Book Shop Chats:
Welcome to Book Shop Chats, your go to podcast for indie authors and learning insight into what it takes to write a book (HINT: You can do it too!!)
Join authors as they share their personal journeys, successes, and challenges, providing you with unique insights into the writing process. The discussions explore into various aspects of storytelling, from character development to plot structuring, ensuring you have a well-rounded understanding of the craft.
Whether you're just starting out or have published multiple works, this podcast is your companion in the pursuit of storytelling excellence. Tune in, gather inspiration, and let your passion for writing flourish alongside a community that celebrates the art of the written word.
Book Shop Chats:
Mastering the Art of the Thrill with Rami Unger
Step into the shadowy world of horror writing as Rami Unger takes us on his spine-chilling journey from a young Stephen King enthusiast to a master of the macabre. Discover how a fateful encounter with "It" at the age of 11 ignited his passion for horror, setting him on the path to becoming a celebrated author. With his upcoming book, "Symphony for Walpurgis," on the horizon, listen to Rami's reflections on the rewarding experience of hearing from fans who are thrilled, yet delightfully unnerved by his work.
Beyond the pages, we explore innovative strategies for marketing books in today's world, moving past the saturated sphere of social media. Join us as we uncover the power of word-of-mouth and the magic of connecting with readers through genre-specific events. From daring to engage with strangers to building a supportive network within groups like the Horror Writers Association, learn how stepping out of your comfort zone can lead to success. Whether you're an aspiring author or a fan of the horror genre, this episode promises a wealth of insights into building a thriving writing career and community.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Rami Ungar is a novelist from Columbus, OH specializing in horror and dark fantasy. He has published six books, with his most recent, "Symphony for Walpurgis: A Collection," releasing May 2025. When not writing, Rami enjoys reading, following his many interests, and giving his readers the impression he's not entirely human."
Book Blurb: What’s the difference between humans and monsters? Is there a fine line, or is it more gray and blurred? Rami Ungar, author of Rose and Hannah and Other Stories, explores this question in his latest collection, Symphony for Walpurgis. From legendary cryptids to malevolent spirits and from Ohio in the 1950s to modern-day California, readers will be treated to nine terrifying stories of the weird and macabre. So settle down and be prepared. For you have bought your ticket to Symphony for Walpurgis.
LINKS
website: https://ramiungarthewriter.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RamiUngarWriter/
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@rami_ungar_writer
BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/ramiungarwriter.bsky.social
Instagram: @rami_ungar_writer
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@rami_ungar_writer
About Victoria:
Hey there, I’m Victoria! As a writer and developmental editor, I specialize in helping busy writers bring their publishing dreams to life without the overwhelm. Editing doesn’t have to feel like pulling teeth—it's the magic that transforms your story from “meh” to masterpiece!
Here’s how I can help:
📖 FREE Manuscript Prep Workbook: Take the stress out of editing with simple steps to organize your revisions.
Grab it HERE
📝 Developmental Editing: Get expert feedback that elevates your manuscript, strengthens your story, and polishes your characters.
✍️ 1:1 monthly support Writer's Haven: Revitalize your creativity, map out your novel, and unleash your authentic voice.
Your story deserves to shine, and I’m here to make it happen. Let’s turn your writing dreams into a reality!
📱 IG: @editsbyvictoria
🌐 Website: victoriajaneditorial.com
Oh hey, it's Victoria from Victoria Jane Editorial and your host of Bookshop Chats. This podcast is all about authors, writing and the magic that goes into storytelling. We cover all of the things that go into writing a book, from the creative process, from taking your idea to a first draft, creating and cultivating community within the author space, marketing all of the fun things. If you are a reader, a wannabe writer or an author, you will find tips and tricks that suit whatever level you are at. So I hope that you enjoy and you are unfortunately, or fortunately going to find many more books to add to your TBR, so I will invite you to sit back and listen to the episode. Welcome back to Bookshop Chats. In today's episode, I am chatting with Rami Unger. Welcome to the podcast.
Speaker 2:Hey everyone, it's a pleasure to be here. My name is Rami Unger. I'm a horror author from Columbus, ohio. I've published five books, releasing one of them later this year, and I have a sixth book, symphony for Walpurgis, a collection releasing in May 2025.
Speaker 1:Oh my gosh, that's amazing. You have been busy. I would love to hear a little bit more about about your writing journey, like how did you decide that horror was your, your genre of choice?
Speaker 2:well, um, my story is kind of similar to a lot of horror writers. I read stephen king's it when I was 11 or the same age as the characters when they're young and it scared the heck out of me.
Speaker 2:I had nightmares, but at the same time I was just entranced. I could not stop reading and when I finished it I had already decided I wanted to be a writer when I grew up at that point. But at that point I didn't have a specific genre I didn't want to write in. That changed with it. And I read that story. I was like, okay, here's what I'm going to write. I'm going to write stories like this and I've been chasing that ever since and I don't know how close I've gotten but I've got a fan base and, if the new book is anything to go by, it's disturbing a few readers.
Speaker 1:I've heard from a one or two of my advanced readers and they're like which I feel like, is that exactly that what you're after when you're writing horror? Uh? So, yeah, props to you. I'm impressed by people that let read it. Uh, because I'm a big baby and I get so like, I get so scared, but it's so. It's such a different way of writing, um, that I find really, really fascinating and I really appreciate the like, the work that goes into having to hold a reader's attention and like scare the living daylights out of them.
Speaker 2:Yeah, it's not always easy. You have to try and at least make the story entertaining and a little eerie. You don't have to completely traumatize them every time, but you do have to at least make them feel like this is their genre and it could potentially scare them. And you have to keep trying, knowing that your genre is, uh, very trope reliant. That being said, once you get used to it, uh, you do manage to figure things out and you do end up writing stories that you think, hey, this could probably scare some people.
Speaker 1:Right, definitely, I think that's so. It's so interesting and I think many of the like popular genres are very heavy on that sort of trope focus and that's really what kind of pulls a reader into the story often and I feel like that's it really true, like it's. It's that sort of unsettling, like energy that you're really like bringing forward. That is it's subtle sometimes, but it really like that's. That's what often packs the punch when it comes to to horror.
Speaker 2:I feel like yeah, I call it disturbing your, the inner zen. That's what I try to think of it as that, with a story, at the very least, I'd want to disturb the inner zen.
Speaker 2:And if, if I I also want to entertain you but, yeah, disturb the inner zen and and, like I said, sometimes I've been successful with that. As I said, with the new book Symphony for Walpurgis. The advanced copies are out with the readers and I heard back from one of them in particular who said she was disturbed, reading some of those stories, by some of the imagery and ideas I was presenting some of the imagery and ideas I was presenting.
Speaker 1:Wow, that's, that's amazing. I feel like that's, that's a great feedback.
Speaker 2:Yeah, and she's a longtime horror fan who's used to my writing style, so I was like oh my God, I'm finally doing it.
Speaker 1:Yes, it's always it's. I feel like that's the biggest, often the biggest win, when, when you get feedback like that from readers, to know that it lands and it hits what it is that they're looking for in a novel and they're in it and they're invested in it. Ultimately, that's the goal I feel like for authors is to have people feel something from their story. Yeah, and you've written six books. That's crazy. I would love to hear like that process for you. Obviously, you mentioned that you wanted to start writing when you were like a kid. How did you get from you know, being 11, reading it to publishing six books Like that's? I'd love to hear a little bit more about that process and that journey.
Speaker 2:Well, it's going to sound trite, but lots of practice, practice, practice. I read constantly, he as I was young and I practiced my writing, both novels and short stories, though more of the novels I'm a very expansive reader, or expansive writer, I should say. I love being able to spread my wings and have these full plots with twists and turns and character development. But I kept trying, even when it was frustrating. But I kept trying even when it was frustrating. And, starting in high school, I got a few publications here and there.
Speaker 2:My first paid publication was actually senior year of high school and I kept writing through college, started self-publishing then as well, did some experimentation, expanded what I was reading and in 2019, I published my first book with a publisher, rose, which is my most popular book up to date. And then I kept writing some more publishing short stories and books with increasing frequency, sometimes with publishers, sometimes on my own, and at this point I'm up to six books that have been or are about to be published. I've got a seventh novel, that uh or seventh book that's currently with sent with uh beta readers, and I'm working on a bunch more stories that I hope to find homes for love it.
Speaker 1:That's amazing. I think that you make up some, bring up some really good points of that. I know it seems so simple, but to to be a better writer like it comes down to writing it really is. It's such a simple thing, but it really does make the world of a difference.
Speaker 2:Yeah, and there's always some advice I give to people who are just starting out, who really want to write but aren't sure where to begin. The first is that you have to carve out that time. People will tell you oh, I'll write that novel when I have the time. Guess what? That time is not just going to land in your lap. A time fairy isn't just going to fly down to your office and be like bibbidi-bobbidi-boo. You now have three months to write that novel, so hop to it, kid. You really have to carve out that time. Maybe it means you won't have time to watch your favorite show in the evenings, or maybe you'll have to miss out on some things with friends. But you really do have to make that time and you have to keep making that time over and over.
Speaker 2:I usually write in the evenings, after work, after I've had my dinner, and I'll try and get at least 500 words down. And that's the second thing I say have an achievable goal of what you're trying to write. Don't expect yourself to write an entire chapter or an entire novel in one sitting. I usually aim for 500 words, but for someone just starting out I would say aim for 250 words. That's about a page's worth. Keep doing that, keep making that aim. If you manage to make that goal and go over, excellent. If you can just make that goal, that's fine too. And if you have an off day, you have an off day, try again tomorrow, and eventually you do manage to make some progress.
Speaker 1:Yes, uh, every time you sit down I always aim for 500 words and I often end up getting anywhere between 700 and 1500 that's such a great point, I think, like it can be very daunting when you're sitting down to to start writing the book and you're staring at the blank page. So having that like small achievable word count or even time that you are writing whatever it's that hour, 30 minutes, whatever you can kind of fit in I think is such a great point of just having that space to spend devoted to writing and those small things add up so so quickly too it's. I think oftentimes we can get stuck waiting for like the perfect time, that perfect time very to make the perfect time for us to, you know, get a thousand or two thousand words in one sitting, but that's not always gonna happen. So having that, those small wins, helps, kind of like keep, keep motivation, and you're like, oh look, I did it, I did it, and then you know, in a month you have maybe like 10,000 words or whatever, and that's amazing.
Speaker 2:You do see it add up after a while. I mean, I'm working right now on a very witchy Halloween story and I think it's around 13,000 words right now, and that all started just by trying to get down 500 words on the first page.
Speaker 1:I know it seems so simple, but I feel like it's just. It finally is clicking in my brain of like, oh duh, like it doesn't have to be that complicated and it can be so easy to get like lost in the huge, massive picture of the story that you forget that you know just one foot in front of the other, just write, you know. Maybe you know you're working on a specific scene, whatever it is like, you get to create the story in the way that works for you, which I think is a really magical part of the writing process is you're going to do it your way and that's it also helps to set up a routine for me.
Speaker 2:I like to have something to drink when I write, usually a tea or bottle of water. Here I'll play some music for this uh, witchy halloween story. I'm currently listening to, um, some dark music nox, arcana, um, duran's, duran's Dance Macabre album, the Sweeney Todd soundtrack and I usually burn incense in the background, usually just because I like the smell and somehow it keeps me focused. I'm not sure why. Maybe it's just the fact that a stick of incense is slowly burning, reminding me of how precious time is.
Speaker 1:That's such a fun approach and I think that that it just it makes it a whole sensory experience, which I feel like is a really great way of like getting your head in the game when it comes to writing. And I feel like each novel I assume for you would have like a different energy, a different vibe, a different, you know, way that you want to visualize it. So I think that's such a really cool way of bringing this sort of like tangibility to writing, when oftentimes the ideas are stuck in our head and we're like, how do we get them onto paper?
Speaker 2:I hear that, and it's interesting that you mentioned how every novel has a different vibe, because that could not that be more true. I mean, um, let's go through the novels, and half my books have been collections, the other half have been novels. Um, snake is about a serial killer hunting mobsters in New York City Think John Wick, taken and Friday the 13th got smashed together into a novel. Rose, which I mentioned earlier, is about a young woman turned into a plant-human hybrid, and that's just the start of her problems. Very Kafkaesque, lots of Japanese mythology mixed in, and the most recent novel, the Pure World Comes, is gothic horror set in victorian england about a going to work for a mad scientist. I think frankenstein and crimson peak had a baby together. Each one is, and the one that's uh, with beta readers right now it's about a 3d printer from hell I'd love that.
Speaker 1:That's so I just I get so fascinated hearing about other authors and their just their process, the way that they come up with the ideas and create these really unique spins on stories. I guess, like life, oftentimes, you know, we pull from real life, so it's cool to see how that can translate and you create these characters, these worlds, and they really do have such a unique sort of energy and I feel like that's often I enjoy that part the most of like figuring out what this book is, who it is, and like how to make sure that the essence of it is translating to readers.
Speaker 2:And I love getting the stories out. I love getting them to the reader. That's a big motivator for me Just having people read my book and tell me how much they enjoy it and how much they want to read more. This past weekend I was at a convention up in Akron and one of the other vendors went and bought a copy of Rose. And I saw him later during the convention and he was like I was at my booth reading. I read through the first chapter already. I'm very intrigued and wanted to know what happens and that just made me very happy and I was like, oh, I want to write more now. I want to write more stories, I want to get more books in people's hands.
Speaker 1:I love that that's such a huge, that's such a huge win, um. So obviously we've chatted a lot about like the writing process and such, but I'd love to hear a little bit more about like the marketing side of things, and I feel like often many authors I've connected with they're like I'd rather jump off a cliff, um, because it feels very daunting and overwhelming and all of that sort of stuff. So yeah, I'd love to hear a little bit more about your process. Obviously, you mentioned doing like events, so do you find that that's a helpful way of you know, promoting your book without maybe necessarily using social media all the time?
Speaker 2:Well, social media is not the best way to promote your work. I think in the beginning of the social media age, when people first started promoting their books through it, it was a great cash cow. But everyone's done it by now and even on the newer platforms everyone's used to seeing it. So I would not rely too much on social media. Word of mouth reviews are still big sellers, but it's yeah. Also, events are a good way to do it. It takes some trial and error to find good events that work for you. Bookish events, like stuff held by libraries and stuff. Those are usually good benefits unless the library system is very small or the convention is poorly organized. Also, if you have any genre-specific events, like horror events for me, the one I went up to in Akron Akronronomicon it was a horror themed event for, like, big horror fans, horror movies were books, horror merch, that kind of thing. But yeah, going to events can be helpful. I do make a majority of my sales at those events.
Speaker 2:Uh, that being said, it took time to get good at it. I had to really get comfortable with interacting with complete strangers without a keyboard in front of me. I really had to get used to calling out to people and being like, hey, maybe you want to check out this book. It took time, but it also. I also realized along the way that nobody was just going to come up to me and be like hey, I like the look of your books, tell me about them. You. I really had to draw them in and sometimes that would be based.
Speaker 2:I call it being a carnival barker. You know, step right up, see the amazing thing, amazing bearded woman. Or see the giant snake. It's waiting to meet you, waiting to eat you. So I had to basically do that.
Speaker 2:I had to be a carnival barker. I would see someone and I would be like, hey, I like your cosplay or nice shirt that's always a good one complimenting them, them or, uh, just noticing something about them that makes you think, oh, those are my people. Like maybe a tattoo or or a type of earring. If you can find some way to strike up a conversation with them, even if it's just asking how you would join the con, you might be able to find someone.
Speaker 2:Just asking people passing by my booth what they thought of the con and what kind of horror fans they were really opened some doors for me and I was able to get them interested in my books. And the ones who were interested in my books, if they didn't buy one, they were more than willing to take my card or to look me up later. And that's another thing. Bookmarks, business cards, stickers have those on hand and give them out, because sometimes people will use them and they will look you up and they will uh, they, you will purchase your book later when they get home such good points.
Speaker 1:I feel like that's a really important thing to note is that you know some of the stuff. It does require getting uncomfortable and having to push your comfort zone a bit If you want to build that, that community and like connect with potential readers, or even, as you said, maybe it's not a potential reader, but maybe their cousin is and they pass your book like along to them or the card or whatever, and it's it's really, I feel, like learning how to play the long game. I think, when it comes to being an author, is that it's not like an instant oh my gosh, I wrote a book, suddenly it's a bestseller Like it takes. It takes some time to build that traction and stuff.
Speaker 2:Yeah, it's definitely a building process, a long term thing. You keep track of finances, you figure out what works, you go to events. You return to events that have worked for you very well. You sometimes have to drop events when they don't work out so well. Well, you keep trying things. Paying for social media ads, I found, does not work so well, whereas making personal connections with people that has helped immensely, like at the events. These days, readers really want to connect with the author or they want to feel like they know them while reading their work. So doing things like going to events or like being on podcasts, those are great ways to get people interested in your book, because if they like you, if you present yourself as someone who is fun to be around, they will show interest.
Speaker 1:I think that's so true of like it. Really, I feel like your personality influences the way in which that you write, so it's that's your unique spin on stories. Obviously they, you know, similar ideas may have been done before, but the way in which you write it is what pulls people in, and your unique style of writing, your humor, the way that you infuse the horror, all that stuff is what makes people want to read your books. And I think that, yeah, you make up some really great points there of just building that network, that community, that connection, because you never know when that might come in handy in like the future. And I think hyping more authors up or connecting with people in events is a great way to to build that network.
Speaker 2:Yeah, it also helps if you do some networking as well. Like I, belong to the Horror Writers Association. It's the biggest organization out there for horror writers. I've met plenty of people through that organization who have become dear friends and some of them have even read my work and really enjoyed it. I've read theirs and really enjoyed it, and I look forward to every time I get to interact with them and see them at chapter meetings or events or at conventions. I'm going to StokerCon later this year, which is our big convention, and I am just very excited to meet, to see everyone again and be like oh, let's talk about cannibalism in haunted houses. Seriously, it's the only my first time at sugar con. In one evening I had two different conversations about cannibalism and nobody gave us a weird look I love that.
Speaker 1:I feel like it's just a nice way of not feeling so lonely too because writing can be such a lonely journey and to have people that kind of understand that process and know what it's like and know the the you know the blood, sweat and tears that go into writing a novel, is it's such, uh, it's. It just helps.
Speaker 2:It helps with the whole process well, yeah, the initial, uh the initial part of writing. That can be very lonely, but it's getting in the story, out to the people. That's where you have a hundred thousand uh hands carrying you along on a whole spider web of friends, uh urging you and helping you and showing you how to make it happen.
Speaker 1:Amazing. Well, I would love for you to share how people can connect with you and find your books.
Speaker 2:Sure thing. So if you're listening to this and if you like horror that's creative, weird, very macabre, more supernatural, but occasionally very gory um, then you can find me on rami younger the writercom, that's r-a-m-i-u-n-g-a-r the writercom. I also have pages on facebook, instagram, blue sky threads and youtube. Did I mention instagram? I think I did yes, and you can find my books at most online retailers Amazon, barnes, noble, oboe, apple Books. You'll find my latest book, symphony for Walpurgis, available for pre-order now from most of those sites with more sites and more formats coming for pre-order now from most of those sites with more sites and more formats coming. It's a great collection not in short stories featuring cryptids, malevolent spirits and even a Jewish exorcism.
Speaker 1:Oh, wow, that's amazing. I am. Yeah, everything will be linked in the show notes so it'll be super easy for people to click through and find you and your books. And thank you so much for chatting with me. I feel like I've learned a lot. Horror is definitely not my typical genre, but I am always fascinated by the process that the authors put into their stories and I find it really, really, really interesting.
Speaker 2:Thank you for having me, Victoria. I'm happy to be here and I'm happy to share.
Speaker 1:Thanks so much for listening to today's episode. I would love if you would leave a review and also, if you love the author that we chatted with, go find them on social media and hype them up, comment on their stuff, share their work. Even if you can't buy the book, these kinds of things are great ways of supporting indie authors and getting their book in front of new readers. And if you are a writer or author in need of a developmental editor, please reach out. I would love to chat. Everything is linked in the show notes and it would be an absolute honor to be able to get eyes on your novel. So thanks again and listen to the next episode.
