Welcome back! Now, which of you is ready to become a zombie?
For those of you who want to skip to the blogfest, scroll on down!

I'll be in touch with you shortly to discuss the nitty-groady. I might even let you have a say in your demise. Choose your own, right?
Oh, and let's not forget the random winners of these three books!

Email me here with an address or an email to your eReader.
Thank you all for making this 4th Blogoversary a killer! I'll be sure to calender next year's 5th, because that's just asking for a party!
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Like pie in the sky, I am so excited to share the cover reveal for Sky Jumpers, the debut novel from my critique partner Peggy Eddleman that is sure to take the MG world by storm this Fall. Check it out!
Coming September 24, 2013
Congratulations, my friend!
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I just recently heard of this awesome-sounding book, but when I heard the story behind it, I was sincerely heartbroken. I am behind the times, but I'd like to spread the word. Bridget Zinn, the author of Poison, battled with cancer and ultimately left us, before her debut novel became available. It is now, and I sure can't wait to read it!
Available now!
Thank you for giving us Rosie, Bridget!
* * *
One more cover reveal before we move on to the movie blogfest. This stunning art for Morgan Wylie's Silent Orchids should excite you!
Coming May 9th, 2013
Looking great, Morgan - congrats!
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I told myself, the next time Alex J. Canavaugh does a blogfest, I was going to do it. And here I am. Doing it. How about that? And you know something else? I love movies. I grew up near Hollywood. Heck, I was born across the street from Disney Studios. Pretty much sealed my fate in wanting to create fiction. Now, I love movies so much, I can't possibly rank them unless they're broken up into their own categories. And so, I'm going to let me animation nerd out and share with you my personal Top Ten Animated Films!
This is more than just me liking it, but the impact these films had and the contributions they made to the industry. (In other words, this list is fact mingling with personal opinion). Enjoy the countdown!

"Better out than in, I always say."







#3: Princess Mononoke - I was not a fan of Japanese Animation growing up, not sure if it was the bad dubbing or how the characters always summoned balls of energy from their hands, but it was this film that changed my perspective, and turned Studio Ghibli into the animation juggernaut that it is today. This is a compelling storytelling done right, with a great score and fluid detail. In my opinion, this is the very best of all the Hayao Miyazaki's films.

And now ...
My #1 favorite animated film of all time is ...

#1: The Secret of NIMH - Up until this film came out, little stood in the way of Disney's reign, even during it's fizzling late 70's. NIMH was a game changer, and a rare example of a film that outdoes its source material. NIMH caused a revolution, led by Don Bluth, breaking the mold and broadening the overall animation audience, and that scene with the cement block at the end gives me "warm chills" to this day. This also came out when I was born. Destiny!
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Before I forget, let's have a warm welcome to the latest members of our Cosmic Crew! Happy to have you aboard. Grab a virtual cruller!
and
I'd like to thank Al Diaz for tagging the
"You will serve me pie ... in the sky!"
Okay then ...
What inspired you to start blogging? - James Dashner told me to.
How did you come up with the name of your blog? - I wanted a place for all things sci fi and fantasy - the name was up for grabs.
What is your favorite blog to read? - Too many to name!
Tell about your dream job. - Starfighter Pilot or Dragon Rider.
Is your glass half full or half empty? - I'm too thirsty to tell.
If you could go anywhere for a week’s vacation, where would you go? - Any place where I'm still at the top of the food chain.
What food can you positively not eat? - Shellfish - I love it, but it doesn't love me.
Dark chocolate or milk chocolate? - Shut up and take my money!
How much time do you spend blogging? - 5 hours a week, maybe?
Do you watch t.v. and if so, what are your favorite shows? - Only what we get through Netflix - Psych, Walking Dead, choice Animes.
And now, I'm passing this along to my last few commenters ...
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Update: Have you noticed the word meter for Undead? It's finally moved a little. A small setback made me look at a few chapters again, but this time, I promise it's new material from here on out until this thing is done. Our map is almost finished for Woven, and if all goes well, we may have a reveal (for the map - no cover yet). We're also looking into producing a trailer in July. Exciting things are coming your way, my friends, so stay tuned. Get ready for a week of cool posts!
I'm David, and who else is seeing The Croods this weekend?
Excellent choices! Glad you didn't miss the blogfest. Ratatouille was one of Pixar's best.
ReplyDeleteThanks for participating!
And congratulations to everyone with new books.
I love seeing How To Train Your Dragon on so many lists today. It certainly deserves the attention. And a big shout to to Secret of NIMH. Awesome!
ReplyDeleteI can't even mention that NIMH movie around my sister or she starts to freak out. I don't really want to remember it either and never watched Ratatouille either because rats are gross. (And then ironically I created a character called the Sewer Rat who essentially is like Tarzan in the sewers with rats.)
ReplyDeleteI'm going to be a zombie! You have no idea how excited I am right now. *jumps up and down* Yay yay yay! Thanks, David!
ReplyDeleteLoved NIMH and Peggy's cover looks amazing! I'm so sorry about the shellfish. :( And you like Psych? Whaaat? Oh, you know that's right.
Love your list! I was so sad to read about Bridget (I'm behind on the times too). So sad.
ReplyDeleteExcellent list of movies, and thanks for the book suggestions. I've been eyeing Poison and Sky Jumpers for a little bit, but I'll have to add them to the TBR list. Yippee!
ReplyDeleteIlima will make a great zombie!
ReplyDeleteI'm reading POISON right now. Bridget's story is heartbreaking. I'm glad that you're sharing it. And Rosie-oh, how I adore that pig. And Kyra too. It's my favorite read this year.
Great animated film list. The Secret of NIMH is one of my fav. too!
I am getting some serious cover envy from this post! Beautiful - and so is the story behind POISON. I'm definitely going to try to spread the word as well. And awesome movie choices, by the way!
ReplyDeleteAwesome covers indeed and great picks too, enjoyed them all, except if you start going into crummy sequels, like shrek 3 and such haha
ReplyDeleteWhat Shrek Sequels? ;)
DeleteGreat list - very unique movie choices!
ReplyDeleteI just recently discovered Hayao Miyazaki's films and loved Ponyo and Castle in the Sky. Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away are next on my list. Great movie list and book releases, David. (:
ReplyDeleteYay for Ilima getting zombified! Haha. Can't wait to hear more about that. :-)
ReplyDeleteCongrats to Ilima! Love your movie choices. And I MUST be The Croods! May be a bit of a push to get hubby to go. He's just funny that way. Loves the animated films once I force him to go, but getting him there includes a lot of whining. lol
ReplyDeleteEep the teletubbies baby sun. I never get that. I love the cover for Peggy's book.
ReplyDeleteWow, some AWESOME choices. I want to do a follow-up post on all the animated films I just couldn't fit on my top ten, and about half of these are on there. Shrek - soooo great.
ReplyDeleteAwesome zombie picks by the way. And great blog. Definitely following from now on.
Great movie choices. There are a few I haven't watched yet but plan too. Love Shrek.
ReplyDeleteShrek is definitely worth including, nay topping, the list of best animated, followed closely behind The Little Mermaid. I mean, how many quotable lines can you have in one movie?
ReplyDeleteOkay, the Shrek series rock. Every time I watch those I practically cry. Too funny. :)
ReplyDeleteI loved reading your movie list! I used to watch Gulliver's Travels at my great-grandparents' house. NIMH came out around the time I was born, too (or a couple years later...?), and I watched it when I was very young. You have made me want to watch it again!
ReplyDeleteYou have some wonderful titles in your top 10. I haven't seen Ratatouille or Guliver's Travels, but the others all bring up memories. Princess Mononoke is such an awesome film and one of the first anime movies I really loved.
ReplyDeleteBeauty and the Beast AND How to Train Your Dragon - they're both fab, I will totally agree. And I do get Fantasia out of the DVD cupboard from time to time - it has dated a bit over the years, but it reminds of Christmases in my childhood when we used to sit and watch Disney Time on TV.
ReplyDeleteThis post is so full of awesome that I don't even know where to start! Yay for Pegs. Yay for Ilima. Yay for blogfests!
ReplyDeleteLove the Silent Orchids cover. Beautiful and mysterious. Good movie choices.
ReplyDeleteLOVE your animated list! Toy Story would definitely be on mine, too. And I agree, the sequels don't touch the original, but they're still better than a lot of movies! But, dude, you forgot FINDING NEMO!!! :)
ReplyDeleteRatatouille is on my list! Great choices, David!
ReplyDeleteFollowing from the Top Ten Movie Countdown Blogfest.
ReplyDeleteGreat list, David! I remember seeing Fantasia in a movie theatre...wait a minute, how old does that make me? :O)
Nice picks here. We love animated movies!
ReplyDeleteI love your blurb about where you were born, pretty cool. I like Shrek and Beauty and the Beast too. I also love Fantasy.
ReplyDeleteAlex
from A Heep of Everything
Wow - two contest wins in a month! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteLove all those covers. Bought Poison for my daughter.
Great movie list. I like the animated film theme. :)
Excellent list! The Secret of NIMH was great. And Shrek... too funny!
ReplyDeleteOh, I love your list. How fun! Loved Beauty & the Beast, that's the second time I've seen that listed today.
ReplyDeleteBelated congratulations on your blogoversary! And congrats to the zombie winners. :)
I love that you limited to animated classics. I mean, who can really sort through all the movies to find 10 "favorites".
ReplyDeleteLove the covers. I can't wait for Sky Jumpers.
Absolutely love Fantasia! Busting a gut over "creepy baby" award:) And yes, shut up and take my money! Chocolate is a vegetable, after all!
ReplyDeleteGreat list of animated films. How could I hae forgotten 'Fantasia'.
ReplyDeleteYour list tells me you are a big kid with a romantic and idealist heart. Pleased to meet you, David. X
ReplyDeleteshahwharton.com
I agree with all of your animated selections except Fantasia. Man, I hated that movie. I'd replace it with The Little Mermaid or Aladdin :)
ReplyDeleteExcellent choices for movies! If only the list would have been top thirty, hahaha. And the Creepy Baby award is just perfect for you, I say!
ReplyDeleteI got my copy of Poison over the weekend and was so excited! Love your list - I haven't seen Nimh in forever.
ReplyDeleteI loove all the movies on your list! Princess Mononoke was way cool!
ReplyDeleteNutschell
www.thewritingnut.com
Peggy's book looks awesome...well all of them do! Congrats And condolences to Ilima! Love your movie selections. Thanks goodness they are not all animated or anything...oh....wait. :D
ReplyDeleteI adored Ratatouille. It's my favorite Pixar film.
ReplyDeleteI'm not familiar with everything on your list, but I'm a fan of 10, 9,7 (especially this one), and 5.
ReplyDeleteI've never seen #3, but I own the others. Great list and it's nice to meet you. Thanks for stopping by my blog. I'm now following you and I look forward to visiting again.
ReplyDeleteSylvia
http://www.writinginwonderland.blogspot.com/
That character on the Silent Orchids cover looks intent. Nice cover. I like Shrek & Ratatouille - the portions I've seen, that is.
ReplyDeleteGreat list of animated films. It's so hard to peg down 10 top ten fav films. It seems that I have forgotten some. But alas, ten movies is ten movies. I think you were smart to break it down to the cartoons. Good thinking. :)
ReplyDeletePrincess Mononoke came in at #3 on my list as well, behind two other Studio Ghibli films. My top 7 were all animated, despite an uncategorized list.
ReplyDeleteIt was great idea you mentioned only animated movies. The Beauty and the beast is my daughter favouite.
ReplyDeleteOH, I loved NIMH, Toystory, and Shrek!
ReplyDeleteCongrats to the author's you're featuring. Ilima, better you than me. I hate zombie anything. My guys love Zombies, go figure!
Holy smokes, DPK! It takes forever to get to the bottom of your comment thread.
ReplyDeleteThis post was filled with stuff! All I really want to comment on is how much I heart Miyazaki films. They are weird but so amazing. My favorite is Howl's Moving Castle (I think, sometimes it's My Neighbor Totoro)
Great set of film choices! :)
ReplyDeleteSHREK was super fun. Liked that one. BRAVE, too. Great list.
ReplyDeleteRatatouille was a favourite of ours, too! A nice selection of animated films. It's hard not to like a lot of these. Pinocchio - love it.
ReplyDeleteYup, definitely love Shrek and Eddie Murphy is perfect as Donkey. Great list :)
ReplyDeleteHow to Train Your Dragon has made quite a few lists. I grew up on The Secret of Nimh. Such a great movie!
ReplyDeleteDamn, that's the fourth comment blogger has eaten...
ReplyDeleteI'll sum up. Glad you did animation. How to Train Your Dragon is my all time favorite, but then again, I'm Swedish and a viking so that does pre-dispose me to it. I'd also add Finding Nemo to your list. Funny, poignant, great character growth, and just plain fun.
Tina @ Life is Good
Co-host, April 2013 A-Z Challenge Blog
@TinaLifeisGood, #atozchallenge
You had me until Nimh. I hated that movie. My daughter is a good example of why. She read the book not all that long ago and really wanted to see the movie. She hated it, too. And so did my (younger) son (the older one didn't watch it). Basically, my daughter, who is 9, sat there and kept saying, "That's not right," "That's not right," "That's not right." She told me she never wants to see that movie again.
ReplyDeleteNimh and The Sword in the Stone are actually two of the movies frequently cited as almost sinking Disney in the 80s. Oh, and Black Cauldron (another horrible adaptation).
I want to read Warm Bodies after seeing the film... Awesome of you to share Bridget's book/story. Really puts things in perspective, I think.
ReplyDeleteYou're a Secret of Nimh fan?! Of course you are. :) Truly one of the shows that captured my imagination the most as a kid. That and The Last Unicorn.
How to Train Your Dragon was such a fun movie to watch!
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to seeing The Croods next week too :)
Jamie
Congratulations, zombie winners! :) And David, you get cool points for listing Princess Mononoke.
ReplyDeleteWe know where your heart lies when it comes to movies! You're a big kid!
ReplyDeleteI loved The Secret of NIMH, too! And thanks for sharing my cover. :) :) :)
ReplyDeleteI didn't think to include animated films on my list and that was a mistake. So many great ones out there. Nice choices.
ReplyDeleteThanks for swinging by my blog today. I will try to add you but your followers box is not loading for me at the moment. WIth a house full of kids, most of those movies are on some kind of rotation here. Good choices! You forgot Toy Story ;)
ReplyDeleteTerrific blog, David!
ReplyDeleteI think the animated angle was an inspired decision. I really applaud all your selections, particularly Princess Mononoke and Ratatouille. And thanks for stopping by my neck of the woods :)
Yay, you did animated movies and reminded me of one of my favorite movies ever, Secret of Nimh! I hat a pet rat I named Nicodemus (she was a girl, so went by her nickname Nikki). That name is always in my bank to be in a story some day, but the character must be worthy of the name. The Last Unicorn and The Secret of Nimh are my two favorite animated films of all time. The rest of the movies you listed are fantastic, as well. I always liked Sleeping Beauty, too.
ReplyDeleteShannon at The Warrior Muse
I am so sorry to hear about Bridget Zinn. My heart goes out to her family and friends.
ReplyDeleteI loved seeing Toy Story on your list and the best part is I just ordered the DVD over the weekend. Still full price, I might add!!
Your list is great. Tons of information along with your movie choices. Excellent job.
ReplyDeleteBeauty and the Beast is a stunning and fun picture. I saw it in NYC and had to sit on the floor, because they oversold the tickets and there were no seats left.
ReplyDeleteGreat list! Totally giving a shout-out for Princess Mononoke! One of my personal favorites. Best of luck with Undead!
ReplyDeleteSome great book covers there. I remember watching the Secret of Nimh many times with my children. It's a great one.
ReplyDeleteI'm still blown away by the 3D in How to Train Your Dragon. It's nothing short of stunning.
ReplyDeleteWhat an inspired idea to do animated films only. And aren't there some great ones! Thanks for your list. Glad you like Dundee!
ReplyDeletePrincess Mononoke rocks! Love that you did animated films and congrats to the winners of the zombie books. Also love the covers revealed today.
ReplyDeleteI've never seen the secret of NIMH but now I'm dying to!
ReplyDeleteThose are great covers! :)
ReplyDeleteBilliant choice to focus on animated movies - so many good ones! I can't believe I haven't seen Nimh though - I have to fix that!
Hello, David! I'll give a big yes to all of the movies on your list. Toy Story is such a classic.
ReplyDeleteThat's a shame about Gulliver's Travels. I'm glad you brought it back to our attention. Being a lover of animated film, your list is one of my favorites. Thank you, David.
ReplyDeletexoRobyn
Excellent movie choices!!! Love the family friendliness of your list!
ReplyDeleteToy Story is an absolute classic! Shrek has kind of worn thin for me over the years, but the original is still great fun.
ReplyDeleteI've seen How to Train Your Dragon a lot today. :) Great picks!
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen How to Train a Dragon and want to. Great list!
ReplyDeleteAh, Secret of Nihm and Beauty and the Beast... total faves of mine. Great list. Animated movies should never be overlooked (I included The Lion King in mine), because they can affect us just as much as any other kind of movie. Love the list!
ReplyDeleteGreat choices for the movies! I haven't seen The Secret of NIMH in ages. Thanks for sharing all that news with us today too.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great list!
ReplyDeleteIt's been a while since I watched Nimh.
Bridget's story is both heartbreaking and inspirational. I think my kids would love Poison.
Those are some great movie choices! I haven't seen a few of them, but I love animated movies. Beauty and the Beast is wonderful! The prologue is awesome and so beautifully written. :)
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to read Bridget's book!
All right, we'll just have to disagree about the best anime film ;) Your list is also awesome.
ReplyDeleteAllison (Geek Banter)
Awesome choices, especially Ratatouille! (But I might be biased because I've worked in restaurant kitchens for over ten years. Nothing fancy, but I've been the head cook and I know how tough it is so that movie is a must own for me.)
ReplyDeleteGreat choices David! I loved Ratatouille! Never looked at a rat the same way ;)
ReplyDeleteNice idea to focus on animated movies. Ratatouille is an underrated gem, and How to Train Your Dragon is right up there with the best of Pixar.
ReplyDeleteI've seen half of the films on your list, mostly the classics. My little brother used to have a video of a different animated Pinocchio, which was a lot closer to the book and also rather unintentionally hilarious in spots.
ReplyDeleteLove Rataouille!
ReplyDeleteCan't remember if I've ever seen NIMH - I love that book though!
Great movie selections...:) Congrats to the authors on the new books. Oh, I can't wait to watch Warm Bodies.
ReplyDeleteI like your movie list, especially How to Train your Dragon.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the mention!
Also, really like the new book covers, those are some fantastic ones. I might even look some of them up, they sound good.
Yay for Peggy's cover. It's amazing :)
ReplyDeleteGreat movie choices. Shrek never gets old and Secret of Nimh was seriously game changing in its day. So true!
Heavy on the CG and that's great! Love all of the Shreks, especially number II. Will there be a fifth? I wouldn't be surprised if there was.
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking you like animated films? Cool. Those are lovely covers on the book releases.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to the winners o f your giveaway.
......dhole
It's sad what happened to Gulliver's Travels. Great animation category, and Beauty and The Beast is my favorite. I still remember most of the songs.
ReplyDeleteJulie
Loved Beauty and the Beast and Secret of NIMH was brilliant. I also remember The Last Unicorn, which was an amazing animated film as well. I really do love my animated features. And Walking Dead...High Fives! Love finding my fellow fans out here. :)
ReplyDeleteSeen them all but 3 and 1! I more or less grew up along with Toy Story, so the third movie about ripped my heart to shreds...
ReplyDeleteAwesome list!!
Have not seen all of your film picks, but Fantasia and Beauty and the Beast are definitely works of animation art. Great stuff!
ReplyDeleteLee
Wrote By Rote
An A to Z Co-host blog
I agree! fantasia is like3 every single child's dream.
DeleteI've seen all of these but no 1.
I have to agree with you on most of your animated film picks, David. But I'm adding the caveat that I think Toy Story 3 should be on that list. It's the only animated film that's made me cry.
ReplyDeleteI like the theme for your picks. Shrek is one that I'm kicking myself for forgetting for my list...not sure which one I would've kicked of for him, but he's worth it.
ReplyDeleteUh, congratulations on the creepy baby award???
I had too many movies to list too. I went with my favorite obscure movies.
ReplyDeleteGreat way to break them down into animated flicks, David. I think I've seen all of these, and loved every minute of them. I'm truly a kid at heart.
ReplyDeleteSecret of NIMH - Oh how I loved that movie. I love the books too.
ReplyDeleteWow! You have a lot going on. So excited for Peggy's cover and I really want to read Bridget's book.
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen many people specifically pick one genre, that's tough to do. How could I forget about Toy Story!?!?
ReplyDeleteNot a big watcher of animated films but I did like Fantasia. My wife is the animated watcher in our family...and she liked Fantasia too!! Thanks for stopping by yesterday!
ReplyDeleteChuck at Apocalypse Now
I haven't seen most of these, but really enjoyed Shrek :) For some reason I never got into the Toy Story thing (I did see #1). Would like to see all the rest on this list though :)
ReplyDeleteI love all the TOY STORY movies, but I think I like the first and third one the best.
ReplyDeleteGreat list. I love How to train your dragon. So well done.
ReplyDeleteHeather
I forgot about "The Secret of Nimh", I loved it as a kid. My favourite on your list is "How to Train Your Dragon". :3
ReplyDelete