Meet Mark AND Tracy Tufo...

About a year ago, the word leaked out that Mark Tufo was looking for an editor. I threw my hat in the ring just on the off chance. Eventually, he sent me a sample to use as an audition edit. (Writers, take note...you want to see if an editor that you are considering has the chops, send a sample. Put in a few nasty tricks and then compare the two. Think of it as the job interview.) I got the job and now have the pleasure of reading everything before it hits the public. It has led to some other jobs along the way because of Mark's referral (John O' Brien being one if I can just keep name dropping).

Some of you may not know this, but Zombie Fallout 7 is available RIGHT NOW!

Get it HERE!

Mark has put his faith and confidence in my ability. I try to reward that faith by continuing to improve in my editing skills. Seriously, there are so many rules...and it is an organic and continuous learning process. And as soon as I think I understand a rule, I find something new.

Anyways, this is not about me, this is a chance to spend some time with your favorite zombie author. (Yeah, of course I want it to be me, but let's face it, Mark has legions of fans...I am nothing if not a realist.) But, as a bonus, the rarely heard from (and I am sure the more important cog in the mechanism if you ask Mark) Tracy Tufo joins in as well. (I asked for a picture of BOTH, but she is going with the hidden identity thing like my favorite band, KISS.)

Mark Tufo...and his other love.

I am going to make the leap that most people who read this know who you are, Mark, so that is why the first question is for Tracy. Anybody who pursues the writing path as a career is a bit “touched” and can be a real challenge to accommodate (just ask my wife) so share some of Mark’s idiosyncrasies and how you deal with him?

You mean like him jumping out of bed at 3:00am looking for a pen and paper in the dark because he just had an idea?  Or the post-partum blues when he sends his latest book to you for editing?  Or when we are having a conversation and all the sudden with no warning the subject changes and you realize you are in the middle of a fiction book?  Yeay, I go to Tracyville.  Nice place, beaches,  coffee and no crazy allowed.

Okay, Mark, this is your chance to mount any sort of pitiful and meaningless defence. However, what I would also like to know is, do you do anything special when you finish a book it is finally released?

I really have no defense, I’ve found that I live constantly with one foot in my ‘other’ worlds, how in the hell she deals with it is an utter mystery to me. And you ask if I do anything special when I complete a book? Well I have a major dose of anxiety immediately flowing into angst and then round it out with some blues. Then I drink.

For the both of you…describe a “typical” day in the Tufo home.

Loud. Three kids along with their boy/girl friends. Two dogs a cat and numerous family members within a few mile radius.Typical Italian family everyone talking over each other.One of the boys chasing the dogs around getting them riled up, the cat meowing because she is not getting the attention. Yeah, Loud.

Me turning up my music louder and louder so I can write during the maelstrom.

Mark, you have that “everybody’s favorite crazy uncle” look, so what led you to write horror?

I’ve been drawn to horror for a long time. I’ve always loved to read and I think my brother was back at my folks house and he was reading a SK book and he let me borrow it, must have been about 10 and I’ll tell you I was hooked. The feelings that man could evoke were just mind-boggling to me.

So, it is time to take a peek behind the curtain if you will indulge me. Let’s start with the Mark Tufo…err…I mean the Michael Talbot character. How much of you is in Talbot?

I started off as the template for Mike just in the basics. I’d really like to think I’d do some of the stuff he does and not just hide behind my couch if the shit ever hit the fan. That’s the beauty of fiction though, I can get Mike into all sorts of trouble while I eat a frozen pizza for lunch!

You have let this one character span several different alternate realities and now we are treated to Michael a century or so later. What was the real impetus to bring Lycan Fallout? Was it part of the plan all along, or did the “Tal-bots (my new term for Michael Talbot fans…feel free to make it into your next shirt) demand it and so you returned with this just being the best and easiest way to resume his story?

Lycan Fallout came about completely unintentionally. Tracy and I were going to get coffee and she asked if I ever thought about writing a story with werewolves. I had the whole story mapped out in the 15 minutes it took to get the brew. I figured I could create a whole new world and the idea intrigued the hell out of me. 

So, since we are digging a bit, what is Durgan’s story? He is too prevalent not to have been inspired by somebody real.

I’ve never ‘known’ Durgan. I’ve known an amalgamation of Durgan. He’s kind of every asshole I’ve ever met all wrapped up into one big package.

The car crash scene has made more appearances than anything in the Talbot mythology. Is there something deeper to that story that you can and will share?

The car crash is real, it was not nearly as horrific as I’ve written it to be. But it was the first time as a teen I thought that I might not be as invincible as I once thought. So in a sense it was a death of a kind.

Talbot is all about his wife and family in the Fallout books, but he is kind of a man-whore in the others—The Spirit Clearing and Indian Hill—if there is (as I suspect) a lot of Tufo-Talbot connections, does Tracy ever slap you on the back of the head when she reads some of his female foibles?

At first I really had to convince Tracy that I was writing fiction, these were not true events. She gets it now, the only time she’s really questioned our marriage was after reading the Tim series.

Some of your critics have tossed around words like misogynistic, and I think one review said something like “racist” which I did not see at all in these books. Does that sort of thing ever bother you?

I’m not sure what the hell they’re talking about, I give EVERYONE shit. Male, female, white, black whatever, I don’t discriminate. Folks are going to see what they want to see I can’t stop them from that. I love women, I love people of all colors. I don’t see the person for the skin only what lies within. There are assholes of every race and creed, shit Durgan is white and I can’t think of a bigger jerk. I’ve learned in the anonymous world of the web folks will say just about anything, if I let it bother me then I’m in the wrong profession. Still though, some people need to get a life.

Since we have touched on it, do you think that society as a whole has actually become too over-sensitive? I am not saying that the old Bugs Bunny cartoons did not do a bit of stereotyping that might be inappropriate today, but does it seem like we have reached a point where there is too much finger pointing? Or do writers (and comedians and reality show contestants) just need to change for a kinder and gentler world?

I think people really are overly-sensitive. Now I’m not saying go out there and bash everyone, but come on, a joke is a joke there’s no reason to get everyone’s panties all in a bunch.

Tracy, can you share some of your secrets to promotion for all of the spouses that are there working to push their writer husband or wife to the forefront?

My background is in Real Estate.  I use a lot of the same ways I use to sell houses to get his books out there.  I also follow a couple of blogs and get news letters from KDP, Kobo and Nook.  If something strikes me as being worth a try, I try it.

Can Tracy write stories…and will there ever be (like with Stephen and Tabitha King) a book by Tracy Tufo?

I have a hard time writing the grocery list.

Tracy, what is the hardest part about being married to a writer?

Hard?!Nothing hard about it.  (he paid me to say that)  I actually find it entertaining.  I never know what world I’m going to end up in or where the day will begin.  Definitely not boring. 

Any parting words of advice?

If you plan on writing hire an editor! In fact look up the guys that’s hosting this interview he’s awesome! (He didn’t even pay me for that plug.) Thank you Todd for allowing me some time to play in your sandbox.

Links:

marktufo.com

Other contacts/social media sites: 

http://zombiefallout.blogspot.com/ -

www.facebook.com/pages/Mark-Tufo/133954330009843   

                                                                                                

Bob the Zombie!

Ah, the hectic life a writer has when there is a new release in the pipeline. Before I skitter forth with this week's Short Attention Span Theater, I want to thank you all who made this release of Dead: Confrontation such a wonderful experience for me. It landed on the Amazon Top 100 in horror upon release and has flitted in and out ever since. Even more exciting, the FIRST book in the series, Dead: The Ugly Beginning has seen a sudden rise and for the first time ever book one has hit the Top 100 as well!!! To say that I am excited is putting it mildly. I know it might seem silly, but this is a thrill for me and, I must admit, it is also a bit of validation.

Some exciting news, a small group of us writer types were recently contacted by the amazing Tracy Tufo. And now, I am thrilled to say that we will be part of a horror conglomerate if you will. In the back of each and every one of my titles, you will find the above full page ad featuring John O'Brien, James N. Cook, Armand Rosamilia, Heath Stallcup, Shawn Chesser, and Mark Tufo. Each of us has a version of this page, the only difference is that my DEAD series will be in their ads. 

And now (imagine a heralding fanfare)...Short Attention Span Theater!

This week I am pleased to offer up a title that you can actually read in just about the allotted reading time for Short Attention Span Theater (aka 30 minute reader). Bob the Zombie by Jaime Johnesee.

This was a great break from all of the serious horror-style zombie stuff that I have been immersed in for the past few years. Granted, I read more than just the zombie stuff, but it does consume most of my reading since that is what I write (and love).

Bob is a normal guy with a pretty dismal life. Then he died. His family (is there no greater love than that for a mother towards her son?) brought him back and were less than pleased when he began the slow decomposition. Now, Bob has to find his way in a world that is just not all that excited when a zombie walks past. (A great job is done here of seeing how people react as if Bob is just a Walking Dead fanboy extremist.)

Anyways, this short read is a great tongue-in-cheek introduction into an alternate reality where ghouls and necromancers exist. It is light, funny, and has a very distinct charm. It is not laugh-out-loud funny, but it generates a lot of smiles which are good for your health. 

I can give this a high recommendation, It has a few editing glitches (mostly in dialog punctuation), but nothing that distracts anybody except for grammar geeks. So grab it, read it, review it, and implore Jaime to get busy on the next Bob the Zombie adventure.

Leaving KDP? Oh...and a chance to make a difference.

Bacon Maple Bar from VooDoo Doughnut used solely to lure you here.

While I am not abandoning the KDP program, the time has come to make a few changes. Many articles have been written about the dearth of freebies out there. I DO NOT have a problem with using the KDP program as a tool to market my stuff. I have always felt that was the purpose of the program. I think some authors felt that it was going to translate into big number sales. I saw it as a commercial. And if you lured in some readers who actually read your book, AND THEN they liked it well enough, they would check out your other stuff.

So, if I am weaning myself from the KDP teat (nice visual, eh?), then what could I possibly do instead. The answer? 99 cent sales. Sites like eReader News Today and Pixels of Ink have had to adjust with Amazon's rules regarding portals for freebies. To make that change, they are featuring "bargain eBooks" in greater numbers and freebies in lesser. If somebody is willing to pay something...even 99 cents, then it is less likely that the book will remain unread. And if you have a good product, it will foster that reader's interest and encourage them to read MORE of your work.

Now, a few titles will remain in the program, but it just makes more sense to use the 99 cent tool. I believe that 100 downloads at the bargain price is going to net more readers than giving away 5,000 for free.

To that end, I have a couple of titles that are on the cusp of qualifying for the ENT bargain program. The requisites (besides the 99 cent price point) are a minimum of ten reviews with an average of no less than 4 stars. Eye Witness Zombie needs one review. SO, if you read it and liked it but have never gotten around to that pesky review...it would be GREATLY appreciated. And then there is the Special Edition, Dead: Steve's Story which is the compilation of the 18 chapters of Steve's story from the first three DEAD books (The Ugly Beginning, Revelations, and Fortunes & Failures) which needs two reviews.

To be clear, I do NOT canvass for positive reviews. People are more than welcome to post whatever they like. But for this instance, I am actually appealing to those of you who LIKED the work but have not gotten around to a review yet.

More doughnuts! Keep reading!!!

So, on to my next subject. Some of you may know that MDP produces one anthology a year where 100% of the generated proceeds go to charity. My editing is free, the cover art, all costs involved with production. That includes the authors. The stories that are submitted are done with the author receiving no compensation (not even a physical contributor's copy, although an ecopy is made available). We do not ask for exclusivity, in other words, the author can do whatever they like with their story...we do ask that they give us at least a mention if it goes to pub someplace else, but even that is nothing more than a request.

This upcoming New Year's Day, we would like to be able to offer "Scaring up a cure for CANCER" with every penny generated in profit being donated in a quarterly check to the V Foundation which works tirelessly to find a cure for a disease that affects so many.

Okay...but this one is going to be different. So I am canvassing for interest from some of my writer friends. This will be an "invitation only" anthology. The story must be horror, but the writer can choose what SORT...and cancer needs to be involved in some way. So, I am throwing a few writers out onto Front Street...here is the start of my wish list (in NO particular order):

1. Mark Tufo
2. John O'Brien
3. Armand Rosamilia
4. Catie Rhodes
5. Greg Carrico
6. Suzi M.
7. Stephanie Meyers
8. Chantal Boudreau
9. Michael McFarland
10. D.A. Chaney
11. Steen Langstrop
12. Heath Stallcup
13. Dana Fredsti
14. T. Fox Dunham

Now, those listed are free to shoot me an email with a polite (or not) statement declining, OR...feel free to post in the comments saying "HELL YEAH" (or an equivalent) if you are in.

Next week I will share some exciting news about an interview request that I just received. So stay tuned.

A look inside the DEAD world, and peer "pressure".

As I head into the homestretch of book 6 in the DEAD series, I am having the same trepidation that I always have at this point. The funny thing is, when I read it out loud later during the edits, I find so much more to like about it. Things seem to come together in ways that I didn't notice during the actual writing.

One of the issues that I face is the vast cast of characters that populate my DEAD world. Contrary to some people's belief, I don't create people just to kill them off. My theory is that I just will not allow any MacGyver moments. If somebody paints themselves into a corner...then they are stuck. The consequences in a zombie apocalypse are death.

One of the most interesting critiques that I see involving the series has to do with the harsh and evil nature of some of my characters. Most notably, Garrett McCormick. The funny thing about that story line is that it is the only one that I knew the ending of upon its inception. I really did not know how things would go along the way, but for me, the bottom line was that I wanted Kirsten to maintain her sanity and refuse to allow herself to become a "victim" despite the horrors that she is exposed to at the hands of her captor. Even more entertaining, I have actually read where my "use of gratuitous sex and violence is a product of my disturbed mind." I would like to weigh in on that. I never go into detail. I felt that it would be best if left to the imagination of the reader. It would seem that some of my readers have rather dark imaginations. For me, the entire story leads up to Kirsten's final act.

In Dead: Winter, things are not going well for anybody. The reality of a world without electricity is one that I really do not think we would fare well in...especially given what we are seeing on the news as winter storms hammer the nation.  

As things move deep into the heart of the first winter, there is a bleakness and almost a sense of hopelessness that creeps into the story. But think about it. When I wrote this volume, I actually turned off all the heat for a few days during the process. The thing is, I am on the third floor, I get the radiated heat from the residents living below me. Was I cold? Yes. But it is like a video game...the reset button is always right there if things get too nasty.

In Dead: Siege & Survival, I am setting things up for the big wrap up. It is the most open ended of the books in this cycle. (Like Dead: Revelations was in the first three book cycle.) Since the series is slated to go twelve books (four cycles of three books each), there will obviously be stories yet to be told. However, each third book, I try to provide some closure. Some of the stories will actually conclude (in the vignettes). The main stories (Steve and the Geeks) will reach a spot where you can catch your breath. 

So, that is a look inside the DEAD series. And now for the "peer pressure" part. A lot of my friends are writers. Many of you are authors with a zombie series of your own. I have read a lot of you. What I am hoping to hear is some feedback (yes...be honest, I can take it) from my peers. I'm not looking for reviews...just feedback. What worked for you? What didn't.

I can say with total honesty that I am a fan of Armand Rosamilia's Miami Spy Games: Russian Zombie Gun serial. Mark Tufo won me over with his Zombie Fallout series. I wasn't initially won over by Talbot's quips. But the story drew me in and the whole thing with Tommy and the voice of Ryan Seacrest in his head as a "guardian angel" is sheer genius. His success is deserved and I would cherish an autographed Mark Tufo section on my shelf (hint). John O'Brien has created a military entry that is one part Tom Clancy with the feel that I got from 28 Days Later. His A New World series is intelligent and sucks you in to one of the most well thought out worlds I have ever had the pleasure of visiting.

I've read Kirkman, Keene, Wellington, and hundreds of others. I've never made it a secret that I am as much of a fan as anybody else. I actually have "pinch me" moments when I hear from Tufo, Rosamilia, O'Brien and others. 

Yes, I am a writer. Sure, some of you out there are fans of my work. But I am in your shoes. I have people that I am a fan of. Can you imagine what it would be like to hear from somebody that you think is totally awesome? To hear that THEY read YOUR book.

That would be cool...

Every once in a while, I get tagged for those 7/77 things, I always intend to get to them, but by the time I whittle down my daily list, it gets pushed back and I forget.. The Liebster Award (of which I know nothing) was something that my friend Chantal Boudreau tagged me in. I couldn't resist.. Read on to find out what it’s all about.

The rules:

1. Thank the person who nominated you. Thanks, Chantal

2. Post eleven random facts about yourself.

3. You answer the eleven questions asked by the person who nominated you.

4. You think of a new set of eleven questions and nominate eleven others to answer them.

—–

To start…eleven random facts about myself:

1. I played and sang in a band called "The KaQlin' Zombies".

2. A car accident at age 17 while riding with my friend Mike in his 280Z erased a part of my memory from my senior year in high school.

3. I have played football at the actual geographic North Pole.

4. If I were a woman, my "type" would be Dave Navarro and Keifer Southerland.

5. I held a 3.96 in college while obtaining my Associates, my only "B" was in calculus (I missed an "A" by 1.04%).

6. I have a son (Cody) and daughter (Ronni--my oldest) born 5 months and 2 weeks apart.

7. My favorite band of all time is KISS.

8. I keep my head shaved as a choice, I can actually grow a very full head of hair.

9. Redheads make me weak in the knees and I believe that the most "homely" of redheads is still a beauty compared to anything else (and yes...Denise knows!).

10. I played "SNoopy" in the musical "The World According to Snoopy"..

11. I have seen The Rocky Horror Picture Show over 500 times..

And now Chantal's questions for me.

1. What was your favourite childhood show? The Bugs Bunny Roadrunner Show.

2. If you could be a bird, what bird would you be and why? An owl. They can turn their heads around backwards.

3. What is the best dessert you’ve ever eaten? Carrot Cake at Claim Jumper.

4. If you could pick band line-up for your ultimate concert, who would you have open, follow and headline?

Open-The Clash; Follow-Cheap Trick; Headline--The ORIGINAL KISS lineup

5. What would you say is your favourite book outside of your preferred genres? Nathaniel Philbrick's "The Last Stand; the Story of Custer and Sitting Bull"

6. If you had to sit through the goriest of horror movies or the sappiest of chick-flicks, which would you pick? Horror.

7. Kirk or Picard? Kirk...there is no other.

8. What is your favourite board game? Risk

9. If you had your choice, quiet night at home or rowdy night out? quiet night at home.

10. What are the top three colours in your wardrobe? Black, Red, and Dark Green

11. Have you ever read anything you were expecting to dislike but to your surprise you loved it?

Yes, "Zombie Wilson Diaries" by Timothy Long

Here are my questions:

1. Favorite sporting event to play?
2. Your least flattering feature?
3. Blondes, Brunettes, or redheads (or shaved heads if I tagged a female)?
4. If you could relive one year (nothing changes, you just get to relive it) which would it be?
5. What hobby would you like to pursue but just have never "gotten around" to it?
6. Strangest dish you've ever eaten?
7. Your personal comfort food?
8. If you could choose an eye color from ALL colors, what would it be?
9. Favorite Doctor from Dr. Who?
10. Fast zombies or slow?
11. Book you wished that you wrote?

My nominees: (I realize that writers are a busy bunch, and I am just as guilty as the next guy when it comes to "getting around to it" when it comes to things like this. I do hope that a few of you will pick up the gauntlet and add to this new-age version of a chain letter.)

Suzi M.

Armand Rosamilia

Catie Rhodes

Rhonda Hopkins

Greg Carrico

S.E. Meyers

Nickie Storey-Bailey

Lori R. Lopez

Janus Gangi

Mark Tufo

John O'Brien

Look forward to all your answers!

The Next Big Thing Blog Hop.

First, a thanks to S.E. Meyers for thinking of me and tagging me to take part in this blog tour. Also, I may be mistaken, but I believe the genesis for this began with the folks at Master Koda. Since I am participating, I am asked to tag 5 others. I would like to see Mark Tufo, John O'Brien, Heath Stallcup, Catie Rhodes and Greg Carrico.

So, here are the questions and answers:

Ten Interview Questions for The Next Big Thing:

What is the working title of your book?

Dead: Siege & Survival (available December 15th.)

Where did the idea come from for the book?

The entire DEAD series came from reading A LOT of zombie fiction. Not to mention my love of the original Romero classics. What I was seeing out there just seemed like a lot of the same stories hashed over again and again. There was not enough dealing with the characters…much less allowing for development. A few writers were breaking the mold, just not enough. What I wanted was a zombified The Stand. In other words, I wanted a good-sized cast of characters. Some people say that I might have taken it too far, but I give my readers more credit than that. I think it is a shame that only the fantasy genre seems to be able to create these epic series that span a dozen or more books and unleash a cast of hundreds.

What genre does your book fall under?

Zombies will always fall under horror. I refuse to say “dystopian” because I just do not believe zombies are that Orwellian.

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

A few of the highlights would be Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Steve, Helen Mirren as Dr. Zahn, Victoria Justice as Heather Johnny Galecki OR Kevin Sussman as Kevin, Charlize Theron as Aleah, Richard Raphael as Garrett, Eden Sher as Kirsten.

Those are just a few. I am always entertained by others who throw out names. (Still a blank when I think of Juan.)

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

Survivors around the world try to deal with the global zombie apocalypse.

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

May December Publications will continue to be my label.

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

Just over two months.

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

The Walking Dead is the closest, toss in some elements of The Stand and the rotating chapter format of Game of Thrones.

Who or What inspired you to write this book?

I’ve always loved writing. I have had a few people, notably my wife Denise and a college professor, Ms. Bose.

What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

If you want a series that goes beyond the simple rip-and-tear violence of zombies, if you like characters that will stick with you for a while, this is the series for you.