Three for three! Hefty’ story is complete. This is by far the fastest storyline I’ve written. I’m thinking that’s a good thing too.
Your (second) favorite zombie-slaying redneck is ready for you to take a walk through the wastelands in his shoes!
Up next? Tyberius.
This year, we ran for Team Alan.
While this was a “run where you are” event, I didn’t receive any pictures/times from 5ks out in the world, but you did something more important — you donated. When I announced the event last week, Team Alan still needed $1500 to make their goal. Now that number is down to under $800. I’m told this last stretch was largely from people who donated during our final push here, so if you donated at least $25 and I owe you a signed book, please let me know via my contact form.
In Denver, we had a team of five runners and one dog.
Here we are celebrating with a beer after the finish line, and I have to commend our runners who weren’t used to the altitude and/or had too much fun celebrating Halloween the night before.
You might have also noticed that I shaved my beard. You know that Halloween fun the night before I mentioned? Check out my costume:
Know who I was for Halloween? Leave your guess in the comments below.
Thanks again to all those who donated or helped spread the word!
Yep, it’s happening again!
WordPress, the site I use to host this blog, is doing their annual online 5k. It’s a physical event without a singular physical location; that is to say, you run/walk where you are, but through the magic of the internet, it’s one cohesive event.
I joined in a few years back, along with some of you–Dear Reader community–and then blogged about the results. But I haven’t joined the event for the last few years because I’m pretty bad at staying consistent with this whole social media thing. (Anybody remember when I used to do Humpday Hypothetical or Trivia Friday on Facebook? Yeah, me neither.)
When I saw the WordPress announcement email, I thought of one person in particular–my US Air Force Academy classmate, Alan Martinez. He was hit by a drunk driver in 2012 and his recovery has been slow, but steady (like some of us on our 5ks). His family still needs our help. Here’s how we can step up:
The Worpress Worldwide 5k “runs” from now until Novemeber 1st. You can run or walk 3.1 miles (5 kilometers) anytime during this window and be part of the event. But get this: The Martinez family is already hosting a virtual charity run. So, as an online community, we get to run a race together for a great cause.
Your To-Do list:
Results will be posted on this site and the #1 racer of each gender will have an extra $25 donated in your name for Alan.
Here’s the real kicker: Team Alan still needs to raise around $1500 to pay for Alan’s recovery, and specifically, his speech therapy. So, if we can rally to raise the money, I…will…shave my head and beard. And I’ll record a video and post the excruciating results of my looking like a freshly-shorn lamb.
Interested? Hit me up with a comment below or drop me a line to let me know you’re in or for more info/questions.
UPDATE: The results. See how we did!
UPDATE 2: The Martinez family is still accepting donations, so hop on over and contribute and I’ll extend the offer to shave my head. Hair today, gone tomorrow….
And with that, Sims’ story is complete. He might have had a rough go of it in INFECTED, but with your help, he’s ready to kick some undead ass in the next book!
Up next? Hefty.
I’m still hard at work with INFECTED: Origins (which I think is called PATHOGENS now), and one of the things I find visually fascinating about the apocalypse is abandoned theme parks. So…one of your choices will lead you exploring a derelict carnival.
Here’s a few shots that will help inspire that sequence. Some are from digital artists, some are from real abandoned parks. All images are hyperlinked to where I found them on the internet and I don’t claim to own any copyrights. Enjoy!
Yeah, I know…Zombieland. But I don’t care. It’s just a vignette, not the whole book. What do YOU think?
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I’m considering a new title for the next book. I’ve mentioned in another post that it’s another zombie tale, and was tentatively titled, “INFECTED: Origins”
Now I’m thinking, “PATHOGENS.”
I like it as a title because it’s a disease vector, as in, how an infection starts. After all, this is a prequel. Also, it would be my first plural title, because it’s the first disparate story, with plural protagonists. And…you know…paths. Choices. Get it?
I may still keep the other as a subtitle. “PATHOGENS: INFECTED Origins” or something like that.
What do YOU think?
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Yesterday I was back at my old stomping grounds for a signing at what must be my most supportive bookstore, Hastings in Killeen, TX. How’d it go? Let’s review.
Come get a signed book and a high-five at @goHastings in #Killeen Texas! #booksigninglive pic.twitter.com/15rqFIvi2S
— James Schannep (@JamesSchannep) August 8, 2015
Only one fan cashed in on a high-five, kind of disappointing. I did, however, sign my first book withing five minutes of setting up (from a fan who had been to both of my other Hastings signings). Off to a good start.
Mystery I’d like to crack: MURDERED always does well in person, but is my red-covered step-child online. #booksigninglive — James Schannep (@JamesSchannep) August 8, 2015
Seriously. I signed more copies of MURDERED than INFECTED yesterday and my zombies always overwhelm my mystery in the sales ranking. What am I doing wrong online that I’m doing right in person?
“It’s a shame I don’t read.” “Yes it is.” #booksigninglive
— James Schannep (@JamesSchannep) August 8, 2015
I’m too polite to say so in person, but whenever someone tells me they don’t read, I can’t help but think they’re confessing illiteracy. One guy even said, “Reading is against my religion.” Counterpoint? As a wise man once said, “The man who does not read has no advantage over the man who cannot read.” (Mark Twain) 
My nephew holding a book he’s not yet allowed to read (it’s at least PG-13, says the guy who doesn’t have kids). Still, those are real smiles!
My favorite are people who go out of their way to avoid eye contact. Look out, books are contagious! #booksigninglive — James Schannep (@JamesSchannep) August 8, 2015
And then, of course, you have the other end of the spectrum. The people who make me feel like I’m hocking a sham-wow or something. Pro-tip: Be polite, say hello, and keep walking. Or, if you stop by and aren’t interested, just say “good luck with it” and be on your way. I understand not every person on the planet will love my books.
This has been a much-needed “shut the eff up” for all those voices of doubt that plague us writerly types. #booksigninglive
— James Schannep (@JamesSchannep) August 8, 2015
It’s a roller coaster, with massive ups and downs. Yesterday was an “Up.” ‘Nuff said. 
Talk about a fun experience. I was introduced via webcam because a pair of fans wanted to “meet” me! I don’t have much experience with people “fanning out” but it’s certainly welcome. I spend a *lot* of time sitting alone with my imagination, so it’s good to remind myself that I don’t exist in a vacuum.
If I’ve learned one thing today, it’s that my nerdar is strong. #takesonetoknowone #booksigninglive — James Schannep (@JamesSchannep) August 8, 2015
Wearing a comic book t-shirt? Come check this out. Hey, kid in the zombie tuxuedo! I’ve got something you should read. Still, the nice lady in the American flag shorts with (another) American flag on her tanktop bought all three books, so you never can tell.
So thats probably the coolest thing anyones ever wrote in a book @JamesSchannep pic.twitter.com/ZG1awGJR4M
— Serenity Jade (@rinjade3190) August 9, 2015
I’ve got a lot to live up to if Mark Hamill is any example of autographing done right. Glad to see my nerdy scribblings are appreciated!
All in all, a banner day. Thanks for showing me a great time, Killeen! #booksigning pic.twitter.com/BG0KI4Iadv
— James Schannep (@JamesSchannep) August 8, 2015
And there you have it, ladies and germs. Until next time! Maybe with a new book to show off?
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Available now, suped-uped covers for all three paperback edition books. Like ’em? Let me know in the comments below. Want a copy? Check ’em out!
And speaking of paperback books, if you’re interested in having me scribble on a book (or three), and happen to be in central Texas, come on by Hastings in Killeen for my August 8th signing!
Boom! Rosie’s story is complete. That sweet, sassy, spunky 17-year-old is ready for you to jump into her shoes and shout, “We can do it!”
Up next? Sgt Sims.
What’s new? Quite a bit with me, as it turns out.
May was a huge month in the world of Click Your Poison, with a new book launch, and a $0.99 sale for the series. In fact, I had over a thousand ebook sales on Amazon for the month! Weee! (SUPERPOWERED is still on sale for the next two weeks).
I also did a live interview/chat on google+ which you can watch a recording of below. In it, I announced my plans for the next book, which I’ll go more into after the jump.
For CYP#4, I’m returning to the storyworld of INFECTED. You’ll get to play as the supporting cast from the original, to survive the initial outbreak from each of their perspectives. While it’s technically a prequel, I think of it more as a sister story, and you don’t need to have INFECTED memorized to enjoy INFECTED Origins.
For me, I see it as a challenge as a writer and an opportunity to grow. I’ve tried to keep out of your head and did my best to keep telling-you-what-you’re-thinking to a minimum, and to make the protagonist’s age, gender, and race as neutral as I can so you could better delve into the story as a reader.
But not with this book. Each character has a rich background with firm viewpoints about the world. So you’ll get to Being John Malkovich the story and ride along in someone else’s head. Crazy? Maybe. We’ll see.
Stay tuned for updates as the book comes along. I probably won’t have room for every single character in the book, so expect cast announcements as well. If there’s someone you think is a must-have for the book, let me know in the comments below.
Also on the horizon: I’ll be updating my events tab soon, with a confirmed signing in Central Texas this summer, and possibly here in Denver (SUPERPOWERED just got accepted at the Tattered Cover Bookstore — yay!)
Oh, and I’m doing a rafflecopter contest thinger too. Check it out: a Rafflecopter giveaway.
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Author James Schannep 