![]() It's not long until Odium II will be with you, but here's a sneak peak to wet your appetite for now. So tell me, what are you looking forward to the most from Odium II? I'm having a blast writing it, and I hope that you'll enjoy reading it when its done. It has a tentative release date of May 9th so watch this space... On Monday, the Let's Scare cancer to Death anthology is released, I'll be posting a link up as soon as it goes live, so be ready for it. Remember, ALL profits for this anthoology will be going directly to the V-Foundation, none of us are making anything at all from it, other than good old fashioned karma. So do your bit for charity, read some gore and support some great writers all in one go! Now, without further ado... The empty field and the houses in the distance, spur us both on, and I grab Mikey’s hand as we push harder, willing our legs to run faster, and our muscles not to cramp up. To cramp up now could mean death for both of us, by deader or by gun, death would be a long, drawn out painful experience. Fuck that. With deaders in the surrounding field getting closer, the scene plays out in slow motion when I trip and fall to my knees, mud splattering up around me. Mikey turns and grips me under the arms, dragging me back up to standing. My eyes bug out when a grey arm reaches up out of the mud and grabs at his ankle.“Mikey!” I scream. He kicks away from the deaders reach and swings down with his fist, narrowly missing its rotten mouth which is snapping at his leg, and hitting it hard across its skull with his fist. Its head whips backwards upon impact, but the deader quickly rights itself and fixes its cloudy gaze back upon me. It stretches a rotten hand across, as it slowly pulls itself free of the mud and grass, growling and snapping its teeth. Mikey’s booted foot stamps down on its arm, snapping the bone, however the ligament still hangs by the bloated and stretched skin. The deader pays the broken limb no attention, but continues to drag is decomposing body towards me. Mikey grabs it from behind and drags it backwards. It thrashes around growling in anger in an attempt to get to me, until Mikey falls on his ass. I grab the nearest thing to me: a heavy rock, and with difficulty I launch it at the things face with a guttural cry. It crushes into the brittle bones, making an almost concave shape where its features should be and releasing a toxic stench that I can taste in my mouth. It stops moving instantly, and collapses into the gore soaked earth around it. I look at Mikey as he holds a hand out to me, his breathe coming in jagged gasps. “Come on, baby. We need to go.” My shaky hand takes his, I climb back to my feet, and together we run. ![]() As always, happy reading. Claire C Riley Ps. Don't forget to leave a review for Odium if you can. Good or bad, long or short, every one makes a difference and every one is appreciated.
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![]() I'm really pleased to be able to introduce to you a true gentleman today. my good friend Mark Cain. I first met him over two years ago when we were both on Authonomy. We read and critiqued each others stories and kind of fell in love with each others styles. He loved my first novel Limerence, quoting it as one of the best vampire turnings he's ever read. As for me, I adored his novel Hell's Super. It was quirky and humorous with great prose and a storyline so imaginative it could rival Terry Pratchet. So please, give a warm round of applause to Mark Cain... Mark Cain is a writer and musician living in the Austin, Texas area. His third novel, HELL’S SUPER, a comic fantasy, was published last fall by Taylor Street Books. It is available as a Kindle eBook or paperback. HELL’S SUPER is volume one of a new series, CIRCLES IN HELL. Volume two, A COLD DAY IN HELL, will be published in the Spring of 2014. HELL’S SUPER has been variously described as satire, comedy and comic fantasy in the spirit of Christopher Moore, Terry Pratchett, Tom Holt and Douglas Adams. The entire CIRCLES IN HELL series, including A COLD DAY IN HELL, takes the everyday frustrations of modern life and expands them to Hellish proportions. You never know who you will run into in Cain’s cracked Inferno. You might encounter a great inventor, a movie star and, of course, more than the occasional devil and demon. Amazon Links: HELL'S SUPER (USA) HELL'S SUPER (UK) Mark Cain Interview So, who the hell are you? Ha, ha, see what I did there? Yeah, I caught that. I'm Mark Cain, and I'm working on a series of books called CIRCLES IN HELL. (Now your readers also see!) Stalker links: (website/FB/Twitter/Amazon author page/) http://www.amazon.com/Mark-Cain/e/B00EBB8PG0 https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1064236.Mark_Cain Genre of writing: Satire. You could also call it comic fantasy. Can you name the last three books you read? ODDS AND GODS, Tom Holt THE GIRL ON THE RED PILLOW, Angelika Rust EUREKA! 81 KEY IDEAS EXPLAINED, Michael Macrone Can you name the next three books you will be reading? GREAT GATSBY, Fitzgerald CAT'S CRADLE, Vonnegut LIFE AFTER LIFE, Kate Atkinson The first two are rereads. I consider GATSBY the greatest American novel. Vonnegut is one of my favourite authors, and I haven't read CAT'S CRADLE in decades. New author finds of 2013-2014 and those that you look forward to hearing more from? Well, Claire C Riley of course. I'm still looking forward to the sequel to LIMERENCE. Then there's Angelika Rust. She's Austrian, but she writes in English, and she can tell the most macabre tale in a deadpan manner. Finally, Adam Oster. He and I are both comic book fans, and I had a great deal of fun with his THE LEGEND OF BUDDY HERO. Other than writing, what do you do? I play music. Living in Austin, you have to also be a musician. I think its a law here. Still, the rebel at heart, I do NOT play the guitar. I play tuba, in a British brass band, a traditional jazz group (Dixieland band), and a classical brass quintet. Occasionally, I still do a bit of IT management consulting. I'm a runner, a reader, and a lover. Beyond those roles, I'm a foodie; I enjoy food, beer, and wine. The Hill Country of Texas is replete with wineries. Touring them is a bunch of fun. What’s do you think is the hardest thing about writing? Selling what you've written. But not to dodge the question, I'd have to say sub plotting. I'm a very character-driven writer, and I tend to lock onto my protagonist's story line. To keep things interesting, I have to make a conscious effort to weave complexity into a plot. Otherwise, it becomes too linear a tale. Tell us about your latest book? Title: HELL'S SUPER Brief run down in your own words: The book is a satire or comic fantasy about Steve Minion, Hell's Super(intendent) of Plant Maintenance. He and his assistant, Orson Welles (yep, that one), have to fix Hell's Escalator. He gets some help from friends like Andrew Carnegie, Allan Pinkerton, and Steve's would-be girlfriend, Florence Nightingale. Published by: Taylor Street Books out of San Francisco Release date: Fall 2013 Anything in particular that you want to say about it? Where did you get the inspiration from? Favourite characters? Tell us something unusual. Earlier, I gave you a run down on the story. Now here's the setting: Imagine a Hell that is the worst day you ever spent at work -- you know, screaming bosses, unpleasant customers, bad coffee, too much work and too little time in which to do it. Take that day and put it on a never-ending loop. Mix in some devils and demons, famous historical figures, and the odd assortment of saints, magical creatures, and mythological beings. Take two egg whites...no, I'm confusing this with last night's dinner...instead add slapstick, sight gags, jokes, pop culture, and biting satire, and you have the landscape on which HELL'S SUPER unfolds. The inspiration for the story came from my own loathing for Mr. Fixit jobs. Have you ever replaced a light rheostat and found that you could now change the volume on a radio you had plugged into a nearby socket? Well, I have. It was Hell. My own version. Now think of your own version of Hell. If you were a character in my book, that's what you'd be doing for eternity. Favorite characters? BOOH, the infamous Bat out of Hell; Orson; Satan; and Uphir, who is a creepy little demon who runs Hell's hospital, which I like to call The Toaster. (No, I won't explain. Your readers have to read the book to find out.) What are you working on next and when can we expect to get our greedy little mitts on it? Ah, that would be the sequel, A COLD DAY IN HELL, which is about fixing a breakdown in Hell's HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system. This is a bit of a crisis, since there are metaphysical ramifications involved. Have you ever used the expression, "It will be a cold day in Hell before I...?" If you have, you see what's at stake. When will it be available? That's in the hands of my publisher. I hope this spring, but it might be summer instead. Hell's Super Excerpt & Cover
As always happy reading! Claire ♥ Women in horror recognition month was started five years ago, as a way to gain more recognition, more exposure and more opportunities for blood lusting female genre artists, through writings, artwork and other such exposure. What began as a simple statement has gradually grown into a movement which is travelling accross the globe. Through the support of both men and women, the movement continues to grow and support great writers and artists of horror work. It's a sad state that discrimination still runs rampant in places like Hollywood, sad but true, but through the continued work and suppport of WiHM movments across the world, we can put an end to discrimination. WiHM focus's on supporting the achievements of women who utilize the most extreme mirror available in storytelling: horror. It is used to encourage women to explore and represent these horrors constructively, in positive ways. Our thoughts, ideals and actions are our responsibility, use them wisely. I feel privilaged to have been a part of WiHM this year, through the help of Sirens Call Publications. (Link below) Producing a short story for your reading pleasure **grin** maybe pleasure is the wrong word. Featuring 168 pages of Short Stories, Flash Fiction, Poetry & Photography by Women in Horror. Feature interview by Angie Gallow, author of The Coven. We're also featuring a 400 word Flash Fiction Contest based on a single image. Three authors will be chosen to win a $10 Gift Certificate to Amazon! (on pg30) Best of all, it's a free eZine, so there's no excuse to not get the gore flowing in your mind and find and support some new horror authors. http://www.sirenscallpublications.com/ezine.htm ![]() I want to take a minute to thank everyone that has supported me and my writing, both male and female. I have thankfully never experienced any discrimination because of being a female horror writer, and I've worked with a lot of male and female writers. In fact, I have only ever had positive experiences, so far. Perhaps this is the work of WiHM? Perhaps I've just been lucky enough to meet respectful, intelligent male and females that see no difference in a female writer to a male. Or perhaps I've just been lucky. I have a feeling that it's both of these things. Regardless, I'm very grateful to both my fans and fellow horror colleagues for making this a positive experience. So, head on over to Sirens Call Publication and download the free eZine, get to know some great work, find a new favourite author, and help support this great cause. Together, we're making it happen and stamping out sexual discrimination. Happy reading Claire C Riley Welcome to The Eat Your Heart Out event! Whether you like classic horror, zombies or short stories, there is a great variety of novels to choose from this Valentine’s Day. You can check out the full list below:
Make sure you hold out until February 14 to purchase these books because for Valentine’s Day they will all be reduced to only 99 cents each! https://www.facebook.com/#!/events/1492330050991663/?fref=ts Now lets meet a few of these amazing authors, Starting with the very cool Sarah. Sarah Lyons Fleming![]() Getting to know you & your book. Name, contact and purchase links. Sarah Lyons Fleming http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DX73ZPY http://www.SarahLyonsFleming.com SarahLyonsFleming@gmail.com http://www.facebook.com/SarahLyonsFleming Tell us the name of the book you have in the Eat your Heart out event and a little bit about it. Until the End of the World Here’s my short blurb: It’s a story of true love, friendship, survival, redemption, and humor in the face of the end of the world. Oh, and beer. Tell us something unusual about it. Hmm, unusual, huh? I guess that I wrote it as post-apocalyptic zombie chick-lit, but I’ve gotten a lot of great reviews from men. I’ve been pleasantly surprised by that. Who’s your favourite character? And do you have a worst? Nelly is my favorite, hands down. But I love them all; I grew to love the ones I hated. The ones I didn’t, I got to kill. What work do you have coming up in the future? The second book of the Until the End of the World series, AND AFTER, will be out in the spring. I have a novella about one of the characters which will be out shortly. But it’s a “side”-quel and contains major spoilers, so should only be read after the book. Zombies, books & other things. What are some zombie books or authors that you would recommend to others and why? I haven’t read a ton of zombie books--weird, I know. I have a ton on my To Be Read list that I haven’t gotten to yet, but I can recommend a couple that I’ve read that are a bit more character-driven than most: 100 DAYS IN DEADLAND--Rachel Aukes. Rachel gives us real characters who are unsure, conflicted and trying their best to survive a nightmare. UNTIL THE END and the sequel, AFTER THE END- Tracey Ward. (New Adult) The two main characters are funny and real. Do you have a Z’ Plan in place? You know if the apocalypse started a plan on what you are going to do and where you will hide out, and if so will you share it with us? I’ve got a good list of lesser-known stores to loot, if that’s what you mean. Kidding! Sort of. I’ll only loot when most everyone’s dead. Until then, I’ll hunker down with my stored food and weapons. You don’t want to try to come after my supplies--I’m a very good shot. Kidding! Actually, no, I’m not. :) What makes you want to write about zombies? I love (and hate) the way they don’t stop. They’re mindless, but they’re also single-minded. They can ruin any moment of any day, and there’s no rhyme or reason to it. It’s so terrifying, yet fascinating. How do you like your zombies? Slow and shambling or Fast and clever? Slow and shambling for me. That’s not to say that I don’t like fast ones, I just don’t write them, maybe because I think all the characters would be dead in ten minutes. Chapter 1 Excerpt: UNTIL THE END OF THE WORLD |
Today is the kind of spring day that used to make me feel like anything was possible. That it would all work out in the end. I used to love days like this. Of course, that was before I started avoiding spring altogether. |
Josh Hilden

Name, stalker links and purchase links.
Josh Hilden
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/josh-hilden-author/116260821801432
Twitter: http://twitter.com/josh_hilden
Website: www.joshhilden.com
Blog: http://joshhilden.com/universal-josh/
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Josh-Hilden/e/B0094ACFPA/
Tell us the name of the book you have in the Eat your Heart out event and a little bit about it.
“The Shores of the Dead Book 1: The Rising”
The first book of a three book Zombie Apocalypse Series (with a short story anthology thrown in for fun).
Tell us something unusual or interesting about it.
The series has a slight supernatural bent to it. The cause is mystical in nature and there are bits and pieces within the series with mystic overtones. That being said I tried very hard to keep the “Magic” elements small and used more for enhancement as opposed to being the central thrust.
Who’s your favourite character? And do you have a worst?
Benny Millette is my favorite character. He’s not the big hero or the heart throb, he’s a genuinely good human being trying to protect his friends and family in a world gone mad.
Arn Jacobson is my worst … if I told you why it might spoil things.
What work do you have coming up in the future?
I am always working.
At the moment I am working on a novel called “Frankenstein, King of the Dead” which I hope to have available for purchase at Gen Con 2014 in Indianapolis.
Zombies, books & other things.
What are some zombie books or authors that you would recommend to others and why?
In my opinion Rhiannon Frater, Tim Long, and Eloise Knapp are the best Zombie authors working today. Not only do they write excellent horror but all three of them are masters of character creation. They’ve created characters that will always be with me (Cyrus, Kate, and Katie/Jenni).
Do you have a Z’ Plan in place? You know if the apocalypse started a plan on what you are going to do and where you will hide out, and if so will you share it with us?
My plan is to “Bug In” I’ve made plans to fortify my home and hold out until the temperature drops and the dead freeze, then me and my family HUNT!
What makes you want to write about zombies?
No fictional subject has ever scared me more than zombies. The terror turned into fascination which in turn fed the fear.
How do you like your zombies?
Slow and shambling
or
Fast and clever
Slow and shambling but that’s not to say fast isn’t terrifying. I think the Walking Dead (TV Show) has struck a good balance when it comes to zombie speed and mental acuity.
The Shores Of The Dead Excerpt : Chapter Eight
Chapter Eight |
Eli Constant

Eli Constant lives in Virginia with her husband, two daughters and rescue dog. She spends her days mothering, puttering about the house doing this and that and, of course, writing.
Her debut novel, “Dead Trees,” published in the winter of 2012. It is a dystopian thriller focusing on the trials of a mother across a post-apocalyptic, hostile landscape. Eli is obsessed with human nature and the choices people make when faced with insurmountable odds. She hopes to approach this obsession with every piece of writing, examining the nuances of humanity’s many faces.
Her published works, available on Amazon and at various retailers, are “Dead Trees,” “DRAG.N,” & “Mastic.” Her upcoming projects include “Let’s Scare Cancer to Death” (charity anthology out March 1st 2014, headed by TW Brown and May December Publications), “Fading Hope” (a multi-author, progressive anthology, birth child of Jack Wallen), “The Murderous Campbells” (a three-author anthology), “Dead Trees II” & a novel of interconnected zombie stories, tentatively titled “Children of the Z.”
Getting to know you & your book.
Stalker links and purchase links, shoe size… actually, you can leave off the shoe size, that’s not really important…
But what if they want to buy me shoes, Claire? I love shoes…
https://twitter.com/Author_EliC
https://www.facebook.com/authorEliConstant
www.eliconstant.com
http://authoreliconstant.wordpress.com/
Book Purchase links (Amazon)
http://www.amazon.com/Dead-Trees-Eli-Constant-ebook/dp/B00APYKD7G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1391886592&sr=8-1&keywords=eli+constant
http://www.amazon.com/Mastic-Eli-Constant-ebook/dp/B00FMHGX5W/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1391886521&sr=8-2&keywords=eli+constant
http://www.amazon.com/DRAG-N-Eli-Constant-ebook/dp/B00C0YRR6Y/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1391886521&sr=8-3&keywords=eli+constant
Tell us the name of the book you have in the Eat your Heart out event and a little bit about it.
“Dead Trees.” It’s a dystopian thriller focusing on the trials of a mother across a post-apocalypse and hostile landscape.
Here’s the blurb:
Elise Swanson is a widow and mother. She fights with gun and knife against nail and claw, praying she can keep her little, broken family safe. She drives and drives, day after day, trying to escape a threat that seems… inescapable. The Beasties.
Subterranean humanoids, existing since the dawn of man, have arisen from the belly of the earth. Civilization is a ghost of yesterday. Remaining humans fight for survival.
Pit stop fights with beasties define survival-road. Against all odds, Elise, her daughters and their new companions reach a safe zone.
There’s no rest for the weary as Elise is drafted quickly into the heart of human resistance, her knowledge may be the key, the only hope humanity has of reclaiming their home from the Beasties.
What will happen when a Neural Engineer, a medical researcher and a computer wizard are humanity’s best hope? The answer might be surprising
Wrapped up in all the uncertainty, violence, science lingo and beasties, they will find a strange solution to a new Earth.
And her name is Margaret.
Tell us something unusual or interesting about it.
It’s been described as a zombie novel without the zombies. I guess it just has that feel. There are many elements that are different, however- like the limitations my antagonists have: sensitivity to light, poor vision, anatomical traits that must adapt to surface life- products of evolving underground. And the advantages the Undergrounders are different too- they have the speed, the acute hearing, the clawed hands, so effective at ripping into human flesh.
Who’s your favourite character? And do you have a worst?
My favourite character in “Dead Trees” doesn’t enter the story until well past the halfway point; her name is Margaret and she’s a beastie/human crossbreed with wicked intelligence, accelerated growth and silver-white hair. She doesn’t get as much attention in this instalment, but when “Dead Trees II” releases, readers will find this character at the forefront of the storyline, matured and ready for action.
Hmm. I guess my least favourite character in the book is a secondary character named Allison. She’s a little too weak for my tastes, a little too whiney. I will say, though, that she redeems herself a bit toward the end.
What work do you have coming up in the future?
I’m delighted to say I have lots on the horizon for this year: Next month, the charity anthology headed by TW Brown and published by May December Publications, “Let’s Scare Cancer to Death” comes out. I’m proud to be a part of it, since all the proceeds go to the V Foundation for cancer research.
Also this year, I have a joint anthology with several authors headed up by Jack Wallen; it’s tentatively titled “Fading Hope” and focuses on just that, fading hope in impossible situations. It’s a look at humanity and human reaction.
In a fully cooperative effort, I’m working with Claire C. Riley & Ken Mooney on a 3-novella anthology revolving around a singular, group-decided theme- serial killers, specifically, serial killers inspired by cult classic films and historical figures. It’s going to be amazing.
For my independent work- I have several submissions out to different publishers, short stories mostly. I’m also currently writing “Dead Trees II,” due out early this Fall & a book of interconnected zombie stories inspired by my contribution to “Let’s Scare Cancer to Death.” Lastly, and it’s far in left field, I’ve written a Space Opera. That I’m just sitting on… debating, wondering when the time will be right to enter into that genre’s world.
Zombies, books & other things.
What are some zombie books or authors that you would recommend to others and why?
Well, I know this is going to sound like ass-kissing, but Claire is my favourite Indie author. I’ve read Odium and Odium Origins twice. I’ve pimped them out to my friends, recommended them on social media. I even check her reviews on Goodreads and Amazon to see if she’s gotten new ones. Yeah… that’s the kind of freaky fangirl stalker I am.
Do you have a Z’ Plan in place? You know if the apocalypse started a plan on what you are going to do and where you will hide out, and if so will you share it with us?
My family and I would hit the pavement and head straight to my dad’s house. He’s a retired Air Force SERE (search, evasion, resistance & escape) instructor. I tell the absolute truth when I say that my dad has a bunker full of equipment, food and go-bags (backpacks with everything you’d possibly need to survive on the road). You want to know where he lives? Right. Like I’m going to tell you.
What makes you want to write about zombies or the apocalypse?
To tell you the truth, it’s not what I had in mind when I started writing. Never once thought about zombies when I was crafting the Undergrounders in “Dead Trees.” My contribution to “Let’s Scare Cancer to Death” was my first attempt at a zombie story. I loved writing it; I’d write it again in a skinny minute. Which makes me think that there are a lot of flesh-eating deadheads in my future.
How do you like your zombies?
Slow and shambling
or
Fast and clever?
I have mixed feelings about this- which translates into my first zombie story “Z Children” in the LSCtD anthology I was talking about. In that story, the children are fast and clever & the adults are slow and shambling. The reasoning behind that is explained in the story.
Dead Trees Excerpt
Dead Trees Excerpt: |
RJ Spears

Name, stalker links and purchase links.
Name: R.J. Spears
Website: http://rjspears.com/
Blog: http://rjspears.blogspot.com/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5445765.R_J_Spears
Books:
Forget the Alamo: http://www.amazon.com/Forget-Alamo-Zombie-Novella-Zombies-ebook/dp/B00CJHOW9M/ref=la_B00APKD4BC_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1391722282&sr=1-5
Forget Texas: http://www.amazon.com/Forget-Texas-Zombies-R-J-Spears-ebook/dp/B00FK3V678/ref=la_B00APKD4BC_1_7?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1391722301&sr=1-7
Sanctuary from the Dead: http://www.amazon.com/Sanctuary-Dead-R-J-Spears-ebook/dp/B00E4DRQM4/ref=la_B00APKD4BC_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1391722313&sr=1-4
Tell us the name of the book you have in the Eat your Heart out event and a little bit about it.
Forget the Alamo tells the story of a U.S. Marshall and his protectee being stranded in the Alamo at the start of a zombie outbreak. He teams up a rag-tag band of survivors to escape the hordes of undead as they face many obstacles to in a perilous ride out of the city.
Tell us something unusual or interesting about it.
Forget the Alamo was inspired by a trip I made to San Antonio. My wife and I toured the Alamo and my wife said you ought to write a book about people trapped in the Alamo surrounded by zombies. It was a lot of fun to write. I usually work with detailed outlines and this book had one, but it was sketchy at best. So, I felt I was free to take the story where the events led me. One fun fact is that a famous zombie author who happens to live and work in San Antonio makes a brief cameo appearance. The other fun fact is that is has a sequel – Forget Texas.
Who’s your favourite character? And do you have a worst?
In Forget the Alamo, it is the hero, U.S. Marshall Grant. He’s a smarter, braver, and more competent version of me. The only way I’m better than him is that I’m funnier, but he does have his moments. There are no real villains in this book because it is tale of survival versus the undead.
What work do you have coming up in the future?
Funny you should ask. The second book in my Books of the Dead series launches on the same day as the Eat Your Heart Event, February 14. It is called Lord of the Dead and it is the sequel to Sanctuary from the Dead which was released in 2013. Lord of the Dead follows the protagonist of Sanctuary from the Dead and the group he works with to survive the zombie apocalypse. If anyone’s interested in short stories, I just released a collection of my horror short stories called Dark Matters in January. It is available on Amazon and contains 15 frightening tales – seven of which feature zombies.
Zombies, books & other things.
What are some zombie books or authors that you would recommend to others and why?
This a tough question. There are some good ones.
The Walking Dead rates up there. It’s truly epic now.
Rhiannon Frater’s As the World Dies series is really engaging. I think she gives some of the most realistic portrayals of people in a zombie apocalypse.
I’m a big fan of Joe McKinney. His Dead City was the first zombie book I ever read and it as a great intro to zombie fiction.
World War Z was a real page turner.
Carrie Ryan’s The Forest of Hand and Teeth was very inventive.
Dan William’s Mace of the Apocalypse is another book that is close to Rhiannon Frater’s writer in that the characters are easy to relate to.
There are so many more. Stephen Knight, Catt Dahman, Joe Maberry. There are some great writers out there writing compelling zombie fiction.
Do you have a Z’ Plan in place? You know if the apocalypse started a plan on what you are going to do and where you will hide out, and if so will you share it with us?
My plan is sketchy at best. Just as you would plan for any natural or social disaster, you have to consider what might happen and what you would have to do. First, I live in a fairly large metropolitan area and I’m getting the heck out of there. More people means more zombies. We would probably go to my hometown which is much smaller and more manageable.
What makes you want to write about zombies?
I think I can trace my love of zombies back to seeing George Romero’s Dawn of the Dead. It made an indelible mark on me when I saw it when it was released. That scenario percolated in my head for years. Before turning to writing horror, I wrote crime and mystery fiction, but something about zombies just drew me in. I felt I had a story to tell and just went at it.
How do you like your zombies?
Slow and shambling
or
Fast and clever?
Slow and shambling – please. Fast and clever and I’m dead.
Excerpt & Blurb From Forget The Alamo
EXCERPT FROM FORGET THE ALAMO: | BLURB FROM FORGET THE ALAMO |
Kurt Fawver

Name: Kurt Fawver
www.facebook.com/kfawver
www.twitter.com/banalapocalypse
www.kurtfawver.com
http://www.amazon.com/Forever-Pieces-Kurt-Fawver/dp/0615903967
Name of my book: Forever, in Pieces. It's a collection of eighteen decadent short stories that fall under the aegis of horror, dark fantasy, and weird fiction.
Tell us something unusual or interesting about it.
It's dark, literary, and really spans the gamut of genres. There are stories in here that might be called science fiction and stories that might be called bizarro. I try to never write exactly the same type of story twice, so I'm constantly shifting between genres and tropes and styles. I think the effect on the collection is to make every story unique and vibrant in its own right.
Who’s your favourite character? And do you have a worst?
My favorite character is Derrick McCoy in the story “Bolt” (which, as it happens, is one of the two zombie stories in the collection). I love writing post-apocalyptic survivors because I don't think most of them would be heroes – they'd be insane people with quite a bit of luck and a little bit of ingenuity.
My worst character? I don't have one. They're all spectacular in their own way!
What work do you have coming up in the future?
I have a story forthcoming in Weird Tales, a story in the upcoming Tor anthology Midian Unmade, and a story in the upcoming Dragon's Roost Press anthology Desolation: 21 Tales for Tails.
Zombies, books & other things.
What are some zombie books or authors that you would recommend to others and why?
Tony Burgess' Pontypool, Max Brooks' World War Z, Brian Keene's Rising series, Stephen King's Pet Sematary.
Do you have a Z’ Plan in place? You know if the apocalypse started a plan on what you are going to do and where you will hide out, and if so will you share it with us?
Sort of. First off, I'd hit the nearest pharmacy and loot everything in sight. Meds will be worth more than guns or ammo in a post-apocalyptic scenario. Next, it's off to find a weapon. Since ammo will eventually deplete, I'd prefer to stick with bladed weapons. That's a problem, though, considering there aren't sword smiths around every corner. Still, I'd like to find an implement with a sharp edge as my primary weapon. Then it's a matter of getting to a structure near clean, running water and boarding up windows. A couple runs to liquor stores and gas stations later (can't have enough flammable liquids in a zombie apocalypse) and you're on your way to setting up a base camp.
What makes you want to write about zombies?
They're a very multifaceted metaphor. They can work perfectly to act as a symbol of mindlessness, of consumerism, of overpopulation, of avarice, of hopelessness... and the list goes on and on. Because they have so many potential metaphorizations, they can be deployed in practically infinite varieties of narrative.
How do you like your zombies?
Slow and shambling – death is an impediment, not a superpower.
Forever In Pieces Cover & Blurb
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Forever, In Pieces Excerpt
Book excerpt (a full story from the collection):
For the Unhaunted
Some people swore that the house was haunted. It had to be haunted. After all, every other house on the block was haunted. In fact, every other house in the Dixon's entire neighborhood had at least one apparitional resident. Some were even blessed with two or three or more. There was no reason to assume that the Dixon's house should be so different, so bereft of undead energy. When friends and family came to visit, they all claimed to hear a shuffling of disembodied feet in the attic or insisted that they'd seen the hazy form of a torso squirming about in the bathroom. They all wanted to believe that Kat and Ryan weren't unable to call forth a being from the Other Side. But Kat and Ryan knew the truth: the house wasn't haunted. It was just a series of well-polished rooms and elaborately furnished dreams.
Try as they might, in eight years of marriage the Dixons hadn't been able to channel a single specter. At first, they did what everyone else did: they burned incense and lit candles, chanted archaic incantations and hung crystals. They welcomed the past into their lives and opened themselves to a future set in nostalgia. But no spirits came. While their friends threw seance parties and compared the static burble of one another's EVP recordings with delight, Kat and Ryan sat at home, staring into empty corners and darkened hallways.
The couple began to consult psychic professionals and make appointments with the best mediums in the state; they sacrificed chickens and goats and prayed to skeletal gods. Still no spirits came. Still no howls of joyful madness echoed through their living room. Days grew longer; nights grew calmer. Ghosts were everywhere but in their home. So, Kat and Ryan decided to take more extreme measures. If they wanted a spirit of their own, they were going to have to force it inside.
They robbed an unmarked grave and reburied the brittle corpse in their backyard; they invited an elderly homeless man to their house for dinner, then beat him to death and smeared his blood across their walls; they tried violent orgies and sex magics. Nothing worked. A spirit would not come to them. They were barren. Then Kat became pregnant.
While her stomach swelled, the Dixons considered the possibilities before them. To be sure, raising a child would be wonderful, but having a ghost was what made life worth living. The tingling excitement of revelation that arose from finding out who your spirit really was and the comfort of knowing that your spirit would never fully abandon you, that it would float by the side of your deathbed and would continue on indefinitely, carrying with it a memory of its time as your special ghost: these were the things that gave meaning to existence. Everyone said as much, and Kat and Ryan believed. They wanted a specter desperately. They wanted to be haunted. And so, when the time came, they both gripped the handle of the butcher knife as it slid across their son's soft, fatty, freshly-powdered throat. They watched, together, while bubbles and blood commingled on a sky-blue onesie. A tear rolled down Kat's cheek. Ryan's unused hand trembled.
Surely, this would work. If a ghost would not come to them, they would make a ghost.
As the spark in the baby's eyes sputtered out, something in another room fell to the floor and shattered.
Nothing was ever the same again after that.
Who needs flowers and chocolates for Valentines anyway?
Happy reading!
Claire ♥

So, now I'm doing my bit to 'pass it On' and I just know that you'll love it--and him--too.
Read on, get to know a little about the author, read an excerpt, my review and then get the hell over to Amazon and buy this beautifully crafted zombie book. It will be the best decision you've made this week. (Unless you purchased a winning lottery ticket, and then really...what the hell are you doing reading my blog?)
Getting to know you & your book.
Name, stalker links and purchase links, shoe size… actually, you can leave off the shoe size, that’s not really important…
Daryl Banner
www.facebook.com/DarylBannerWriter
www.darylbanner.com
The Beautiful Dead purchase link on Amazon.com:
http://www.amazon.com/The-Beautiful-Dead-Daryl-Banner/dp/1491234067
Whilst I know that you have a couple of novels out at the moment, I’d like to take a minute to talk about The Beautiful Dead.
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The first chapter of The Beautiful Dead was written during a “light-hearted emotional break” from the heavy novel I was working on at the time (Super Psycho Future Killers). I never intended that first chapter to become a full-length novel, and now I'm even considering a couple sequels. I do have a trilogy-length arc in mind, should I get around to writing it. Fun fact: In my word processor, I wrote nearly the whole book with bright green letters on a black background to “set the undead mood” for my eyes.
Who’s your favourite character? And do you have a worst?
My favourite character would have to be the human (the man with a heartbeat) that comes into the main character’s life. His journey, his secrets, and the relationship that builds between them was what kept my heart uplifted throughout the story, especially in the dark moments. If I had to pick a “worst” character, it’d have to be the mayor; even he admits he isn't a very good one.
Do you remember what inspired you to write it?
I love the “magical” kind of living dead, like necromancy and warlocks and dark sorcerers, but always felt uncomfortable with how quickly zombies (or even the dark-magic-wielding sorcerers) were shrugged off as monsters and bad guys and villains. So I have instant sympathy for them right away. At the time I was also playing a lot of World Of Warcraft, so the Undead race in that game (and the humour!) inspired me a lot. As the writing of The Beautiful Dead progressed further, three major themes started to recur: imprisonment, regret, and second chances—particularly for a person feeling themselves utterly lost and beyond hope. This story suggests no one is beyond hope, depending how you look on it. Coupling that heaviness with my natural dark-humour and recklessness kept the story close to heart and inspired for me.
Tell us a little about your other books. What are you currently working on?
I'm currently working on my first series: an epic urban fantasy set in an unknown future where people no longer sleep and each person has a unique special ability. The story centres around *several* main characters who struggle to live under/hide from/rebel against/support/overthrow the ruling power—depending on whose perspective you look at—all the while making friends, losing them, battling personal demons, growing into adulthood, finding love …
I could seriously go on for hours, as I'm so inspired and “on fire” with this new novel, so I’d better leave it at that until it’s ready for the world to see! And believe me: I'm so, so excited to share it. And hopefully soon!
Zombies, books & other things.
Other than your writing, what else do you do? You know, boring day job or secret superhero?
I'm also a composer and avid gamer! I play piano (self-taught since I was five) and write music for games, short films, and iPhone apps, as well as music & sound for the Vamplets, Inc. website (www.vamplets.com). All the while working 40+ hours at a movie theatre and performing a trilogy of musicals called “Country Gravy”. I wrote plays in college and studied under the great (and late) Lanford Wilson for three years where he gave me some seriously amazing advice that I still rely on heavily. I sometimes hallucinate that he’s talking to me as I write (true story) and brainstorming with me when ideas run dry. In fact, I dedicated my book The Beautiful Dead to him, as well as other friends (and my grandfather) I've lost over the past year.
hat are some zombie books or authors that you would recommend to others and why?
To be perfectly honest, I don’t like to read books that could influence the genre I'm currently set in. So … not many zombie books to name. (I KNOW, BLASPHEMY) But! Back in college I read a fantasy book called Zombie Lover by Piers Anthony. As most of his books do, it made me smile J Also, I totes dig Walking Dead, especially the badass named DARYL
Do you have a Z’ Plan in place? You know if the apocalypse started a plan on what you are going to do and where you will hide out, and if so will you share it with us?
I’d learn the dark magic's of necromancy and bend the zombies to my will, ruling them upon a throne of bones, crowning myself the Zombie King. Wouldn't you?
What makes you want to write about zombies?
I felt compelled in my heart and gut to give the zombie genre a different voice. I wanted to pull away from the popular virus-style zombies, and the night-of-the-living-dead-Halloween-style zombies… I've always had a thing for fantasy and shadows.
How do you like your zombies?
Slow and shambling
or
Fast and clever?
I like them brooding and feely. I like them grappling with the life they used to have, some of them learning to let go, some of them never letting go. I like us seeing through their eyes for once, and through their hearts … no matter how unbeating they may be
My Review Of The Beautiful Dead...for what it's worth anyway.
Five big fat, zombie shaped awesome, toe curling, mouth gaping stars!
I was recommended this book by another author-- Madeline Sheehan. She warned me that it was a great book and had a great twist on zombies, but I'll be honest, I let it sit on my kindle for a good couple of weeks before I dived in because I hate new takes on zombies! I'm an old school zombie writer, slow and shambling, brainless and violent.
This is NOT like that and yet it actually IS on so many levels. It's a new twist with a twist of the old finely threaded through.
It was both beautifully poetic and skillfully written, yet dark and full of the most gruesome horror imaginable.
The main character, I couldn't help but get irritated by and yet loved also. It was bizarre.
Daryl Banner took my emotions and squeezed them through a meat grinder, until I came out of the other side all messed up not knowing who to hate and who to love.
This has to be one of my FAVOURITE reads so far this year, and definitely in my top ten for last year too.
Read this. You won't be disappointed, and if you are then you must have picked upa different book to me, because was a fabulous, heart stopping, crazy, intelligent, well written book.
Happy reading!
Claire ♥

Todays author spotlight doesn't really need any introduction, he's a big name in zombie horror, and all round nice guy - though don't tell anyone I said that, I don't want to ruin his reputation as zombie horror king
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Todd Brown (aka TW.Brown) his the author of many a penned tale, from zombies to ghouls, horror to humour, he's a great editor and from the looks of some of the photos he posts up on Facebook, a brilliant chef. Get to know him and his new book. I promise that you won't be dissapointed in getting hooked on this series.
TW Brown is the author of the Zomblog series, DEAD series, and That Ghoul Ava series. He is deeply immersed in pursuing his dream of being a “full-time” writer while trying to balance the duties of husband, father, friend, and Border Collie owner. He keeps busy reading and editing the numerous submissions for a variety of upcoming anthologies and full-length titles for May December Publications. He has had short stories published by Pill Hill Press, Living Dead Press, and others.
Name: Todd (TW) Brown
Stalker links: There is my blog, where you will find all matter of musings and interviews.
twbrown.maydecpub@gmail.com
http://twbrown.blogspot.com
My Amazon Author page where you can find just about anything I am involved in and even click on a button so that Amazon will email when my newest release comes out.
http://www.amazon.com/TW-Brown/e/B00363NQI6/
And then there is my Facebook author page where I give away free stuff.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-TW-Brown/290031277678618?ref=hl
and Finally Twitter
@maydecpub
Genre of writing: Mostly the zombie thing, but I do have a few other projects to my name like my horror/comedy series :That Ghoul Ava.
Can you list a couple of your books?
There is the DEAD series:
Book 1: DEAD: The Ugly Beginning
Book 2: DEAD: Revelations
Book 3: DEAD: Fortunes & Failures
Book 4: DEAD: Winter
Book 5: DEAD: Siege & Survival
Book 6: DEAD: Confrontation
Book 7: DEAD: Reborn
The Zomblog Series:
1. Zomblog
2. Zomblog II
3. Zomblog: The Final Entry
4. Zomblog: Snoe
5. Zomblog: Snoe's War
6. Zomblog: Snoe's Journey
And my That Ghoul Ava series:
That Ghoul Ava: Her first adventures (a pair of shorts that sort of launched the series)
That Ghoul Ava and The Queen of the Zombies
That Ghoul Ava Kicks Some Faerie A**
Can you name the last five books you read?
The first two books of the White Trash Zombie series, Homeland (Book one of the Legend of Drizzt series), Coalition of the Damned (the third book in the Monster Squad series), and A New World: Conspiracy (book eight of the A New World series).
Can you name the next five books you will be reading?
Odium, Dead Trees, Exile (book two of the Legend of Drizzt series), and a couple of cook books
New author finds of 2013 and those that you look forward to hearing more from.
Eli Constant. I read a short that is part of a charity anthology I am involved in and got swept up. Also, Heath Stallcup. When he came to me to help with edits for his Monster Squad series, I had to read the story, THEN go back and do the edits. It really blew me away. Great action and some very fun characters.
Other than writing, what do you do?
Currently I am training for the upcoming Spartan Run, but for fun I like to play my guitar, slip in to the role of Pirate on Assassin’s Creed IV or hone my skills as a wanna-be Poker player where I hope to enter in a tournament in about five or so years.
Tell us about your latest book?
This is the 8th book of the DEAD series, and had the working title of DEAD: Spring…until I got into the writing. I soon realized that it was far too dark for such a “happy” title so full of optimism and life. About a year has passed since the events of book one and most of the characters are trying desperately to carve out some sort of life in a world overrun by the undead. Zombies have long since taken a back seat to the living in the realm of monster to be feared.
Title: DEAD: Darkness Before Dawn
Blurb:
Winter has gone, but the world is no less inhospitable. The survivors of the first winter now face some of the darkest and most soul-wrenching choices so far. From the outskirts of London to an island refuge in Oregon, small groups seek to build a new life.
Kevin recovers to a realization that shatters his dreams, yet he must stand up and take the role of leader…or die trying. His followers, now largely consisting of juvenile delinquents and society cast offs need him. Can he shake loose from his own misery to be their salvation?
Billy must decide what sort of life he wants to forge. Has he been following blindly and gone down the wrong path? And has Dr. Zahn finally discovered the mystery of the zombie children?
May December Publications LLC
Release date:
January 31st 2014
Anything in particular that you want to say about it?
I am just thrilled to see this story come alive with so many twists and turns, and I am grateful to all the readers who have come along for the ride.
What are you working on next and when can we expect to get our greedy little mitts on it?
I am getting the next full-length That Ghoul Ava piece done as a bit of a brain cleanse, and then it is on to book 9 in the DEAD series which will be out in July of 2014.
AMAZON PURCHASE LINKS USA PAPERBACK: http://amzn.to/1bkp8bf EBOOK: http://amzn.to/1kyCenX AMAZON PURCHASE LINKS UK PAPERBACK: http://amzn.to/1kyCKlS EBOOK: http://amzn.to/1kyCXpl |
Happy reading!
Claire ♥
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