Empire: a zombie novel from Permuted Press

[Dave Dunwoody]

http://empirenovel.com/

I've just finished the final edit on Empire, a novel set 105 years in the future after a zombie plague has ravaged America and the rest of the globe. Inspired mostly by Lovecraft and Romero (with a little slasherness thrown in), the print version of Empire will contain a ton of new material including several new chapters, new characters and more information about the initial outbreak that caused civilization's collapse.

I'm not sure yet when the trade paperback will be released, but you can still read the online version for free at the site, as well as other related stories linked from there. If you sign up for the mailing list (a ways down on the right-hand column) I'll be sure to keep you updated plus you'll have access to some other cool stuff at the Google Groups page.

So yeah, this is my first novel and I'm jumping around like a little kid all excited to see it come out. :D I owe so much to this community - the inspiration, knowledge and connections I gained at F13 were all essential to Empire's existence. As such, there are many little nods to forum members in there - I'll see about putting together a list of the references.

But for now, please check out the online content and Permuted Press' (http://permutedpress.com/) current library of apocalyptic/zombie madness! And feel free to ask any questions.

[Gringo Loco]

Sounds good Thac. I'll have to give it a go when it gets published. I may also read some of it online. Could you tell us how long the book is?

[Uncle Hoody]

Congrats Dave!!!

[Just Jeans]

I was reading the online version for many chapters, but I fell behind. Then I found out a trade paperback version was going to be released, so I stopped reading the online version. I'm going to wait for the TPB to come out, then I'll read it from one end to the other. :)

[Dave Dunwoody]

Awesome J. :)

Gringo, it's about 250 pages in Word (10-pt Courier) and I think it might be a bit longer in print format. It'll also have a redrawn version of the city map from the website, this time done by a professional artist.

This is the cover art, by Michael Brack (http://michael.brack.free.fr/):
http://img472.imageshack.us/img472/4226/thereaperin0.th.jpg (http://img472.imageshack.us/my.php?image=thereaperin0.jpg)

It'll be at least a few months before things start moving publication-wise, but I'll keep people posted via the mailing list and come up with some other stuff iin the meantime to keep the fires burning.

[Gringo Loco]

Sounds good Thac. I look forward to it in print. There's nothing like sitting down with a good novel and reading it in between sips of your favorite drink. I'll make sure to join the mailing list so I can be notified of when it is published.

[Just Jeans]

I never managed to get signed up to the mailing list -- I tried, all the way back when you were running the contest about which character to kill off.

Drop me a message when you know something about the release date, Dave. I'll go out of my way to order a copy. You know I'm a fan. :)

[Brett H.]

How the fuck do you expect me to read 250+ pages?

[Dave Dunwoody]

One at a time dere

[Dave Dunwoody]

If you go to the Empire site in my sig and sign up for the mailing list (form's down the right-hand side), I'm going to start sending out weekly installments of "AfterDead", the prequel to Empire that has been running as a serial in The Hacker's Source (http://eveblaackpub.com/ebp/doorway.htm) magazine. There will be 5 installments, 1 per week, and it'll remain a mailing-list exclusive until Empire is published.

[Just Jeans]

I'm gonna try signing up to the mailing list... and hope it works this time. :duh: Mailing lists hate me.

[Dave Dunwoody]

Looks like it did! Awesomeness.
I'm not sure of all the ins & outs of Google Groups, but you should also be able to view/download the files stored there (there's a link to Files on the homepage (http://groups.google.com/group/empirenovel)). The Flash teaser is there along with some banners & desktops.

[Linderman]

I signed up and stuff.

Can't wait for this book.

[Andiac]

Haha I started reading it originally online, and then stopped. It was good. But I just can't read novels online.

So I'm waiting for my signed copy.

Will Afterdead be published? Cos let's be honest, I ain't gonna read it in e-mails. :p

[Dave Dunwoody]

You old fart. The collected "AfterDead" be released as a PDF sometime before the book's release, but not in print.

[The Tall Man]

Will you still remember me after you're famous, Thac?

T.M.

[Gringo Loco]

Yeah there's the real question: how can we get an autographed copy? :D

[Dave Dunwoody]

I'm pretty sure I'll get to do a run of signed copies, Permuted's done that with a lot of their other books. I don't know yet if that's up to me or what, but I'll do it.

Will you still remember me after you're famous, Thac?

T.M.

Psh, I'll always be Jenny from the block

[Dave Dunwoody]

I figured I just should just go ahead and bump ALL my writing threads. :shy: The story "AfterDead" is now available for download at EmpireNovel.com.

Yeah there's the real question: how can we get an autographed copy?

There's always a chance that Permuted will do a run of signed copies, they're known for that. I also hope to be at some cons in the next couple of years, so with luck I can meet some of you guys.

[Dave Dunwoody]

We're close to announcing a release date. That reminded me to try and recall all of the characters who are named after forum members. This is probably an incomplete list, as there are lots of entrées, I mean people, in the novel:

P.O. Hamman - Cody
P.O. Douglas - Dougball
Gene Pastore - DedKid
Senator Gillies - Andiac
J.J. - J.T. Jeans
Captain Skinner - Skinner/MaskMan
Doug - Doog/Linderman

[Alex DeLarge]

Sounds good. I haven't read the online version; I plan on picking up the paperback sometime. Give ya a little money so that next time, I can get a mention in! ;)

[Dave Dunwoody]

Works for me! :D

Speaking of the print version - it's now available for pre-order! (http://permutedpress.com/preorders.php)

It'll ship in April. Thanks for all the support, guys! BOOYA

[Dave Dunwoody]

HELLO. YOU WANT POSSIBLY TO BE SLEEP, BUT COMPUTER SAY NO IT IS TIME FOR ME AGAIN. WHY IS THIS. WELL MAYBE IT IS EMPIRE CONTEST (http://permutedpress.com/smf/index.php?topic=2959.0). WHAT ARE REWARD IN CONTEST. WHO KNOWS? FIND OUT SILLY!

http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/3092/27678340zf5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[Brett H.]

I THINK DUNWOODY HAS FINALLY LOST HIS FOOTHOLD ON REALITY

WELCOME TO THE FUCKING CLUB

[Dave Dunwoody]

Contest is over, old-boo is among those who have naming rights to 8 characters in the Empire sequel. Details, along with 10 "trading cards" from the Empire universe can be found here (http://permutedpress.com/smf/index.php?topic=2959.0).

Empire is now on Amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com/dp/1934861022) and is doing pretty well. Thanks to everyone who's supported this crazy thing!

[Brett H.]

I can't believe the Empire sequel is going to have a character in it named "Nuts E. Rodriguez."

[Dave Dunwoody]

Don't make me come up there I can get my passport photo at Walgreens

[Dave Dunwoody]

Please help raise awareness of the maelstrom of insanity that is <i>Empire!</i>

What you can do:

- Post on message boards (don't spam - post where advertising is allowed, or in your sig/profile) about the book and EmpireNovel.com (http://empirenovel.com/)

- Run down the street screaming "EMPIRENOVELDOTCOM" and beat your head against a wall until you start hemorrhaging blood. Use the blood to write the link on nearby buildings, curbs etc.

- E-mail your friends about the book and link to EmpireNovel.com (http://empirenovel.com/)

- Link to EmpireNovel.com (http://empirenovel.com/) in your blog/journal.

- Kill a passing ice cream truck driver and abscond with his vehicle. Play that creepy Pied Piper tune and shriek into the loudspeakers about Empire.

Of course, only do this if you've enjoyed Empire yourself and/or want to support small-press horror. I appreciate all of you, and any guerrilla campaign support you can provide is MOST appreciated!

-Dave

[Monkey]

There was an Empire Contest? :cry:
Not going to hit those links until I've finished the book.

I'm halfway through Empire. There are THREE ideas in the novel that have never been used in Zombie lore (which I won't post about, even in spoiler tags). You're taking this genre in places where nobody else has, shattering paradigms, keeping it fresh.

Kudos, Dave. If I hadn't been working 12 days in a row, I would've finished it by now. :)

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll296/F13Monkey/IMG_0695.jpg

[Brett H.]

I completely took advantage of Dave in that contest. COMPLETELY.

[Dave Dunwoody]

Thanks Monkey! Glad you're enjoying it so much. I tried to do something different with the rotters while keeping some of the grand traditions of Romero.

Boo, you son of a bitch. I think your character is gonna be the coolest of all the contest winners.

There should be an endorsement coming soon from someone else who's inspired a character in the sequel - a hot little number from down under who's going from a model to a zombie fighter. Should be interesting. ;)

[Just Jeans]

Dave, I don't know if you recall this, but when you were still writing Empire in the early days -- back before it was picked up by Permuted -- I asked if you'd work in a character named 'Jeans' and kill him off in some brutal fashion, and you said sure.

Did that by chance ever come to pass? Whether or not I shell out $15.00 for the book depends on how you answer. :shifty:


Nah, I kid. :D I'll be buying the book in any case, just as soon as I've got the money to spare. I'm also thinking about buying a couple of extra copies to hand out as Christmas gifts this year to my zombie-loving friends.

But seriously, I was looking forward to dying. :shifty:

[Dave Dunwoody]

I indeed named a character after you (http://www.f13-community.co.uk/board/showpost.php?p=123896&postcount=20), and he indeed died horribly. ;) He's not Jeans but he is named after you.

[Just Jeans]

I somehow completely missed that post when it was initially made. :duh:

Anyhoo, thank you very much sir -- that's another one of those modest aspirations that I can add a check next to. :sniffle:

[Dave Dunwoody]

Happy to do it! All I ask is that you post a review on Amazon once you're finished. Booya

[Just Jeans]

An Amazon review was pretty much a foregone conclusion anyway. ;)

But I'll be sure and remember to cup the balls, just to make it that little bit more special. :X

[Dave Dunwoody]

I did an interview about Empire with my buddy Dr. Pus on the Library of the Living Dead (http://www.dr-pus.podomatic.com/) podcast, you can check it out for free there & on iTunes in Episode 52. Lots of great callers inc. Jacob from Permuted. CRAZY AS HELL

[Just Jeans]

Dave, I'm curious -- what kind of paperback is this? Is it one of the traditional stocky paperbacks, or is it one of the long floppy trade paperbacks?

Incidentally, I have to mention this coz it tickles me -- I'm planning on using the $15.00 Permuted Press paid me for my short story to purchase Empire. Typical! I get paid and then turn around and give it right back to them. :p

[Dave Dunwoody]

Trade paperback. floppay

[Just Jeans]

Sweet. Tis my favorite kind.

[Skye]

Ooh, saw it on Amazon. Will pick it up at the end of the month when I get paid again.

(And Dave, you have to remember us in the special thanks of your second book. ;))

[Dave Dunwoody]

Good point - I didn't even have an acknowledgments page in this one, I'll have to do that next time! Maybe dedicate The Harvest Cycle to the community. :)

[Monkey]

Finished Empire several days ago...

If I had to pick an undead universe to NOT live in (Romero's, Return of the living dead, Zombie, Walking Dead, tc.), it would definitely be the one presented in this novel.

Looking forward to the sequel. :sniffle:

[Dave Dunwoody]

That's a high compliment, thanks :)

Oh my the sequel's gonna be some fun stuff. I hope to start serializing it this fall/winter or at the beginning of '09.

[Monkey]

Ooh, saw it on Amazon. Will pick it up at the end of the month when I get paid again.

(And Dave, you have to remember us in the special thanks of your second book. ;))
Guess you don't have to go to Amazon anymore... :D

[Skye]

Yay!!!! I might have to see if I can convince my library to get it for circulation...

[Dave Dunwoody]

Booya

If you've read Empire and have an Amazon account, would you mind reviewing it?

Just got my first 1-star review; can't fault the guy, this book isn't for every zombie fan, but man I hate to see my rating take a hit like that due to this:

trained zombies???????? the grim reaper???????

i got to the part where someone was scolding the zombies for getting mud on the floor and i had to put the book down

Look, I can understand if you're not into dark fantasy or trained zombies. But no one likes mud tracked across a floor. C'mon

[Esten]

I think Todd wrote that review. He's jellis.


:X

[Dave Dunwoody]

Looks like Todd posted another review. ;) Another reader didn't dig the new zombie rules. For those of you who've read it and feel differently, a review would be awesome - those high & low ratings make a big difference when there are only a handful of reviews up. Thanks!
ADDED:
Boo, you son of a bitch. I think your character is gonna be the coolest of all the contest winners.

There should be an endorsement coming soon from someone else who's inspired a character in the sequel - a hot little number from down under who's going from a model to a zombie fighter. Should be interesting. ;)

Unfortunately, this couldn't come to fruition; but the character's still part of the story, of course. Stay tuned!

[Dave Dunwoody]

This is kind of general news, but it'll include a couple of Empire-related stories so:

Coming soon from Dark Regions Press: DARK ENTITIES by David Dunwoody

As part of its New Voices of Horror imprint, Dark Regions will be publishing a collection of my short stories, including several new tales in addition to previously published ones.

Dark Regions will publish 13 signed (by artist Tom Moran and myself) limited leather bound editions and 100 signed and limited cloth editions.

We're shooting for a late '08/early '09 release. The ink's still drying on the contract and I've just started working on six new stories, so there aren't many more details available at the moment, but as soon as there are, I'll pass 'em along.

[Monkey]

One of my buddy's a HUGE zombie fan. Mostly into Romero's concept of a zombie. I figured, if anybody would want to read Empire, it would be him.

I gave him a brief synopsis of the novel... and he wasn't interested. He didn't like your style of zombie.

Some people believe zombies are supposed to walk slowly and the only way to kill them is to destroy the brain. If somebody's version of a zombie doesn't fit that mold, they're not a 'true' zombie. Except that zombies aren't real to begin with... so what the hell?

Some people have hangups about vampires, too. Somehow, Romero & Rice own the patents on zombies and vampires.

That said, hurry up with the sequel, you lazy ass! :D

[Dave Dunwoody]

THat seems to be thrust of every negative comment about the book - that they're not Romero zombies. Some of us zombie lovers are just far more discriminating than others. Too discriminating, in my opinion. I like new ideas and twists on old ones. Sort of like Bub in Day of the Dead, interestingly enough - there you have a zombie that not only thinks and shoots, but expresses emotion.

It's like all the debates we've had in this community where somebody starts defining what a "true fan" is. That's probably why I have a thick skin for it, having seen that type of thinking so many times (and having done it myself).

My hope is to start the Empire sequel next year. It depends on when I get Dark Entities done and if I can sell The Harvest Cycle. I will say one thing about the sequel, it doesn't have any zombie house-servants. ;) But it does have some pretty clever rotters in addition to the more traditional ones.

[Andiac]

Interesting about zombies.

My brother is very much into "no running zombies."

But the truth is some of the scariest and most enjoyable zombie films for me are ones with fast zombies. 28 Days Later took the zombie genre and added it's own twist. Dawn remake was a great zombie action horror. ROTLD is a classic, and they run AND talk!

Seems like people are picky over many things. And more power to them. But when you judge the merit on individual work based on whether it's Romero style or not, you're really just disadvantaging yourself from something cool.

[sickboy]

Just got round to ordering this from Amazon UK. Guess I'll be the first to review it on there.

The site looks a little off on my screen though- fixed width = so 2007 ;)

[sickboy]

Arrived this morning so I'll give it a whirl tonight.

[Dave Dunwoody]

I agree Andreweth. If somebody only like the one type of zombie, that's their prerogative but there's some really cool stuff out there and it keeps the genre fresh. As fresh as rotting meat can be. Ha ha! Zombies

sick, hope you enjoy it. I'm not sure how to tweak the site so I'll just pretend I love fixed width. Fixed width is amazing!

[sickboy]

I agree Andreweth. If somebody only like the one type of zombie, that's their prerogative but there's some really cool stuff out there and it keeps the genre fresh. As fresh as rotting meat can be. Ha ha! Zombies

sick, hope you enjoy it. I'm not sure how to tweak the site so I'll just pretend I love fixed width. Fixed width is amazing!

If you're ever loking to update the site let me know and I'll set you up with something awesome ;)

I like the myriad of zombies in the book- it adds a whole new level of uncertainty (is the zombie I see in front of me going to shuffle Romero-style slowly while I laugh at it, is it going to run at me or is it going to talk to me!?!

Didn't have much time last night to read but still managed to do the first few chapters. I'm hoping to finish it by Sunday.

[sickboy]

As promised, I've submitted amazon.co.uk's first review of the book:

Empire provides a refreshing look at how zombie stories could and probably should be. From start to finish Dunwoody serves up as many surprises as he does brains and guts.

In a genre that is getting old and tired, rife with the Romero shuffler or the 28 days runner this book provides a welcome variety sadly lacking in today's undead entertainment. Empire deals with what happens 100 years after the dead have won, in a world where humans have only ever known fear and suffering. As a few survivors clutch to old habits and responsibilities there are those that have plans stemming from even older traditions.

The story progresses from the point of view of several groups of survivors, each with their own well-developed backstory. As Empire moves towards its conclusion via rich subplots and twists galore you won't want to put it down.

I hope it sends a few more sales your way.

Oh, and hurry the fuck up with the sequel, I need more Empire!

[Dave Dunwoody]

I think I'll be starting the sequel sooner than I first thought. I've decided to write full-time for the moment - not that I'm making any money from it, I've just got a lot of support due to my newfound disabilit(ies). But this'll be a chance to get Empire 2 out there asap. Just need a title. ;)

[Dave Dunwoody]

My serial THE HARVEST CYCLE is finished at http://harvestcycle.blogspot.com/

About 1/3 done with EMPIRE II. Still not sure whether o not to serialize it online at all.

DARK ENTITIES is moving along - there's an art preview here (http://permutedpress.com/smf/index.php?topic=4141.0) and the aritist should be done by Halloween, so it shouldn't be too long until we see publication.

[Dave Dunwoody]

EMPIRE will be available for Amazon's Kindle (http://www.amazon.com/kindle-store-ebooks-magazines-blogs-newspapers/b/ref=topnav_storetab_kinc?ie=UTF8&node=133141011) reader sometime this weekend. I believe it will be priced at $9.99 but I'm thinking it'll be on sale at a cheaper price.

Copies of the signed limited hardcover (not the Deluxe though) of DARK ENTITIES are still available. The ETA was tomorrow, but I'm thinking it'll be a little further into February when it ships. Ordering info at http://daviddunwoody.com/

[TheShowstoppa]

Dave, ever since this came out I've been wanting to read it. I might treat myself to a nice book to read come Monday. Though, I'm more than sure it kicks as much ass as your previous work.

[Dave Dunwoody]

Thanks Eric! :)

Also forgot to mention, I'll be on a horror/comedy internet radio show called THE FUNKY WEREPIG tonight - just go to http://www.choateroad.com/ and scroll down to the WEREPIG banner to be part of the show tonight at 11PM EST.

[Scarecrow]

Interesting diascussion above. personaly I'm HARDCORE Zombie fans... not a zombie unless there's some batshit crazy voodoo/witchdoctor raising them from the grave to be his undead servant. Screw you Romero!


This post is only semi-serious. :D


- Scarecrow

[Dave Dunwoody]

Figured I ought to use this as a general news thread. In that spirit:

http://corpulentinsanitypress.com/storefront-2/pre-orders/

http://i41.tinypic.com/1o5eg5.jpg (http://corpulentinsanitypress.com/storefront-2/pre-orders/)

Pre-Order The Black Garden now!
Price: $9.00 (10% discount)

This is a great collection featuring stories about the origins of evil. It's estimated to hit on March 1st.

I. The Kennel by Evan J. Peterson
II. The Indigenous Flora and Fauna of a Small Tropical Island by Sam W. Anderson
III. Teardrop by David Dunwoody
IV. The Legless Ones by Jodi Lee
V. To Feed the Little Children by Sharon M. White
VI. Care and Feeding of the Old Flat Mile by Aaron A. Polson
VII. Aria by Allison M. Dickson
VIII. Ill Conceived by Felicity Dowker

************************************************** *****

“The Black Garden , edited by Christopher Allan Death, is a darkly sinister collection of short stories that will surely help cultivate your black thumb! Filled with eight eerie and terrifying tales, The Black Garden will find a way to crawl under your skin with its creeping tendrils of terror!”
-Fatally-Yours.com

“The Black Garden is a roller coaster of horror. One moment you’re walking on a tropical island, the next spiders are crawling out your eyeballs. A lot of fun, but definitely not for the squeamish.”
-K.T. Pinto, author of The Books of Insanity

“Rumors of horror’s death have been greatly exaggerated. The genre is alive and kicking within the dark pages of The Black Garden — an anthology of creepy, hair-raising stories by new, up-and-coming authors. Read it. Get excited about horror again.”
-Fred Wiehe, author of Strange Days and a member of the Horror Writers Association

“Evil grows — literally and metaphorically — throughout this Black Garden, an anthology by up-and-comers whose stories tend to call to mind EC Comics in all the best ways. Short, nasty and pointed, like exotic thorns, some of these tales may well stick with you … and take root.”
-W.D. Gagliani, author of Wolf’s Trap and Wolf’s Gambit

“The Black Garden is hybrid horror anthology; fertile in both powerful bizarro head-melters and cool conventional chillers. This collection of eight stories will plant small seeds of unease that niggle as they grow into creeping tendrils of horror. Visit Peterson’s Moreau-esque freak show. Let Anderson give you another great reason to avoid weeding. Take a peek at Dunwoody’s unsettling Swift-like world. You want something mythical and trippy? Lee’s got you covered. And White has a creature feature that packs a punch for you. Polson gets a little classic King on the go and Dickson adds that Koontz flavour. And to round it off? What better than Dowker’s gruesome, unflinching body-shocker?

Pay heed. You’re going to want a weed-whacker in your hands before traipsing into this garden. Thorns, needled flytrap teeth, creepy crawlies. That’s the kids’ stuff. Turn over a couple of stones. See what happens.“
-Gerard Brennan, author of Posession, Obsession and a Diesel Compression Engine

[Dave Dunwoody]

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/TheOddMind

I'll be on THE ODD MIND radio tonight (check site for showtime in your area - I think it's 7:00 PST) talking about EMPIRE and DARK ENTITIES and all kinds of stuff.

[Brett H.]

DAMN I'd listen to that but I'll be at work. Mention Bobby Rhodes as an inspiration.

[Dave Dunwoody]

I'll try to work him in (actually, I might have some Rhodes news later). For anyone else who can't tune in, the show will be archived on The Odd Mind's BTR page at that above link.

About 10 minutes now!

[The Dream Master]

EHHH GOOD LUCK DERE
ADDED:
So, how'd it go? I'm gonna listen to it sometime later this week.

I was totally going to call in and ask when all the Jack Connor epics were going to be collected into an anthology, but I figured that one might be hard to explain. :X

[Brett H.]

Little does everyone know, that broad was blowing Dave while Bette Davis Eyes was playing.

When I heard Dave say "dark" I know he said "darke"

[Dave Dunwoody]

EHHHHHH GREAT COMMENT DERE BERT

http://thacf13.googlepages.com/empire2teaser.gif

In Empire (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1934861022/ref=cm_arms_pdp_dp), the Grim Reaper walked a world that had been besieged by the undead for more than 100 years. He left his post as Death in order to hunt and kill zombies full-time, and the sequel picks up with him doing just that.

As winter approaches, Death – now known as Adam – crosses the American badlands in search of the girl he once befriended, Lily. She has been taken north, where the government and military have consolidated their resources into several fortified cities. The rest of the nation has been claimed by the rotters.

Adam has heard tales of the “King of the Dead,” whose troupe of sideshow curiosities are now an animalistic pack. They are Man’s greatest threat in the new America.

But Adam is sorely unprepared for the return of the zombie who once tasted of his flesh – a zombie transformed, driven by something more sinister than any virus.

Adam’s questions about his own origin and purpose haunt him, and he is close to the answers...but the worst of both the living and the dead are rising in his path, and he’ll have to cut a bloody swath to the cosmic endgame.

Also coming soon is my Lovecraftian sci-fi novel, The Harvest Cycle., You can learn about it and read a 7-chapter preview at: http://harvestcycle.blogspot.com/

Follow news on both novels and find free fiction and audio at: http://daviddunwoody.com/

Thanks!

[The Dream Master]

I can guarantee you that old Bert H. will be ALL OVER that sci-fi novel. :X

[Brett H.]

Fucking sci-fi. Bullshit. Dave, you better put some erotic shit in there or your street cred with the 1337 will be down the pipes, yo. DM will buy 9 copies, though. :X

I wanna get that new book. I hate reading, am partially illiterate, and even I will admit Empire II is amazingly doep sounding. Hopefully Dave kept that weird shit I won as a prize in there and didn't fuck me around 'cause he figured I wouldn't buy it due to my illiteracy. :X

[Dave Dunwoody]

Your unnamed zombie is still there, with those prophetic words carved into his - I don't remember. Dick probably.

[Brett H.]

Your unnamed zombie is still there, with those prophetic words carved into his - I don't remember. Dick probably.

Holy shit, there were prophetic words? It's gonna be like reading it for the first time.

SCROTUM MAN if gonna be the UNOFFICAL name for him.

Or maybe Durst Ghoulie.

Either way, hopefully amazon.ca will actually have this one in stock. Whenever I could put off my DVD addiction long enough to buy food or other forms of art, Empire was always shipping in "1-4 weeks". PETE'S SACK.

[Dave Dunwoody]

Might you be able to order it through Permuted's Amazon store? It'd only cost you $8.25 during their current sale.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/shops/storefront/index.html?ie=UTF8&marketplaceID=ATVPDKIKX0DER&sellerID=A1A9P0O78GKYCH

[Dave Dunwoody]

CONTEST: Write a limerick about Death! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_QDPoVD6ZQ)

...The personification of Death, that is. It doesn't have to be the Reaper as portrayed in the EMPIRE (http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/1934861022?ie=UTF8&seller=A1A9P0O78GKYCH&condition=new) universe - it can be any version from any culture/mythology, or your very own creation.

It doesn't have to be funny or light, it just has to be in limerick form (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limerick_(poetry)) and about Death!

Send your limerick to thacf13@gmail.com with the subject "Contest."

1 entry per individual. Entry period is July 1 to July 29, 2009. Winners will be announced on August 1, 2009.

I will post all my favorite entries at DavidDunwoody.com (http://daviddunwoody.com/) and choose three winners who will receive prize packs by mail. THE PRIZES:

THIRD PLACE
• Signed copy of EMPIRE (Permuted Press) with Reaper stickers
• The giant creature anthology MONSTROUS (Permuted Press)
• Any 1 book from Library of the Living Dead Press' catalog, and a cool pin
• Selected back issues of HACKER's SOURCE magazine (Eve Blaack Publishing)


SECOND PLACE
All of the third place prizes, plus...
• Signed DETOUR INTO MADNESS VOL. 1 unrated DVD (Timberwolf Entertainment)


FIRST PLACE
All of the third and second place prizes, plus...
• KNOCK KNOCK, WHO'S THERE? DEATH!, ChoateRoad.com's funbook
• From Eve Blaack: a two-sided theatrical poster for LAND OF THE DEAD, electronically signed by George A. Romero
• AND a 35mm print of the LAND OF THE DEAD trailer


Just write a limerick!


THIS CONTEST IS OPEN TO HORROR FANS WORLDWIDE AGE 17 AND UP.


PARTICIPANTS
Permuted Press (http://permutedpress.com/) | Library of the Living Dead Press (http://www.libraryofthelivingdead.com/library/) | Timberwolf Entertainment (http://timberwolfwest.com/production/) | Choate Road (http://choateroad.com/) | Eve Blaack Publishing (http://eveblaackpub.com/)

[Dave Dunwoody]

Three weeks left to get your Reaper limericks in!

Also, check out this ridiculous thing (http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=44542908&blogId=499410978)

[Brett H.]

You need to put Chuck Norris's face under there.

[Dave Dunwoody]

Don't give away the ending to Empire 2!

[Monkey]

I'd love to win some of them prizes there, but I don't have any talent. I'm a champ at eating pussy, though. Do you have any prizes for that?

Have to buy another copy of Empire.... My nephew lost the only copy I had. Fuck a duck. Dave, since this is like... the fifth time I'm buying your book, I'm gonna have to send it to you for an autograph or something.

Or I'll write a limmerick-thingy.

Love death. Love zombies. When's the movie coming out?
:)

[Dave Dunwoody]

If you're that good with your tongue, being a wordsmith can't be too far behind. ;) Send in a limerick! If not, I can get a signed copy to ya at a discount (Hell, you've bought it enough times, I'll just send you one).

[Brett H.]

I tried to write a limerick. It was fucking Godawful and something about death being happy only the good die young because he's a badass.

Fuck, was it bad.

[Dave Dunwoody]

Well, the contest winners and honorable mentions are now up at http://daviddunwoody.com/

Congratulations to the winners, and thanks to everyone who participated!

[Dave Dunwoody]

Couple of news bits:

- The first edition of EMPIRE is now out of print. The Pocket Books edition (scheduled for March) is up for pre-order at a 32% discount (http://www.amazon.com/Empire-David-Dunwoody/dp/1439180725/ref=ed_oe_p).

Depending on how many first-edition copies I have left following the Horror Realm con, I hope to post a deal for F13 Community members to get the now-OOP edition, signed, at a discount. :)

- Although Horror-Mal stilll lists the release date as October, I'm told that Dark Entities (https://www.horror-mall.com/DARK-ENTITIES-by-David-Dunwoody-p-18721.html) is shipping this week. This signed limited hardcover is illustrated by Tom Moran.

Thanks!

[Dave Dunwoody]

My first collection, DARK ENTITIES, is available in trade paperback on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Entities-David-Dunwoody/dp/1888993650/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1254793080&sr=1-1

The first 100 copies in this run are signed.

DARK ENTITIES is illustrated by Tom Moran and contains a number of tales about the undead in addition to other nasties.

DARK ENTITIES is also available in two signed limited hardcover editions, both of which are (for a limited time) part of Bloodletting Books' clearance sale at Horror Mall: regular edition (https://www.horror-mall.com/DARK-ENTITIES-by-David-Dunwoody-p-18721.html) | Deluxe (https://www.horror-mall.com/DARK-ENTITIES-by-David-Dunwoody-Deluxe-Edition-p-18722.html)

Full details on the clearance here (https://www.horror-mall.com/onsale.php?onsaleid=20).

[Dave Dunwoody]

Back in August I alluded to a deal where you could get a signed first edition of EMPIRE for cheap, following Horror Realm. Unfortunately though, I only have a handful of copies left - so I've decided to go the contest route instead!

This is exclusive to mailing-list subscribers and my friends at f13community.com. All you need to do is e-mail me at thacf13 at gmail dot com (put CONTEST in the subject line) and correctly answer the following question: in BILL & TED'S BOGUS JOURNEY, William Sadler plays the Reaper. What other character does he play in the same film?

(If you are a member of F13C, please include your username in the e-mail)

Deadline is February 1st. 4 random winners selected from among the participants will each get a signed copy of the first edition of EMPIRE.

[Lance Lives]

I picked up your book at the Borders closest to me about a week ago Thac. I'm currently reading a Preacher Trade Paperback but I really look forward to finally getting to read it.

[Dave Dunwoody]

Thanks!! Hope you enjoy it.

[Dave Dunwoody]

Thanks to everyone who participated in the contest! Everyone who wrote in got the right answer: In addition to Death, Bill Sadler played the British father at the end of the film.

The 4 winners will be notified today via e-mail.

[Brett H.]

I FUCKIN' WON! I'M A WINNER LIKE OWEN HART!

Thanks DUNWOODZY.

[Dave Dunwoody]

My new collection from Library of Horror Press, UNBOUND & OTHER TALES, is now available at CreateSpace (https://www.createspace.com/3435470) and will soon be on Amazon:

http://i47.tinypic.com/246o1th.jpg

UNBOUND & OTHER TALES is an excursion into the most bizarre corners of author David Dunwoody's imagination. The titular novel and eight short stories that follow present strange horrors from every walk of life - and beyond. Insects imprinted with human rage, gleeful heralds of the apocalypse, ghosts who take the living for joyrides, and a fictional villain come to life wait within.

Here are 9 tales of the weird and the obscene...of things that should not be, and things that shall. From the depths of the mind to the corridors of Purgatory to the streets of small-town USA, the warped nightmares of these pages know no limits. They know no end. They are UNBOUND.


Praise for UNBOUND & OTHER TALES

"Simply put, David Dunwoody is one of the most imaginative dark fantasy writers working today. His stories are endlessly inventive, and he never fails to cut new paths through our collective nightmare landscape. It’s been too long since a book raised the hairs on the back of my neck, but the stories in Unbound did just that. A truly outstanding collection."
-Joe McKinney, author of Dead City and Quarantined

"David Dunwoody continues to grow as an author and is already making his mark on the horror genre. His work is intense, fun, and terrifying!"
-Eric S Brown, author of Bigfoot War and The Human Experiment

"Dave Dunwoody is able to paint vivid landscapes with his mastery of the written word, fill those worlds with compelling characters, and create suspenseful scenes of horror that keep the reader engrossed from the beginning of a tale until the very end."
-Rhiannon Frater, author of As The World Dies: A Zombie Trilogy

"David Dunwoody possesses a fascinating imagination...you'll find some delightfully intriguing tales here. There is an uncanny eeriness to David Dunwoody's stories. He uses the five senses effectively to mess with the reader's mind, creating a creeping dread you want to laugh off, but you still might end up checking behind your shower curtain."
-Louise Bohmer, author of The Black Act

"Dunwoody provides all the necessary elements for a good nightmare with this chilling collection. Top notch horror from one of today's most gifted writers."
-James Melzer, author of Escape: A Zombie Chronicles Novel

"Something's out there - out there trapped beneath the earth, or waiting behind the walls. You going to try to ignore it? Probably a good idea to just stay in bed. Better yet, take Mr. Dunwoody with you, just in case that something is Unbound."
-Stephen A. North, author of Dead Tide

"Time gets weird when you read a David Dunwoody story: sometimes it stretches out, luring you along into strange and deliciously horrible places; other times it contracts, until you almost forget to breathe. Either way, you are his from the first paragraph to the last. In a world of repetition and remake, his voice and twisted visions are truly unique, giving the impression that though you know you are merely reading a tale, you aren't always sure you'll escape it unscathed."
-Linda S. Cowden, "Auntie Maim" of Fiends Radio