Today, I'm sharing info here on my latest project as part of The Next Big Thing Blog Hop.


Google the title and lots of cool authors and books will come up.
  * I was tagged by author Stephen D. Sullivan who talks about his FROST HARROW horror series (cool title!) Be sure to check out his work. 
    Next: See Gail Farrelly's post about her story in THE KILLER WORE CRANBERRY, A SECOND HELPING - and Peg Herring talks about her new mystery, KILLER SILENCE....

Rules:
*** Answer the ten questions about your current WIP (Work In Progress) *** Tag five other writers/bloggers if you can and add their links so we can hop over and meet them. It’s that simple.

Ten Interview Questions for The Next Big Thing:

I'm focusing on my latest work, a YA novel which will come out next year from Intrigue Publishing. 

What is the working title of your book?
GIRL Z: My Life as a Teenage Zombie (follow link for short synopsis)

Where did the idea come from for the book?
Besides the weird recesses of my brain? Ha! Well... I’ve been working on this so long, over the past year, that I actually have forgotten the initial inspiration. But I love horror and wanted to write something I enjoyed reading as well. So my zombie girl was born – with a touch of humor, of course.

What genre does your book fall under?
YA- zombie – paranormal – with a touch of romance and humor

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
Ooh, hadn’t thought of that.... My main character, Rebecca Herrera Hayes, is part Hispanic. I think Miranda Cosgrove (Despicable Me) has the perfect look... Zac Efron (High School Musical) could be a good choice for her love interest, Gabe. Selena Gomez (Wizards of Waverly Place) could fit the role of Becca’s cousin, Carm.

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
How about two short ones? Life can suck when you’re sixteen. It can suck even worse when you’re not-quite-dead.

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
To be published by a traditional publisher, Intrigue Publishing

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
Forever? Well, it felt like it sometimes. I was working on it the previous year and was sending it out to publishers during the last eight-plus months.

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
I didn’t read any zombie books until I was done writing so I wouldn’t be influenced. I think it has a little love interest like in Rusty Fischer’s ZOMBIES DON’T CRY, a strong family relationship as in Jonathan Maberry’s ROT AND RUIN, and some of the classic zombie action and battles as in Amanda Hocking’s HOLLOWLAND. At least these were all books I enjoyed reading.

Who or What inspired you to write this book?
I’m a longtime fan of NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD, and find the whole recent literary and social fascination with zombies fascinating. So I had to give it a try. The topic also lends itself to discussion of many areas beyond just the zombies and horror angle.

What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?
Let’s say I give the term raw foods a whole new meaning. And no, it I don't mean the traditional zombie diet.  


I gave my character a different diet and way of approaching her new 'life' as she adjusts to being infected....  I also added humor when I could. I wanted it to be a fun story and not all 'yuckiness.' 

 
 
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Today at THE CORNER CAFE: A Tasty Collection of Short Stories, there's a special new guest... a dog? And good thing! 


I'm sharing an excerpt of my story. In "Perfect Timing," a rescued pup helps cafe owner Gina Mason find love and thrwart a would-be robber. See excerpt at my Candid Canine blog.


** BUY: for Kindle --- #2 in Short Stories! 

 
 
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Most towns, big or small, have that special place, the restaurant, diner,
The Corner Cafe, where friends and neighbors gather 
for coffee, pie and some chit-chat.

The Corner Cafe: A Tasty Collection of Short Stories follows that concept, offering stories by 15 authors set in or around the Corner Cafe.
(See story descriptions.)


*** BUY: for Kindle *** 
Find out more about the stories, and authors, 
via the stops below during the month-long blog tour.


The Corner Cafe Blog Tour

June 4 Blog Book Tours Kick-off Blog Book Tours Kick-Off
June 5 Bob Sanchez
June 6 Red Tash
June 7 Bodie Parkhurst, Magic Dog Press
June 8 Heidi Thomas

June 11 Marian Allen
June 12 W.S. Gager
June 13 Candid Canine - Chris Verstraete
June 14 Helen Ginger
June 15 Kathy Wheeler hosts Christine Verstraete

And read an excerpt of my story "Perfect Timing" at my blog

June 18 Morgan Mandel's Double M
June 19 Pat Bean
June 20 Shonell Bacon
June 21 Alberta Ross
June 22 Karen Casey Fitzjerrell

June 25 Pat Stoltey
June 26 S.B. Lerner
June 27 Maryann Miller
June 28 Mary Montague Sikes
June 29 Stephen Tremp 


 
 
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New fiction collection! Assorted stories set in or involving The Corner Cafe.

 The Corner Cafe: A Tasty Collection of Short Stories by 15 authors including Marian Allen, Shonell Bacon, Karen Casey Fitzjerrell, W.S. Gager, Helen Ginger, Dani Greer, S.B. Lerner, Audrey Lintner, Morgan Mandel, Maryann Miller, Bodie Parkhurst, Bob Sanchez, Mary Montague Sikes, Red Tash, and Christine Verstraete. 

In my story, "Perfect Timing," a rescued pup helps cafe owner Gina Mason find love and thwart a would-be robber.

BUY: for Kindle




 
 
This week's schedule at Candid Canine.

Monday 9/19: See a preview of the Witch's Greenhouse.

Author Guests:

Tuesday:
Pembroke Sinclair talks.... ooh, Zombies!!

Weds: CK Volnek

Sunday 9/25 -  I'm at Shellie Neumeier's blog
 talking about.... stay tuned!