The Multi-Genre Universe of David Towner

Sitting with David Towner at his Palm Beach, Florida home, one cannot help but be struck by his engaging intelligence and self-made status. Despite his impressive background, which includes military accomplishments and business successes, Towner prefers to steer the conversation toward his creative pursuits. Describing himself as a “prolific storyteller, not inhibited by structure or genre,” he has certainly earned that title.

Towner’s creative output spans a variety of mediums, including comic books, young adult novels, screenplays, and most recently, a psychosexual suspense novel titled Hollywood and Velvet. In addition to his work as a writer, he has produced and starred in the feature film Our Scripted Life and wrote, directed, and produced an animated short film that has garnered over 300 million views. Remarkably, he has accomplished all of this in just three years. Not bad for someone who grew up on a dirt road in rural Alaska and graduated from high school in a small Kentucky town.

From Alaska to the Stage

When asked what inspired him to pursue writing and directing, Towner reflects on his early years in Alaska and Kentucky. “I have been a cinephile since I was a child,” he shares. “I lived in a small village that didn’t have a movie theater, so the school would show movies in the gymnasium. It was incredible. They brought in popcorn machines and served an assortment of beverages to give us the real cinema experience. I would beg my parents to attend every showing.”

At the age of 12, his family moved to Maysville, Kentucky, a small town with a thriving theater community. Towner landed a role in a play directed by Mike Thomas, a gifted director who left a lasting impression. “I fell in love with everything about it—the smell of the historic Washington Opera House, the feel of the playbook, memorizing the lines, and the bond with the cast and crew,” he recalls.

Not long after, a film adaptation of Huckleberry Finn was being shot locally, and Thomas recommended Towner to director Peter Hunt. Despite limited speaking roles for locals, Towner landed one of them and spent seven days on set. “I became consumed by the filmmaking process,” he says.

Although he continued acting on stage locally, Towner’s practical nature led him to enlist in the military after high school and pursue business ventures. These endeavors ultimately granted him the freedom in his 50s to explore creative endeavors full-time.

The Inspiration Behind Hollywood and Velvet

Towner’s latest novel and screenplay, Hollywood and Velvet, was inspired by a transformative experience in Cincinnati. “In 2013, one of my favorite bands, The National, released an album called Trouble Will Find Me. I listened to that album obsessively—I still do—and over the course of several months, the vibe of the album inspired a narrative,” he explains.

The story follows a young man from Cincinnati who, after leaving the military, takes the risk that Towner never did. “He heads to LA on a whim and has some early success in the film industry but ultimately gets consumed by it,” Towner reveals. The narrative also explores psychosexual elements, which initially led him to shelve the manuscript. “I felt society wasn’t ready for it,” he admits.

In 2023, a serendipitous event reignited his creative spark. “I was already living in Florida, but I had the opportunity to see The National live in Cincinnati. Their entire set was the Trouble Will Find Me album. That concert was a surreal, creative catalyst for me,” he shares. Inspired, Towner returned to his hotel, reopened the manuscript, and put the finishing touches on it through the night.

Given the recent mainstream success of psychosexual projects like The Handmaid’s Tale and Babygirl, Towner felt the timing was right to release Hollywood and Velvet. “I just finished the screenplay and hope to shop it around this summer,” he adds.

A Prolific and Fearless Storyteller

Towner’s ability to navigate multiple genres and creative formats is a testament to his fearless approach to storytelling. His journey from rural Alaska to the world of independent filmmaking and publishing is both inspiring and unconventional.

As he continues to push boundaries and explore new narratives, Towner remains dedicated to his craft. “I’m not inhibited by structure or genre,” he reiterates. “For me, storytelling is about connecting with people, challenging norms, and creating something meaningful.”

In a world where many creatives are confined by the expectations of a single genre or medium, David Towner stands out as a true renaissance storyteller. His passion, resilience, and versatility serve as an inspiration for aspiring filmmakers and writers alike. As he embarks on the next chapter of his creative journey, audiences can look forward to even more groundbreaking stories from this multi-talented artist.