Theresa Derwin's terror-tree.co.uk

The Omega Man Returns

Ashford-born Sean T Page, author of Amazon best-sellers, The Official Zombie Handbook (UK) and War against The Walking Dead will be isolating himself from the outside world in voluntary solitary confinement in an ex-cold war bunker in the UK to recreate an Armageddon type scenario for five days from 12 May 2013 – 17 May 2013. He will be the first author of a zombie survival book in the UK to give a first-hand understanding and day-by-day account of being a lone survivor, sealed in the bunker and totally isolated from the world.

Educated in Kent’s Norton Knatchbull School, Mr Page’s first best seller, The Official Zombie Handbook (UK) prepares survivors for a zombie apocalyptic onslaught and gives detailed survival techniques to last out the first 90-days. Mr Page will be utilising advice from his handbook in a realistic post-apocalyptic setting likened to the ‘I am Legend’ movie where a lone survivor of a viral outbreak lives out his life in a heavily fortified home. The bunker is spread across three floors of underground concrete levels and packed with Cold War equipment and even a small hospital.

His daily blog and video can be viewed on the Ministry of Zombie website www.ministryofzombies.com, Ministry of Zombies Facebook Page and on twitter @ZombiesMinistry.

If you were granted three wishes…

If you’ve read “Between Two Thorns” you already know that the fairy-tale trope of being awarded three wishes fascinates me. As a child I spent countless hours day-dreaming about what I’d wish for, ironically enough just like all good fae-touched children are encouraged to do in the Split Worlds.

Now the launch of the second part of the Split Worlds trilogy “Any Other Name” is on the horizon and I want to do something kind of crazy to celebrate. Are you ready?

I want to make a community of people publicly making three wishes and then, where possible, granting said wishes.

“These three wishes are part of a wish-making community organised by author Emma Newman to celebrate the release of the second Split Worlds novel “Any Other Name”. Can you make any of them come true? Come and see what other people are wishing for and find out how to join in at www.splitworlds.com/split-worlds-extra/three-wishes – who knows, perhaps someone could make one of your wishes come true.”

There are two reasons: One is that it enables people to find out about the wishing community so they can join in too. The second is that if you make that link active, (hopefully) it should make a little pingback doohicky appear in my email so I know you’ve joined in. Then I’ll summarise your wishes and link to them on there, so people can find you.

My three wishes are:
1. A book deal for my novel Mercy about witches and angels
2. My weight loss to continue (lost 8.5lb so far)
3. To get a holiday flat or chalet in the UK to take my Dad 79 years and poorly on a little break this summer to cheer him up.

I can grant a wish: Emma, I’m a small publisher Fringeworks with a horror imprint KnightWatch Press, and I would love to read your wish-makers novellas/novels. Forward them to me please.

I was delighted and privileged to be asked along to the launch party for Sarah Pinborough’s brand new book from Jo Fletcher Books Mayhem. The novel, which is set between 1886 and 1889, takes place in the background to the Jack the Ripper murders whilst another fiend was stalking London. These were the Torso Murders, and it started with a mutilated female torso being found on the footsteps of a church. And the scariest part about this novel? It’s based on fact. Whilst Jack sought fame and notoriety, the brute behind the torso murders kept secrets to his/her identity hidden, though this creature like Jack, was said to have knowledge of human anatomy.

So it was on a rather sunny Tuesday evening that a number of us gathered at the Prospect of Whitby for drinks to celebrate this new novel by Sarah Pinborough. There we took the chance to chat to editors, publicists and like-minded bloggers or reviewers who joined Sarah to launch the book.
This was followed soon after by a jaunt across the road to the Wapping Project, an art gallery/restaurant that served up a solid supply of vino then canapés whilst we chatted, listened to Sarah introduce the origins of her book and generally mingled snapping photos.

In the midst of mingling it was great to meet horror editor Steve Jones, who favoured my Fringeworks partner Adrian Middleton and I with enthusiasm for an idea we’d been considering. On the back of the Steampunk Sherlock Holmes books we’re releasing over the coming year, discussion had arisen about Holmes vs. Zombies (as you do) to which suggestion Steve had enthused, declaring it as a ‘no brainer’ pardon the pun, even offering us a cover quote. We were ecstatic of course, so watch this space for further news. Steve was also on hand to offer artistic advice on the photos and to pour the wine, him being an ex bar person, like myself.

Amongst the guests and hosts I got to also congratulate Sarah who was bubbly and enthusiastic, as always, particularly upon telling me that this September she’ll be in Belfast interviewing some of the cast of Game of Thrones. Fantastic. I also spent time with Jo Fletcher herself, an innovative publisher who definitely has her finger on the pulse when it comes to choosing new books and writers.
The experience was amazing, Jo and Lucy from Jo Fletcher books were wonderful hosts, and the whole day (including introducing Sarah to my Sherlock Holmes rubber duckie) will remain a very fond memory.
To retain the memory on my return to dear old Brum I dived into Sarah’s Mayhem, which I’ll be reviewing in a few days.

I bring you a message from genre publishers Dark Regions Press

Dear customers,
I wanted to tell you about our sale starting this Tuesday. It’s our first “Sale For Good” – every book sold is a book donated to a school, library or military base. We will be donating many of these books to libraries/schools/military bases in the Southern Oregon area, but will have a full list on the website with the initiation of the sale. Customers are invited to choose the destination of their donations.

Every in-stock item will be discounted up to 90% off retail price.

We’ll be offering the new DRP Book sets, including 10x deluxe hardcover sets, 20x trade paperbacks and even every single book we have in stock. These sets will be available when the sale begins on Tuesday. Take a look at our new book sets on the product page located here: http://www.darkregions.com/books/dark-regions-press-book-sets-save-up-to-5-350

We’re also going to be selling our laminated dust jackets that have some fantastic horror, fantasy and science fiction artwork for just $5 a dust jacket and will also be selling damaged books for the first time as well.

Our goal is to donate 1,000 books or more. This will also enable DRP to pursue some exciting new projects planned for later this year.

We hope you join us on Tuesday, March 26th for the Sale For Good. I’m excited to say we’re also going to be hosting a local event here in Ashland, Oregon on April 5th with the same concept (each book sold is a book donated). If you happen to live in Oregon or near the California border stop by and get a cookie, some coffee and a book or two.

DRP is open to requests for other forms of payment and shipping, so don’t feel constrained by what’s offered on the website if you would prefer to pay via check or money order, for example. Just contact us under the “Help” menu and let us know your request.

Of course, any help in promoting the sale, such as tweeting, Facebooking or blogging is greatly appreciated.

Thank you, and hope to see you at DarkRegions.com this Tuesday!

News from the world of This is Horror:

Earlier today we revealed the cover for Roadkill by Joseph D’Lacey, the fourth This Is Horror chapbook. The artwork from Jason Hicks has a distinctive grindhouse vibe, displaying an unpainted car with tribal symbols, a smashed in headlight and obligatory bloodstain. Roadkill will be released in Spring 2013 and no doubt we’ll be putting on a very special launch event to commemorate the final chapbook in year one of the This Is Horror Premium Chapbook series. But it won’t be the last chapbook, we have secured four excellent authors within the genre for year two. Watch this space.

In other news fans of Mr. D’Lacey will be pleased to hear he’s our next guest on the This Is Horror podcast. The third episode lands on Monday March 4.

Early March I’ll be posting an interview with Mr D’Lacey as well as a review of Black Feathers by Angry Robot