and the, just the drive, I suppose, to figure it all out on their own. And that's what they want to do. But so many people aren't like that. And like, just to be,
Erin: I would say so many more people than the ones who do have it together. Yeah.
Damien: Although I, I a hundred percent agree with that. Cause like, you know, I'm, I'm not really part of like, well until like this going through this process, I wasn't really part of like author groups or like, or for like online chats or anything. So like I had no idea what to do. And even having gone through it now with the support of Danikka and Authors Own and everyone, it's like, I wouldn't want to do it by myself because it's like, there were just so many things and so much work. And then I'd be constantly second guessing. I'm like, is this the right cover artist to use?
Is this the right blur person? Is this what it should be? Because even when going through it, when, you know, small things like Danikka's like, you have to indent. I was like, who indents? She's like, open any book you own. And I was like, oh, there's indenting in here. Like things I didn't even realize as a reader. I'm just like, oh wow. There's so many. Like, I'm like, is this a good blurb? I don't know. If I see it on the back of a book, I assume it's good. But then I try to apply it to my book and I'm like, I can't do this. So it's like, for me, I definitely needed that, like that help. And I think it was just like kismet that like, we met right when you're looking to launch that and you're like, oh, I'm, you know, I'm looking for beta clients. And I was like, me. Pick me. I'll do it.
Erin: I volunteer. I volunteer as tribute.
Damien: Yeah.
Danikka: No, it's just been, I just, it feels so surreal that we're here recording this podcast. Like it's been on my calendar for a while and I'm just like, we're here. And like, I can, I was holding your books the other day and like, I'm going to coffee with Casey later this week to like give her the covers so she can adjust the colors for Amazon. And it's just like, what is happening?
Erin: So exciting.
Danikka: So yeah, no, I'm just, I'm just so grateful to both of you. Cause like Erin was like one of my really early on clients who just was like, had immediate faith in like my new method. And then like, here I've got Damien, another new, just like Author's Own, like had faith in the method before it was even like a thing. So yeah, just thank you both. I just feel so all warm and fuzzy today. And Damien's like, get away with me, your emotions. I don't want it.
Erin: Stop it
Damien: Oh no excess emotion, no
Danikka: No, I'm not crying. It's fine.
Erin: Do you have anything fun planned for launch day?
Danikka: Yes. Yes. Yes.
Damien: Sorry.
I was like, is that me? Yes.
Erin: Yes the person launching the book.
Damien: Yes. I do. Yes. I'm gonna, you know, there might be a surprise giveaway or two on launch day. So stay tuned.
Erin: And will you be celebrating off the social medias, like in real life?
Damien: Yes. Yep. I've got a, yes, as Danica mentioned, I've got a Jubilee coming up. So yearly we, me and my husband throw this like Jubilee party, which is literally just an excuse for us to have a party. But I decided to be like, well, it's a book launch party. So we're having the Wine Dark Jubilee.
Erin: Oh, that's amazing.
Damien: Yep. So it will be just, you know, just friends and family and just everyone who's just like been such a huge part of this journey, just to all come together, just for a way for me to say thank you to everyone, you know, sell some books, but also say thank you everyone.
Erin: Say thank you and shamelessly promote. Yep. Yep.
Damien: Yeah. So that will, yeah. So that's, that's coming up. I think it's going to happen just after this podcast comes out, but I'm just very excited just to do that because, you know, this is the first book. It's such a momentous thing. It's like, I want to celebrate this and just say thank you to everyone. So yeah, it will just be crazy. Like I've taken the day off work the 28th of August just so I can sit at home and be like, my book is live. It's live.
Danikka: Yeah. No, that's awesome. That's what you should do. Book birthday.
Damien: Exactly.
Erin: Yeah, book birthday.
Damien: Book Birthday. Yep.
Danikka: No, I love it so much. I just, I thought of a question and then Erin asked one, then my, my, my question left my brain, but that's okay.
Erin: I jumped in.
Danikka: That's all good. So Damien, you're also going to be at Book Fair, which this podcast comes out before. So for anyone listening, when is Book Fair happening? Yeah. So yeah, I'm going to be at Book Fair Australia. That's the first weekend of November. So the second and third at Sydney Olympic Park. I'll be there both days. So if you want to come and say hi and grab a copy of my book, please do.
Danikka: Awesome.
Erin: That's so exciting.
Danikka: Erin and I are going to be there too. So I can't wait because I haven't been to Book Fair before.
Erin: Me either.
Damien: I love it. I think this is only the year it's been there. So I've been the last two times and it's just so much fun and like the energy there is so good because there's so many like, you know, self-published authors or debut authors and it's just incredible to see all that passion in one spot.
Danikka: I feel like the book community in Australia has just grown so much the last few years. It just makes me so happy and excited because yeah, it just felt so just like disconnected for a really long time. But I feel like it's kind of all just like blossoming and coming together and it just makes me really happy. So I'm really excited. Otherwise, where else can people find your book online?
Damien: Yep. So it'll be available on Amazon, both e-book and paperback. And it's also available on Kobo as an e-book. And you can also get it if you're a book wholesaler or library through IngramSpark.
Danikka: Amazing. Fabulous. I think that's everything for today. Like I feel like we covered everything and I just feel like...
Erin: I did have one more question. You've got one more question? Yeah. Did you have a favorite part of the whole process of getting the book from draft to publish? Yeah. Did you have a favorite bit? Like the dev editing is one of my favorite bits, as you said.
Danikka: You know, I was going to say that I think the dev editing because close editing is just mind-numbing because you're just saying that sentence has been like, there's a comma right here.
Erin: Approve. Approve. Approve.
Damien: I don’t know about commas.
Erin: Oh, me too. I sprinkle those things like confetti and Danikka moves around for me.
Damien: I don't know what I'm doing. Stop using and. I'm always like this and this and this. No, I would have to say dev editing just because like it's, you finish the book and then this is like, you know, for me when I write, I get to a point where I cannot think of a way, any changes to it. And then I go into dev editing and it's just this explosion of new ideas. And it's just incredible to see your book go through this like refinement process, but like it's still your book and you're like, wow, I can't believe that I thought it was as far as it could go. And then it goes even further.
And it's just so much fun being like, oh, you know, being like here, rewrite this scene or put this scene in. Or also for me, I learn a lot. I don't really think that much about why I put something in until it gets questioned. And then it's like, no, no, this is really important. Oh, for all these reasons, which suddenly come into my head, I was like, but subconsciously almost.
And then when Danikka's like, why is this here? Or could we change this? I'm like, no, no, this is actually really important because– I learned so much about my own book in that stage. I found that I was like, this is actually, yeah. So that's, that would be my favorite part. Cause for me, I think that's one of the most creative and fun parts. And because you're working with someone else, it's like, oh my God, I get a book and fangirl about my own book. Whereas writing it, it's just, I'm by myself. But now this time I can be like, look how good I am.
Erin: Look what I did. Look what I made.
Danikka: Yeah. It always makes me so happy that people say that's their favorite part too. Cause it's so important for the next stages of editing. Like I find I would not be as good at close editing and be able to kind of refine the book the way that we do at that stage. If dev editing didn't happen the way that it does, if I wasn't able to connect with you in the book and able to get you to get those ideas onto the page and expand the book way that you do, because if that's not happening in the dev edit stage, it means that we're not connecting and that vibe isn't happening.
And then that means that when we get to close editing, I'm not going to be able to find your voice to be able to make sure that we polish it and refine it to make it the best it can be. The version of what you're kind of envisioning it to be that it will just kind of make it just all just like the whole process is just not real. The magic is not going to happen if it's not there in the dev edit stage. So it always makes me happy when people say they've loved that part of the process, because it's the part of the process that's most important.
Damien: So I think it's so important to find a publisher that you can actually establish, like if you want to make writing a go and write multiple books or write a series, it's so important to find an editor that you can establish such a long-term relationship with, because I couldn't imagine going to a new editor with book two because they haven't gone through book one.
They haven't figured out all these things that we have figured out together and like know the story so deeply because it'd be like well you know even now if they someone just read book one it'd be like that's not the same as what you and I did Danikka going like editing it together. So I think that's just such an important part I think for like when you're going through this is to find an editor that you know you can work with for a long time because it's just going to make your life so much easier having someone who knows your writing inside and out.
Erin: Yeah agreed. Aw heart hands. Millennial heart hands.
Danikka: Yeah we're showing our age now. Oh well thank you both so much for all of the love and yeah I'm gonna cut it off there while I'm ahead.
Erin: Before you start crying.
Danikka: And thank you so much Damien for being my air guinea pig and thank you Erin as always for everything and yeah thank you listening into the podcast and we'll catch you guys in the next episode.
Thank you for listening to the Snailed It podcast with Danikka and Erin brought to you by Authors Own Publishing, the home of indie publishing. Don't forget to subscribe wherever you listen to your podcasts and follow us on Instagram at Authors Own Publishing. Music brought to you by Mikkel with more details in the show notes.
Episode Description
Today Danikka & Erin are joined by debut author Damien J. Coluccio to discuss his brand-new release, The Wine-Dark Daughter, an epic fantasy inspired by Greek mythology.
The Wine-Dark Daughter can be found on Amazon and Kobo at:
https://www.kobo.com/au/en/ebook/the-wine-dark-daughter
Brought to you by: Authors Own Publishing, Danikka Taylor, and Erin Thomson.
Danikka’s Details:
Website: www.authorsownpublishing.com
Instagram: @danikkataylor or @authorsownpublishing
Erin’s Details:
Website: www.erinthomsonauthor.com
Instagram: @authorerinthomson
Damien's Details: Website: https://www.damienjcoluccioauthor.com/ Instagram: @damienthelibrarian
Intro & Outro Music by Mikel & GameChops. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily reflect the views of Authors Own Publishing. Thanks for Listening!
