Mark Henry – Winner & Questions Answered
I was up way too late last night and woke up way too early this morning, so bear with me if I ramble, lol. In Mark’s V-Log, he asked commentors to ask him questions, so here, my pretties, are your answers! 🙂
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Amy asks: What types of books/authors inspire you and your work?
I love memoirists like Augusten Burroughs, David Sedaris and Jen Lancaster (who both appears in a scene in Happy Hour and just so happens to also blurb the book). Any humorist that manages to keep me enthralled through a full-length book is a hero.
Robin K asks: Are your main characters female or male? Do you find it awkward to write in the female perspective? Does it require research [insert giggle]?
I write both male and female protagonists, depending on the series. And no, I’m perfectly comfortable writing in either genre. I was a psychotherapist for 12 years and pretty familiar with how women think and talk.
Sue asks: what do you think you bring to the table as a male author, that’s different from woman authors writing in the same genre?
I think I bring a very dark sense of humor, which is definitely an original voice in this genre. Also, I’m not in the least bit loyal to the framework of urban fantasy, my job is to write a comedy. All the zombies, vamps and such, are incidental.
Jess asks: Chocolate or coffee, there can be only one?
Coffee. No question.
Stephanie M. asks: how many more books will be in your series?
At the moment, it looks like we’re ending at Battle of the Network Zombies. There were initially 5 planned, but sales were less than spectacular. My publisher is monitoring the sales of the reissue of Happy Hour of the Damned, and if they do well enough, has expressed interest in another book. But I’m not holding my breath.
Barbara E. asks: what else would you like to write about besides zombies? I’m sure you’ve got some ideas in your head just dying to come out, can you give us a hint?
I’ve completed a YA manuscript under a pseudonym (Daniel Marks) and sold a short story set in the same world that will debut in the anthology, Kiss Me Deadly, coming in July. I’m also working on a VERY dark erotica with another writer and have two other adult urban fantasy-comedy series planned and in various states of done-ness.
Taylor T. asks: As a fellow author trying to make it, and find inspiration to write through a major block, how the hell do you do it, Mark? How do you keep going even in the face of negativity? Do you ever have writer’s block? What’s your best advice, besides maybe telling me to run?
You bust through the block by being flexible. When I can’t think of what’s next, I often write a super dirty sex scene. Gets the juices flowing, so to speak. It also stretches you to get visceral and emotional. When I return to the spot where I blocked I bring that attitude with me. As far as negativity, I’m not sure what you mean. There are definitely people who hate me books, but they don’t bother me in the slightest. After all, I don’t know them (nor would I want to, considering I’m so much like Amanda, if they hate her, they’re really going to hate me—lol). So my best advice is to read widely and well, you’ll never write any better than what you admire.
Beverly G. asks: If you were a self help guru and the life coach for the perv-challenged how would you motivate them into becoming less prudish and more perverted?
I’d institute a rapid desensitization program. Keep them near me for several weeks at a time until they got used to the near-constant stream of filth!
Ruthie asks: what really made you decide to write your books on zombies?
The fact that underneath this pasty white chubbiness, I’m actually DEAD!!!
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LOL, Mark always cracks me up, even when he’s being tame serious. 😀 Now on to the winner of the copy of Happy Hour Of The Damned! Random.org gave me #8, so Amy, you’re the winner. Congrats! Could you please send me your mailing info so I can forward it on to Mark? My email is sidhevicious(at)shaw(dot)ca.
- Congrats Amy!
Yes, I found a zombie Hello Kitty just to send my congrats in the Mark Henry contest. 😀 As always, the winner has 7 days to contact me or a new name will be drawn from the eligable entrants.
A huge thanks to Mark Henry for the hilarious guest V-Log and for supplying a copy of HHOTD to our winner. My gratitude also for all the great comments by the entrants!
Mark Henry – Guest V-Log & Giveaway
Holy Hannah, this move will never end! Well, ok, it will be ending at the end of the month, but I feel like I’m in eternal pack and schlep mode purgatory. 😦 Hence the day late in posting of this awesome V-Log by the hysterically funny Mark Henry. He’s celebrating the mass market release of the first book in the Amanda Feral series, Happy Hour Of The Damned.
Mark has graciously offered up a copy of Happy Hour Of The Damned! The contest details are in his v-log. My bad that I didn’t hammer out details regarding whether everyone can enter, so I’ll say everyone, but if Mark does have limitations for mailing the book, I’m thinking he can probably send an E-Book. This contest will go until 11:59 pm, April 7th, 2010. So without further delay, I give you Mark Henry! 😀
Buy Happy Hour Of The Damned at:
Chapters, Amazon or Barnes & Noble
Buy Road Trip Of The Living Dead at:
Chapters, Amazon or Barnes & Noble
Buy Battle Of The Network Zombies at:
Chapters, Amazon or Barnes & Noble
Edited on March 23rd, later in the day/night… Ok, so here’s the scoop. If you live in the USA, (and win), then Mark can send you a copy of the book. Everyone, everywhere else, Mark will send you an e-book (if you win)! Sound good? Then let the questions for Mark fly. 🙂
Save Amanda Feral
I’ve been a fan of Mark Henry’s books featuring the character Amanda Feral, since the first book, Happy Hour Of The Damned came out in 2008 in trade paperback. Now it’s being released in mass market on Jan 26th, so there’s no excuse not to run out and grab yourself a copy!
Book Description:
“Donuts are deadly. One minute you’re getting your binge on, the next, you’re slipping on the box, cracking your skull, and in the weirdest turn of events, rising as a zombie. That’s just for starters. Now, the recently deceased Amanda Feral is trying to make her way through Seattle’s undead scene with style (mortuary-grade makeup, six inch stilettos, bangin’ Balenciaga handbag) while satisfying a craving for decent vodkatinis and the occasional human flesh—Don’t judge. And no, not like chicken.
Navigating a dangerous world of cloud-doped bloodsuckers, reapers, horny and horned devils, celebrity blood donors, and PR-obsessed shapeshifters—not to mention an extremely hot bartender named Ricardo—isn’t easy. And the minute one of Amanda’s undead friends disappears after texting for “help” (the undead—so dramatic!) she knows the afterlife is about to get really ugly.
Something sinister is at hand. Someone or something is hellbent on turning Seattle’s supernatural underworld into a place of true terror. And this time, Amanda may meet a fate a lot worse than donuts…”
See my review of Happy Hour Of The Damned HERE. I’m currently reading the second book in the series, Road Trip Of The Living Dead and am laughing my head off at the hilarity that is Amanda, Wendy & Gil.
Book Description:
“Celebrity party girl Amanda Feral is back from the dead, and hungrier than ever for a good time. With her zombie gal pal Wendy and vampy gay sidekick Gil, this stone cold fox is dressed to kill, on the prowl, and ready to take a big juicy bite out of Seattle’s supernatural nightlife. But what’s a zombie chick to do when her “Mommie Dearest” gets sick? If you’re Amanda Feral, you can either ignore the wicked old witch—or bury the past by visiting Ethel before she kicks it. Amanda’s not thrilled about the idea of crossing three states just to be criticized. But Wendy, who’s always looking for fresh meat, is up for the adventure. And Gil, who just launched his “luxury” resurrection business, needs to disappear because a pissed-off client is out for his blood.
First, they pack their stiletto pumps and plasma into a skeevy rattrap on wheels that used to be a Winnebago. Then, with a little help from a Korean-ghost hood ornament, a masochist named Fishhook, and a slew of “moderately accurate” psychics, they hit the highway—their way. Of course, they’ll have to navigate past some neo-Nazi skinheads, a horny dust devil, a hunky werewolf cop (who could pass for an underwear model) and an unsightly horde of Kmart shoppers. But for this glamorous gang of ghouls this trip is about to take a dangerous detour that could give road kill a brand new meaning…”
The next book in the series, Battle Of The Network Zombies will be on shelves March 2nd, 2010 in Canada & Feb 23rd, 2010 in the USA! I’m lucky enough to have an ARC which I will be reading next, so be sure to look for reviews of both; Road Trip Of The Living Dead and Battle Of The Network Zombies from me soon.
Book Description:
“In Seattle’s undead circles, Amanda Feral is one of the beautiful zombies. Of course, when you’re socializing with werewolves, devils, and rampaging yetis, there’s not that much competition. Still, Amanda has a stylish rep to maintain, which is getting tricky now that her tanking ad agency is obliterating her finances. The fastest way to make some cash: appear on a new reality show, American Minions, hosted by lecherous wood nymph Johnny Birch. Classy? Maybe not, but a girl’s gotta eat.
With zombie gal pal Wendy posing as her bitchy agent, Amanda settles in to “Minions Mansion,” crowded with 24-7 video cameras and undead fame whores. When Johnny is found incinerated in a locked room, Amanda decides to channel her inner Miss Marple (minus the fugly cardigans) and find out who’s responsible. Was it Hairy Sue, the white trash stripper yeti? Tanesha, the glamorous trannie werewolf? Angie, the Filipino vampire with a detachable head? Unveiling the culprit in a heart-stopping finale won’t just save the show from cancellation, it might just keep Amanda alive—or as close as a ghoul can get…”
So the reason I titled this post, “Save Amanda Feral” is because, well, Mark Henry tells it best. See his website and blog posts here and here. Long story short is that the third book in the series may just be the last. That would be bad in an epic way because these characters are so unique, so uproariously funny in a gross way, and so much fun, you may just pee your pants! If you’re a fan of Zombies, Vampires, Werewolves and supernatural fiction, then run and grab yourself a copy of these books! If the book descriptions haven’t quite convinced you, then go HERE to Amanda’s page on Mark Henry’s website to laugh yourself into a zombie state while reading.
Here, I’ll even make it easy for you! 🙂
Buy Happy Hour Of The Damned at: Chapters , Amazon.ca , Amazon.com , Barnes & Noble
Buy Road Trip Of The Living Dead at: Chapters , Amazon.ca , Amazon.com , Barnes & Noble
Pre-Order Battle Of The Network Zombies at: Chapters , Amazon.ca , Amazon.com , Barnes & Noble
Happy Hour of The Damned – Spotlight & Review
Happy Hour Of The Damned by Mark Henry Feb. 2008 by Kensington Books
Format:Trade Paperback
Published:February 18, 2008
Dimensions:288 Pages
Published By:Kensington
The following ISBNs are associated with this title:
ISBN – 10:0758225229
ISBN – 13:9780758225221
(from back cover) “Seattle. One minute you’re drinking a vanilla breve, the next, some creepy old dude is breathing on you, turning you into a zombie. And that’s just for starters. Now, the recently deceased Amanda Feral is trying to make her way through Seattle’s undead scene with style (mortuary-grade makeup, six-inch stilettos, Balenciaga handbag on sale) while satisfying her craving for human flesh (Don’t judge. And no, not like chicken.) and decent vodkatinis.
Making her way through a dangerous world of cloud-doped bloodsuckers, reapers, horny and horned devils, werewolves, celebrities, and PR-obsessed shapeshifters – not to mention an extremely hot bartender named Ricardo – isn’t easy. And the minute one of Amanda’s undead friends disappears after texting the word, “help” (The undead – so dramatic!) she knows the afterlife is about to get really ugly.
Something sinister is at hand. Someone or something is hellbent on turning Seattle’s undead underworld into a place of true terror. And this time, Amanda may meet a fate a lot worse than death…”
Mark Henry’s debut urban fantasy is absolutely one of the most unique, hilarious (side-splitting), gory, and twisted tales I’ve ever read. Amanda Feral brings to mind Paris Hilton zombi-fied! She’s a total Bitch, but I love her! The cast of characters in this tale are really well done. Mr Henry’s unparraleled spin on the undead underworld is uproariously witty, and entertaining to the max. I highly recommend Happy Hour Of The Damned. Now go and get yourself a copy – you know you want to.
Zombies are going to be the newest it-thing!
( Moved over from my original blog )
2 Comments.
Posted by Amber:
Anyway…I wrote a review for this one the other day for http://www.paranormalromance.org
Glad you enjoyed the book!
Posted by Judi:
I can imagine! I would treasure any ARC’s I may get as well. Them’s better than gold in my books. 😉 I saw all your reviews on PNR, you go girl!
Book Buying Frenzy
- Mood: happy
- Watching: ok, I’ll admit it, my TV is always on!
- Location: On my way out.
I went a little crazy yesterday and ordered:
And then I went to the store and bought:
I had an idea, I’m wondering if some of you might have a question you’d like me to ask author of A Rush Of Wings, Adrian Phoenix? If you have one, then ask away in a comment or you can email me, and I’ll see what I can do to work it into my up-coming interview with her.
I hope you’re all having a wonderful weekend!
( Moved over from my original blog )
2 Comments.
Posted by Amber:
I was lucky enough to win an ARC of Happy Hour of the Damned! I am looking forward to see how you like it.
Howling at the Moon & Night Life rock!
House of Cards was good but not as good as Heart of Stone.
I will have to check the other books out…
Posted by Judi:
If you want to see the whole list of books I aquired this month, go to http://sidhevicious.livejournal.com/ I just listed all 54 of them, lol. Crazy, I know! 🙂About Me
I read Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Light Fantasy, Young Adult and Graphic Novels in said genres. I’ve also been known to read the odd historical romance if they involve uber-sexy highlanders, vikings or knights & if they involve some time travel and a lot of humor. Heh! 😀 If any Authors, Publicists or Publishers would like their books reviewed or would like to schedule a Guest Blog or Giveaway please contact me at sidhevicious@gmail.com
Please see the BIOS page for more info on our reviewing style and for other info.
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