Craig DiLouie's Apocalyptic Horror Fiction

Happy Halloween.

The second season of THE WALKING DEAD continues to hit it out of the park, making me happy the show just got signed for a third season.

Inside THE WALKING DEAD’s episode S02E03:

Here’s a sneak peek of next week’s episode, S02E04:

Here’s the first episode of Season 2 (S02E01) in its entirety:

The lovely EvilBob and Zaph of Optimystical Studios–see photo–manufacture and sell jewelry at a number of genre conventions–such as zomBcon in Seattle this past weekend–and offer some unique creations, such as ZombAlert pendants, which have engraved on the reverse side instructions for your loved ones in case you are bitten by a zombie–Kiss Me, Shoot Me, etc. My favorite is Double Tap.

Bowie V. Ibarra is the author of zombie books, thrillers and extreme sports novels. His first zombie novel, DOWN THE ROAD: A ZOMBIE HORROR STORY, was initially self-published, but subsequently picked up by Permuted Press. The story has made moved to a joint venture with Permuted and Pocket Books and was subsequently re-released. Since then DOWN THE ROAD: ON THE LAST DAY, and then the third installment, DOWN THE ROAD: THE FALL OF AUSTIN, were published. I had the pleasure of reviewing THE FALL OF AUSTIN and provide a cover blurb, calling this novel “zombie apocalypse delivered like a punch.”

I had the pleasure of meeting Bowie for the first time at the recent zomBcon in Seattle, and later interviewed him to provide insight into what makes this zombie author tick.

Craig: What have you contributed to the genre?
Bowie: I like to think “Down the Road” was part of the first wave of the Zombie Horror renaissance. So, perhaps, my book was a small cog in the machine that zombie horror has become.

Craig: What’s your best known work?
Bowie: Definitely the DOWN THE ROAD series from Permuted Press.

Craig: Tell us about it!
Bowie: It follows the journey of a regular guy down IH-35 south from Austin, TX to San Antonio as he tries to get home to San Uvalde. Along the way, he meets zombies, FEMA camps (before FEMA camps were cool), thugs, and finds an unlikely vengeance for a mystery from his past. The book is followed by two others, DOWN THE ROAD: ON THE LAST DAY, and DOWN THE ROAD: THE FALL OF AUSTIN. All the books can stand alone and are available from ZombieBloodFights.com.

Craig: What type of storytelling in the genre do you consider your niche?
Bowie: I would say very traditional. Dramatic structure. I don’t try to do anything revolutionary or outside the box. My foundation for my writing is the mantra, “Just tell a good story.”

Craig: What makes zombies so interesting to write about?
Bowie: I really think is the primitive desire to crush other human beings. As zombies, we could do just that without remorse or penalty.

Craig: As writer, do you prefer fast or slow zombies, and living or undead?
Bowie: Romero shamblers all the way. To be honest, I prefer the undead, as I know what they want and can deal with them. Other humans? Who knows what they’re after?

Craig: Building on these basic themes, what do you consider to be your own trademark or unique innovation as an author?
Bowie: I don’t think I do anything too innovative. However, you will always find a “conspiracy” angle to my works. One particular Amazon.com review called my work a “right wing tea party” zombie story. Now that’s hilarious!

Craig: Which writers do you particularly admire, and what did each teach you about the craft or profession of writing?
Bowie: It’s cheesy, but the classics, especially playwrights. Shakespeare, Moliere, Ionesco. Contemporary playwrights like Romulus Linney. For writers, Alexander Dumas could tell a story, brother. And in the modern era, King.

Craig: What is your favorite zombie metaphor in fiction or film?
Bowie: NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD’s metaphor of the living dead as dying American culture exterminating the traditional family, U.S. unity, and eating both to nourish its rotting, sloth-like, mindless body, which could be killed quickly, leaving nothing but the remains of the past. Sad, but almost prophetic, huh?

Craig: In THE FALL OF AUSTIN, the third book in your DOWN THE ROAD series, every page is driven by intense conflict. Do you believe during the zombie apocalypse that people will primarily compete or cooperate to survive?
Bowie: Hell no. It will be every man for himself. Humans scare me more than zombies!

Craig: What is your approach to writing?
Bowie: Very traditional. I have to find a spark, though, see an ending that just blows me away. From there, the story forms, and I begin an outline that propels me to write because I want to get to that awesome ending. Some people complain about the raw, visceral, human nature of my stories. But even the complainers seem to agree that the endings always blow them away.

Craig: How do you complete a novel?
Bowie: Complete an outline, then first draft longhand until completed, second draft transfer to computer, third draft print out of second draft for red pen editing, fourth draft sent to an editor’s red pen to be transferred to the computer, fifth draft read aloud for the rhythm and music of the prose. That draft goes to the publisher for their own draft. And that’s it.

Craig: What is the best review you ever received on Amazon, and why did you like it?
Bowie: Ursula Raphael called the finish of DOWN THE ROAD: ON THE LAST DAY “the best revenge scene since THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO.” Can you believe she compared me to Dumas?

Craig: What are you working on?
Bowie: Right now I’m working on a bit of a roller derby memoir of my time as Julio E. Glasses called LOUDMOUTH. It’s quite a painful story, so we’ll see how it goes.

Craig: What can we expect next from you?
Bowie: Get ready for BIG CAT coming soon. Keep an eye out with my social network at ZombieBloodFights.com. There’s a preview chapter you can find on the ZBF blog.

Craig: Thanks for sharing your thoughts on writing and zombies with us, Bowie!
Bowie: Thanks, Craig!

Me and Jonathan Maberry at zomBcon

While attending zomBcon, I had the pleasure of spending time with author Jonathan Maberry. I admire competency in people who are good at what they do, and Jonathan is a consummate professional and a role model for other authors. He believes in helping other writers, understanding that a great field elevates the genre, and is incredibly accessible, friendly and open to his fans. His Dead of Night goes on sale today.

My new apocalyptic horror novel, THE KILLING FLOOR, is coming soon in early 2012 from Permuted Press. The sequel to THE INFECTION, THE KILLING FLOOR continues this popular story about people fighting to survive against impossible odds. Check out the book trailer below, then click here to learn more.

Special thanks to Dan Hadash, Cameron Gillies, Jennifer Lau and Christine Gillies for their help putting it together!

Permuted Press author D.L. Snell describes what really happened during the zomBcon 2011 zombie outbreak and subsequent massacre, and it ain’t pretty. If there is a moral to this story, it is that if somebody describes themselves as a RABID fan, run the other way–or go into denial. Click here to read this clever take on the con.

The Permuted Press table just before the outbreak

Chip Fehd wrote a terrific post for BuyZombie.com reviewing zomBcon, with tons of great photos from the event. Check it out here. Chip interviewed Jonathan Maberry, me and several other Permuted authors on Saturday night–I am looking forward to reading it!

I had a terrific time at zomBcon. What a great event it turned out to be. The event was packed with zombie enthusiasts and everybody seemed to have a great time.

First, I want to point out the quality of the staff. The volunteers were amazing. They are all fans, giving the convention an atmosphere of them having a great get-together, and rest of us are invited to join in the fun. They did a great job producing the event, and supporting the attendees and exhibitors.

You know it's going to be a great con when they put up signs like this

Second, I had a fantastic time talking to fans and new readers. I appreciated how many people stopped by to say they enjoyed Tooth And Nail and The Infection. I need to give a particularly strong shout out to Moody’s Survivors, a Facebook group led by Shawn Riddle, Chip Fehd and Jeremy Mahan. To me, these guys are the ultimate fans of the genre, and it was great to hang out with them on Saturday night.

Moody's Survivors dinner, with great genre fans, Permuted authors plus Jonathan Maberry, SG Browne and Scott Kennemore

Third, I enjoyed spending time with other authors such as Jonathan Maberry and my fellow Permuted authors, as well as my publisher, Jacob Kier. We had a table near the entrance and every author sold all or almost all of his or her books. To mention just a few, I found David Snell, author of Demon Days, to be a very sensitive and thoughtful guy; Peter Clines, author of Ex-Heroes, to be a fantastic storyteller, somebody I felt comfortable with almost immediately; and Bowie Ibarra, author of Down The Road, to be naturally hilarious and an avid fan of pro wrestling. I will also give a shout out to Jason Hornsby, Timothy Long, Tony Faville, Ian McKinnon and Ellie Knapp. All of us talked shop–books and zombies–the entire time.

Permuted Press authors David Snell, me, Jason Hornsby, Peter Clines and Bowie Ibarra

Fourth, I had a great time meeting Judith O’Dea, who played Barbara in Night of The Living Dead; Ian McCulloch, who played Greg in the amazing BBC series Survivors in the 1970s (and later starred in Fulci’s three Zombie films); and Norman Reedus, who plays Daryl in The Walking Dead. I enjoyed talking to them about the business behind their films/series, what it was like to produce, and so on. The great Sid Haig occasionally walked by and heckled us Permuted authors. All of the guest celebrities were very open, accessible and welcoming to their fans.

The lovely Judith O'Dea

Overall I had a perfect event and was sorry to see it end. I’ll be sure to come again next year, and I’m also thinking about teaming up with Tim Long and others to maybe do Cripticon in May.

I’m off to zomBcon! Hope to see you there! I’ll be at the Permuted Press table signing books.