The road not taken, for a reason

It's THE UNDEAD ROAD!
Today I'm happy to welcome my friend and space knight, David P. King. I hope you enjoy this little interview I was able to talk him into...

Q: How did The Undead Road come to fruition?
A: I’ve always wanted to write my own zombie story, but it wasn’t until I saw the first episode of The Walking Dead when it finally clicked. This book is also semi-autobiographical, meaning it’s based on how my twisted mind thought about things and perceived the world when I was 15.

My boys LOVE the walking dead, and I have no idea why... but you will totally relate to them!
Q: What are your thoughts on the new trends in publishing?
A: It’s a complicated shift from what I expected when I first set out to publish in the 90s. Self-publishing makes it easier for authors to get their work out without a gatekeeper holding them back. When I couldn’t get traditional publishers to sign this book, “self-publish” was shouted at me from all angles. I figured if my traditional efforts didn’t pan out, why not self-publish?

It's a whole new world - and seems even more competitive than ever!
Q: Do your undead characters resemble anyone you know?
A: A friend of mine won a Zombify Me! contest a while ago. She’s a zombie in the book! Look for Ilima Todd within the pages. And if you’re not nice to me, you’ll get undead soon enough.

That's awesome Ilima is an immortalized zombie! Ha!
Q: Can you share a short section of The Undead that you particularly enjoyed writing (nothing gross please!)?
A:
       Her oncoming baseball bat made me stumble back. My voice caught in my throat as the dog joined in with a bark. This girl was quick! I reached for my .45, but before I could grab the handle, she had me pinned, ready to splatter my brains.
       I closed my eyes, expecting her blow. Nothing happened. I blinked my eyes open. The girl was standing right over me, and she smiled a smile that I would never forget.
      “Now we’re even.”

Ooo - great sneak peek! Wicked smile =)
Q: And finally, how's it going? I hope all is well on the home front! Any good news to share (besides your latest book!)?
A: Truth be told, I’m currently unemployed. I was laid off before the holidays. While I am seeking new work, my writing is the only source of income I have (not much, but better than $0). I’m still writing and looking forward to the writing conference scene this year, and hoping upon hope that I will find a new job to support my family. Please share this book with all you know!

That last question was asked a while ago. I feel bad for nosing in expecting innocent happy stuff. But I'm also glad he shared his struggles because now we can help him by spreading the news about his awesome books. And hopefully it will just be a temporary setback or lead him to something better!

It was so nice to have David over here - it's been too long. And now, here are some details about his fabulous book. The cover is sensational and the story is to die for - poor choice of words? Regardless - check it out!

The Undead Road, My Zombie Summer: Part One
by David Powers King
Publisher: Dashboard Books / CreateSpace
Ebook Release: January 2st, 2016
Paperback: January 26th, 2016
Cover by Steven Novak
Edited by Reece Hanzon

Nothing brings the family together like a zombie apocalypse …

Fifteen-year-old Jeremy Barnes would rather watch a zombie movie than shoot a real one, but he has no choice if his family wants to survive the end of the world. Their plan? Drive across the infected United States to a cabin in the Colorado Rockies without a scratch, but their trip takes a complicated detour in the middle of Nebraska when they find Kaylynn, a girl who can handle a baseball bat better than Jeremy can hold a .45 Berretta. And when they stumble into a sanctuary, Jeremy soon learns that Kaylynn is stronger than she looks—a deadly secret lies inside her.

After the radio picks up a distress call from Kansas City about a possible cure, Jeremy’s parents go with a team to investigate. They never return. The only way to find their parents is for Jeremy and his sister Jewel to rely on a dangerous girl who might just turn on them at any moment.

Don't wait! Get yours TODAY!

Amazon -- Amazon.CA -- Amazon.UK -- Amazon.AU -- CreateSpace -- Kindle Store

AND HERE'S WHERE YOU CAN HELP SOME MORE!

ENTER THIS EASY CONTEST!

Visit davidpowersking.com and leave and comment and/or tweet about The Undead Road (at least once) for a chance to win a free ebook. One out of every 10 comments and tweets is a winner!

"Nothing brings the family together like a #zombie #apocalypse..." amzn.to/1RT8xly #99c #kindle! @DavidPowersKing

About the Author:
David Powers King was born in beautiful downtown Burbank, California where his love for film inspired him to be a writer. He is the co-author of the YA fantasy novel WOVEN, published by Scholastic. An avid fan of science fiction and fantasy, David also has a soft spot for zombies and the paranormal. He currently lives deep in the mountain West with his wife and three children.

Blog -- Facebook -- Twitter -- Goodreads -- Newsletter

And don't forget to join Christine Rains, C Lee McKenzie and I for our uplifting MEME BLOGHOP, February 29 - March 4 ...

The red or the blue?

Loaded question, isn't it? I could be talking about the Matrix or the upcoming elections or a sports team or just which shirt I want to wear. And each choice we make can set into motion a different chain of events, whether catastrophic, terrific, or just a regular day... Which brings me to an exciting new anthology put together by Randi Lee who is now Stay Classy Publishing. And I'm honored to be a part of it!

TURNING POINTS

The Thing That Turned Me

Here is our riveting (updated) cover...

There are so many awesome authors contributing! Check out the trailer:

I had so much fun writing my piece, I made a little image for it...

My story is a lite apocalyptic romance...because I like to put all seriousness aside.
It will be out this summer. I can't wait to read all the stories!

And even though it's January, the A to Z blogging challenge is right around the corner! I better start thinking of a theme  (you don't have to have one, but I find it easier to come up with posts). I also need to decide if I will have time to even do it this year...

Important Dates:
January 25, 2016 – Challenge Sign-Up
January 28, 2016 – Twitter Chats begin
February 22, 2016 – A to Z Theme Reveal Blogfest Sign-Up
March 21, 2016 – A to Z Theme Reveal Blogfest
April 1, 2016 – Challenge begins

Website                 Facebook Page

What's new with you? Ever try your hand at short stories?
Thinking of a theme for A to Z?

BTW - It's my week at the Really Real Housewives - 

I'm talking about yearlies... come on over!

THIS JUST IN!

I just got confirmation for a NEW BLOG HOP!!

Christine Rains, C. Lee McKenzie, and Tara Tyler are hosting A MEME Blog Hop! We want to help chase away the winter blues with some Encouraging, Inspiring, and Funny MEMEs! Join us the week of Feb 29 - Mar 4!

This is a MEME
a picture with words

Easy Peasy "rules"

1. Post a MEME during the week (use your own pic or an easy meme maker app) - and if you can't think of anything, pass on encouraging words from one of your reviews, or an inspiring quote! 
2. Visit others
3. That's it!

Then the awesome hostesses will hop around and Ooo and Ahh and choose one entry each to win an ebook. AND two lucky random participants will win a $20 GC. Enter and spread some warmth!

How to reach your #resolution #goals - all year!

Time to get lean in 2016...
Good one, right? That's part of my goals every year, yet it never seems to happen. Especially as I get older, I usually pack on more pounds.

SO! Here are some suggestions for sticking to those lofty resolution goals we set in January that usually fizzle out by February or March. And these are recommendations as part of the first Insecure Writers Support Group as well - writers make and break resolutions too (Guilty!)

• Reminders - You have a smart phone, or at least a computer, so set a reminder alarm. Once a month or once a week, or whenever - check in with yourself and remind yourself of your goals. And update or change your goals as necessary.
• Goal Buddy - Have someone to check in with. I started a writing goals page on Facebook - it should be an open group - join us! Or talk to a friend once in a while, encourage each other. We all have things come up that interfere with our goals, the point is not to give up!
• Be Reasonable - I've said this before, make goals you can reach and consider your time and life constraints. Be realistic.
• Be Forgiving - It's okay if you don't reach those lofty goals. The Really Real Housewife philosophy is WICWIC - What I Can, When I Can. Just keep striving!
• Rewards - When you do reach a goal, treat yourself. Have a special treat in mind for when you do, then you have something to look forward to in addition to reaching the goal.

Many thanks to Alex J. Cavanaugh for establishing the completely awesome Insecure Writers Support Group - meeting each first Wed of the month with special guest hosts to help him wade through the fears and cheers of the many participants. Always room for more!

And this month I'm also very excited to see who is going to be in the IWSG anthology!

In other news...
I got a new computer. My last one sludged slower and slower with all the upgrades and updates it automatically downloaded. I can't stand how quickly technology speeds away and changes, out-dating my stuff before I even get a chance to get used to it as another newer, faster, supposedly better version comes out. It makes me wonder if the younger generation does it on purpose to confuddle us. And sometimes I think it's job security for them.

I was so frustrated, I drew a cartoon about it!

Here's my quarterly newsletter for my writerly updates...

And this week at the Really Real Housewives we have a special guest - a fun-loving HouseHUSBAND!

Also, if anyone has a release or cover reveal they'd like help with, I'm happy to give you a shout =) Just ask!

What are your goals this year? Any news or frustrations to share?

Here's to a Sweet 2016!