tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61758953440230484732024-03-13T23:31:52.835-07:00Ravings from Duncan P BradshawA place where UK indie author, Duncan P. Bradshaw waffles on about various things, mostly book related, but the odd zombie film review too.Duncan P. Bradshawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15808368550226131463noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6175895344023048473.post-88687518996244725992019-09-06T04:54:00.000-07:002019-09-06T04:54:44.953-07:00Let The Past Die<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>'Let the past die. Kill it if you have to. It is the only way to become what you were meant to be.'</i></div>
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Invariably, after I release a book into the world, I fall into a bit of a writing-related funk. In part, it's down to the sheer amount of effort that goes into every aspect of the creation of it, and the realisation that for all of the bluff and bluster before launch, once it's out there, it disappears pretty quickly from people's view and I'm left wondering if all that effort was truly worth it. That's something for another day. The point of this little post is what happens after that, when I'm thinking about what I should work on next.</div>
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The last two books I've finished up, CONGRATULATIONS! YOU'VE ACCIDENTALLY SUMMONED A WORLD-ENDING MONSTER. WHAT NOW? and DON'T SMELL THE FLOWERS! THEY WANT TO STEAL YOUR BONES are books that I've had on the go for some time. The former was started over two years ago, but I wanted to finish it up, indeed, my mantra for 2019 has been exactly that. "Finish what you started, get it the fuck out there and then you can start on something completely new." It's an admirable sentiment but as I prepared to finish the next book I'd half-finished, it hit me. Why? Why should I be trying to get back into writing a book that I stopped writing a year and a half ago? I stopped it for a reason, because some other new shiny idea shone brighter, or for more mundane reasons such as work etc.</div>
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So I've come to a decision, anything that I've started and not finished, has been shelved. Not for a little bit, for good. Sure, part of me wants to finish some of them up as I really enjoy their concept, but my writing has moved on a lot in the past few years that I just don't see why I should try to finish something that I started with a completely different mindset. </div>
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However, before I abandon them in the fetid waters of my brain, only to plunder elements from them in the future, I wanted to list them all, and give them an obituary of sorts, they deserve that at least. Here are the ideas that I've cast into a shallow grave, some are just rough plans, others...not so much:</div>
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<b>'Roll With It'</b> <b>-</b> This is a post-apocalyptic book set in the summer of 1995, just as Oasis and Blur went head-to-head in their charts with their decidedly average singles. Essentially, astronauts repairing the Hubble telescope inadvertently lay waste to the world by deflecting the sun's rays, which also hit a radio station aerial which then beams out the music of the day across the world. The protagonist awakes to discover the world turned on its head, but is determined to get Oasis to number one in the charts and sets off to purchase one copy to achieve that. Along the way, they'd encounter groups of people turned into gangs, so you'd get Electric Punks (Prodigy, Pop Will Eat Itself), a church based on Black Grape, Industrial Metal peeps centred on NIN and Marilyn Manson. I've written the first 12k on it, but the antagonist is actually a better character. This was going to be my next project, getting it ready for the 25th anniversary next year.</div>
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<b>'The Tales of Doctor Nano' -</b> I started this just after I finished Class Three, that's how old it is. The titular superhero is recovering after his most recent battle and is being interviewed. He recounts five of his toughest adventures, but halfway through the book, the journalist reveals that he knows Doctor Nano's secret, that he intentionally murdered his enemies and stole things from them that he used to improve his own abilities (he was infected with shitloads of nanobots which can shape his flesh, and do cool things like that). Second half of the book was the court case, his escape from jail and eventual demise. </div>
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<b>'Afterthought' - </b>A female copper who is out looking for a missing kid gets killed by a hit-and-run driver. Gets recruited by a spirit who shows her that they have the ability to read dead people's final thoughts their 'afterthought'. Cue story to try and find the missing kid, twists and turns ahoy!</div>
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<b>'Deadlock' - </b>Man, I fucking loved this idea. A retired jewel thief is hired for one more job (of course he fucking is), by weirdo. The four-man crew break into the basement of the diamond exchange, only to wind up straight into hell itself. The main premise is that the men are already dead, but anyone who had something left to sort out, or falls in the middle between being 'good' or 'evil', is destined to remain in limbo, or Deadlock. The forces of Heaven and Hell send agents into Deadlock to try and recruit these souls to their side. Anyway, the main character killed himself after his wife died of cancer, and discovers that he can try to find her in the afterlife. Ends up going through Deadlock, meeting up with people who live there knowing what the place is, fighting angels and demons, trying to find a path through everything to get to his wife. I actually finished this, but the ending didn't land, and every attempt to get it to work, failed. I even have a cover for it.</div>
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<b>'Suicide Season' - </b>This is loosely based on the song of the same name by Bring Me The Horizon. It's fucking brilliant, and was a snap-shot of a moment in my life. Anyway, story starts up with this guy killing himself atop a hill overlooking where he grew up. His best friend can't get over what happened, but finds out that there is a way to bring back his best friend. All he has to do, is to kill someone - a life for a life. After fighting with the morality of it, eventually do it, brings his friend back who then kills himself again, as he just can't bear living. Cheery, huh?</div>
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<b>'Tribute/The Calling' - </b>Man, I loved this idea. Starts out with a kid dropping gifts into a toilet, 'tributes' to what is assumed to be an imaginary friend. Mum finds out, goes mental, removes toilet door so that the kid can't do it any more. Fast forward to the present day, and the now-grown-up man is in a bar, drowning his sorrows. Dickhead and his mates start picking on him, the gang get killed by this monster made out of poo. Yep, the very same monster that lives in the sewers that LOVED the presents the kid used to send him. It's a feelgood buddy book as the monster decides to help get the bloke's life back on track. Cue hilarity, loads of shit jokes and general silliness.</div>
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<b>'Shellshock' - </b>Somehow...my story, SOLID FOUNDATIONS was voted the best in the Shadow Work Publishing anthology, Versus: X, beating the likes of Jack Ketchum and Wrath James White. I know, I'm as shocked as you. That made me wonder if I could write a proper extreme horror book, so came up with the idea of a soldier trapped in a crater in the middle of no-mans land in WW1. Having to survive in there with rats trying to eat him, body parts, going slowly insane and the general inhumanity of war going on. Never got past the idea stage with this one.</div>
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<b>'Three Rings' - </b>This was going to be my full-on serious thriller. There's a saying that when you drive home from seeing people, usually parents, you ring their landline three times to let them know you got home safe. Basic setup was that this guy gives a woman a lift back from the gym, drops her off at her house, goes home to his wife, goes to bed. Wakes up the next day with the police at the door, who say that the woman from the gym was murdered and he's under arrest. Sets in motion the whole did he/didn't he plot, which at one point was going to go all supernatural. Never really had a chance to think on it too long.</div>
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<b>'Class Four' - </b>When I wrote Class Four: Those Who Survive, it was my intention to write a trilogy. I even started writing book two (twice), but I'd moved on and just couldn't get into them. Always planned to finish them up, and of all the books on the list, it's possible I may go back at one point, but not in the immediate future.</div>
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<b>'Voodou' - </b>I wanted to write a zombie book that was more White Zombie than Dawn of the Dead, going back to the roots of what a zombie is. The secret text story in Chump is actually set in that world. There are random acts of violence going on around the world, being carried out by 'zombies', people that are controlled by one bad dude. Uses a variety of means to drug them, think one of the ways was via coffee shops. Anyway, a hitman looking into the death of a journalist friend, uncovers the plot for world domination and tries to put a stop to it.</div>
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There you go. If you've got to this point, you might be asking what the fuck are you actually going to write next, Duncan? Well...a few years back I bought a cover which I was going to use for the above Voodou story. It's fucking brilliant and I refuse to let it go to waste. So I'm using it as a writing prompt, and have come up with the working title of 'AND IN THE NIGHT, IT CLAIMED THEM'. It's not bizarro, it's not comedy and is firmly in the horror camp. Got some killer ideas for it, and now have to see if I have the skills to write it. Hope so. You wanna see the cover? I bet you do. I'll save that for another time.</div>
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Toodles!</div>
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Dunk</div>
Duncan P. Bradshawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15808368550226131463noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6175895344023048473.post-29323302870150078912017-12-30T08:51:00.000-08:002017-12-31T04:17:01.552-08:002017 - A Look BackHello!<br />
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Normally, at the end of each year, I'll list my top five books, albums or general cool things, this year though, I'm doing summat a little different. I think in the main this is down to turning 40, a chance to look back over four decades of existing and wondering how many more I have ahead of me. Now, it's all about making sure I experience the things I want to, whether that's something as banal as reading a book I've been meaning to get to, see a band I've longed to see or watch monster trucks jump over cars, I'm going to be trying to get as much done as possible. So, with that in mind, here is my top ten experiences of 2017, in reverse order, to try and maintain a sense of building tension and wonder.<br />
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<b>10 - Bangalore, India - April</b></div>
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Some might consider this an odd choice, as I went there because of work, and spent two days with chronic bum wee, but still, a chance to see a different part of the world is always a good thing. The infrastructure in Bangalore is a little...spartan, but the people were lovely, and to see somewhere you never thought you'd get to witness, was worth the Immodium.<br />
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<b>9 - Trapped Within - June</b></div>
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Man, to think I nearly canned this, am so glad I decided to put the problems that I was facing at the time behind me, and focus on getting it published and out there. The first ever release through my little label, EyeCue Productions that wasn't a book completely written by me, and I'm really pleased with how it came out. The main thing though is that I was able to get some cash across to the Stroke Association, which is a charity close to me and my wife's heart. So far, aside from the £100 donation made first off, all sales and page reads made up to the end of October 2017, the book itself has raised £322.92. Think that is pretty good going, all things considered. This book will continue to send all proceeds from every sale through to the charity directly, FOREVER. A big thank you to everyone who has bought it, or read it through Kindle Unlimited, I really appreciate it.<br />
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<b>8 - Kraftwerk, Oxford New Theatre - June</b></div>
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I've got a mental list of bands that I would love to see live, who I define as classic artists, for one reason or another. When I saw that Kraftwerk were doing some live dates, I knew I had to go see them. After missing out on tickets at Bristol, I managed to snag a pair for Oxford. The wife wasn't that fussed, but I convinced her to go, and even she enjoyed them! That's pretty much a seal of approval right there. They were phenomenal, and it's another one ticked off the list.<b> </b></div>
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<b>7 - FantasyCon, First Ever Panel, Peterborough - September</b></div>
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Now, I come across as quite a confident chap, I think, but still, the thought of sitting in front of people, talking about a subject, filled me with dread. Coupled with a monumental hangover, and dodgy guts, this was always going to be more interesting. The theme was humour in genre fiction, and fighting against imposter syndrome, I got stuck in. I loved it. It helped knowing that Adam Millard was on it too, and that Mister Feeney and Justin were in the audience. I quickly got into it, and the time flew by, which is always a good indicator that things went okay. I followed this up with another panel later in the day, by which time I had relaxed sufficiently, and was able to give my thoughts on dystopias. Which is nice.<b> </b></div>
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<b>6 - The Spark, Enter Shikari - September</b></div>
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I got into Enter Shikari just after they had released A FLASH FLOOD OF COLOUR, a few years back. They are probably my favourite band at the moment, their style is one that you can't really pigeonhole, and their live shows are un-fucking-believable. Problem is, like any band I love, I look forward to their new albums with a twinge of trepidation. THE MINDSWEEP came out a few years back, and although it was okay, it wasn't on par with their previous work, so when The Spark was announced and the singles began to come out, I was a little worried. I needn't have been. The album is an absolute corker, narrowly behind COMMON DREADS, as the best thing they've ever made. I even managed to meet them just after the album was released, and then Justin and I saw them live in Cardiff in November, and they were utterly amazing. Easily my favourite album of the year.</div>
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<b>5 - Fifth Wedding Anniversary - December </b></div>
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Hey! This meant a lot to me. So, I love planning stuff, our wedding was probably the biggest thing, but last year, when we were working out what to do for our fifth anniversary, we decided to kinda recreate the weekend. So we booked the room we stayed in, at the Queensbury hotel in Bath, we went for a massage and spa, as we did the day before we got married, we even managed to get a cup of tea and a cake in the wedding venue, the Assembly Rooms. We then popped into town for a few drinks, and had dinner at Raphaels, where we met up with some friends and family the night before we got married. It was a really cool day, and something that will live in my mind forever.<b> </b></div>
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<b>4 - Saboteur Awards - May</b></div>
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Let's be honest, barring a miracle, my writing is not going to get me fame and fortune, it's not what I do it for. But, when I got an email informing me that my zombie short story collection, CHUMP, had been nominated for a Saboteur Award, I was pretty surprised. Yes, it's not an award which most have heard of, me included, but it mattered. Not because I thought it would win, there was no chance of that, it's just to get some recognition. I put everything into my writing, not just the actual physical typing of words, sentences and stories, but in creating books which are a little different to what is out there. To be able to go down to London with Debbie, have a night out and spend some time together was what made this something to remember. Writing is a very insular thing, so to have something of mine nominated for an award, was really cool.<br />
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<b>3 - The Last Jedi - December</b></div>
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Zombies aside, Star Wars is probably one of my favourite things in the entire world ever. I grew up watching the original trilogy, and though the prequels were pretty poor, when the new films were announced, I was looking forward to them. The Last Jedi though...man, a few iffy bits aside, is now my second favourite Star Wars film out there. I absolutely love Kylo Ren as a bad guy, think he is far more menacing that any of the other bad dudes, Vader included, and this film exceeded even my lofty expectations. The second viewing really helped solidify its status to me, and quite frankly, I couldn't give a flying fuck what some people have been saying about it. Everyone has their own opinion, and mine is that this film does far more good than bad, it gives the franchise a new hope for the future.</div>
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<b>2 - Prophets of Rage, Brixton Academy, London - June</b></div>
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I go to a fair amount of gigs, probably not as many this year as before, but the ones I went to? Fucking hell... None better than a June night in London seeing this 'supergroup', formed from members of Rage Against The Machine, Public Enemy and Cypress Hill. When they formed last year, I told Justin that if they ever came to the UK, we were going. Sure enough, they played Download, and then announced this one date in Brixton. Me and Justin were a few rows from the front, and they basically performed a greatest hits collection of each band. They also did a special acoustic version of Like A Stone, in tribute to the late Chris Cornell. I have never moshed so hard, shouted so much, or been squashed between so many people as I was that night. As me and Justin got back to the hotel, clothes drenched in sweat, voices hoarse, we both agreed that it would be nigh on impossible for any band to top that. A little bonus that night, was meeting up with the ever-cool Kit Power.<br />
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<b>1 - Turning 40 - March</b></div>
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I've wanted to go to America for as long as I can remember, problem is that Debbie is not the biggest fan of flying, especially long flights. But, for my 40th, I knew that there was only one place I wanted to go. We went to Los Angeles, Las Vegas and San Francisco, and some terse moments aside, it is a holiday after all, we spent nigh on a fortnight doing so many cool things, that I have to pinch myself sometimes when I look back on it. We saw our first ever NHL match, went to Universal Studios, yomped up to the Griffith Observatory as day turned to night, and animals were howling in the dark. We went shooting, ziplined down Fremont Street in Vegas, I even managed to get to the top table in poker at the MGM, despite getting ridiculous nosebleeds. I drove us from LA to Vegas in a Dodge Challenger, one of my all time favourite cars, we went to Alcatraz, went on a streetcar, the list goes on. It was everything I thought it would be, and so much more. Even Debbie, who was not looking forward to Vegas, would go back tomorrow if finances allowed it. I'm not one to let age define me, I just do what I feel like doing at the moment in time, but when you reach these milestones, especially hitting a new decade, you do inevitably look back, and cast a nervous eye forward. I think of the person I am today, and what I used to be, and it's true, age does mellow you. I'm not as angry as I used to be, and my impulsive nature, though still there, can be kerbed better. I have no idea how much more time I have on this rock, but I am going to make the most of it, regardless.</div>
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So there you go, 2017 in a nutshell. There are so many other things that happened too, track days, moving to a four day working week, all of which were memorable, or will help me in the future. Personally, I would have liked to have released more books this year, ending up with Trapped Within, and some short stories. But I'm not going to stress it. In 2016 I released four books, this year none, it's how it goes. Next year I am looking to release four books, all completely different from the other, and I hope that, should you pick one up, you'll enjoy it, as much as I loved putting it together.<br />
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Goodbye 2017, and I hope you all have a wonderful 2018, see you on the other side.<br />
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DunkDuncan P. Bradshawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15808368550226131463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6175895344023048473.post-15783209850267210532017-10-30T09:54:00.000-07:002017-10-30T09:54:47.096-07:00Stop-StartWoah, what a mental year 2017 has been so far. Most of it has disappeared already and we're heading into the best part, winter, and it feels like I've not managed to get much done. Yes, I was away for a couple of weeks to celebrate my 40th, and another fortnight in India for work, but I don't feel as though I've been as productive as I wanted to be.<br />
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It's been just over a year since I left the SHC, and my aim then was to focus on getting some of my own work done and out there. I have two books that I finished, but are nowhere near ready, and to cap it all off, I started one in January, only to put it on the back burner. Amongst all of that, was TRAPPED WITHIN. I've been blown away by the support of it, and even now it continues to simmer away, I'll be releasing some information on how much it's made for charity at the end of the year.<br />
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One thing is for certain, I've been able to knock out some short stories, some of which have appeared in a few anthologies already, and a couple more before the year is out. This includes, SOLID FOUNDATIONS, my first foray into the extreme sub-genre, which is in the VS:EXTREME anthology being published by Shadow Work Publishing. My wife usually reads my stories, but she has steered well clear of this, and for good reason, it is disgusting. Secondly, my story, GLASSJAW, is in Adam Howe's, WRESTLE MANIACS anthology. Writers often say they have favourite stories of their own, and this is probably mine. Really looking forward to getting that out there.<br />
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Went to Birmingham Horror Con on the weekend, and was excellent to meet up with loads of people from the world of Facebook. Some for the first time, others for the umpteenth. It is these sort of events that show what an excellent little community exists in the UK, and enjoyed catching up with people, and making some new acquaintances. I always judge a convention a success by two measures. The first is by hitting a monetary target, which I did in the first few hours, which took the pressure off. The second is if I manage to sell a copy of CELEBRITY CULTURE, my bizarro novella. It's a tricky one to sell most days, even more so at a horror convention.<br />
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Honestly, I can't see myself doing too many of these next year. For one, they tend to be over two days, which is one day too many. The Sunday tends to be pretty slow, and not really worth the effort. Unless anything crops up which I can't say no to, then I'm going to stash myself away and work on the projects I have lined up. One thing is for definite, the next CLASS FOUR book will be out next year. Anything beyond that will depend on time. I have an idea for a thriller, of all things, called THREE RINGS, which is bubbling away at the moment. I reckon I'll start that up when I've done some more zombies, as the second CLASS FOUR book is long overdue.<br />
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This year has showed me two things, one that I still need to focus solely on my own work, for the moment at least. I'm not going to be playing publisher for other people any time soon. That side of things does not interest me at the moment, plus, the amount of time needed to get someone else's work ready to publish takes time away from what I want to do.<br />
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The other is that I love putting books together, and as the Kindle copies sell infinitely more than the physical ones, I'm going to approach this process a little differently. Starting with CANNIBAL NUNS FROM OUTER SPACE! (CNfOS), the physical books are going to be a kinda deluxe item. Expect colour interiors, hardback finishes, less adverts for my previous stuff, and more irreverence. The whole idea with CNfOS is that it's a straight-to-DVD B-Movie, so it has fake movie trailers, here's a tiny little corner of one...<br />
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It has deleted scenes, four alternate endings and a Director's commentary. It's going to be put together so that those precious few people that want to buy the actual book, get something which I've put my heart and soul into. The same gubbins will be in the Kindle version too, but it will lack the gravitas that holding that physical copy will have. <br />
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Let's face it, CNfOS is not going to be a literary masterpiece, it is purely there to entertain. It's silly, OTT and anyone approaching it with anything other than this mindset, is going to be disappointed. It is though, going to be the culmination of a lot of hard work, and the point at which I start to be able to turn all of the ideas I get for my books, into reality. I envisage it being ready for the end of February/beginning of March next year, barring any unforeseen circumstances.<br />
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That's it for now, I'm hoping to get all the bits and pieces for CNfOS done soon, the brief for the cover art is being drawn up this week, the artist is lined up. 2017 may have been low on releases, but I'm going to make up for it in 2018, of that you can be certain.<br />
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Cheers<br />
<br />
Dunk <br />
<br />Duncan P. Bradshawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15808368550226131463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6175895344023048473.post-47053738558472246232017-07-22T04:37:00.001-07:002017-07-22T04:54:13.650-07:00Words of the Dead - Open Submission Call<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
George A. Romero was an inspiration to many people, and the Godfather
of the modern zombie sub-genre. As a tribute to him, and his work,
we’re putting together a charity anthology, provisionally called WORDS
OF THE DEAD, to honour the man who scared us witless when we were
younger and inspired us when we got older. The guidelines are:<br />
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- We’re looking for zombie stories <u>only</u>.<br />
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- Stories
must be either set within the films, or based on the canon he created.
So, no runners, but remember that Romero used tool-wielding zombies in
Night/Dawn/Day and Land, and the vampire/un-dead crossover in the comic
series Empire of the Dead.<br />
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- One simple rule: as long as
he used it, so can you. Show us something different from the films, or
wow us with an original story set within one of the time frames or the
modern day.<br />
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- Maximum word count of 6k; standard manuscript formatting.<br />
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- You’ll get a digital and physical contributor’s copy as a thank you.<br />
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- This
will be published through EyeCue Productions, with Duncan P. Bradshaw,
David Owain Hughes, and Jonathan Edward Ondrashek as editors.<br />
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- No reprints, please. We’re looking for new stories, keen for fresh bodies to feast on.<br />
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- ALL proceeds will be going to charity; we’re working towards getting that sorted at the moment.<br />
<br />
- Rights
are your own, but we respectfully ask for a six-month period of
exclusivity to the anthology from the release date (to be determined).<br />
<br />
- Deadline: 31st December, 2017.<br />
<br />
Send your submission or questions to: <a href="mailto:wordsofthedead@gmail.com">wordsofthedead@gmail.com</a><br />
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We look forward to seeing what you come up with!<br />
<br />
David, Duncan and Jonathan <br />
<br />Duncan P. Bradshawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15808368550226131463noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6175895344023048473.post-20959040279603679722016-12-30T08:15:00.003-08:002016-12-30T08:16:13.954-08:00...And What's Coming UpAhoy!<br />
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So, another year over huh? Pretty sure they go by quicker the older you get, which is nice. What does 2017 have in store for me? Well, first off, I hit 40. Age has never really bothered me too much, for some reason 27 was a weird one, as I thought I was 28 all year, but 40?! I know it's only a number, but my brain has helpfully started enquiring as to whether I'm halfway through my life, or, more likely, past that point already. Regardless, me and Debbie are off to America for nigh on two weeks to celebrate it.<br />
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Never been to the US, though have always wanted to. We're hitting up LA, Vegas and San Francisco, and to say I'm looking forward to it, would be a MASSIVE understatement.<br />
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Workwise, well, this is where lessons learned kicks in. I have plans of what I'm going to release, but given that in 2016 I released two books I never planned on writing in the first place, I think it's safe to say that what you aim to do, and what actually gets done, are two different things. There are a couple of definites though.<br />
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First up, are three anthology appearances. I've been invited to contribute a story to Shadow Work Publishings 'VS' anthology. If you're not familiar with it, it pits American authors against us Brit's, to see who comes out on top. There are some killer names in there, and it is set to a theme of EXTREME. Whilst some of my work has been a bit gory, I've never written anything explicitly fitting this sub-genre, so should be cool.<br />
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The second anthology is Stitched Smile's 'Monsters v Zombies' anthology. They are doing two volumes, and I'm not sure which one I'm in yet, but my short story, LIVE TO SERVE will be in one of them. This was my first ever story acceptance from a submission call, so pretty psyched to see that released. The third anthology is hush-hush, for now. Rest assured that when it's announced, I'll be shouting about it, as it's a cool idea.<br />
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Aside from them, the only guaranteed book I will be releasing is a charity anthology, called TRAPPED WITHIN, the proceeds of which are going to the Stroke Association.<br />
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There will be twenty odd stories from some ridiculously talented indie authors, and am aiming for a May/June release, nothing definite yet though. I've received around half of the stories already, and there are some absolute corkers in there. I'll be confirming the TOC in the first few months of the year, and hope that people can support this, as the charity means a lot to me and Debbie. This will be released through my EyeCue Productions label, and might not be the last title next year which features authors other than me. More on that later in 2017...<br />
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As for my own books, I have plans, of course I do, but as for what I will release, I don't know for certain. There's DEADLOCK, which is my heist/heaven and hell novel, which I am reworking at the moment, as the early draft starts off strong, but didn't deliver a killer punch. Have got a decent handle on it now though, so hoping to get that ready for beta readers in January.<br />
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I've nearly finished up my weird as shit novel, SUMMONED. I have had so much fun writing it, and though am going to have to strip back some of my ideas for this, mainly due to cost, it should be a ball. It's a multi-narrative book, with a few different paths and endings. This probably needs less work, but another lesson I learned from 2016, is to FOCUS ON ONE THING AT A TIME.<br />
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Aside from that, the next CLASS FOUR book will be done. I've moved away from making it a trilogy, and it is now a series. The entire book has changed from what it was going to be, but I think the new direction will work a lot better, and be a bit more focussed than what my original intentions were.<br />
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Then, I have around four or five other ideas jostling for space. One is another zombie book, completely different from my other undead books. It's got a really cool concept to it, and I'm excited about it. But...I have some serious research to do before I can start it, so realistically, I may start writing it at the tail end of next year, but it won't be released in 2017. Then there is another book, a silly post-apocalyptic story based on one of my favourite ever bands, set when I was at the peek of my powers, in the mid-nineties. I've got some killer thoughts on this, the design of the book, EVERYTHING, I've even planned the chapters and story out, which never happens. I just need the time to write it.<br />
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So there you go, plenty to keep me occupied. I am just getting back into the swing of things again, having taken a month away from writing. It can be a bit of a slog, especially being an indie, but it's also pretty rewarding when you see the final product and the months worth of work come together.<br />
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Thanks for reading my ramblings. From me, Debbie and the cats, we wish you a happy new year. I hope that 2017 is one which you will all look back on with satisfaction.<br />
<br />
Salut<br />
<br />
DunkDuncan P. Bradshawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15808368550226131463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6175895344023048473.post-50268433723215027392016-12-27T09:01:00.001-08:002016-12-27T09:09:55.986-08:00What's Been...Greetings!<br />
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I hope you all have had a bloody marvellous Christmas? Mine has been spent mainly at home, for the first time since me and Debbie have been together, which has been pretty cool, though I am looking forward to getting my lazy ass off the sofa and doing something in the next few days. Not now though, I'm enjoying catching up on some video games and planning on what I'm doing in 2017.<br />
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But wait, you can't look forward, until you've had a bit of a look back, so, 2016, what happened? All in all, it's been a pretty good year. Released four books, all pretty different from one another. I feel that with each one, I'm getting a little bit 'better', or at least starting to feel like I have an idea of what works for me, and what doesn't. I've also written a fair few short stories, which have been included in various anthologies, a couple alongside some fairly big 'names' within this mad world of writing I find myself in. <br />
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I've got my own favourites from my releases, it's only natural I think, but ultimately, that is of little importance. Everyone is their own animal, and what one person likes, another one yawns at. All of them though, whether they were 2,000 words, or 88,000, are shaping my writing, and that can only be a good thing. <br />
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I never planned on writing <b>CHUMP</b>, if I'm being honest, and it was only being invited back as a guest to the excellent Festival of Zombie Culture, that made me write those stories. Not sure if the lack of pressure helped, but they were definitely among the stories I enjoyed coming up with the most this year. As a consequence though, it did mean that I stopped work on a novel when I should've finished it up.<br />
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But, it does mean that I've written two books already for 2017, both of which need reworks and editing, but it's nice to have a bit of a jumpstart on things, even if they will need varying amounts of work before they are ready.<br />
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Along with the traditional books, I've released my first audiobook, my short story, <b>28 SECONDS LATER.</b><br />
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I wanted to see what the process was like, how popular it would be, and to get a teaser of my new book out in the world, in a different format. It's something I'd definitely look to do again, but will see what would work well in this format, as not all books would I think.<br />
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A number of people I know collect their short stories up, and release them in their own collections. I personally won't be doing that. I get why others do, you may as well do something with them, right? If it's not doing much in one anthology, why not chuck it in with your other stories and release it? For me, I have a few bands which I LOVE, so much so, that I quite enjoy tracking down rare version of songs, or B-sides (if you remember what they are). This is the approach I am taking with my short stories.<b> </b><br />
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For example, <b>TIME FOR TEA</b>, in the first Black Room Manuscripts, is pretty cool. Perhaps it might be worth liberating it, the same with <b>I-SPY</b>, my story which went out with a newsletter, never sold on an outlet. Surely, it would make sense to chuck all of these into a single tome at one point?<br />
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For me, no. If some poor sod wants to read everything I've ever written, they can track them down. It would make finding that mobi file worthwhile (maybe), or picking up a charity anthology because a story of mine is in it, something to savour.<br />
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I've been lucky enough to be invited into anthologies, I see some writers offer reprints, and that's fine. For me, I would always want to write a completely original story. Why? So that whoever gets it, reads something by me which can only be found in that book. I think that makes it pretty special, though I realise that I am far from the level where anyone would want to track down everything of mine that has been published.<br />
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It's why I keep a bibliography on my <a href="http://duncanpbradshaw.co.uk/bibliography/" target="_blank">website</a>, mainly for me though, I have to be honest :-)<br />
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So what I have enjoyed reading this year? My personal favourite book of 2016, is <b>BERZERKOIDS</b>, by <b>MP Johnson</b>. I'm gonna say now, I'm not a big fan of single author collections (says the man who released his own zombie-themed one), but the cover alone was enough for me to get it, just look at it:<br />
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With the cover art by <b>Bill Hauser, </b>it grabbed me before I had even read one story. It didn't disappoint. The story <b>'EX-PUNK'</b> is probably the best short story I've read in a long time. So if you like bizarro and a smidge of horror, go pick it up <a href="http://amzn.eu/cuxYi5T" target="_blank">HERE</a>.<br />
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I read loads of good books though, <b>THE LAST SOLDIER</b> by Rich Hawkins, rounded off the excellent 'Plague' trilogy. <b>HELP! A BEAR IS EATING ME</b>, by Mykle Hansen is one of the best books I have read in a long time too, genuinely laugh out loud hilarious. Dark Minds Press have consistently knocked it out of the park this year, with a slew of novellas. Both <b>KIDS </b>by Paul M. Feeney and <b>RUIN </b>by Rich Hawkins (again), were standout titles, and with Laura Mauro on the horizon, I really cannot wait to see what they bring out next.<br />
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One of the books I managed to read, was a purchase from the end of 2015, Adam Howe's, <b>DIE DOG OR EAT THE HATCHET, </b>three novellas in one product. Each as different as could be. Both the titular story, and DAMN DIRTY APES, were excellent reads. The former has one scene which even made me feel a bit uneasy, which is quite rare. <br />
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I also managed to get round to reading some classics I've never managed to. Both <b>1984</b> and <b>ANIMAL FARM</b> were as good as I imagined them to be. <b>FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS</b> reaffirmed my love for fiction and film, the same with <b>FIGHT CLUB</b>. However, there is one thing this year that has stood out...<br />
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The hype train.<br />
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Being an avid gamer, this generation of gaming has seen so many lame ducks being released. Either buggy as shit, or simply broken, Watch Dogs, I'm looking at you. I kinda got used to it though, you know? However, this year, it has happened to me with a number of books I have read. First off, let me state the obvious, I get that people like different things, okay? Really, I do. If you know me, you will know that whilst I am steadfast on what I like, I fully accept that other people usually like different things, it's cool, I like finding out why.<br />
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There must be at least five books this year which were released, and lauded by review sites, big and small, and other readers, so much so, that I went out of my way to get my mitts on them. I'm part of this community, I wanna see what's hot, ya know? Time after time though, I was left disappointed. Again, see the point above, I get that we all like different things, but I wondered why it was that I didn't get on with them.<br />
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Perhaps they were too literary, too obscure, too safe, I don't know, all I know is that from now on, I'm going back to what I used to do, getting and reading the books that appeal to me. I like to mix it up, I don't stick to one genre, but I'm not going to get sucked into the hype surrounding a book, and then walk away after, trying to think of one good thing to say about it.<br />
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As for music, there have been some cool albums released in 2016, I didn't get to as many gigs as I would've liked, but I did find some new bands. My top five albums of this year are:<br />
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<b>1 - BLINK 182, California.</b> To think I nearly swerved this album entirely, is so weird, considering how good this album is. I'm a HUGE Tom Delonge fan, and the first single off California, didn't convince me that they were better off without him. I was chatting to Glenn Rolfe on Facebook, who said that this is the best thing he'd listened to all year. So I got it. He was right. It is the best thing they've released since their self-titled album a decade ago, it has everything that you want from Blink. Long may it continue.<br />
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<b>2 - ARCHITECTS, All Our Gods Have Abandoned Us. </b>If this list was on sentimentality alone, this album would win. It's soaring, abrasive and invasive, and so very, very good. Metalcore can be derided, not by me I would add, but this album is ridiculously good, and needs to be listened to.<br />
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<b>3 -THE QEMISTS, Warrior Sound.</b> This album was released on my birthday, and I loved the first single from it. But that was it... It fell out of airplay on my iPod, until September this year, when I put it back on again. It blew me away, it's definitely a grower, and one of those albums to help you get from A to B, whilst ignoring the world.<br />
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<b>4 - MOBY AND THE PACIFIC VOID CHOIR, These Systems Are Failing.</b> I love Moby, but have skipped most of his stuff over the last few years, this album though gets back to what I love about him. It is catchy, loud and fills your head up when you listen to it.<br />
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<b>5 - SLAVES, Take Control.</b> I didn't think that they could possibly top the last album, and whilst it does fall short, it is still outstanding. They've tried a few things out, not all of it works, but by god, when it does...<br />
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There you go, that's what I enjoyed in 2016, it has been one of learning, as it should be. I feel I have a better grasp of what kind of writer I am, and what I like to write about. I'm also out on my own now, so previous limitations have been lifted, though I now have to work even harder than before. I've had periods during the year where I wonder why I do this, and I think that is par for the course. We're not in this for the money, but as a way to get something out into the world, for people to consume.<br />
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I know that my style is not typical, and I'm an acquired taste, which will alway limit my appeal. But then, who am I writing for? Me. Anything else is a bonus, though at times, that is not the easiest thing to see.<br />
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One final thing to sum up 2016. The people. I've met some marvellous people this year, both through Facebook, and around the country at conventions. Not just that, but I've also gotten to know better some people that I've known for a little longer. Without exception, it has been my honour to speak to you, chat bollocks, and build up our friendship. I am not going to name names, as that is a little self-defeating, but chances are if you're reading this, you're on that list. Writing is very insular, and all these things help keep me going, so thank you. <br />
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Which leads onto one obvious question:<br />
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What does 2017 hold?<br />
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Well...that's one for next time, the appropriate juncture, New Years Eve.<br />
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TTFN<br />
<br />
Dunk <br />
<br />Duncan P. Bradshawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15808368550226131463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6175895344023048473.post-19764015481657374902016-10-18T10:25:00.001-07:002016-10-18T10:25:44.064-07:00The Beginning Is The End Is The Beginning<br />
Hello!<br />
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I'm gonna try not to waffle on too long, but you know what I'm like, let's get down to brass tacks. <br />
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I can confirm, effective immediately, that I am no longer a part of the Sinister Horror Company. There are a number of reasons behind this decision, but mainly, it is simply down to the fact that with any form of partnership, whether it's love, family or professional, people want different things, and do things in different ways. In order for me to ensure that what I'm doing with my spare time is still 'fun', I've had to have a bit of a think about things.<br />
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This caper consumes you, if the actual act of writing and all that entails wasn't time consuming enough, wearing the hat of a publisher, even on a small scale, takes up vast amounts of time. Then, when issues arise, they can snowball into things which distract you from what you're trying to do. This decision, and the myriad of possible outcomes, has been bubbling away in my head for a while now, and it is not one that I have come to lightly. But for the sake of my sanity, I have decided that the best thing is to part company with the SHC.<br />
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I want to place on record now, that I sincerely wish nothing but good things for Justin and Dan going forward. It's mad when you look back on what we've done in such a short space of time, and what we've achieved. I have loved going around the various conventions with Justin, meeting people and selling our wares. Through the SHC, I've met some cool people. None of this is going to change now that we're doing our own thing. You can bet your shiny metal ass that I'm gonna be highlighting their work when they've got something new to release, and no doubt at some point in time, we'll collaborate on projects.<br />
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This is evidenced perfectly by volume three of The Black Room Manuscripts, which was due to fall to me next year. We have all agreed that I will see this through to completion. I've loved putting this together so far, and I consider it a parting gift, of sorts, and will be announcing contributors, the chosen charity etc in the new year.<br />
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Where does that leave me? Well, the more eagle eyed amongst you, will have seen that since day one, the words 'An EyeCue Production', have appeared on all of my books. Since we set ourselves up, I have used the EyeCue brand as a means for the extra details I go to, in each of my books. All the graphical elements, fonts, design touches, all of that makes up how I approach publishing. EyeCue is the finishing school for my words, so it makes sense for me now, to start EyeCue off in earnest. I've got some ideas which will hopefully come to fruition within the next twelve months or so, once I've cleared some of my backlog.<br />
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There aren't too many other changes, my existing books have been rebranded, a mere change in spine logo, perhaps a new quote. The biggest change, is that each of my books now has one of these little fellas on the back, by the barcode, this one is from my upcoming zombie collection, CHUMP...<br />
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Creating the physical versions of books is what I love doing, not just the words, but the whole presentation. So now, being my own boss, I'm going to be able to ensure that every element matches what I'm after. Going forward, I've got plans to expand what I'm doing beyond writing, into other art forms, but that is a little way off yet. First and foremost, my focus is on bringing to life the books that I've got in various stages of development.This is not the end, far from it. For me, this is just the beginning.<br />
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So, there you go, cheers for reading, and if anyone has any questions, just PM me on Facebook. I hope you have a wonderful evening.<br />
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DunkDuncan P. Bradshawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15808368550226131463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6175895344023048473.post-67616310165453111132016-09-17T05:20:00.000-07:002016-09-17T05:20:12.069-07:00Summer's over. YES.Hello,<br />
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It's been a few months since an update, so thought I'd better cobble some coherent thoughts together, discard them, then waffle on as per normal. First off, I'm glad summer is done with, not sure what it is about this season, but it doesn't agree with me in the slightest. My mood declines rapidly, as the heat renders me sweaty and near useless, and my motivation and ability to deal rationally with adversity also takes a hit.<br />
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In that time, heXagram was released to the world, and I'm made up to see it out in the world. Personally, I think it's my best work to date, a real mix of styles and an interesting narrative, which is something a little different to other books out there. Must admit that its reception surprised me a little, I think that whilst it was difficult to pigeonhole, it is pretty much a horror novel. With each book, you learn lessons, and the biggest one I'll take from heXagram, is to stop caring too much about reviews.<br />
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Whilst they are good, to a degree, they are purely one persons view on your art. I became a bit too wrapped up in some of the feedback on heXagram, that it, coupled with summer, kinda kicked my arse for a bit. It is what it is, in the main, the reception has been really cool. Most point to being unsure of what to expect, only to then get to the end, and be thoroughly impressed. That's all I can ask for really.<br />
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Admission time, I did sit down and wonder if perhaps I should change what I write, following some of the comments. Perhaps I should stick to one thing, and not try to be different. That though, would mean that I'm not doing it for the right reasons. I write what I want, because I believe that the story is an interesting one to tell, not because I think it's going to be super-popular, or for anyone else. I'm not about pandering to trends or other people, and I'm glad I've gone through this now, so that I am 100% clear on it.<br />
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2016 has been pretty cool in the main, three books out, making five in total. It was going to be my lot until next year, but I realised that I had a couple of zombie stories not doing anything. After being invited back as a guest to the Festival of Zombie Culture this November, I wanted to bring something new, so I came up with the idea of writing a zombie collection. Nothing quite like giving myself more stuff to do huh? :-)<br />
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So, I sat down and wrote six or seven brand new stories about a variety of undead, a number also feature a few familiar faces from my Facebook interactions. I hope that if they read CHUMP, they'll do so with a wry smile at their depiction.<br />
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Another thing I realised, is that this year, I have gone from working on one project at a time, to having two, three or even four things on the go at once. This was doing me no favours at all. So from now on, I will be dealing with one thing, seeing it through, before moving onto the next shiny thing. It's a pain in the neck as I've got at least four or five absolute killer ideas in my head, but it needs to be done, more for my sanity than anything.<br />
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With that in mind, after CHUMP, I'm gonna be finishing up DEADLOCK, so it will be ready early next year. Then, I'm gonna choose from the list of ideas, and see what's next. The CLASS FOUR trilogy needs the next instalment, but I've had a killer idea for a new zombie book, which will kinda reinvent how they have been portrayed over the past twenty years or so.<br />
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Finally...I have had my first ever short story acceptance. LIVE TO SERVE, will be in the Stitched Smile anthology, MONSTERS v ZOMBIES. There will be two volumes, and am not sure which one it'll be in yet, but it's cool to receive validation of my work. Plus, it came with a little financial reward too. It's not much, but it's still nice to get.<br />
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Right, I've blathered on for ages. I really can't wait to get CHUMP ready for consumption, there are some really diverse stories in there, it's a good mix of serious and silliness. Have a good one you lot, take it easy.<br />
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DunkDuncan P. Bradshawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15808368550226131463noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6175895344023048473.post-27794393270674174992016-06-25T05:53:00.000-07:002016-06-25T05:53:52.292-07:00Update from my brainHola!<br />
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Been super-busy recently with loads of stuff, so thought I'd best give an update on things. First off, I have a bit of announcement to make about Deadlock. This is a tale of a retired thief, who is talked into one last job. Unfortunately, it's a trap, and he and his chums are pitched into Hell. I finished the third draft a few weeks back, and had a few niggly doubts about it. The wife read through it, and whilst she enjoyed it, seemed to suffer from the same problem that I did.<br />
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Thing is, there are some really excellent parts to it, it's dark, horrible, yet still quite funny in places. The main problem is that the links between each section aren't right, and I've been unable to put my finger on exactly what is causing the problem. So...I have put it on hiatus, probably until next year. If I had only this book to work on, I think it would make the Halloween launch date with ease, but I've got some stories and events coming up, which mean that my time has to be spent doing other things. I'm a little disappointed, but I want to make sure that when it comes out, it is everything I want it to be, and until I can work out what the hell is wrong with it, and fix, it just isn't working.<br />
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So, that means, that my only guranteed release for the rest of 2016, is Hexagram, which is out in a month. Expect to hear more about this as we approach the launch, and beyond. You can pre-order both the physical and digital copies through the links below:<br />
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UK - <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01ER88UWU">http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01ER88UWU</a><br />
US - <a href="https://amzn.com/B01ER88UWU">https://amzn.com/B01ER88UWU</a><br />
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What do I have lined up for the next few months? Well...I've got a few short stories to write for a number of projects, some of which I'll be able to announce in the next few months. Plus, I have a number of interviews and the like to get sorted out, for the Hexagram release. Then, I am going to be picking up my zombie hat again, and finishing up the Class Four trilogy.<br />
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The second book, 'Versus' has changed a little in my head over the past few months, and I think it will make it work a lot better. It is now a straight up head to head between the Children of Ishtar, and the two psycho's from Class Three. It'll help add a bit of back story to the first book, whilst setting things up nicely for the conclusion with book three. Having popped down to Rhayader the other day, where the survivors in my book are holed up, I've got a good feel for the lay of the land, and how the huge climactic battle will unfold.<br />
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In slightly different news, the small press I co-run, The Sinister Horror Company, has got some excellent releases coming up. The second volume of our charity anthology, The Black Room Manuscripts, is out in a few weeks, and my story, 'Mutant Building 101' is in it. It's an OTT fifties homage to B-movie monster films, and is completely different to anything else in the anthology. Make sure you snag a copy, through the links below:<br />
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UK - <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01FV80MLM">http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01FV80MLM</a><br />
US - <a href="https://amzn.com/B01FV80MLM">https://amzn.com/B01FV80MLM</a><br />
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Finally, July is convention season for the SHC, and you can find my cohorts and I at a number of places during the month. There's a link below to where we'll be, if you're also there, make sure you come across and say hello!<br />
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<a href="http://sinisterhorrorcompany.com/meet-us/">http://sinisterhorrorcompany.com/meet-us/</a><br />
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Have a good one peeps.Duncan P. Bradshawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15808368550226131463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6175895344023048473.post-31814715621981377702016-06-11T06:17:00.001-07:002016-06-11T06:17:28.308-07:00New novel, Hexagram, will be released...Ahoy, just a quick one, my new novel, Hexagram, will be released into the world on Monday 25 July 2016. I really cannot wait for this to be out there, I feel it has my best work to date in. It's probably more of a concept 'album' than anything, as it is six stories, over five hundred years, linked together by an Inca ritual.<br />
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But hey! Here's a little teaser trailer to whet your appetite:<br />
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You can pre-order either the physical or digital copies right now too, through the links below:<br />
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Amazon UK - <a href="http://bit.ly/HexagramUK">bit.ly/HexagramUK</a><br />
Amazon US - <a href="http://bit.ly/HexagramUS">bit.ly/HexagramUS</a><br />
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Expect to hear loads about this before, during and after launch. Any questions though, hit me up on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/duncanpbradshaw/" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, would love to hear from you. <br />
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Cheers<br />
<br />
DunkDuncan P. Bradshawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15808368550226131463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6175895344023048473.post-36319283093977186032016-04-02T03:33:00.002-07:002016-04-02T03:33:58.950-07:00An Ode To StuffGreetings once more,<br />
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It's Saturday morning, the sun is shining, and being the utterly miserable sod that I am, I'm in my office, sheltered from its annoying rays. Been thinking a lot about the actual act of writing recently, how one day, you can save your current WIP, and you think, 'you know what, there's some good shit there'. You even have a look back and allow yourself a chuckle at a witty exchange or wince from a particularly nasty death. Then you get the days when getting the words down is like pulling teeth. The laptop closes and you are filled with, 'why am I even bothering to do this?'<br />
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It's important to have support, in whatever form that takes, it is different for everyone. Up until recently, I thought it was one thing, when it is actually something else entirely. My wife Debbie HATES horror, can't stand it in the slightest, makes her squeamish, and it is just not her bag. Yet, throughout my writing, she's always asking when she can read the current project I'm working on.<br />
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Sure, some bits she skims over, one chapter in Class Three (fifteen if you're interested), she will not re-read at all, as she says it's too much for her, but she reads it. She is the first person to read through the third/fourth draft, when I'm happy that it's ready for consumption. There is a point to all of this (honest)...I read Stephen King's 'On Writing' recently, and he said that you write for someone else. Up until then, I assumed it was me. It's not, like Stevo writing for his missus, I realised that I was writing for Debbie.<br />
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With writing, once it is out in the world, the only feedback you get are reviews or comments on social media, but when Debbie is reading through my latest brain dribblings next to me, I hear her laugh, so can ask what she found funny. I see her squirm when she gets to the sick bits, and I see her puzzled face when she gets to something I haven't explained very well.<br />
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She is who I write for, and I think that is pretty damn cool.<br />
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So, what am I up to? Well, the first draft of Deadlock is done and currently sitting where I left it on the hard drive. I think I've done what I did with Hexagram, in that I started it off all serious, and then remembered that serious isn't my <i>thing</i>. The first few edits will restore order to that, plus...late last night, Stephen Cooney sent me the cover. Wanna see? Here it is...<br />
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Pretty cool huh? Well, I think so anyway. It's a bit odd to have a cover ready for a book which won't be out until October, but hey. More on that in the coming months. With the first draft finally done, the plan was to have a few days off, finish The Division, then hit up some short stories. But try as I might, I just couldn't get into any of them. Then I had a flash of inspiration. There was a story about Rachel Riley from Countdown accidentally spelling out a swear word, then some wit on Facebook, posted this:<br />
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This got me thinking...what if a world-ending beast was summoned from some hellish plain accidentally. 'Summoned' was born. It's a working title, so likely to change, but another thing happened. Instead of trying to write it one way, I wrote it MY way. So far at least, the words are flowing from me like arterial spray, I'm loving it. It is also going to be a 'multi-narrative' book, I'd love to say it is a 'choose your own adventure' book, but it's not that deep, but there will be choices to make and different endings. Above all, it's going to be silly, like me. Plus...I'm hoping I've snagged the artist for it.<br />
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Prime Directive has had the Debbie treatment, and some further refinements. Re-reading it, I've found that there is a section, a couple of chapters, quite key ones, where I'm just not feeling it. My plan is to re-write them in a few weeks, so it'll be ready way before release at the end of May. I've always had a nagging doubt that some<i>thing</i> was missing from it, now, I hope I've identified it, and know how I'm going to fix it.<br />
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So we go full circle, back to what I said first off. The idea for Summoned, and even Deadlock came to me, and I liken it to a cloud. It lacks form, after chatting with Debbie, she made a suggestion for each, which made it go from being vague, to WOW, that will work. I'll go into more detail on these books in due course, along with Hexagram, which I cannot wait to share with you.<br />
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I'm just gonna leave you with this, sometimes shit happens, and you're wondering what the hell you are going to do. When all the things you thought were there, actually aren't. Take a moment to ponder, most of the time, when you look past all the other bullshit, you'll find that there is a constant standing in the swirling dust, and always has been. That is your support, that is the reason for spending your free time tapping words onto a screen, hoping to fuck that it will all make sense.<br />
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I'm off, got a couple of endings to write involving a giant apocalyptic beast, with seven arse cheeks, till next time.<br />
<br />
Dunk<br />
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<br />Duncan P. Bradshawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15808368550226131463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6175895344023048473.post-29765994265386644082016-03-19T01:52:00.000-07:002016-03-19T01:52:51.381-07:00An Interview With...Rich HawkinsWhy hello!<br />
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Super to see you, though of course, I can't <i>really</i> see you, but if I were you, I'd do something about your hair, it's a bit...Einstein-esque today. Well it's Saturday, and it's time for the second interview over on this here blog. Today's guest currently resides in my hometown of Salisbury, has a majestic beard, was nominated for a BFS award last year and (annoyingly) is a bloody nice chap. It is of course, the man, the myth, the LEGEND: Rich Hawkins.<br />
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I, like most people, first heard of Rich through his acclaimed '<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00MR00JZ2" target="_blank">The Last Plague</a>', and have snagged his other books to date, including the novella, '<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0993718035" target="_blank">Black Star, Black Sun</a>'.<br />
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The conclusion to his 'The Last...' trilogy drops TODAY, so thought it an opportune time to probe him, intellectually of course, whilst The Last Soldier downloads on your kindle, because you have just bought it, haven't you? As before, my interview consists of two sections, equal part sensible and silly, just like me.<br />
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Good, so, without further ado, let's begin...<br />
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<b>DB: I
thought my cheese supplies were running dangerously low, pray tell, who the Dickens are you?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
RH: I hail from
the depths of Somerset, where my childhood of science fiction and horror films
inspired me to start writing my own stories. I love cheese and coffee. My debut
novel THE LAST PLAGUE was published in 2014, and since then I’ve released two
novellas, several short stories and two more novels. I currently live in
Salisbury, Wiltshire, with my wife, daughter, and pet dog, although we’re
moving back to Somerset very soon. I write horror, and I love it. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNqbBIW2IMRu65qh09YO8sADzfDyPChseOIGkxY7yBebGl2d2rYipdMePKSlY4RDnS0CvaxlL-3a-SgHnS8NNdPhJNA9g6um4js2fJsz1m4gZyE5VAUETK5DDAKrhe_N_6BdImkmfF2Db5/s1600/tlp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNqbBIW2IMRu65qh09YO8sADzfDyPChseOIGkxY7yBebGl2d2rYipdMePKSlY4RDnS0CvaxlL-3a-SgHnS8NNdPhJNA9g6um4js2fJsz1m4gZyE5VAUETK5DDAKrhe_N_6BdImkmfF2Db5/s320/tlp.jpg" width="206" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>DB: The
conclusion to The Last Plague trilogy, 'The Last Soldier' is upon us, how do you
feel now that it’s all drawn to a conclusion?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
RH: It feels a
bit weird, to be honest. Bittersweet. There’s some relief that the trilogy’s
finished and I can work on other stuff, but I’ve still got a hankering to
return to that fictional world and add more stories to it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe in the future, who knows? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>DB: Let’s say
someone has lived under a rock these last two years, give them a quick rundown
on The Last Plague trilogy.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
RH: <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00MR00JZ2" target="_blank">THE LAST PLAGUE</a> begins with a mysterious virus that devastates Great Britain. Four old
mates on a stag weekend (bachelor party, to our colonial friends) have to
travel across the country to return to their families, all while trying to
survive the outbreak and avoid the infected hordes roaming the land. <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B013J9QNN6" target="_blank">THE LAST OUTPOST</a> is set six months after the outbreak, and focuses on a few of the
survivors trying to escape the mainland. <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0993207006" target="_blank">THE LAST SOLDIER</a> is set a year later,
and involves a character from the first novel return to Britain in search of…something.
I had great fun writing them. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4vXenMJNwfqyqJj5YTP3Em_O89GS3ftTgz9vbrd69vVALhIbU1pzVYcn2BNS0zfgIUTkwtnv6KSKkBVbkONuROZnlR7WPSC0RdxMo3Vp-5HkzDnqP7LgMsJhBnUsDbfiRyeop24zNYLum/s1600/tlo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4vXenMJNwfqyqJj5YTP3Em_O89GS3ftTgz9vbrd69vVALhIbU1pzVYcn2BNS0zfgIUTkwtnv6KSKkBVbkONuROZnlR7WPSC0RdxMo3Vp-5HkzDnqP7LgMsJhBnUsDbfiRyeop24zNYLum/s320/tlo.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>DB: How is The
Last Soldier different than the other two books in the trilogy, did you have
any particular aims or themes in mind when you wrote it?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
RH: It’s a
little different because the main characters are returning to Britain instead of
trying to escape it. I wanted to complete the overall arc of the story and
reveal the true nature of the Plague and its endgame. I hope I’m successful in
doing so!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>DB: When you
wrote The Last Plague, did you intend it to be a one and done, or did you always
have some additional books in the world in mind?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
RH: When I
started writing The Last Plague, I wasn’t thinking that far ahead, to be
honest. But once it was published I began to get more ideas for other stories
set in the same world, and it just went on from there. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>DB: To say your
stuff is bleak, would be like saying that the sun is quite bright, was this a
conscious decision to write this way?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
RH: As the
novels involve the possible extinction of humanity and the end of the world, it
was definitely a conscious decision! I lean towards the bleak side of horror anyway,
so it seemed like the correct tone for the books. I do worry that sometimes my
writing’s a bit *too* bleak, and it’ll put readers off my stuff. Maybe one day
I’ll write something with a happy ending (not that kind, you perv).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0jAMftmIxGWuWjvpeoccLPLMU0ppRU92RtZTdtFMG-QnUj_Z7NexICxRNnkduA8T2Lm0oTfpOifohbNC4j6OgstK22Xu15rDTEO9y2LasNgCNFLPSsAZGHB_2TGwyqipViHAwFjAHDC4d/s1600/tls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0jAMftmIxGWuWjvpeoccLPLMU0ppRU92RtZTdtFMG-QnUj_Z7NexICxRNnkduA8T2Lm0oTfpOifohbNC4j6OgstK22Xu15rDTEO9y2LasNgCNFLPSsAZGHB_2TGwyqipViHAwFjAHDC4d/s320/tls.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>DB: The world
and writings of H P Lovecraft are having a zombie-esque renaissance, you’re a
keen fan of both sub-genres, what is it about them both that inspires you? </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
RH: I love the
concept of ‘cosmic horror’ in Lovecraft’s stories – the insignificance of the
human race compared to the vast cosmos, and the universe’s utter indifference
to us all. Plus a lot of it involves cool monsters with tentacles. I’ve been a
zombie nut since my youth, after watching Romero’s ‘Dawn of the Dead’, and I
have a slightly unhealthy obsession with the end of the world, so anything
apocalypse/zombie-related inspires me to create my own apocalyptic worlds.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>DB: The Last
Outpost was quite insular, with Royce’s journey being the main focus, whilst
The Last Plague played off the camaraderie of the friends and was larger in
scale, which did you prefer writing, and why?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
RH: It’s very
difficult to pick one. I enjoyed writing both, but if I was forced to give an
answer it would probably be THE LAST PLAGUE, as it was my first novel and I had
no idea where I was going with it. There was no pressure. I just had fun with
it. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>DB: What’s next
for Mr Hawkins?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I have a few
short stories due out in various anthologies this year. My vampire novella KING
CARRION will be released in the next few months. After that, there’s another
novella due for release in September.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>DB: Will we ever
see any more books/stories based in your ‘The Last…’ world, aside from your
novella, '<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01B9VY8OW" target="_blank">The Plague Winter</a>', for the Infected Books Year Of The Zombie?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
RH: If I do
return to the Plague world, it won’t be for a while. I may give it a few years
and see how it feels. If not, THE LAST SOLDIER is a good end for the trilogy.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYRihkvlIg7hK-MXKk0C51lRmbDf9cM_M2Zjgnu66yOc5VbWij7Y3CwZRp23WE1KiuW6Zv_DZqbHRW675QYsO1OvQuD59LQbVHaxfyMFOycxBsLEK7mpblH7PzQ_Gk3U46UIHqf5nRM-BS/s1600/ib.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="118" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYRihkvlIg7hK-MXKk0C51lRmbDf9cM_M2Zjgnu66yOc5VbWij7Y3CwZRp23WE1KiuW6Zv_DZqbHRW675QYsO1OvQuD59LQbVHaxfyMFOycxBsLEK7mpblH7PzQ_Gk3U46UIHqf5nRM-BS/s320/ib.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
So...Rich, if that is even your real name, you have answered the questions which people probably think they want answered. I thank you, not just for myself, but for the two other people that are likely to read this. However, the real test of your prowess is yet to begin, bring out...THE QUICKFIRE QUESTIONS OF DOOM. (Totally trademarked up the ying yang btw) I need the first thing
you think of…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>DB: Oreos or
custard creams?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
RH: Oreos</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>DB: Weirdo. Upon opening
a cupboard door, instead of finding your favourite tin of soup, you discover a
pot noodle. What flavour is it?</b></div>
<b>
</b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
RH: Chicken and
mushroom</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>DB: What weighs
more, the futility of existence or a pillow case filled with spare change?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
RH: Futility.
Always futility…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>DB: You’ve been
infected, bummer, if you could choose, what new appendages would you hope for?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
RH: A
mouth-tentacle with a razor maw at its tip. That would be cool.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>DB: Whilst
flying to the Isle of Wight, you crash land on an island, there are two
survivors, Piers Morgan and David Cameron, who do you eat first, and what
method of cooking do you employ?</b></div>
<b>
</b><br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
RH: Piers
Morgan, purely because he supports Arsenal. In terms of cooking methods,
whatever causes him the most discomfort, I think. I bet he tastes funny. I’d
have to boil the awfulness out of him. Same goes for Cameron. Horrendous men,
both of them.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>DB: Giving up
the writing game due to a nasty bout of whooping cough, you form a band, what
style is it and who are the other members?</b></div>
<b>
</b><br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
RH: Doom metal.
I’d be on drums, with Cormac McCarthy, Russell Crowe, Gillian Anderson, and H
from Steps on whatever instruments they’re happy to play. Plus the three lads
from The Sinister Horror Company as backing singers… </div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>DB: Awww...seventeen
people line up for a midnight showing of the entire Twilight films, how many
could you shishkebob before the police taser you?</b></div>
<b>
</b><br />
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<br /></div>
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RH: All of them.
Anyone who wants to watch those films in quick succession obviously has a death
wish anyway…</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>DB: What is your
current number one smell?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
RH: The smell of
my old hardback copy of Stephen King’s IT. Smells like history and Oxfam shops.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>DB: Underpants…do
you wear your own or sneak Sara’s on, and prance around the house pretending
you’re a laydee?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
RH: I never
prance. I saunter. I wear my own, and they’re frilly.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>DB: Is Daniel
Marc Chant real, or a figment of your overactive imagination?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
RH: I’ll ask
him. He’s outside my kitchen window. I think he’s been rifling through my
rubbish, as he has bin-juice on his face.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>DB: That's not bin juice...I’ve just
smashed your Charles and Diana commemorative plate, how do you exact your just
revenge?</b></div>
<b>
</b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
RH: I send
Daniel Marc Chant to your house, where he will sing Uptown Girl in falsetto
while wearing the mankini Sean Connery wore in the film ‘Zardoz’. That’ll teach
you, plate-smasher.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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There, I'm spent, but I think you'll agree that I grilled him good. So before Rich and I towel ourselves off, and settle down for a nice cup of tea, and watch Zombie Fight Club, we wish you a good day, an update on my writing is next week.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Goodbye.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Dunk</div>
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<br /></div>
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If you like the cut of Rich Hawkins' jib, and you really should do, head over to his <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B007H91W68/ref=dp_byline_sr_ebooks_1?ie=UTF8&text=Rich+Hawkins&search-alias=digital-text&field-author=Rich+Hawkins&sort=relevancerank" target="_blank">Amazon</a> page to peruse his wares, hit his <a href="http://richwhawkins.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">blog</a> up, or like the shit out of him at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Rich-Hawkins-Writer-396739907194729/?ref=ts&fref=ts" target="_blank">Facebook</a>.</div>
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Duncan P. Bradshawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15808368550226131463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6175895344023048473.post-45508173012474135572016-02-27T04:23:00.002-08:002016-02-27T04:33:14.404-08:00Award SeasonIt's Saturday...I'm awake...it's time for an update on all things writing.<br />
<br />
First off, it's the weekend ahead of the release of my third book, Celebrity Culture, and my first release which doesn't include the undead. Weird. It's also my first dip of the toe into the world of bizarro, and from the few people who have read it so far, it's gone done well, (cue double entendre). It is no coincedence that it is being released the day after the Oscars. One of my big bugbears is the world of celebrity, where every move is captured, every body function filmed and people who would struggle to do a proper job, are revered.<br />
<br />
So this is my little poke at it, I hope that if you pick it up, you enjoy it, I had fun writing it, even if it was like pulling teeth at times.<br />
<br />
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</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyEfanLH60tnOvDIQ9HYUFUFZjgZ18YcSwMQ9Fes1bDSNuReMSB1TPYX-TXUq5aiVv5vNvBjzeP6lunO3MUqvaw4zmXqf9xTcy7Ery0J4KYwAmzyQ2ObgHAxuSihQbANYXchHuP1a9DYGH/s1600/10438519_10104275192996000_4715949678921057386_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyEfanLH60tnOvDIQ9HYUFUFZjgZ18YcSwMQ9Fes1bDSNuReMSB1TPYX-TXUq5aiVv5vNvBjzeP6lunO3MUqvaw4zmXqf9xTcy7Ery0J4KYwAmzyQ2ObgHAxuSihQbANYXchHuP1a9DYGH/s320/10438519_10104275192996000_4715949678921057386_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
If you want to snag a copy, here are the links, as a heads up, we use Lightning Source, which Amazon don't own, so physical copies are held back by a week usually. If you are keen to get it, best to get through my website:<br />
<br />
<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Amazon UK: <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0993534600" target="_blank"> </a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.co.uk/<wbr></wbr><span class="word_break"></span>dp/0993534600</a><span class="text_exposed_show"><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0993534600" target="_blank"> </a><br /> Amazon US: <a href="http://amzn.com/0993534600" target="_blank"> </a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank">http://amzn.com/0993534600</a><br /> Direct: <a href="http://duncanpbradshaw.co.uk/celebrity-culture/" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://duncanpbradshaw.co.uk/celebrity-culture/" target="_blank">http://duncanpbradshaw.co.uk/celebrity-culture/</a></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><span class="text_exposed_show">Work on Deadlock continues unabated, I'm up to 65k now, and had the option of taking a different path with it, which would've meant that the first draft would be finished this weekend. One of the joys of being a pantser. However...when I thought about it, I felt that it would then end up not being the book I set out to write. So have rewritten a chapter, and am now steering it back down the path originally intended. I do fear that it will be a bit of a beast...</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><span class="text_exposed_show">The cover is being done by the amazing <a href="http://www.stephencooneyart.co.uk/" target="_blank">Stephen Cooney</a>, who has done a number of exceptional covers over the years, most recently, Jim Goforth's Zombie Fleshcrave. Seriously, check it out <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1523305118" target="_blank">HERE</a>. He sent me through a sketch of the main character from the Deadlock cover, and it exceeded what I was after, and I'm a tricky person to please.</span></span></span><br />
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<br />
<br />
<br />
<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><span class="text_exposed_show">With the swerve on Deadlock, I'm taking a few days to re-centre myself, and then get back to it, may look to get a short story knocked up, but am undecided. I'm still umming and ahhing about what to do with Prime Directive, so have put it on the Kindle for the wife to read and let me know what she reckons. I'll then know whether it's a goer, or if I will hit up a mate to co-write it with.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><span class="text_exposed_show">So, exceptionally busy still, which is good, worked out that this year so far, I'm written 90k on two projects already, and with the plans for when Deadlock is finally done, it's going to be a mammoth writing year. I'll be taking a week and a bit off in June when we go on holiday, so hoping to get back from that and pick up on the second book in the Class Four trilogy, Class Four.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><span class="text_exposed_show">That's all for now, got a new interview with another author coming up in the next few weeks. Will give you a clue as to their identity...this could very well be 'The Last Interview'.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><span class="text_exposed_show">Take it easy y'all</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><span class="text_exposed_show">Dunk </span></span></span>Duncan P. Bradshawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15808368550226131463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6175895344023048473.post-4710406180885905312016-02-06T04:58:00.005-08:002016-02-06T05:01:21.643-08:00An Interview With...Kayleigh Marie EdwardsHello!<br />
<br />
In addition to my ramblings on what the hell I'm writing and doing, I'll also be posting up the odd (zombie) movie review, and interviews with other writers. The questions will be twofold, one set will be cutting and insightful, the other set...not so much, but will hopefully shine a light on their brain workings.<br />
<br />
My first ever victim is the rather wonderful Kayleigh Marie Edwards. She came to my attention with her <a href="http://gingernutsofhorror.com/challenge-kayleigh.html" target="_blank">Ginger Nuts of Horror</a> articles. At the time we were looking for contributors to Volume One of <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0993279341" target="_blank">The Black Room Manuscripts</a>, I approached her and was delighted when she said yes. Her story, 'Skin', was one of my personal favourites from TBRM1.<br />
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<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>"If this doesn't raise a smile and have you double-checking your zombie apocalypse plan, you're probably already dead."</i></div>
<br />
Her short story, <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01B9LBZOI" target="_blank">Bitey Bachman</a>, has just been released, and is a digital exclusive over on Kindle. I thought it prudent to try out my interviewing technique, and have stumbled upon someone as wonderfully weird as me, enjoy...<br />
<br />
<b>DPB - Hello! Who the hell are you and how did you get in here? </b><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>KME </b>- Oh heyyy. I’m Kayleigh, I’ve come for the mini pizzas. You shouldn’t have left that window open, I’m a keen climber.<br />
<br />
<b>DPB - So, your short story, Bitey Bachman, is out on Monday, how did it come about? </b><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>KME </b>- I
write every day, if only for practice. One fateful night, I had
infuriating writer’s block. I had nothing! I took a bunch of green
post-it notes and wrote a location on each one. Then I took a load of
pink post-it notes and wrote a crime on each one. Finally, I had a load
of orange post-it notes and I wrote a ‘situation’ on each one, you know,
‘huge fire’, ‘meteor crash’, etc. I chucked them all in a bag and drew
out one of each colour and what I got was ‘asylum’, ‘zombie apocalypse’,
and ‘indecent exposure’. And thus, Bitey was formed. <br />
<br />
<br />
<b>DPB - It pays homage (of sorts) to a particular musical…what was the reason behind it? </b><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>KME </b>- Well….
I like to be silly. The story is silly, the references are silly, and
that particular musical is silly but in the best possible way. I didn’t
mean to put so many references in there, it was only when I read it back
I realised I’d punctuated sections of the plot with it! I drew a bit of
inspiration from it (the absurdity of secret labs and whatnot), but
mostly I just wanted to capture the camp feel of the whole thing. <br />
<br />
<br />
<b>DPB - It
is clear from this, your Ginger Nuts of Horror articles and other
stories, that you’re ‘quite keen’ on the undead. Is your writing process
between zombies and ‘other stuff’ different? </b><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>KME </b>- There’s a huge difference and I think it’s because I’m a bit weird.I
can’t stand to read about or watch horror that’s all about human
suffering. Monster stories? Yay! Stories of people turning mad and doing
harm to themselves and those they love? Errrrggggghhhh that stuff makes
me feel all dead and cold and unpleasant inside. And yet, that’s the
stuff I write when I’m writing straight horror. It always goes that way,
maybe because a full nervous, emotional breakdown and a descent into
the most unpleasant mental states imaginable is what I consider the
scariest thing that can happen to a person. When I’m writing like that, I
genuinely feel depressed and I go through all these weird motions in my
mind. And it takes me ages to finish that stuff.<br />
<br />
<br />
But
when I’m writing about zombies…. Yaaaaaay fun! Even if you care about
the characters (I swear, if anything happens to The Walking Dead’s
Carol….), you can only suffer so much if something happens to them,
because the backdrop is pure fiction. It’s just straight, great fun. <br />
When
I’m writing, I feel like I’m in the zombie apocalypse, I go into zombie
apocalypse mode. But the fun kind. And most of all, I get to write
these totally ridiculous non-hero type characters that are inappropriate
for other types of stories.<br />
<br />
I wrote a play called Kill ‘em in the Brain
about four completely different, but equally idiotic and silly people,
and it was the most fun I’ve ever had creating something. It got staged
twice by a very talented cast who added lines and gestures – it was like
watching my kids grow up! <br />
<br />
<br />
<b>DPB - What are you working on now? </b><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>KME </b>- Finding
a house that isn’t full of damp. Do you have any idea how hard it is to
find a house in the valleys that doesn’t have damp in the walls?<br />
<br />
<br />
Work-wise,
I’m currently on a review tour of haunted places around Britain. I’m
visiting all these super cool, apparently haunted locations and writing
up my experience, along with interviews with staff and a history of each
place. It will be a series of video-uploads, blogs, reviews, and at the
end of the year I plan to compile it all into a book. It’s also the
basis of my PhD thesis – I’m interested in how the stories told about
these places affect the experience for those who visit them. <br />
<br />
<br />
<b>DPB - If you were only allowed to watch one zombie film until the end of time, which one would you choose, and why… </b><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>KME </b>- I’d
love to say George A. Romero’s Night of the Living Dead because it’s an
academically acclaimed beast of thematically challenging and poignant
filmmaking, and the first undead zombie movie of its kind. But I’m gonna
go ahead and say Rec., which was directed by Jaume Balaguero and Paco
Plaza. It was the first zombie movie I saw that actually scared me, and I
think the premise and set-up is cool. Edgar Wright’s Shaun of the Dead
is a close second, and the one I’ve viewed the most times though – that
film is a scriptwriting masterpiece! <br />
<br />
<br />
<b>DPB - Do you have any particular aspirations with your writing? </b><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>KME </b>- All
the aspirations. I’m not embarrassed to admit that I want to write a
novel that deserves to be on the best-seller list, and/or a TV show that
loads of people want to watch. At a minimum, I just want to make a
living as a full-time writer. I’ve spent my life having people (even
fellow writers) rolling their eyes at me for that, and I’ve spent years
enduring jobs that make me not want to get up in the morning, but why
should I? Why should anyone? Life is too short to have your soul crushed
by the thing that takes up most of your week.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>DPB - Excellent, you have proved yourself worthy of...THE QUICKFIRE QUESTIONS OF DOOM. You need nerves of steel and a sphincter capable of clenching in a quark from a Black Hole. I need the first thing you think of… </b><br />
<br />
<b>KME </b>- Cheese. <br />
<br />
<br />
<b>DPB - Ohhh, you're good, though the real questions start...now...favourite biscuit? </b><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>KME </b>- Cow biscuits (or Malted Milks, for the less childish). <br />
<br />
<br />
<b>DPB - You decide to farm animals to manufacture your own brand of cheese, which animal do you milk and what novelty food do you serve? </b><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>KME </b>- Bats. I’d serve bat cheese on little fang-shaped crackers, with Bloody Marys. <br />
<br />
<br />
<b>DPB - Christmas or Halloween? </b><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>KME </b>- Oh gooooddddddddd. I’d love to say Halloween, as a horror fanatic, but it has to be Christmas! <br />
<br />
<br />
<b>DPB - It’s the end of the world, HOORAY! Who do you trip up first to help you escape from the ravenous zombie horde? </b><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>KME </b>- The
careers advisor from school who made fun of me for wanting to be a
writer, and then kicked me out of her office when I asked her if
‘careers advisor’ is what she wanted to be when she grew up. <br />
<br />
<br />
<b>DPB - You
are shopping in a supermarket, and discover a portal to another
dimension. What do you throw through to test that you won’t be reduced
to atoms? </b><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>KME </b>- David Cameron. <br />
<br />
<br />
<b>DPB - You can make one band live forever, who do you choose? </b><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>KME </b>- Your
Protected. They’re the best band you haven’t heard of, but that you
definitely should have. If you get the chance to see these guys live,
they will melt your face off with sheer talent. If they were the last
people alive while the world was ending, they’d probably produce a beast
of an apocalypse track for the planet to die with. <br />
<br />
<br />
<b>DPB - There
are only two pairs of shoes in the entire world, one stinks like a
rotting animal resting in an open sewer, the other cuts off circulation
to your toes, causing festering sores, which do you wear? </b><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>KME </b>- I’ve recently worn a new pair that cut off the circulation to my toes,
causing festering sores, and I ended up limping around in the rain with
bleeding feet. I looked like something from Carrie. So, I guess it’s the
rotting animal smelling ones. <br />
<br />
<br />
<b>DPB - Odd numbers or even numbers? </b><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>KME </b>- It depends on if they can be divided equally by the number 3.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEnSy8w8CfYaDGxGOJa5bLU2GAF52GMbwLSkRyjUl5JW03Ki8Y_MO8BEK0ghT7lONWgfbjMht6r64jkSpUghuwpFghsCA2P6FX3WulAtd-s67udJSwYI9fDe3YXOHEZLCtywSgEI6LJwR5/s1600/me+copy+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEnSy8w8CfYaDGxGOJa5bLU2GAF52GMbwLSkRyjUl5JW03Ki8Y_MO8BEK0ghT7lONWgfbjMht6r64jkSpUghuwpFghsCA2P6FX3WulAtd-s67udJSwYI9fDe3YXOHEZLCtywSgEI6LJwR5/s320/me+copy+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
So there you have it, equal parts Michael Parkinson and Avid Merrion, thanks to Kayleigh for stopping by and eating me out of mini pizza. If you haven't already, pick up <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01B9LBZOI" target="_blank">Bitey Bachman</a> today, it's a rather cool take on the zombie apocalypse. Check out Kayleigh on her blog over at<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://kayofthedead.wordpress.com/"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span dir="ltr"></span></span></span></a><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" target="_blank">https://kayofthedead.wordpress.com</a></span></span></div>
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Take it easy y'all<br />
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Dunk Duncan P. Bradshawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15808368550226131463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6175895344023048473.post-20472847082703552852016-01-23T05:42:00.000-08:002016-01-23T05:42:05.553-08:00Get your ass to Mars<br />
Greetings!<br />
<br />
Hoping you are well and enjoying your weekend? Two weeks huh? What the Dickens have I been up to, well...<br />
<br />
The novel, Deadlock was put on the naughty step, as I hit a brick wall on it. Think I was trying to write it too straight, if you've read my stuff, you know there is an element of humour in it, and looking back through it, it's missing, and my initial get up and go, well, went.<br />
<br />
However...it hasn't been dead time. Whilst I reprimanded it, I started (and finished) an (as yet) unnamed novella. (More brackets? No) It's a sci-fi/horror story centred around the first manned mission to Mars. It's coming to the end of the trip, and the resident geologist, miffed that all she has discovered is egg smelling rock, sets off to the Galle crater. Whilst there, she makes a few revelatory discoveries.<br />
<br />
Needless to say, things go a little awry, and the crew are forced to fight for their survival. The true history of not just Mars, but also our own planet is revealed, can the survivors stop the destruction of everything they know? If the Galle crater rings a bell, here's a little picture of it:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ROp9oba-Dz5L5IzhZazIslmg8pZGTwRGWnp7m2GUilF1J8QKWW77JcfyBvkm5Dc0ud1KhbtXO7nt5gZu1U6sqbcIJ98QiJwLkl5w2XzhZNNv33yiBCcvbARl3kW4KcHkYTvb8lBJvM8Y/s1600/Galle+crater.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ROp9oba-Dz5L5IzhZazIslmg8pZGTwRGWnp7m2GUilF1J8QKWW77JcfyBvkm5Dc0ud1KhbtXO7nt5gZu1U6sqbcIJ98QiJwLkl5w2XzhZNNv33yiBCcvbARl3kW4KcHkYTvb8lBJvM8Y/s320/Galle+crater.jpg" width="290" /></a></div>
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It's also referred to as the 'smiley face' crater, and fans of Watchmen will recognise it. Hey, if you want to set something on Mars, may as well reference one of the best comics/graphic novels of all time huh?<br />
<br />
That needs to be edited, but I'm going to let it settle for a few weeks before I go back to it. There are so many potential little holes I could've missed, that I need some time away from it, before heading back.<br />
<br />
I'll be getting back on Deadlock in the meantime, and already have the cover image formed in my head, and the dude in mind who will hopefully be able to bring it to life. More info on that when it has been formalised.<br />
<br />
Elsewhere, I am over the moon to be part of Matt Shaw's Easter anthology 'Easter Eggs and Bunny Boilers'. The list of authors involved is a who's who of modern indie horror authors, to be in their company is pretty awe-inspiring, but also a little shit your pants scary. I've written the story for it, called 'Hey-Zeus', and that is currently off with Mr J.R. Park, to see what he makes of it. I don't want to give much away on it, but it's a retelling (of sorts) of the Easter story, just done my way.<br />
<br />
You can pre-order it right now, it's Kindle only, but an absolute steal at 99p/cents;<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01AMSYLUO">http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01AMSYLUO</a><br />
<br />
Finally, the physical proof for Celebrity Culture is winging its way to me, and is now available on Amazon for pre-order. It's £4.99 in the UK: <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0993534600">http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0993534600</a> and $6.99 over in the US: <a href="http://amzn.com/0993534600">http://amzn.com/0993534600</a> I'm really looking forward to this being released, though will be a lot more low-key than my other books, not for any other reason than Bizarro is a niche market, and this will definitely not be to everyone's tastes. Not because of the content, but just because it is pretty out-there. Still, if you fancy seeing what my brain is capable of coming up with, please do.<br />
<br />
I'm gonna get back to reading through Deadlock again, and try to get back into it. Really cannot wait for the books that should be winging their way out to people this year. Have a BONZER weekend, catch ya on the flipside.<br />
<br />
DunkDuncan P. Bradshawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15808368550226131463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6175895344023048473.post-41588390829630536282016-01-09T04:51:00.002-08:002016-01-09T04:56:50.981-08:00Living in DeadlockHello!<br />
<br />
Decided to blog more regularly, so that all three people who have a slight interest, can have a butchers as to what I'm up to. It'll be a mix of stuff, and will undoubtedly veer wildly depending on mental state.<br />
<br />
First up, my first foray into the world of Bizarro, Celebrity Culture, is confirmed to be released on 29 February 2016. The cover was done by the excellent April Guadiana. I loved the cover she did for Adam Millard's superb Vinyl Destination, and along with the Doof Warrior image, (which adorns a t-shirt I frequently wear), have been looking to find a project to use her talents on, if you missed it, here it is:<br />
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<br />
The synopsis is: It's the thirteenth annual Lou Gehrig awards. Four B-list celebrity
virologists vie to claim the Locked In Syndrome cup and get mulched down
to form their disease for mass distribution.
<br />
<br />
A disease hipster takes centre stage on a night when a blast from
the past threatens to turn his ordered, pus filled life upside down. In
order to blow open a deep rooted conspiracy, he must team up with a
disgraced one time child star who wants another shot at the big time,
and clear his sullied name.
<br />
<br />
Together, they’re going to show people the real meaning of a meltdown.<br />
<br />
The kindle version is ready for pre-order already, right here:<br />
<br />
UK: <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01A2FKU9S">http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01A2FKU9S</a> <br />
US: <a href="http://amzn.com/B01A2FKU9S">http://amzn.com/B01A2FKU9S</a><br />
<br />
The digital version is at the princely price of 99p/$1.49, purely because my principle is that any novel I release will be £1.99/$2.99 and novellas will be cheaper, because quite simply, you get less words. The physical copies will be ready for preorder soon too.<br />
<br />
I'm also 20k into the new book, now called 'Deadlock', it's about a chap who joins a crew on a jewellery heist, but ends up having to fight through hell. Early days yet, so still evolving, (I'm not much of a planner) but there are some pretty nasty bits in it already, might be my most gruesome writing to date. Provisionally, am aiming for a July release, so it ties in with our run of convention appearances.<br />
<br />
Typically, I've also had another idea running around, it's gonna be a novella I reckon, and a touch of sci-fi in it. This is provisionally called 'The Entity', and will write it after the first draft of Deadlock is done.<br />
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Nothing quite like being busy huh? That's it for this week, I've just gotten off a Skype chat with the other Sinister Horror Company chaps, and this year is going to be MENTAL. Cannot wait for you to all see what we have in store for you.<br />
<br />
Take it easy, and have a good one.<br />
<br />
Dunk Duncan P. Bradshawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15808368550226131463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6175895344023048473.post-75273664283037803102015-02-13T14:29:00.001-08:002015-02-13T14:35:19.698-08:00Zombie Move Review - The Battery<p dir="ltr">Through the many zombie films I watch, once in a while, I come across something which genuinely grabs my interest. The Battery is one such film. It's very much a film of two halves, first off you get to explore the dynamic of the two leads. </p>
<p dir="ltr">You quickly pick up the dislike between the two, Ben seemingly deals with the zombies, he's the batter, Mickey spends most of his time with his headphones on. It's easily a relationship of circumstance not choice.</p>
<p dir="ltr">One scene with a frustrated Mickey in the back of the car is just bizarre, something Mr Justin Park would appreciate.</p>
<p dir="ltr">To me, the film comes alive in the second half, ironically when they are are taken out of their jaunt and put into a static location. The two men bond, and manage to find some common ground.</p>
<p dir="ltr">I really would not want to offer too much more as it was genuinely fantastic. I picked it up really cheap, if you want a zombie film that's a bit different from the usual dirge, get it. </p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6TJAxtbV8VelW35Qi8jmZMArKpPsosceDPf3O8jM5aZUgdrLPgMu0KhVHKm9o11VbiVuPBakmf5HKtdGwhfs7COt4biZk1CA7nD_miH-5uaIwJ3R5wp9xHbIc8K3zdZvdDTCeh8xQZagF/s1600/IMAG0961.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6TJAxtbV8VelW35Qi8jmZMArKpPsosceDPf3O8jM5aZUgdrLPgMu0KhVHKm9o11VbiVuPBakmf5HKtdGwhfs7COt4biZk1CA7nD_miH-5uaIwJ3R5wp9xHbIc8K3zdZvdDTCeh8xQZagF/s640/IMAG0961.jpg"> </a> </div>Duncan P. Bradshawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15808368550226131463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6175895344023048473.post-66875891102421451002014-12-31T09:17:00.001-08:002014-12-31T09:18:28.179-08:00What's in store...<p dir="ltr">Hello !</p>
<p dir="ltr">So 2014 will soon be history and a brand new year full of fresh opportunities and things to balls up begins, huzzah !</p>
<p dir="ltr">To say this year panned out how I planned would be a hideous lie. It's worked out so much better. This is in no small part due to Dan Chant and Justin Park, without their creative spark I would never have written a book, so I raise a glass to them.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The last six months I've been slowly getting to meet people in the 'scene' and have been overwhelmed by how bloody marvellous people have been. I'm looking forward to getting to know them better next year and help promote them and their work.</p>
<p dir="ltr">2014 has been alright, I'm starting to become aware of my own mortality, and writing has helped fill a gap in my life. It's shown me that if you have a dream, do it, don't procrastinate, life is too damn short to worry about pointless stuff. Make the most of what you have but never be afraid to push yourself, you never know what you can do.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Next year is shaping up to be a busy one, I'll be writing the first books in the Class Four trilogy, and hoping to get my zombie choose your own adventure done. Plus, I've submitted a short story for The Black Room Manuscripts, put together by Mr Chant.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Always find New Year's Eve to be a bit shite, don't dwell on the past, cherish those you're with, look to the future and have a bloody good time.</p>
<p dir="ltr">See y'all on the flip side</p>
<p dir="ltr">Dunk</p>
Duncan P. Bradshawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15808368550226131463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6175895344023048473.post-47019293734418019032014-10-31T14:06:00.001-07:002014-10-31T14:06:29.261-07:00Zombie Movie Review - Battle of the Damned<p dir="ltr">Question, how can you you make a film with Dolph Lundgren better ? Add zombies or robots ? How about both ? Sound epic ? It isn't, not in the slightest.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The setup is like Escape from New York, Dolph, aka Major Max Gatling, has to go into an infected city and rescue some office dwelling, staring out of the window bigwig's daughter, and he only has 24 HOURS ! </p>
<p dir="ltr">Gasp. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Yeah, it doesn't get much better. I genuinely felt sorry for Dolph as the director obviously likes watching pensioners try and run. I was on the verge of phoning Age Concern, the poor bastard.</p>
<p dir="ltr">So, the zombies, or not, as Mouse from the Matrix tells us numerous times 'they're not zombies'.....no shit. You can just old age stab one in the chest and they die.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Still, the robots can save the film, yes ?</p>
<p dir="ltr">No. They look relatively realistic and work well, but they just don't really add anything except some competition for the array of stiff acting already on show.</p>
<p dir="ltr">There's some nice gore in places, but most of it is hidden, probably due to the budget being spent on a new hip for Dolph.</p>
<p dir="ltr">One good thing though. It's over within an hour and a half. If you're thinking of watching this, I'd suggest using the 85 minutes composing a haiku involving poor old Lundgren.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPDYJck8-Rs7xqv6R2C2B0lAccqRRRiFjdri2Kw0frZxBZAh5UPXKBQu94nzU9MpWE93ENH6GPOOKhmo-iNk-pKGuzDqddKVRo2sOGnfGXMyisA56ALIrqnO3xNy_5f4DN0qoPT8lRyQIs/s1600/1414788875992.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPDYJck8-Rs7xqv6R2C2B0lAccqRRRiFjdri2Kw0frZxBZAh5UPXKBQu94nzU9MpWE93ENH6GPOOKhmo-iNk-pKGuzDqddKVRo2sOGnfGXMyisA56ALIrqnO3xNy_5f4DN0qoPT8lRyQIs/s640/1414788875992.jpg"> </a> </div>Duncan P. Bradshawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15808368550226131463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6175895344023048473.post-81158558007343186302014-09-27T02:21:00.001-07:002014-09-27T02:21:44.376-07:00Zombie Movie Review - The Dead<p dir="ltr">Pretty much every single zombie film you'll see will be set in some town/city in America or Blighty. It was probably one of the things that piqued my interest in The Dead that it broke from this traditional setting, basing it in Africa.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The film uses the backdrop of the Africa wilds to good effect, small villages with head height crops provide idle hiding spots for the shambling dead. Yes, a modern zombie film where they DON'T RUN.</p>
<p dir="ltr">I'm a purist, the thing which makes zombies terrifying isn't them individually, its as a slow moving horde, you under-estimate them and that's where they get you.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The film itself is passable, the last flight from Africa crashes off the coast and the survivors washed ashore. One of the survivors then attempts to make his way to another airfield to get back to his family in the States.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Along the way he meets up with a chap from the local army trying to find his son who was rescued from his now butchered village by the military.</p>
<p dir="ltr">There are some proper gory feeding scenes, some nice little shocks and seriously one of the best zombies I have ever seen. The effects are well done considering the budget.</p>
<p dir="ltr">It falls short as I didn't really feel any connect with either character, pretty formulaic but if you fancy a different background, proper zombies and some decent gore, you could do a lot worse than The Dead.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD5L-kHjf8L1SCu6ZPO8ElpUvp9C-LhKAacMBKk3Pol99owFQmoO0NCqA9V8069Q4BhUZlT2hcrtw66qFF2fOMAH88Sz6EdPCPYUUmhFGOm4nwPbXJd8mU7b9DvLfex2KoEZYGbwECB9K-/s1600/1411809046657.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD5L-kHjf8L1SCu6ZPO8ElpUvp9C-LhKAacMBKk3Pol99owFQmoO0NCqA9V8069Q4BhUZlT2hcrtw66qFF2fOMAH88Sz6EdPCPYUUmhFGOm4nwPbXJd8mU7b9DvLfex2KoEZYGbwECB9K-/s640/1411809046657.jpg"> </a> </div>Duncan P. Bradshawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15808368550226131463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6175895344023048473.post-10821529403287226232014-08-26T09:47:00.000-07:002014-08-26T09:47:10.265-07:00Zombie Move Review - StalledHad a small pile of zombie films backing up a bit, so used the bank holiday weekend to watch a couple. The first of which was Stalled, billed as the new 'Shaun of the Dead'. It was good, but not on a par with the classic (to me at least) Shaun.<br />
<br />
The story is about a cleaner on Christmas Eve, apparently hard at work whilst an office party is going on. Forced to hide in a toilet stall (bit odd that as a British film, they used stall, when I've never called it that :-) ) when the toilet gets visitors, two scantily clad ladies, who decide that as it's Christmas it's time for some festive fun.<br />
<br />
During this, it is revealed that one was bitten by a delivery man. Yep. You guessed it, as they go in for seconds, one gets a different kind of necking........ Zombies shuffle in and he becomes trapped, along with another (unseen) toilet encumbant, they build up a rapport as he tries different means to escape. The most bizarre plan involves shooting severed fingers at a fire alarm using a bra.<br />
<br />
Yep. You read that last sentence correctly.<br />
<br />
It does elicit a few chuckles along the way, and some nice little touches, but I would not put it in the same category as Shaun. Still, if you fancy watching a claustrophobic, and British zombie flick, it's definitely worth a watch.<br />
<br />
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2140429/<br />
<br />Duncan P. Bradshawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15808368550226131463noreply@blogger.com0