Sunday, December 15, 2013

Zombie D.O.A. - New Series Coming Soon

If there's one thing I've learned about writing zombie books it's that the undead really do refuse to die. When I first started writing the D.O.A. series my idea was that it would be a trilogy. I remember debating with my wife whether to expand that first series to four books because I liked the idea of incorporating a "zombie western" (The Dead Men).

Anyway, we settled on four books and after completing Dead On Arrival, I moved on to other projects (Johnny Black, Soul Chaser). But then I started getting e-mails from fans of the D.O.A. series asking what next? Most of you wanted to know what happened to Ruby, so I decided to write a sequel (Return to Dead City). That led to series two and three and ultimately to series four. Sixteen books in all, 17 including the sequel, Dead Meat.

The Dead, The Damned and The Dying was again meant to be the series finale, but I planned on writing a spin-off based on the younger character in the series (mainly Charlie and Jojo). I've now changed that idea slightly and decided to incorporate that "spin-off" into the main series i.e. as Zombie D.O.A. Series 5.

I'm currently outlining the new series (in between completing other writing projects) and hope that I'll be able to get the first book up on Amazon by end January.

What else can I tell you? As in the other series there will be four books, tentatively titled, The Never Dead; Dead & Dangerous; We, The Dead; and Dead Ever After. The action as always will be fast, furious and brutal and there'll be lots of new characters as well as old favorites, Chris, Joe etc. (although in supporting rather than lead roles).

Before I go, let me just thank you all for your continued support and your kind words about my work. Here's a cover reveal to wet your appetite for the new series.



 Leave a comment to let me know what you think about the titles and cover for the new series.



  

Sunday, December 08, 2013

5 Winning Habits We Could Learn From The Undead

Zombies - filthy, shambling, brain dead, gore-spattered creatures with b.o., halitosis and terrible posture, not to mention dreadful eating habits (all meat, no greens).

Or are they? It occurs to me that there are a few things that we could learn from watching zombies, things you'd pay thousands of dollars to hear from some superstar speaker at an overpriced self-improvement seminar.

How about these for starters;    

Focus


Zombies are extremely focused creatures. Once they set their minds (minds???) on a task, they won't quit until they've achieved their objective (which usually involves tearing you limb from limb and bolting down your ripped flesh in bloody chunks).

Perseverance


Very little will stop a Z from achieving his objective, not the weather, the time of day, nor any physical barrier. A gunshot to the chest won't do it, nor will the loss of a limb. In fact, the only things that will stop a Z from eating you alive, are a bullet to the brain, or outright decapitation. Now that's perseverance.

Self-Acceptance  


Zombies are pretty cool with who they are. They're not too fussed about wearing the latest fashions or getting their hair done. Manicures, pedicures, facials? Feggedaboutit! A zombie is pretty happy in his own rotting skin, as long as he's snacking on yours.

Co-operation


You'll seldom see a Z walking alone. They have a great sense of community and know that by working together everyone wins (and eats). This is, in fact, a key factor to their success. Let's face it, you'd have to be seriously out of shape to be run down by a Z. But a hundred of them? A thousand? They'll surround you, pull you into a melee. You'll be shish kebab before you can say, "Aarrrrgggghhh!"   


Inclusion


The living dead are a welcoming bunch. As long as you're dead, you're alright by them. You won't hear one Z calling another a "gimp" or a retard. They're pretty cool about your missing limbs, alligator-like dentures and dragging entrails. They won't give you a hard time about your clumpy shoes or a run in your stockings. They're good that way, zombies.

So there you have it, five wining zombie traits that will make us all better people. Thanks Zs.     

Sunday, December 01, 2013

Ten Movie Villains Who Will Seriously Creep You Out

Henry (Michael Rooker) from Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer

Michael Rooker’s deeply disturbing portrayal of a serial killer is one of the most accurate you’ll see on film. Gritty, dingy and menacing, the film has the feel of a psychopath recording his darkest deeds on a camcorder.  

Amon Goethe (Ralph Fiennes) from Schindler's List

Fiennes brooding performance as the sadistic concentration camp commandant will chill you to the bone. Nominated for an Oscar as best supporting actor, he lost out to Tommy Lee Jones in one of the biggest travesties in the Academy’s history.

Leatherface (Gunnar Hansen) from The Texas Chainsaw Massacre

What could be more terrifying than being chased by a chainsaw-wielding psycho intent on carving you up like a Thanksgiving turkey? Well, if said psycho were wearing a mask fashioned from human skin that would do it! The prototypical slasher, Leatherface still terrifies, decades after the movie’s debut.

Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson) from The Shining

Stephen King apparently hated this adaptation of his novel and the movie is somewhat spoilt by an overbearing soundtrack and a rather irritating performance by Shelley Duvall. Nicholson, though, is quite brilliant as a man slipping slowly into insanity.

George Harvey (Stan Tucci) from The Lovely Bones

The movie garner mixed reviews, but Tucci got an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of George Harvey, the quiet, unassuming neighbor who lives a double life as a pedophilic serial killer. A chillingly accurate depiction of a sexual psychopath.

Frank Booth (Denis Hopper) from Blue Velvet

Frank Booth is probably the last guy on earth you’d want to get on the wrong side of. The schizophrenic mobster with a taste for torture, rape and mutilation is one of the scariest guys ever to grace the silver screen. Hopper’s depiction is ultra-menacing and will stay with you for a long time after the credits roll.    

John Doe (Kevin Spacey) from Se7en

Kevin Spacey’s deadpan portrayal of the darkly inventive John Doe leaves a lasting impression in this disturbing police procedural from director David Fincher. Includes some of the most brutal murders ever depicted on screen.

Annie Wilkes (Kathy Bates) from Misery
Deranged fan Annie Wilkes holds writer Paul Sheldon prisoner in this chilling adaptation of Stephen King’s novel. Bates portrayal of the psychopathic, bipolar Wilkes earned her a richly deserved Oscar.

Jame Gumb a.k.a. Buffalo Bill (Ted Levine) from Silence of the Lambs

Anthony Hopkins garnered the praise and awards but for me Ted Levine’s Buffalo Bill, a serial killer who skins his female victims, exceeded even Hannibal Lechter on the creep-out scale. Even after several viewings, the “metamorphosis” scene is still difficult to watch.

Max Cady (Robert De Niro) from Cape Fear

Few actors do menace as well as De Niro and in this role he plays Max Cady, a recently paroled rapist out for revenge against the lawyer who failed to get him acquitted. The scenes of physical violence are extreme, but for pure creepiness, Cady’s seduction of young Danielle Bowden (played by Juliette Lewis) is right up there. 

What do you think? Who am I missing out? Please add your comments and suggestions below.