By: Laura Moreno
Latino author Chris Del Salvo (pen name of Christian Ramirez) is an independent writer and filmmaker best known for his dark, atmospheric story universe called “The Late Hour, Stories for the Insomniac.”
He has given “Adelante Magazine“ this exclusive interview:
What is your advice to writers? How do you plan out your stories?
My advice to writers is to write with your heart first. When you’re working on a first draft, don’t edit yourself. Let it be messy, raw, and imperfect. The most important thing is getting the story onto the page. Once the draft exists, that’s when you can switch gears and write with your head during the editing process. I find rewriting much easier because I’m working with something that’s already there.
As for planning my stories, I almost always know the ending before I begin writing. Knowing where the story is headed helps me leave the right breadcrumbs for the reader so everything comes together in a satisfying way. Whenever I’ve tried writing without knowing the ending, the story tends to wander because I’m throwing ideas at the page and hoping they stick. Before I start writing, I usually spend time taking notes, developing characters, and figuring out where the story is going. Sometimes my first draft looks more like a very long outline than a finished manuscript.
What advice do you have for new authors who self-publish?
Self-publishing is definitely a learning curve. When I published my first book, I had no experience with any of it. In fact, I only recently learned about IngramSpark, which is where many bookstores and retailers order their books. Having already published through KDP helped me understand the process and made signing up for IngramSpark much easier.
There will be setbacks and mistakes when you’re starting out. That’s normal. But by the time you’re publishing your second or third book, a lot of those things become easier because you’ve already been through the process. Beginning anything is hard, but it’s worth it because self-publishing gives you a lot of control over your work.
I’d also recommend starting your promotion early – one or two months before release if possible. Building excitement, collecting pre-orders, and creating a community of readers can make a big difference.
That said, none of the marketing matters if you don’t have a good story. Focus on writing the best book you can. And yes, people absolutely do judge a book by its cover, so invest in a cover that grabs attention and makes someone
want to pick up your book.
Did you always want to be a writer?
I’ve always wanted to be a storyteller. My background is actually in filmmaking—I graduated from film school and spent years writing screenplays and making short films. Storytelling has always been what pulled me in, whether through movies, books, or simply writing down ideas.
Over time, I found myself drawn to writing fiction because it gave me the freedom to explore characters and emotions more deeply. Confessions grew out of my desire to tell stories about identity, lost love, and the secrets we carry. As a gay Latino writer, I wanted to create stories that reflected experiences and struggles that I didn’t often see represented when I was younger.
While I didn’t always know I would become a novelist, I always knew I wanted to tell stories that connected with people and made them feel seen.
What authors or books inspired you to write a book?
I’m a huge fan of horror and suspense. Some of the authors who inspired me are Stephen King, George Orwell, Oscar Wilde, and H.P. Lovecraft. I admire King’s ability to create relatable characters, Orwell’s social commentary, Wilde’s wit and humanity, and Lovecraft’s sense of cosmic dread and mystery. Their work showed me how powerful storytelling can be and encouraged me to start creating worlds and characters of my own.
Artist’s website:
https://winestoneent83.wixsite.com/christianramirez
“The Late Hour – Confessions,” Vol. III by Chris Del Salvo, $15.99,
www.barnesandnoble.com or www.walmart.com