Interview and Giveaway at Read is the New Black, New Release: The Afterlife Academy, and My Con Schedule!

Hey guys! Before we get started, there's an interview and giveaway for a signed copy of Woven happening over at Read is the New Black. Today is the last day to enter! Head over there for more details.

New Release: The Afterlife Academy by Frank L. Cole!

Walter Prairie knows how to deal with bullies. He just has to beat them to the punch. But he doesn’t see the biggest hit of his life coming when he is struck dead by a bolt of lightning. Before Walter even knows what’s happened, he is sent to a Categorizing office, fast-tracked through the Afterlife Academy, and assigned as a Guardian Agent to protect a High-Level Target.

Walter's HLT, Charlie Dewdle, isn’t exactly the most popular kid in school. He’s what you might call paranormally obsessed. When Charlie finds an ancient book with spells that can be used to open the Gateway for demons to wreak havoc on earth, it’s up to him and Walter to fight an eclectic horde of enemies and protect humankind at all costs ...

(From Goodreads)

I look forward to receiving my copy of this soon. Congrats, Frank!

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Look alive! The Salt Lake Comic Con schedule is up and running.

Here's the complete schedule where you can find Michael and/or myself during this awesome three day event next week. If you're planning on going to the con, I sincerely hope to see you there.

Comic Con Schedule:

Thursday:

3:00 PM - The Legacy of Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra (D) - Room 250A

5:00 PM - Book Signing - Shadow Mountain Booth 1401 (M&D)

Friday:

11:00 AM - Killing Your Darlings: When Authors Turn Homicidal (M) - Room 151A

1:00 PM - The Universality of Hayao Miyazaki's Storytelling (D) - Room 255E

5:00 PM - Next Sunday A.D.: The Impact Of MST3K On Our Culture (D) - Room 255E

7:00 PM - Write Stories Like a Master Composer: Using Musical Concepts to Make Your Writing Sing (M) - Room 255E

Saturday:

11:00 AM - Writing MG/YA Fantasy (M) - Room 255F

1:00 PM - Book Signing - Shadow Mountain Booth 1401 (M&D)

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What else am I up to this week? Probably going to catch a screening of The Scorch Trials and get a head start on winterizing. And writing. Always more writing. The good news on the zombie novel front is I have a cover designer! Now to keep working and let all the elements settle into place. Thank you for stopping by. Until next time!

Check out the interview and giveaway today! Who's up for studying at the Afterlife Academy? What are you doing this weekend?

I'm David, and ... "you kids won't last one day out in the Scorch."

New Release: A Night Divided, Self Publishing Decision and What I'm Doing, and My Comic Con Schedule!

Hey, guys! September's here, and with it the Fall season of book releases. I'll post books that have caught my attention and then add to my TBR list, starting with this new historical fiction by best selling author, Jennifer A. Nielsen:

With the rise of the Berlin Wall, twelve-year-old Gerta finds her family suddenly divided. She, her mother, and her brother Fritz live on the eastern side, controlled by the Soviets. Her father and middle brother, who had gone west in search of work, cannot return home. Gerta knows it is dangerous to watch the wall, to think forbidden thoughts of freedom, yet she can't help herself. She sees the East German soldiers with their guns trained on their own citizens; she, her family, her neighbors and friends are prisoners in their own city ...

(From Goodreads)

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Last week I mentioned the possibility of giving self publishing a try. Several things have gone into motion since then that will make this decision a reality. The date isn't set yet, but I'm looking at a January release for my zombie novel. Why January? I planned this story as a series, so giving me a few months will help me get acquainted with the process and get the other books underway, so there won't be a huge gap between releases. Plus I'm balancing this project with the work I'm doing on the traditional front. I'll have more info later.

The Undead Road: My Zombie Summer, Part One - coming soon!

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Salt Lake Comic Con is just around the corner, and my schedule is live! Check out the panel schedule for all the special guests. I'm especially excited for the ones I will be on:

Thursday 24th - Legacy of Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra - 3:00 PM, room 250A

Friday 25th - The Universality of Hayao Miyazaki's Storytelling - 1:00 PM, room 255E

Friday 25th - Next Sunday A.D.: The Impact Of MST3K On Our Culture - 5:00 PM, room 255E

Book Signing - TBA

If you're able to make it to America's fastest growing comic con, it would make my day to see you there. Do it for Captain America!

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Before I sign off for the week, I'd like to thank my readers and the blogosphere for the outpouring of support you've shown me this last week. I was extremely anxious about sharing that post, but I'm glad I can put my serious hat on every now and then. Thank you for your comments and emails. Because of your help, I'm on the upswing.

Until next time, keep it tight.

Who else is picking up A Night Divided? Are you ready for my first zombie novel? Is anyone planning to visit Salt Lake Comic con?

I'm David, and ... I could use a bag of jerky right about now.