Saturday, July 24, 2010

Zombie Fallout

Ah where to begin. The origin of Zombie Fallout. So like my main character Michael Talbot I found myself unemployed in July of last year, after getting completely disheartened with the lack of job prospects I did what any respectable man would, I started drinking. Just kidding but I was in a sort of funk, I was reading a lot during the night time mainly because the stress wasn't letting me sleep. My favorite genre at the time was horror, and mostly of the zombie kind, I love zombie books and movies, there really is just something about it that captivates the imagination. So one day I had just finished reading After Twilight by Travis Adkins and I had that usual post partem depression you get after you've just read a good book and now its over. And I was like, 'I'd like to write a zombie book', kinda half kidding and my wife was like 'why don't you.' And that was really just about it, it started off a little slow and then really just took on a life of its own. I pumped that book out in roughly three months.
So now I have this book which I'm super proud of and I couldn't show it to anyone, it felt like it was too much a part of me. I guess it was akin to showing off one of your kids and then someone coming back with 'Oh that's nice.' I honestly didn't think I could handle the criticism (I'm still not sure). My wife was excited at that point to shop the book around and I think (don't tell her) that we put it up on kindle too soon. I ended up rereading the book 9 times, editing as I went. I know its not perfect at this point but its light years better than it was. I had a person that bought the book in its early early stages and he lambasted the shit out of it, gave me one star, he might as well have stabbed me with a fork, in the heart. I just wanted the book off of the internet at that point, but after my revisions and posting the newer version up I started to get better reviews and feedback. You know who you are, I cannot thank those folks that have emailed me, and told me they liked the book and when is the next one coming out? That shit makes me so effen happy, I'm like a kid in a high powered rifle store.
It was unbelievably hard to 'LET GO' of book one but until I did that it was damn near impossible to get started on book two. A Plague Upon Your Family, will by the end of this weekend be 2/3 done. There are some twists and turns that I hope keeps you the reader enthralled and not too pissed at me for some of the things I did, I guess we'll see. I would love to use this blog to answer ANY question I can regarding the book(s) and some in regards to me, I tend to be a semi-private person but I'm no recluse.
As for some fun facts about book one: Tommy was not supposed to make it off of the Walmart roof, he was supposed to die some gruesome death up there as the Talbots watched in fascinated horror. Little Turtle is an actual place although instead of 8 foot high stone walls, alas it only has a 6 foot high privacy fence. Henry is also real, and he does fart, burp, sneeze and drool. God I love that dog. The zombie sex scene in the basement was not of my origin, I am going to let my sick, twisted brother take full credit for inserting that blasphemous idea into my head. I have made a promise to a new friend and fan of mine (Rich Baker) that I will update this blog periodically, so with that in mind. THANK YOU for buying my book and God I HOPE enjoying it! Pin It Now!

44 comments:

  1. So this is the humble beginning... When you see the above written post as a forward for his 20th book, we will all say "I remember back in the day when Mark was cool and actually admitted that his dog's crap still stunk"

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  2. I haven't figured out this blog thing yet, but if Henry's picture isn't on top, there's a link on the right hand side of this page. once you see him you'll understand why Mike Talbot risked his life to save that squishable face.

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  3. I can't wait until book 2. Maybe you can make September the month to remember for the year 2010 when Resident Evil and your book comes out. Maybe that's putting on the pressure. Ha ha:) Henry is pretty cute...but I think I still would think twice before saving my dog, especially if she made it difficult to save her. :)

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  4. Hey Tanya, don't tell anybody but I am really going to try and finish the book by the end of August. With a quick edit the outlook to make it presentable would be mid to late September, for the electronic version and mid October for the trade paperback. Oh and Talbot has thought twice about saving his squishy faced friend, he just always chooses to save Henry's stinky butt. I hope your foot is healing well, and thank you again.

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  5. Ok so I was talking to this guy that wanted to do a review on the book, and I said sure I'll send you a copy. So I sent him one, I know rocket science right? Anyway we got to talking and I told him that he should expect some grammatical issues and things along those lines. I smoked a lot of left handed cigarettes when I was in my High School English class, didn't retain much. But I digress, come to find out his wife is sort of an editor in waiting, that is something she aspires to do. So we send a couple of emails back and forth and she offers to do a sample page for me. FRIGGEN BRILLIANT! So we work out an awesome deal, she makes some money and I still get to eat, its a win win, long story short she just sent me chapter one of the first book back tonight. It's awesome, everywhere I sort of stumbled on a word or two(dozen) she made smooth as silk. For those of you that have been with me from the beginning I promise that once she is done I will send you all an updated copy for free. I'm gonna ask her if I can post her name because if you're ever in need of some editing she's your person.

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  6. Hey Mark! Glad to hear you aren't just blowing smoke up my ass when you say you like the edits. I'm having a ton of fun with it and can't wait to keep going. Plus...you gotta eat if you want to be able to finish the second book, right? :D

    And hell yeah, pass my name along...maybe I could stop dealing with middle schoolers and get to do this all the time. I can dream, right? :D

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  7. Hi Emily, As for blowing smoke, not a chance your stuff is awesome, plus I learned a long long time ago, I can't lie to save my life. Congrats (I'm sure you know what that means) and if I ever get this book off the ground, I can dream too, man we'll be in for a fun ride.

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  8. I lost my dog today, King George. He was an 11 year old English Bulldog, we rescued him from an abusive owner and he showed us how amazing english bullies are. He was always sort of aloof, I think that came from the abuse, but he loved being around the family. You could not take two steps anywhere in the house without him somehow being under foot, we used to think he harnessed some sort of magic to be able to constantly be where you wanted to go. I'll miss you George I hope they have a huge doggie bed laid out for you wherever you are.

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  9. Mark, you are an inspiration. I love the start of the blog. I am a quarter of the way through your book and it just grabs me. I love the way you write. Excellent fun! Can't wait for the next installment!

    Cherryfly, if I ever get my thoughts together for my book, I will probably be looking for a way to contact you! I've started... ;)

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  10. I am closing in on the end of book two!!! I cannot wait to get this out of my head! I promise lots of twists, a couple of turns and a death or two. My goal is still the end of August, I will need to do at least one read through, maybe more like four and then I'll get it up on amazon. My wife just submitted book one on Smashwords which apparently opens me up to a much wider audience, that would be sweet. To all who have read, are reading or contemplating reading my book, thank you very much!

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  11. Ok couple of cool things, Zombie Fallout cracked the top 100 in paid out sales for SciFi Adventure and the book has now gone worldwide!!! No more generic mac n cheese for me, I'm moving up to Kraft!

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  12. Zombie Fallout 2: A Plague Upon Your Family is DONE!!!! (now time to edit...bummer)

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  13. Ok so I was hoping to start editing book two and something crazy happened...I started writing book 3. I know, I know, horse before the cart shit. I just am ready to get this trilogy done, but I promise I will work on the editing this week (and book 3 - no working title besides ZF3 yet).

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  14. Hey all who may visit. So book two is done and working on editing, the cover should be done and in my hands in the next week or so, pretty excited about that. What's got me down though is some reviews on amazon, my wife told me to stay away from reading those, no good can come from them, and hell if she wasn't right. So I know I'm not Mark Twain, and not everyone is going to like my stuff, but sh** it still sucks when someone takes a crap on your work. Should I be letting it affect me like this? Nope. I know that. But its easier typed than done. For those that enjoy my books, thank you. for those that don't, I appreciate your honesty (if not your words) and will do what I can to make my next book better than the last, secure in the knowledge that even the legendary authors had their detractors.

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  15. Don't let the Amazon reviews get you down too much, after all they are what made me decide to purchase your book. I am a big fan of zombie movies, books, comics, etc. You did an awesome job and I can't wait for book two. Keep up the great work.

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  16. Ok it feels like I'm dragging my feet but I'm not. I'm working my ass off to get out a very polished book. I will put the first three chapters of the new book on my web site marktufo.com this weekend, and thank you Russell for the kind words.

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  17. Keep your chin up Mark! This blog is going great and there is a nice buzz in the zombie fiction world about your second book. My kids ask every day(for obvious reasons) when is your friend Marks new book coming out! Porkchop is on his SECOND read of book 1. We have faith in ya man.

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  18. So I have the 1st three chapters of book 2 up on my web site www.marktufo.com. I promise this book WILL be available on amazon on Wednesday the 29th of September, I mostly swear to that being true.

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  19. I swear I did not write this review myself but I definitely approve of the message!!! Thanks Rich!

    Zombie Fallout 2 "A Plague Upon Your Family" not only picks up where the first book left off, it pretty much picks up the whole zombie fiction genre then drops it on its collective ass. I don't know which has more twists, the storyline or Mike Talbot's psyche. I read this book in one day, not because I had nothing better to do, but because once I started reading it, I felt like I was betraying every character in the book if I didn't stick it out with them for the duration. Mark Tufo's raw and real writing style makes you feel less like a reader of a story and more a participant who is being brought up to speed as to what they missed while out looking for Pop Tarts. The strangest things creep into your mind during stressful times and Mark's exploration of these seemingly absurd things make me chuckle with "OK, maybe I'm not the only
    guy that thinks about sex, sex, food, sex and sex" running through my frontal lobe. A damn good story from the most natural storyteller I have ever read.
    Rich Baker – Zombie Fan Extraordinaire

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  20. ZOMBIE FALLOUT 2 A Plague Upon Your Family is now available on Smashwords.com

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  21. I just finished reading ZF1 and I was enthralled! I am big fan of the zombie genre and you really gave me a good read. I am going to get ZF2 right now, hopefully it's available on Kindle. I love to write, but haven't had the courage to seek out an agent/publisher yet. I've always wanted to write a zombie book as well, and your true life story of how you made it is an inspiration to me. Thanks :) Monique Happy

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  22. Hi Mohappy, I'm thrilled you liked my book. Hopefully you'll like the 2nd as much as the first. As for an agent/publisher I've had absolutely no luck with that route. Pretty much edited book one (got help on the 2nd) to the best of my abilities and then self published it on amazon, have done some ads and started my own website/blog and gone from there. My advice to you, put your work on amazon but DO NOT read your reviews, have someone screen them for you. For me personally letting book one out and away from me was EXTREMELY difficult and then have critics rip you a new one is brutal. But the support I have received from fans far outweighs the people that probably don't even like puppies. I hope to some day see your stuff out there, let me know when you do, I'll buy a copy. THANK YOU for your support, its readers like you that keep me typing.

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  23. Mark, thanks for the response! I loved ZF2 and then devoured the first Indian Hill book. Now eagerly waiting for more. I guess I'll get crackin' on my book(s) while I'm waiting. And thanks for the advice, I'll stay clear of the puppy haters and pick a designated review reader.

    Monique Happy

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  24. Hey all, ZF2 became available in trade paperback format today. Pretty happy about that. Did not get as much writing done this weekend as I had hoped. I have bronchitis, my son twisted his knee is his football game saturday morning and my wife cracked her rib in a freak fall saturday night. Has not been a great weekend in the Tufo household. Happy Halloween!

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  25. So ZF3 is about a quarter done at this point. Was really struggling with some storyline issues and had a major breakthrough today. Trying to stay away from predictable plots and stuff that's been done (easier said). So with that in mind I think that the pace of the book is going to move a lot quicker now. Still too early to give a completion date but I have thought of a working title...more on that later.

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  26. I just read the second book it was great not only as horror genre but also a very humor enriched book at some parts I was wondering if this more humorous than scary.

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  27. Hey Toto, Really glad you liked the book. Okay going to try and not ramble but I am on a painkiller broke a damn bone in my foot. So is the book more a horror or a comedy? Well that decision would be made in the mind of the reader. So what was I going for? First and foremost is horror, I love the zombie genre. My goal was to make it as scary as possible while interjecting the insights of a slightly nuts Michael Talbot. How he would view the situation, his insights and thoughts and spin. The horror he feels is real, his family means everything to him and he will do what ever it takes to ensure their safety that he also happens to have more hang ups than your average human is where the humor comes into play. Book 3 is about a third done!

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  28. So I know I'm supposed to stay more up to date on this blog, but I'm finding that I have to spend more and more time with the Talbots as they are in a world of hurt right now. Zombie Fallout 3: The End... is roughly half done, I know that I had originally started this endeavor as a trilogy, so I hope this news makes you happy as opposed to 'Oh crap I have to read another one.' Because I'm actually thinking 4, possibly 5 books. Good hunting!!

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  29. For Gods sake man, stop messing around with this blog and start writing!!!! I just read both books in three days and your only half done with the third book? Coffee... lots of coffee and Red Bull! Now stop reading and get back to work.

    By the way, excellent story!

    Rob

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  30. Okay I'm on my sixth red bull and I can't feel my feet does that mean anything bad? Book three is 2/3 done.

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  31. I don't think you need your feet to type. Let me try. nhnjhm zHNJmkx cvkjxc b..... Nope!

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  32. Just read both fallout books. I need the third book! There are a lot of zombie apacolyptic books out there, but you definitely came up with an original here. Great characters on both the "good" and "bad" side. You definitely put your own spin on this genre. Made it your own. The second books opening about Eliza threw me off a bit and honestly, her story still does, but it also makes it scarier when the enemy can think and you can't hide! I understand the direction you took and why you took it. Overall, these books as some great reads. Let us know when the third installment is out.

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  33. Hello Kevin! First off thanks for the kind review I appreciate it greatly. The third book (and most likely not the final) is WELL under way. My goal is to finish writing it in January and have it edited and ready by February. Made a few people ticked with the direction the second book took might do more of the same with the third. I love the zombie genre and the traditional slow zombie scares the crap out of me, but you know what scares me more? Really fast ones. Eliza was and is a puzzle even to me, she was never part of the original thought out project and as a matter of fact neither was Tommy. I can't even begin to imagine where the story would have gone w/o either of them. I'm stoked you liked the books, I look forward to your feed back when you see what I did in the third book.

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  34. Hi all, Writing took a hit this week, had strep. Still looking at a February drop date though!

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  35. Mark,

    Just stumbled on Zombie Fallout a few days ago. I actually bought it as something to occupy my time with, during 'less than pleasant' holiday moments with the family. I needed new material for my Kindle to keep me sane for the week.

    Holy cow, was your book a surprise. I've always been a zombie nut-job, but after getting the Kindle for a gift awhile back; I have been reading zombie books like it's my ticket to some sort of salvation. I have read no less than 30 separate books. Honestly? Your books are the most enthralling pieces of art I have ever read. I pushed on throughout the night, with your book being the last thing I remembered before I went to sleep. I even woke up to finish the book before I even got out of bed.

    Your second book was very fresh, creative, and utterly amazing. I don't care what kind of hell people give you for the 'direction' of your second book. Tell them to piss off. You're on to something here! There's only so many times you can read the same damned book written by 20 different people. Way to go, Mark! I completely enjoy Tommy, Eliza, the Talbots, and especially BT. I am anxiously awaiting the next book(s) from you in this series.

    Again, just to reiterate in the case that you were confused: Two thumbs way up for your Zombie Fallout series, most creative, new and fresh book for the genre that I have seen. I don't want to toot my own horn, but I consider myself a bit of an expert. I firmly believe that what I say is Truth (in regards to zombie literature). Your books have absolutely painted the appropriate picture of any given scenario. Your characters look, feel, and sound like real people. You are a natural storyteller, and I would love to buy you a beer sometime and pick your brain! If you're ever out in Michigan, let me know. Don't stop writing. And P.S. Charge more for your books, they're worth every penny and then some.

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  36. HI Mark, I just finished your second book. I am pretty sure a third is to ensue next. I myself love horror and have begun to write my own zombie Triology. I come from a family of Zombie lovers. It's for my lovingly demented self and family I take the quest. I also have many ideas for more horror stories as well. I am hoping to make it to Archon to do a reading. I applaud you Mark you are awesome. I love your own story as well as the one I look towards reading coming up.

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  37. Hey Nate, Dude I don't want to toot your horn either, but I've got to admit that I also believe that what you say is 'truth' THANK YOU!

    Hi Shawnda, Thank you for writing to me I graetly appreciate it! As for calling me AWESOME, Thanks again, but don't tell my wife, she already thinks my head is getting too big. I really am stoked, surprised, flabbergasted and about 30 other adjectives that people like my books, I know I say it almost every other sentence, but I can not say THANK YOU enough to everyone that has taken the time to write to me and let me know what they think!

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  38. Hey Mark, I just wanted to tell you that my wife and I have both just finished reading ZF 1 & 2, and we loved them! I could not stop reading them. But I have a problem, I don't know how much longer we can wait for the next book. Please tell me it will be on Amazon soon? All the best and keep 'em coming!
    Thanks, Mike Duffy

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  39. Hi Mike, I put somewhat frequent updates on FB so feel free to friend request me. Really glad you and the missus liked the books, my wife is a vampire fan so we battle daily in our household. The third book should be on amazon by the end of february. On a phone so this'll be brief but thank you for taking the time to write and soon there will be new and exciting pop tart flavors for your sampling!

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  40. I need The End...snowed in and totally mentally buried (bad joke) in the Talbot families travails.

    ANyone who would complain about any aspect of your authorship should ram some cotton home and scarf some midol....you rock. Write...publish...give my kindle the next fix it so desperately needs...

    Thanks for not being a shitty witer,

    Ron H.

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  41. Hey Ron, Thank you very much. ZF3 should (fingers crossed) be out by the end of this month, as long as Talbot doesn't try to alter the plan. My editor said he'd be done by the end of the week, I'm doing one read through and then I have an awesome person who volunteered her time to do a proofread. The cover art should be done in a couple of weeks max and then it's really just a matter of formatting...on a different note ideas for book 4 are already bubbling around in my head so I'm pretty happy about that. As for my critics, I wish they's give me their addresses so I could have Henry take a nice warm steamy one on their lawns (only in a perfect world).

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  42. have just read both books on my kindle in 3 days... OMG i feel like im in love with Mike Talbot (sorry to hear about henry, the part in the second bk when you talk about his farts had me crying with laughter, had to read several times!)..... can barely hold my toes waiting for bk 3.... your easy reading style and fantastic characters (would love to know what happened to Alex)have me wishing i had found you several books in the future... you are truly a great talent!!! pls post some more comments &/or pics....

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  43. Hi fluffyredfox, if you're into FB come and friend me I've got a few more pics of Henry. I do need to work on this blog though, I'm just really bad at self promotion. Book 3 is right around the corner, and book 4 has started to make itself known in my psyche. You'll be getting a bit of your Alex question answered in this next book, I'll leave it at that. As for being in love with Talbot, be careful he's friggen nuts. And yes any description I made about Henry's flatulence comes from first hand experience. If you have time reviews wherever you bought the book help out a whole lot and I would be very grateful, I actually already am that you took the time to write here. Have a great weekend!

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  44. ZF3 Is coming along well, still heavily mired in editing though. Have a couple of scenes that need some touching up and waiting on the artwork. Still planning on a release by the end of the month, I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

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