Zombie 911

Oh, man...this tickles me. The most...heartwarming...no...pulse-pounding...no...life affirming...zombie story you'll see all year. Heh. Heh-heh.

Zombie Apocalypse Run

So this is happening...three days before Portlandtown is unleashed on the public. Good timing. Nothing like a good run for your life to get the blood pumping. For those who don't live in the Portland, Oregon metro area I suggesting dressing up like a zombie and chasing the kids around the yard. Or the neighbors. Whoever is available. For more info, go here. (NOTE: the above video isn't exactly chock full of zombies, but it does have a nice vibe. Plus in this race the zombies run, too. They don't just jump out of the bushes.)

Portlandtown Update

Portlandtown hits stores in less than two weeks (October 16). Hard to believe. I just added another event to the schedule: December 18 at the Lake Oswego (OR) Library. I'll be speaking as part of their Third Tuesday Author series. Should be fun. They said I could bring books to sign and/or sell. Get your Xmas shopping done early--buy books for everybody!

Powell's Signing

Hey Kids! Guess who'll be signing books at Powell's Books on Monday, October 29th @ 7:30pm? Yup, yours truly. I guess I'm moving up in the world. Maybe I'll try a little light a little reading while I'm there. (Out loud, I mean.)

Do note that's the Powell's at 3723 SE Hawthorne Blvd., just down the street from Apizza Scholls (yum), not the monster downtown. Maybe next time.

Hope to see you all there!

Portlandtown...is Here!

Well, it's at my house anyway. I got a copy in the mail yesterday. Thanks Mr. Publisher! For the rest of you the book drops on October 16. That's our pug, Chloe, by the way. For more pictures of her (and other pugs), go here. (Note the look of excitement on our local critic's face. Thrilled! Or sleepy.)

Herald of Doom

What's that Mr. Crow? Zombies are coming? Why yes they are...pretty soon. Like, in three weeks. Less than three weeks! October 16, to be exact. That's Portlandtown: A Tale of the Oregon Wyldes. Zombie fun for the whole family.

The Quillery Guest Blog

Hey Kids! If you pop on over to The Qullery this morning (or whatever time it happens to be when you catch this) you will find a delightful little post penned by yours truly entitled ZOMBIE 3.0. Yup. Another bit of writing about zombies. Is there anything else in life? (Brains.)

Jokes aside, it's a fun piece about zombie evolution and just a wee bit of plug for PORTLANDTOWN (October 16 at a store near you!). Thanks to Sally at The Quillery for the chance to share. Enjoy!

ZOMBIE 3.0

Library Journal Portlandtown Review

Hey, look! Somebody else likes my book. I know I shouldn’t read these things, but . . . it’s just so hard to look away. The fine folks at Library Journal were kind enough to give Portlandtown a “starred” review, which is apparently something special. I’m honored. Here’s the part where they say I’m too cool for school:

“DeBorde’s extraordinary first novel, a dark fantasy set in the Old West, tells a compelling tale of the battle between evil personified and a remarkable family with special abilities. Fans of Stephen King’s “Dark Tower” series will enjoy discovering this accomplished writer.”

Yes, they did just compare my book to The Dark Tower. Ha! It’s not just the publisher anymore. Here’s the whole thing if you’re curious.

Portlandtown Update

We're coming up on 2 months and counting until the release of Portlandtown: A Tale of the Oregon Wyldes by yours truly. Only 68 little days. Wow. Still not ready.

I am, however, very excited. The fine folks at St. Martin's Griffin (Go Fightin' Griffins!) seem to have things under control, which is good. Promotion and marketing and getting enough people to read the book early so more people will read it when it comes out. All very complicated stuff, I'm told. I'm just happy someone is finally getting to read it!

Funny thing . . . I have been hearing conflicting reports as to whether "zombies" as a genre are solid or yesterday's news. The book people are psyched, fans of the undead are still rabid, and the mainstream media can't seem to get enough (particularly if the zombie in question is "real"). Hollywood, however, is apparently starting to cool to slackjaws, walkers, and haters - at least in terms of new projects. To be honest, I'm surprised it lasted as long as it did.

What does the mean for Portlandtown? Not much. We might not get that awesome movie deal right out of the block, but that's fine. When the book hits we'll have more leverage. And I would point out that Portlandtown isn't strictly a zombie book, not in the classic sense. Yes, there are plenty of dead things in the book causing trouble, but it's not a story about zombies. It's a supernatural western action adventure.

With zombies.

Fun with Fake Dead Things

Here's a little preview of them fun-time zombies that populate The Walking Dead over on AMC. Does it surprise anyone to learn that random zombie-fied chunks of rubber have more personality and style than any of the actors on that show? No. No, it does not. Enjoy.