Author Mark Henry isn't just good looking but he is also extremely funny! Mark is one of the first authors I had contact with online and I happily remember each and every package Mark has sent me over the last three years. Even though I am all the way in Austria, Mark always made sure that I got my Amanda Feral fix. Now Amanda is in trouble and I am hoping you guys will help!I have been following the Amanda Feral series since the beginning and it is amazing. Happy Hour of the Dead showed me that the paranormal genre could be fun! Road Trip of the Living Dead had me wondering if Mark Henry was indeed a gal? And Battle of the Network Zombies had me hoping that this wasn't the end. Sadly it could be.
Read the guest blog below and make sure you enter the contest to help Amanda stay...ali..dead!
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THE WHOLE SEATTLE THINGBack when Amber asked me to get her a guest blog post (probably over a month ago, and yet here I am, last minute, hammering one out), she asked a question that I get a lot and that is "Why are so many urban fantasy and paranormal romance writers out in the Pacific Northwest?
The answer? It's in the water.
No, really. Our water doesn't pump through pipes, it's delivered straight from the sky in a fine mist filtered through the ashes of the many serial killers we cremate on a daily basis. Sometimes the air is so dense with evil it blots out the sun from about October through April. And that makes all of us creative types super happy, while the rest of the Seattlites mope about with Seasonal Affective Disorder, we
get to writing.
It's probably the truth that the dark and gloomy climate forces people to seek out outlets for their thoughts. We all spend quite a bit of time indoors, in our homes. It's like we're hermits up here. Will someone please tell me why we live here again?Ultimately, I can only answer for myself. You see, I used to be a psychotherapist with lots of crazy clients, coworkers (not to mention my family and friends). I did that for over 12 years and let me tell you it doesn't take half that before you start collecting a buttload of stories. So once I was thoroughly burnt out on helping people, I decided it was time to kill them with zombies. After all, what's the ultimate cure for what ails you? Death. That's right.
Working closely with people's psychiatric disorders can drive you a bit crazy if you don't develop a pretty dark sense of humor and so that's why the Amanda Feral series is so pitch black in its comedy.
That...and I'm completely crazy, but this time it's because of something else entirely.
You see, I'm kind of in love with my main character and it's looking like the third book (BATTLE OF THE NETWORK ZOMBIES) is going to be the last one in the series. So I've started a little campaign to SAVE AMANDA FERAL over on my website. It seems sales weren't exactly brisk with the first book (trade paperbacks are kind of expensive) and so they're giving HAPPY HOUR OF THE DAMNED another go in the small size paperbacks starting on February 2nd.So get out there and buy folks! As an incentive, I'm going to give away two copies of the second book in the series, ROAD TRIP OF THE LIVING DEAD. Get it? You buy the first and win the second.
Well, it makes sense to me, but again, I'm not exactly stable. That's it.
Got any questions?
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Contest Time!As you read, Mark is giving away two copies of the second book in the series, ROAD TRIP OF THE LIVING DEAD! Now because I really want to see a fourth, fifth and possibly even sixth Amanda book I am adding to the contest prize this week.
Not only can you win one of two copies of ROAD TRIP OF THE LIVING DEAD from Mark but you can win one of two copies of an Amanda Feral book of your choice from me!
That means there are four books up for grabs! Four prize winners!
How to enter? This week there is no fun question to enter! This week is about advertising!
No Advertising = No entry!
How?
1 - I will give you an entry for asking Marrk an original question! (If someone else already asked the same question before you your entry will not be entered).2 - Post any 'Save Amanda Feral' link or picture from Mark's Website anywhere on the internet (one entry per link or pic.)
3 - Earn entries for each place you link this contest on the net. You can post on Facebook, Twitter & MySpace but make sure you add links here for me to confirm your entries!
4 - Buy a copy of one of Mark's books for yourself or a friend (one entry per book)
5 - You can also earn extra entries by emailing your friends about the contest. Just make sure you send a copy of your email or receipt to me at Amberkatzes_book_blog at gmx dot net.
* Make sure you post your links here so I can confirm your entries. Any emails or copies of book orders should be sent to me via email Amberkatzes_book_blog at gmx dot net.
Keep the contests going by using the Amazon links below and around the site!
The contest will stay open until Sunday 21st of February 2010 4pm CET and the winner will be picked by a randomizer. Entrants should check back to see if they have won. I do not hunt down winners and will pick new winners for any prizes not claimed within 7 days.
Good Luck!
40 comments:
So, why is all this drizzly mist coming over to the other side of the Cascades, where I live? We've been feeling like we're living in Seattle for weeks.
reading_frenzy at yahoo dot com
My question for Mark is - If you're able to continue with the series how many more books do you have planned?
I've added a Save Amanda picture (linked to Mark's website) to the sidebar of my blog: http://bookreviewsbysarah.blogspot.com/
I tweeted about the contest here:
http://twitter.com/sarahsreviews/status/9105140351
This is a new series to me but I've heard lots of great things about it so I'm going to have a look on amazon :o)
sarahsreviews at ymail dot com
My question is, of all paranormal creatures why did you choose for Amanda to be a zombie?
Save Amanda Feral pic:
http://throuthehaze-reads.blogspot.com/2010/02/save-amanda-feral.html
Raelena
throuthehaze at gmail dot com
My question for Mark is: if this series is not continued (which would be a crying shame), what will you write about? Do you have other books you've been wanting to write, perhaps in other genres?
Tweeted about contest here: http://twitter.com/BarbaraElness
my question for mark is: What are you currently reading, and which other authors are on your must by list?
This is a new series to me, have heard a lot of great things about it...hope it continues.
Littopandaxpress(at)yahoo(dot)com
Mark,
What is your opinion on book trailers? Do you think they help in book sales?
I posted on Twitter..
http://twitter.com/bl0226/status/9138748107
Thanks,
Tracey D
booklover0226 AT gmail DOT com
My question for Mark is : Of all the books that have already been published, which is the one he wished he had written and why?
LuAnn - Because we're all sad over here. Our tears are collecting in the clouds or something.
Sarah - There were two more planned and proposed. Ship of Ghouls and Dawn of the Deadutantes.
Raelana - Why zombie? They're the only monster that I have any affinity with. Zombie fan since I was a kid. Plus, they're totally underutilized and perfect for making fun of the genre as they're a big bundle of metaphor.
Barbara - I'm working on the revisions of a YA novel about ghosts and purgatory. And have recently started a spec book about a disgraced hollywood starlet and vampire gangs in the Cali desert. Over-the-top humor on that last one.
Van Pham - I'm reading very little while I'm scrambling to get a new product out, but I am taking Keith Melton's Blood Vice with me to the gym.
Tracey D - No clue. I don't watch them and I buy books. Also, I can't afford to have one produced so...
Llehn - Fight Club. No question.
Has the switch to YA writing posed any challenges for you that you didn't anticipate?
amily dot beidelman dot almy at gmail dot com
Amily - It's definitely tough to push down my admittedly filthy second nature. And frankly it depresses me to have to. The other thing is...I was reading adult lit in elementary school so my view of YA is a little skewed toward the adult.
My question for Mark, how did you find an editor that specializes in things paranormal?
bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com
1) Hey Mark What Are One Or Two Things We Wouldn’t Normally Know About You?
2) I Posted A 'Save Amanda Feral' Link And Picture From Mark's Website On Facebook,Myspace,Twitter,And My Blog.
3) I Posted A Blog About This Contest And Links.
http://skyla11377.blogspot.com/2010/02/amberkatzes-book-blog.html
I Posted This Contest On Facebook With Link.
http://www.facebook.com/skyla11377?ref=profile
I Tweeted About This Contest (@skyla11377).
Tweet 1:
http://twitter.com/skyla11377/status/9160297535
Tweet 2:
http://twitter.com/skyla11377/status/9160038469
I Posted A Myspace Blog About This Contest.
http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.ListAll&bID=529246548
I Posted A Myspace Bulletin About This Contest.
http://bulletins.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=bulletin.read&authorID=82282510&messageID=6638359583
4) I Bought Happy Hour Of The Damned.
5) I E-Mailed You A Copy Of My Receipt For Happy Hour Of The Damned.
skyla11377(At)AOL(Dot)Com
MY questions for Mark~
1~ Is there 1 question you have always wanted to be asked in an interview? If so what is it, and what would be your response?
2~If you could get trapped in any series/book what would it be and why?
3~What are you favorite and least favorite things about being a writer?
4~ If this series made it to the movies, do you have an actress in mind to play Amanda?
This is a new series to me, but i have heard great things about it!
Thanks for the giveaway!
JoJo
HI Mark!!! I'm finishing up Happy Hour of the Damned. Its fabulous. I was curious, are you interested in the fashion world yourself or did you just do research for Amanda?
heatwave96(at)hotmail.com
I did purchase another copy of Happy Hour of the Damned about a week ago, if that counts.
tweeted here: http://twitter.com/Heatwave316/status/9166836214
heatwave96(at)hotmail.com
Benita - I didn't, my agent did. And John is more of a generalist rather than specializing in one genre.
Skyla - That I'm a really good cook. In fact, if I were to list out the things I wanted to do with my life, writing wasn't all that high on the list. I wanted to be an architect initially and still love to study it, but chose psychotherapy after it really kind of chose me (you either draw people to you and are open to their emotions or you aren't, I've seen tons of therapists that didn't have a natural instinct and I wouldn't want to pay for an hour with them). After those two, I wanted to become a professional chef. So I practice techniques when I'm not writing. How's that?
JoJo - I've always wanted someone to pick up on the fact that the books are really a statement about the depressed economy of Washington State. The reason Amanda eats who she does is to point out that Seattle is not all salmon throwing fishmongers and umbrella toting tourists. It's pretty shady, tons of people are homeless and on welfare. I wanted people to clue in on the fact that zombies could subsist entirely on these underprivileged populations because the majority of people here, including the agencies servicing them don't give a crap.
Heatwave16 - I'm interested in lots of areas of design and any time I can witness someone doing extraordinary work, I'm happy to. In the new book, Alexander McQueen's designs are featured almost exclusively. Sadly, he took his own life just last week.
In all your head shots, you look like you need a bath. Yes? No? Or is it your natural perversity shining through?
Where's our Dragon King? (Explain that, Mark)
And Amber, love your blog, love Mark. I told Mark I walked into our neighborhood grocery store and there was Amanda on the top shelf of the New Release section. I bought a copy (#2) to keep the mojo going.
You guys are great.
Jeanne
Jeanne - I have no idea what you're referring to. Was I drunk?
Mario - You know I bathe in the blood of immigrants.
Mark, What books are you looking forward to reading?
Skk25@aol.com
I've seen some of your video blogs & they are funny. How do you come up with your ideas for video blogs you do?
Posted Save Amanda Feral picture on Facebook & also posted link to contest on Facebook(Sue Brandes)
http://www.facebook.com/#!/sbrandes?ref=profile
Sue B
stevebrandes(at)gmail(dot)com
I wanted to follow your blog to read your interviews but the rules on this contest tell me you aren't really interested in that. You want advertisers. Wow! I think I'll pass.
Layla - If I ever get a chance to sit down and goof, I'll be snagging the second Chelsea Cain book and Under the Dome by Steve!
Sue - I don't come up with ideas. I just turn on the camera and go. I'm not joking. Seriously. LOL.
vslavetopassionv - most contests are about advertising and generating interest in an author/book. Sometimes it is by just word of mouth as you read the book, but sometimes its by social networking. The internet is a powerful tool for authors.
Mark - I had never made the connection between Amanda not lacking for food and the state of the economy in WA. Gives me more to think about.
Have you titled all the books or have any of your titles been rejected/denied? :)
(PS don't enter me in the contest, i just wanted to say hi!)
Mark, did you watch the Winter Olympics or American Idol?
delilah0180(at)yahoo(dot)com
Tiffany - The only title that we had a problem with was the first one. Originally I'd called it The Undead Socialite's Guide to Nightlife. My editor nixed that one. The rest are all mine. If I'm able to write the next two in the series, they'll be Ship of Ghouls and Dawn of the Deadutantes.
Delilah - Both! We watch the Olympics live and American Idol on DVR!
I twittered today about the contest...
Mark, How long did it take you to get the publishers attention for your 1st book?
I added a Save Amanda Feral picture to my sidebar: http://fictionkingdom.blogspot.com/
Tweet: http://twitter.com/Sparima/status/9401615251
spav05(at)gmail(dot)com
love amanda. i read the first one
Connie - Writers hate the answer to your question, because I had interest before I'd written a word. I pitched the idea for an unwritten manuscript at a writing conference and that editor really hand-held me through the first draft and was ready to make an offer (though we went with another eventually, which is totally messed up, I know, but is sometimes how the business goes). From idea to finished product to sale was less than 6 months.
I am horrible at original questions - but this one is coming up for me (I've been watching a lot of LOGO tv lately for some reason.
So, Mark. I was totally impressed with your voice (Amanda's voice) in Happy Hour of the Damned. My wonder is, are your ever tempted to dress in drag as Amanda?
Have you ever dressed as Amanda, in full make-up, as you write? Might be fun.
Would you be willing to do this and post pics? It'd be cute.
wanda sissle at yahoo dot com
LOL. Oh Mardel, no. I did win the RuPaul's Drag Race Dragulator contest and there's a pic of me in a wig and boa on my blog...
http://www.markhenry.us/blog
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