The Zombies Are Giving Away More Prizes

Would you like to know what it's like to have zombies mad at you?  It isn't fun.  For the past week, I've been hearing braaiinnss! Giveawaayyss!  Braaiinnss!  Giveawaayyss!  Graaiinnss!  Okay, I think one of the zombies might have been a vegetarian before getting bitten.

You see, I had promised the zombies that they could do more giveaways last week Tuesday.  Well, last week turned out to be a bad week for my family.  I guess zombies don't care about a busted water heater that gushed gallons and gallons of water into the closet, leaving a flooded mess to clean up and leaving us without water.  They don't care that we had to have a repairman come to put in a new water heater.  They also don't care that someone in the household was sick.  I guess zombies forget what it's like to be a regular human once they turn. 

Anyways, to keep Harold and the other zombies happy (so I can keep my brain), I agreed to let the zombies draw five names.  The following people will be receiving some surprise goodies:

Alex J. Cavanaugh - alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com

Laura Marcella - lauramarcella.blogspot.com

LTM - leightmoore.blogspot.com

Stina Lindenblatt - www.stinalindenblatt.com

Sherry Ellis - sherryellis.blogspot.com  (Sherry is a 2nd time winner, which the zombies were very happy about!)


I will be sending out emails to everyone later today, so I can get mailing addresses.

Interview with Neeta Lyffe, Zombie Exterminator

Today my guest is Neeta Lyffe.  She is a zombie exterminator from Inglewood, California.

Hi, Neeta.  Could you tell me about yourself?

My name is Neeta Lyffe, and I’m an exterminator by trade, with specialization in zombie extermination.  I serve the Inglewood, CA area, although I have assisted in exterminations throughout the Los Angeles area.

Why did you become a zombie exterminator?

I was raised in the business. My mother, Carol Lyffe, was one of the first zombie exterminators and a strong advocate for extermination regulations (including the license to re-kill) and for the Zombies are NOT People movement.  I killed my first zombie when I was in middle school, and got my exterminator license and license to re-kill when I was 18.

How long have you been in the business?

I took over the business in 2039, when my mother died of cancer, but I’d been assisting her for long before that.

What is your approach to eliminating zombies?

Distract and Destroy.  Isolating them from the living population is the best option, but not always possible, so I want to get their attention away from the living—including me, if possible.  Then I go in for the re-kill.  Beheading or spine severing are the most sure methods, although they are very susceptible to flames and burn easily.  My tool of choice has always been the chainsaw, but lately, I’ve been very impressed with monofilament swords—less splatter.

What is Zombie Death Extreme?

ZDE is a reality TV show in which apprentice exterminators are trained and put to the test.  Naturally, what you see on television is mostly the testing, but all the contestants must also pass their state exams in order to qualify for the million dollar prize.  It’s the brainchild of Dave Lor, who has done many reality TV shows, and he recruited me to train the exterminators in the first season.  It was one of the most difficult things I’d ever done, in no small part because I was dealing with Hollywood’s demand for entertainment, but I’m overall proud of the show and of my plebes.  It’s in its third season now.  You can read more at http://zombiedeathextreme.com.

Can you tell me about the massacre at Burbank?

There was an abandoned mattress factory near the highway in Burbank that attracted zombies.  We call them “roach motels” in the business because usually zombies find them and stay—they check in, but don’t check out.  In this particular case, however, over 200 zombies holed up in the factory broke out and started attacking people on the streets.  My plebes and I were the first on the scene.  We weren’t able to save everyone, unfortunately, but we did rescue most of the people caught in the zombie wave—and those that we couldn’t save, didn’t come back to attack others.

Can you tell me what goes on at an exterminator's convention?

It’s like any other professional conference you might go to—panels on different aspects of the business, demonstrations of the latest equipment, awards…  The expo floor is always a treat, with free samples and the best deals all year.  It’s a great place to make contacts, meet up with old friends, and learn.  Sometimes, they will have recertification seminars for the convenience of attendees.

I’m looking forward to ZomZeitgeber this year.  I’m hoping to purchase the monofilament swords, find some chemical defenses to replace the ineffectual stuff I have now, and of course, I’ll be making appearances at the Zombie Death Extreme booth, as well as the Broken Bridge car expo, where I’ll be showing off my van, courtesy of the New Hummers.

Do you think we will ever be rid of zombies?

Until we know the cause and find a vaccine, we will probably never be rid of them totally.  However, thanks to spine severing laws and good public awareness, I think the problem will continue to decline until zombie extermination will be a once in a blue moon event.  That’s in the United States, of course.  Other nations are not as strict about dealing with their dead, and their zombie population is much larger.

What do you like to do when you are not exterminating zombies?

I like to visit museums—I studied art appreciation in college—and to surf, watch movies, and hang out with friends.  I also work out at least an hour every day.  Being able to chase down a zombie and behead him with a chainsaw is not light work!

Do you have any tips for homeowner's on how to better avoid zombie attacks in their homes?

Awareness is key.  The problem with zombies is that we don’t know who will come back, which is why spine severing at the time of death is so vital.  Zombies do, however, tend to follow habits  they learned in life.  For example, smokers will be drawn toard a pack of cigarettes, and most will be mesmerized by TV.  So if you are attacked—Distract, Run, and call 9-1-1.  (You can read some details at http://lue.zombiedeathextreme.com//protect.html). Do not attempt to engage a zombie unless absolutely necessary.

If you are caught in a zombie alert, stay indoors.  Lock all doors, turn the TV on with no volume to a popular show an leave that room, then hold up in a room not likely to draw a zombie—the parlor, the bathroom, or the attic. Splash some bleach or chemical cleaner on the threshold to repel the zombies, and use your cell phone to check for updates.

Is there some type of training program new recruits must go through before they can call themselves zombie exterminators?

Absolutely, not every exterminator gets to be a zombie exterminator.  First, you undergo vigorous psychological evaluation. Then there is a difficult written exam, exercises in zombie recognition, and finally physical training in the extermination arts.

Do you have anything else you'd like to share?

Just remember—if you see a zombie, distract, run and call 9-1-1.  Do not attempt to kill a zombie yourself unless absolutely necessary.  Zombieism is a body-fluids contagion, so any kind of splatter can infect you just as easily as a bite if it gets in the wrong area, like the eyes or mouth.

And if you live in the Inglewood, California, area and are in need of an exterminator, please consider Lyffe-Undeath Exterminations.  Small or large, a pest is a pest.  Let us get rid of them for you.

Thank you, Neeta.  I'm sure the people of Inglewood, California feel safer knowing that you are there to protect them. 

Check Out L'il Gal Al And The Zombies Of Amarillo by Christine Rains

Stop by Christine Rains blog and check out her book, L'IL GAL AL AND THE ZOMBIES OF AMARILLO.  You'll find a blurb for the book and links where you can get your own copy.

http://christinerains-writer.blogspot.com/2012/10/lil-gal-al-now-available.html

I've got a copy and I plan on reading it this week.

My Zombie Dog by Charmaine Clancy

My Zombie Dog

by Charmaine Clancy

Publisher:  Hot Doggy Digital Press
                 www.hotdoggydigitalpress.com
                   
Paperback, 132 pgs.
Published June 2012
ISBN-10: 0987286315

Kindle Edition
Published February 2012


A funny horror tale for 9 to 13 yrs

BOOK BLURB

A deliciously funny adventure.. with bite!

Take one shy teenage boy, a dopey best mate, a granny who's lost her marbles and teeth, a kid sister who bites back, and a smelly demon dog. What you'll get is My Zombie Dog.

All Zane wants for his birthday is a dog. A real dog. A guy's dog. But his mum brings home this little mutt and wants to call it Fluffy. Seriously? It's shaggy, smells undead and bites people. And why do its victims all turn sluggish and keep asking Zane for brains? One by one, everyone he knows is becoming infected.

Join Zane as he takes on the neighbourhood zombie plague in this funny adventure... with bite!

MY THOUGHTS
The book starts out with Zane turning 14 years old and wanting a dog.  The kind of dog that a boy can be proud of.  Instead, he gets a dog that is mangy and smells just awful.  And what's worse is that his mom calls the dog Fluffy.  What is Zane's mom thinking?  

When I saw the cool cover for My Zombie Dog, I knew right away that this was a book I wanted to read.  It has two things that I like.  Dogs and zombies.  The characters are relatable, the dialogue is clever, and the strange sounds that come from Fossil (Zane changed name from Fluffy) are funny.  The surprise ending is one you won’t want to miss!

Charmaine definitely knows how to tell a good story.  She has a way of drawing the reader in at page one and holding their attention to the very last page.  My Zombie Dog is a book that both kids and adults will enjoy reading.  I look forward to reading more books by this author.

Charmaine Clancy lives in Brisbane, Australia and loves to create characters for mystery, fantasy and adventure. All her stories are fictional, except maybe MY ZOMBIE DOG (some say to this day you can hear the dog softly moaning, 'braaains').

Charmaine was born the year man walked on the moon, and if more aware of the event, she probably would have thought it was a great setting for a murder. She grew up in the big city of Sydney. Her early school reports advised disapprovingly that she was always 'daydreaming'. Obviously her teachers did not recognise and value the art of plotting. Despite this feedback, Charmaine loved studying and would later go on to University to gain her BA in Professional and Creative Writing. She has worked editing articles for magazines, but her favourite jobs have been dog grooming and teaching.

When not explaining the dangers of underestimating a fairy or the best spots to hide a body, Charmaine teaches high school English and sometimes runs creative writing classes for children and teenagers. She loves all things Agatha Christie and is often watching those around her with suspicious eyes; on the off chance they ever do commit a cleverly devised crime.

Did you miss the interview I did with Charmaine, back in August?  Here is the link to check it out: http://susannedrazic.blogspot.com/2012/08/an-interview-with-charmaine-clancy.html

Interview with Kelly DiPucchio

I'd like to take this time to introduce Kelly DiPucchio, author of Zombie in Love.  As you can see, she is no stranger to zombies.  These are just some of the "undead" Kelly met last fall at a zombie walk, where she had one of her book signings.  

Hi, Kelly.  Can you start off by telling us a little about yourself?

Hi Susanne! Thank you for inviting me to your zombie invasion. And hello to all of the hungry readers and feeders out there!  A little about me…well, according to Twitter, I am a reader, writer, seeker, thinker, tv watcher, coffee drinker. That just about sums it up. I’m also a mother, wife, and the author of 14 books.

Could you describe your desk or workspace?

I recently remodeled my office. It used to be very cluttered and dark. It was my secret writing cave where I could hide from my children. That atmosphere started to feel a little claustrophobic and depressing the past few years. So this spring, I downsized my enormous book collection, and I got rid of all the knickknacks and toys. I changed the paint color from a dark teal blue to a soft shade of buttercream and I replaced all of the old furniture with a mix of modern and vintage pieces that I love. It’s very light and peaceful in my grown up office now. It’s a space I enjoy coming into every day.

What was your favorite book as a child and why?

My favorite book when I was a child was HORTON HEARS A WHO by Dr. Seuss. I was completely enchanted by the idea that this entire civilization of teeny, tiny people were living and going about their lives on a single tuft of clover. That book made me look at the world differently and isn't that what a really great book should do?

If you could have coffee with anyone (living or dead, real or fictional), who would it be and why?

Darn! I wish I could have a dinner party instead! There are so many people I would love to have a conversation with. But if I had to choose just one, my answer would be my future self. I would love to interrogate my future self and ask her if she had any advice. 

When did you know you wanted to be a writer?

Definitely not when I was a child. When I was a child, I set my sights on much more realistic goals; I wanted to be Cher or Barbra Streisand. I both blame and thank Jon Scieszka making me want to be a writer. I read a lot of books to my kids when they were young and his stories always made me laugh. When you’re a sleep-deprived, exhausted mother of three children under the age of six, you really begin to appreciate funny books that don’t make you want to jump out of a window if you have to read them “one more time.”

Do you write full time or part time?

I would describe myself as a part-time, full-time writer. 

Do you outline before you write?  If not, what's your initial process?

I am not an outliner. My initial drafts are always on paper and usually consist of sloppy notes, doodles, incomplete sentences and coffee stains. 

Where did you get the idea for Zombie in Love?

My editor at Atheneum, Namrata Tripathi, actually approached me about writing a zombie picture book. She had the title Zombie Valentines stuck in her head. When I asked her if she wanted a concept book or a story, she said envisioned some kind of story.  So I came up with an idea that centered around a lonely zombie and the story quickly fell into place. Ultimately, we decided a holiday book was too limiting, but there are still a few elements of the Valentine’s Day theme in the published book.

Can you share about any current writing projects?

I recently sold the rights to the Zombie In Love sequel! I’m really excited about it. And the sequel to Crafty Chloe will be out in the spring. It’s called Crafty Chloe: Dress-up, Mess-up.

What is the best advice you've ever received?

Do what you love. Oprah said that. I miss Oprah. She doesn't know it, but she was one of my first cheerleaders. She gave me the courage to take this crazy writing journey. Never in a million years could I have dreamed back then that one of my books would actually appear on her talk show someday. (The Sandwich Swap. 2010)

What would be the best way for readers to contact you?

By pigeon post. But if you don’t have a pigeon, I can be reached through my website: www.kellydipucchio.com

Do you have any final thoughts you'd like to share?

Do what you love.

Kelly, thank you for a great interview.  I enjoyed having you be a part of zombie invasion.

Spotlighting Zombie in Love by Kelly DiPucchio

Zombie in Love

by Kelly DiPucchio

Illustrated by Scott Campbell

Atheneum Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division
KIDS.SimonandSchuster.com

Hardcover, 32 pgs.
Published August 2011
ISBN-10: 1442402709

Enhanced eBook, 32 pgs.
Published February 2012
ISBN-10: 1442451378

For ages 4 - 8



BOOK SUMMARY
When all his efforts to find a sweetheart fail, Mortimer the zombie decides to place an ad in the newspaper.


FROM FRONT JACKET FLAP
Mortimer is looking for love.  And he's looking everywhere!  He's worked out at the gym (if only his arm wouldn't keep falling off).  He's tried dance lessons (but the ladies found him to be a bit stiff).  He's even been on stalemate.com.  How's a guy suppose to find a ghoul?

When it seems all hope has died, could the girl of Mortimer's dreams be just one horrifying shriek away?

Bestselling author Kelly DiPucchio and illustrator Scott Campbell raise the dead in a hilarious tale of finding love where you least expect it.


Want to read an excerpt?  CLICK HERE

Kelly DiPucchio is the award-winning author of several children’s books, including New York Times bestsellers, GRACE FOR PRESIDENT, and THE SANDWICH SWAP, a book co-authored for Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan. Kelly’s books have appeared on The Oprah Show, Good Morning America, and The View. She lives with her family in Michigan.

** Be sure to come back on Wednesday when I share an interview I did with Kelly. **

The Zombies are Giving Away Some Prizes

This is Harold.  He and some of his zombie friends decided it was time to draw names and give away some prizes.

Things got a bit scary when all the zombies wanted to draw the names.  There were a few lost limbs in the scuffle, but thankfully none of them were mine!  Once things calmed down, three names were drawn.

The first name drawn was Sherry Ellis!  She is the lucky winner of a Whack-a-zombie!

The second name drawn was Joylene Nowell Butler!  She is the lucky winner of a surprise gift bag!

The third name drawn was Elysabeth Eldering!  She is also the lucky winner of a surprise gift bag!


CONGRATULATIONS to the winners!  I will be sending out emails to get mailing addresses.



***** Don't forget to leave comments, so your name goes into the drawings. You can win more than once, so keep those comments coming all month long! *****

The Next Big Thing Blog Hop

I've been tagged by Beverly Stowe McClure for The Next Big Thing Blog Hop. We're going to hop from blog to blog to discover exciting books we might not have heard about or that are still WIPs. This is Week 16. So, let's get started.


What is the working title of your book?

My Best Friend is a Zombie.

Where did the idea come from for the book?

From a dream I had after starting to work on some of my zombie blog posts for the month of October.

What genre does your book fall under?

Early chapter books

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

I think this would be better suited for a half hour animation or cartoon type show, so it would depend on who the people are who do those types of voices.

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

Everyone wants to have a best friend, but no one has a best friend like mine.

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

If I can’t find an agency to represent my book, then I may choose to self-publish.

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

Three days.  It's a very rough first draft.

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

I can't think of any it would compare to.

Who or What inspired you to write this book?

The dream I had and my interest in zombies.

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

That it's a different take on how people see zombies.  Not all zombies are bad and not all zombies eat people's brains.

Here are the people I have tagged for The Next Big Thing Blog Hop.  They are a part of week 17.  They will be posting about one of their books or WIP on Wednesday, October 17th.


Dianne Salerni - http://diannesalerni.blogspot.com/2012/10/the-next-big-thing.html

Susan Hornbach - http://Bagfullofbooks4kids.blogspot.com

Elysabeth Eldering - http://elysabethsstories.blogspot.com/2012/10/the-next-big-thing-blog-challenge.html

Spotlighting Kids Books with a Zombie Theme

Stone Rabbit
Night Of The Living Dust Bunnies

Written and Illustrated by Erik Craddock

Publisher:  Random House 
                  www.randomhouse.com/kids

Published:  July 2011

Trade Paperback, 96 pgs., ISBN: 978-0-375-86724-8

Hardcover Library Binding, 96 pgs., ISBN: 978-0-375-96724-5

Reading level:  Ages 7 and up

Want to learn more about the author and the books he writes?  Then check out this really cool website: stonerabbit.com

********************   

Choose Your Own Adventure #34
Zombie Penpal

by Ken McMurtry

Publisher:  Chooseco
                   www.cyoa.com

Published:  May 2010

Paperback, 144 pgs., ISBN: 978-1-933390-34-5

There are 13 possible endings

Age Level:  9 and up

Want to learn more about this book?  Then click on this link:  http://www.cyoa.com/products/the-zombie-penpal

  

Zombie Jokes

Q:  What is a zombie's favorite home-cooked meal?

A:  Brain loaf and black-eyed peas!


Q:  What is a zombie's favorite breakfast cereal?

A:  Brain flakes!


Q:  What happens when a zombie eats a sno cone too fast?

A:  Brain freeze!


Q:  What is a zombie's favorite dog?

A:  A Chew-ahua     (Chihuahua)



Do I have a future as a joke writer?  Probably not.  These jokes will probably have the zombies groaning and running away.  ☺

"Zombie Idol"

Damnation Books Seeks "Zombie Idol"

San Jose, CA—It's not "American Idol," but it's all in good fun, and with zombies making a comeback, it's a chance for zombie fans with a fair singing voice to strut—or shamble—their stuff.  Damnation Books is looking for someone to sing the theme song for the video trailer for I Left My Brains in San Francisco by Karina Fabian.

I Left My Brains in San Francisco is the second novel in the Neeta Lyffe, Zombie Exterminator series.  Neeta Lyffe is an exterminator with an unusual specialization—destroying zombies, the latest and most dangerous of the world's household pests.  The first book in the series, Neeta Lyffe, Zombie Exterminator, won the 2011 Global eBooks award for horror and was an eFestival of Words runner-up. In the second book, Neeta takes on a hoard of zombiefied environmental terrorists targeting the Bay Area. 

Fabian, who writes comedic horror, wrote the theme song using music by Kevin MacLeod on http://incompetech.com.   The details of the contest, plus the music, lyrics, and a demo of Karina Fabian singing the song can be found at http://fabianspace.blogspot.com/p/are-you-next-zombie-idol.html.   Contestants need to create their best interpretation of the song and post it in the comments section on YouTube, or post a link in the comments section of the blog. 

Entries will be judged on singing quality, and the winner must produce an .mp3 or .wav file in order to receive the grand prize, including both books,  a Napalm Sticks to Zombies t-shirt and a $25 gift certificate.  One in ten entries will also receive a copy of I Left My Brains in San Francisco, and especially creative video entries may receive prizes as well.

The contest runs until November 1^st, with the winners posted by November 15.

Learn more about the books at http://zombiedeathextreme.com.

Zombie Invasion!

Zombies have taken over my blog! 

  

They are everywhere.  

SEND HELP!

Please stop by throughout the month of October to check and see if I'm surviving this zombie invasion. 

☠   ☠   ☠

Before I sign out, I'd like to mention that there will be a couple of giveaway drawings done in the month of October.  To be entered, all you have to do is leave comments on the October blog posts.  Each time you leave a comment, your name goes into the drawings.  You can win more than one prize, so be sure to visit and comment.

What are the prizes?

Whack-a-zombies

Surprise gift bags



I hope you will stop by and join in on the fun.  Just be on the lookout for the zombies.  You never know when or where they will show up.