Wednesday, November 18, 2015

THE UNDEAD ROAD: My Zombie Summer: Part One! Cover Reveal and "Zombify Me! Contest" Details!


Ready for a story? My interest in zombies first began as a teenager, heavily jump started by the Resident Evil games. Zombies have been my favorite monster since. I even imagined seeing some outside the backseat window during a long family road trip in the Midwest. I wanted to make my own, but didn't know how for a long time.

Now, years later, I've given my favorite monsters a "shot." And I'm plunging into the world of self publishing for the first time. I hope you will join me when the book is available. Until then, here's the cover!

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"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 Beretta. And when they stumble into a sanctuary, Jeremy 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. 
Cover by Steven Novak 
Publisher: CreateSpace / Dashboard Books 
Ebook Release: January 1st, 2016
Paperback: January 26th, 2016

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What is a cover reveal without a contest? Some time ago, I invited the blogosphere to let me turn one unfortunate lucky contestant into a zombie for The Undead Road. The winner was Ilima Todd, who is now the awesome author of Remake. The next installment of My Zombie Summer is underway, and I want to do this contest again. Want to be in a zombie book? Not only is this your chance, but it is your choice!

Between now and next Wednesday, send an email to dpowersking [at] gmail [dot] com, with the subject line: Zombify Me! Contest. In your email, I want you to tell me three things:

1: The name you will be identified as (example: your first name).
2: A description of yourself—the more detailed you are, the better.
3: How would you like the survivors to put you out of your misery?

Four casualties contestants will be chosen on November 25th. The most inventive or interesting entry will be zombified! The other three who are unlucky fortunate enough to survive will be given special honors. Winners will be announced on December 2nd on my blog.

Prizes? The winner will be zombified in My Zombie Summer: Part Two, receive a signed proof of the novel (when it’s ready), and a $20 Barnes and Noble gift card. The runner ups will receive a free ebook of The Undead Road for their Kindle (other platforms TBA).

Be sure to sign up for my newsletter for more news and updates.

Spread the word, thanks for participating, and good luck!

What do you think of the cover? Who wants to become a zombie? Are you ready to start the new year with the undead?

I'm David, and if you haven't seen any zombies, you're welcome.

Wednesday, November 11, 2015

Special Guest Post: Revival: How A Tenor Lost His Voice But Found His Calling, with Mark Koopmans!

http://www.amazon.com/Revival-Donald-Braswell-Story-Calling-ebook/dp/B017M8L8NA/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1447084164&sr=1-1&keywords=revival+donald+braswellHey guys! It looks like I goofed. I had the blog booked for a special guest to take over and tell us about the process of getting this beauty published. I'd rather not step on a special guest's toes, so the Undead Road cover reveal and contest is postponed until next Wednesday.

Mark is a one of a kind star in the Blogosphere, and a terrific friend. So it is a great pleasure to share his debut publication about America's Got Talent's Donald Braswell!

Watch this amazing audition clip from the show. Now take it away, Mark!

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Aloha,

Today, I dip my sword, throw my gauntlet and offer thanks to you, Sir David, for having me a-round the table today.

(You can’t make these jokes up, folks.)

Dave asked about the timeline of my new book, REVIVAL – The Donald Braswell Story. I only hope the answer won’t scare new writers: From idea to publishing took about six years.

But wait, there’s more!!

I first saw Donald during the 2008 season of America’s Got Talent. I reached out, and we eventually met in 2009.

Within several months, we nearly sold the unfinished book to one of the larger publishing houses, but as faith (or as Roland the Gunslinger calls it, “ka”) would have it, that deal and the only agent we ever had, fell through.

For about a year the whole project stalled, but I couldn’t let the book die. I truly believe that Donald’s journey is one of the most inspirational stories I’ve ever heard.

So in 2011, we jumped back on the wagon and I finished the first draft.

The editing began.

Then, the queries.

The rejections, too.

In 2013, the project took a huge turn for the better, when friend and blogger, Michael Di Gesu agreed to read what was probably the fourth-eenth version.

Michael, God bless him, spent weeks on the draft and showed me how better REVIVAL could be, if only I went to first person, present tense (from third person, past tense.)

I ran this by Donald, who agreed, and off we went to the races to basically rewrite the entire manuscript.

In early 2014, the ms was “too long,” according to multiple agents and publishers who rejected the manuscript, sometimes on spec.

But then, in late 2014, came the wonderful email from our publisher, Duke Pennell, of Pen-L Publishing, who was intrigued by the proposal, liked the sample chapters and then loved the whole manuscript.

And here we are in late 2015, one week after REVIVAL published. It was a crazy ride.

(Let’s hope I can write and publish my next few books just a wee bit quicker.)

Any interesting bumps on your writing journey so far?

Next up on the Blog Tour is Elise Fallson, who asked about the process of picking pictures for the memoir, and MJ Fifield, who’s curious about the challenges involved in memoir writing.

Amazon      Barnes and Nobel      Pen-L Publishing       Blog

About the Author:

Mark Koopmans is originally from Ireland. After working in Holland, Spain, France and England, he won his U.S. “Green Card” in 1994, and is an American by choice since 2003. Koopmans began his writing career with a feature for a regional magazine in California. Since then, he’s worked as a staff writer for newspapers in Florida and Texas. Koopmans is also a proficient blogger and is working on his next book, a novel. Koopmans lives in Virginia and is a married, stay-at-home dad to three active boys under the age of nine. He writes at night.


Wednesday, November 4, 2015

IWSG: Coming To A Close: Facing Unemployment and What I'm Planning To Do for the Rest Of The Year


It's that time again! Special thanks to Alex J. Cavanaugh for creating and hosting the Insecure Writer's Support Group, a monthly forum for writers to share insecurities without fear of reprisal. Let's get insecure!

I will do my best to not let this be my most harrowing post yet. I wish I could share better news, but the title of this post gives it away: after almost ten years of working with the Utah State Hospital, my job will be dissolved at the end of the year. Reduction in Force, or something like that. Not exactly what anyone wants to hear before the holidays, but that's how it is sometimes.

On the up side, I have until January to find something new ...

All last week I've been looking up jobs and had meetings with HR and employment specialists, who I hope will assist me in finding a new situation soon. I'm not sure what will happen on the writing side of things for a while. A delay in Woven related writings, among others, is a given, for any time I spend away from finding a new job will have serious repercussions on me and my family. I can't take this lightly.

Rather than dwell on this here (I'm doing enough of that already), I will tell you the plans I have for the rest of the year. I will continue to blog. Promotion for The Undead Road is about to begin, and I could use your help. Anyone who would like to take part in a cover reveal and contest next week, please send me an email (find it here) and I will send you information for next Wednesday's post.

I'm headed to Idaho Falls this weekend for a Woven book signing. If you happen to be in the area or know someone who is, please spread the word. We would love to fill the store with awesome people. :)

There's also a signing event at the Orem Public Library, December 5th from 11 am to 1 pm. It's my local library, so this will rock the halls!

Beyond that, it's up to what the Universe and I can work out. I may not see it as I am in the thick of it, but this might be exactly the change I need. The trick is finding the right situation and not lose faith in myself. I'll be sure to update should my situation improve.

Please pardon this dark time. Thanks for your support, and hugs.

Have you ever faced unemployment? What tips would you share to someone who is looking for a job? Who's ready for zombies?

I'm David, and please, hide the leftover Halloween candy ...