Amanda McNeil's Blog - Posts Tagged "zombies"
Holy Crap on a Cracker: First draft of zombies finished!!!
I KNOW, RIGHT?! I can't believe I whipped out the last um 8,000ish words of the book on a Monday morning. Who does that? Me, apparently.
You guys, this makes the first full-length novel that I've conceived and finished. Ever. In my life. Oh I've started lots of novels and got halfway through. But I always petered out. Not this time, I told myself. I gave myself a dead-line, and I pretty much met it. I was originally supposed to finish the first draft by the beginning of August, but I'll take mid-August, thank you very much.
It even has a title! Which I'm not telling you yet, because I want to let it set and fester and see if I really truly like it and if it suits the book. Yes.
So the game-plan from here is to set that manuscript aside for a weekish and whip out the next entry in the Tova Gallagher series. That way when I come to edit it, I'll be coming at it with fresh eyes, which is super-important to make sure nothing in the plot is confusing or what-not. If you're too close to it, it's easy to miss confusing bits in the editing. Then after the main first edit, I'll send it to my writing partner(s) for critique. Then hopefully the book cover will be made by a friend then it will just be prepping for the release date in October!
Whew, I feel like panting just reading all of that there is to get done. But I'm not tired thinking about it. Just excited. This story is incredibly close to my heart, and I'm so excited to get it out there.
<3
You guys, this makes the first full-length novel that I've conceived and finished. Ever. In my life. Oh I've started lots of novels and got halfway through. But I always petered out. Not this time, I told myself. I gave myself a dead-line, and I pretty much met it. I was originally supposed to finish the first draft by the beginning of August, but I'll take mid-August, thank you very much.
It even has a title! Which I'm not telling you yet, because I want to let it set and fester and see if I really truly like it and if it suits the book. Yes.
So the game-plan from here is to set that manuscript aside for a weekish and whip out the next entry in the Tova Gallagher series. That way when I come to edit it, I'll be coming at it with fresh eyes, which is super-important to make sure nothing in the plot is confusing or what-not. If you're too close to it, it's easy to miss confusing bits in the editing. Then after the main first edit, I'll send it to my writing partner(s) for critique. Then hopefully the book cover will be made by a friend then it will just be prepping for the release date in October!
Whew, I feel like panting just reading all of that there is to get done. But I'm not tired thinking about it. Just excited. This story is incredibly close to my heart, and I'm so excited to get it out there.
<3
New short story published in 69 Flavors of Paranoia
Hello lovelies!
My short story "The Tale of Leroy of the Backwoods of Vermont" officially published in the online free magazine 69 Flavors of Paranoia late last night. 69 Flavors of Paranoia serves up "menus" of horror and dark/urban fantasy.
I'm super excited for the opportunity to be a part of 69 Flavors of Paranoia. I'm hoping to find my way to a whole new crop of horror fans.
Be sure to check out my dish "The Tale of Leroy of the Backwoods of Vermont" as well as the rest of the dishes being offered up on Menu #13.
<3
My short story "The Tale of Leroy of the Backwoods of Vermont" officially published in the online free magazine 69 Flavors of Paranoia late last night. 69 Flavors of Paranoia serves up "menus" of horror and dark/urban fantasy.
I'm super excited for the opportunity to be a part of 69 Flavors of Paranoia. I'm hoping to find my way to a whole new crop of horror fans.
Be sure to check out my dish "The Tale of Leroy of the Backwoods of Vermont" as well as the rest of the dishes being offered up on Menu #13.
<3
Tova Gallagher #2 Update
Hey everybody! As you know, the first draft of the zombie book is finished. I've set it aside while I write the first draft of Tova Gallagher #2. I have the whole plot in my head, and I just need to get it down!
As you all know, I have a full-time day job, but recently I found myself needing to take a part-time job as well in order to help make ends meet. This economy, eh? What that means is that the timeline is needing to be adjusted a bit for zombies but not Tova Gallagher. Tova Gallagher #2 is still absolutely coming out the week of Thanksgiving, but depending on how editing on zombies goes, that might get pushed back a bit. I'll keep you all posted!
The other thing is that I will be designing my own covers for Tova Gallagher #2 and zombies. My artist friends are all incredibly busy with their own pursuits, so it's up to me with my limited and completely not trained artistic abilities. I do have some artistic talent, but here's hoping I can create covers worthy of the books for you all. I am excited to try it, though, since the feedback on the first cover was mediocre. It's encouraging me to change it up and try new things. Cross your fingers for my artistic abilities!
As you all know, I have a full-time day job, but recently I found myself needing to take a part-time job as well in order to help make ends meet. This economy, eh? What that means is that the timeline is needing to be adjusted a bit for zombies but not Tova Gallagher. Tova Gallagher #2 is still absolutely coming out the week of Thanksgiving, but depending on how editing on zombies goes, that might get pushed back a bit. I'll keep you all posted!
The other thing is that I will be designing my own covers for Tova Gallagher #2 and zombies. My artist friends are all incredibly busy with their own pursuits, so it's up to me with my limited and completely not trained artistic abilities. I do have some artistic talent, but here's hoping I can create covers worthy of the books for you all. I am excited to try it, though, since the feedback on the first cover was mediocre. It's encouraging me to change it up and try new things. Cross your fingers for my artistic abilities!
Zombies Title
I have decided to set aside Tova 2 and focus entirely on getting Zombies completed and released by the end of January/beginning of February. I've been steadily working on editing it in the evenings and also already know what I want the cover to look like.
This being the case, I thought I'd let you all know the official title.
Waiting For Daybreak
Stay tuned to hear about a solidified release date!
This being the case, I thought I'd let you all know the official title.
Waiting For Daybreak
Stay tuned to hear about a solidified release date!
Cover Reveal: Waiting For Daybreak
I am pleased to reveal the cover of my upcoming novel Waiting For Daybreak!
It will be released any day now! The blog tour is scheduled for July and August. Please let me know if you would like to participate either by commenting here or emailing me at opinionsofawolf@gmail.com.
It will be released any day now! The blog tour is scheduled for July and August. Please let me know if you would like to participate either by commenting here or emailing me at opinionsofawolf@gmail.com.
Publication Announcement: Waiting For Daybreak
Early this morning I received the official email from Amazon. Waiting For Daybreak is now available! Yay!!
The blog tour will be in July and August, but I just wanted it out there and getting read sooner. :-)
What is normal?
Frieda has never felt normal. She feels every emotion too strongly and lashes out at herself in punishment. But one day when she stays home from work too depressed to get out of bed, a virus breaks out turning her neighbors into flesh-eating, brain-hungry zombies. As her survival instinct kicks in keeping her safe from the zombies, Frieda can’t help but wonder if she now counts as healthy and normal, or is she still abnormal compared to every other human being who is craving brains?
The blog tour will be in July and August, but I just wanted it out there and getting read sooner. :-)
First round of reviews, interviews, and giveaways in the Waiting For Daybreak blog tour!
I posted this listing of reviews, interviews, and giveaways so far on Friday on my personal blog. The Waiting For Daybreak blog tour has now officially started!
Most of these folks either are not participating in the tour or had a little something extra to put in before the tour officially started. I'll be posting up links every Friday (or weekend at least) of the tour for you all to stop in and enjoy. :-)
The Chronicles of an Enamored Soul is running an international giveaway that ends July 17th, so you have plenty of time to enter!
Kelsey’s Cluttered Bookshelf says, “This book is recommended for Zombie fans, there are some sexual scenes and violence, but it’s not over the top which is good. This was a great first debut book for the author.” Be sure to click through to see her whole review.
Waiting For Daybreak was also reviewed on Beauty in Ruins, who said, “The writing is solid, the dialogue creatively engaging (even with Freida’s silent cat), and the novelty of the personality issue alone definitely makes this worth a read.”
Nicki J Markus says, “The pacing of this piece is well managed and the tension was maintained perfectly from start to finish.”
And Reflections appreciated Frieda, “Even though Frieda has a personality disorder and periods of extreme depression, the character was still somehow easy to relate to.”
Finally, in addition to a review best summed-up with the great phrase, “Wonderful book!” Love, Literature, Art, and Reason also interviewed me! Be sure to check out the interview to find out everything from how I deal with writer’s block to why I decided to give Frieda Borderline Personality Disorder.
Most of these folks either are not participating in the tour or had a little something extra to put in before the tour officially started. I'll be posting up links every Friday (or weekend at least) of the tour for you all to stop in and enjoy. :-)
The Chronicles of an Enamored Soul is running an international giveaway that ends July 17th, so you have plenty of time to enter!
Kelsey’s Cluttered Bookshelf says, “This book is recommended for Zombie fans, there are some sexual scenes and violence, but it’s not over the top which is good. This was a great first debut book for the author.” Be sure to click through to see her whole review.
Waiting For Daybreak was also reviewed on Beauty in Ruins, who said, “The writing is solid, the dialogue creatively engaging (even with Freida’s silent cat), and the novelty of the personality issue alone definitely makes this worth a read.”
Nicki J Markus says, “The pacing of this piece is well managed and the tension was maintained perfectly from start to finish.”
And Reflections appreciated Frieda, “Even though Frieda has a personality disorder and periods of extreme depression, the character was still somehow easy to relate to.”
Finally, in addition to a review best summed-up with the great phrase, “Wonderful book!” Love, Literature, Art, and Reason also interviewed me! Be sure to check out the interview to find out everything from how I deal with writer’s block to why I decided to give Frieda Borderline Personality Disorder.
Third round of interviews, reviews, and giveaways in the Waiting For Daybreak blog tour!
In
Waiting For Daybreak
blog tour news, this was quite an exciting week! It's the fullest week of the tour we've had so far, and the variety of blogs visited was super-fun for me.
From Me To You... had previously reviewed my novella, Ecstatic Evil
, and I was so glad she agreed to participate in the tour for my new, decidedly not paranormal romance, book. She conducted an awesome interview with me that features pictures to enhance various answers plus she was the first to ask me who I would cast in a movie as Frieda and Mike. On the same entry as the interview, she reviews the book, saying, “This is one high-intensity novel that will hold you until the end.”
The Paperback Pursuer offered up a review stating, “I was blown away by Amanda McNeil's ability to develop such a unique and troubled character who every reader can relate to on some level.”
Kelsey's Cluttered Bookshelf has an interview with me up where you can find out things like my future writing goals and advice for other writers. She is also offering a giveaway!
Bookishly Me also has an interview up in which I talk about the research I conducted for the book, among other things.
Last but certainly not least, Fangs for the Fantasy offers up a review from a social justice perspective stating, “But even better than a realistic and well-presented depiction of mental illness, we also have it become a strength in the zombie apocalypse.”
A big thank you again to all of the participants! I'm so glad folks have been enjoying the tour so far.
blog tour news, this was quite an exciting week! It's the fullest week of the tour we've had so far, and the variety of blogs visited was super-fun for me.From Me To You... had previously reviewed my novella, Ecstatic Evil
, and I was so glad she agreed to participate in the tour for my new, decidedly not paranormal romance, book. She conducted an awesome interview with me that features pictures to enhance various answers plus she was the first to ask me who I would cast in a movie as Frieda and Mike. On the same entry as the interview, she reviews the book, saying, “This is one high-intensity novel that will hold you until the end.”The Paperback Pursuer offered up a review stating, “I was blown away by Amanda McNeil's ability to develop such a unique and troubled character who every reader can relate to on some level.”
Kelsey's Cluttered Bookshelf has an interview with me up where you can find out things like my future writing goals and advice for other writers. She is also offering a giveaway!
Bookishly Me also has an interview up in which I talk about the research I conducted for the book, among other things.
Last but certainly not least, Fangs for the Fantasy offers up a review from a social justice perspective stating, “But even better than a realistic and well-presented depiction of mental illness, we also have it become a strength in the zombie apocalypse.”
A big thank you again to all of the participants! I'm so glad folks have been enjoying the tour so far.
Sixth round of interviews, reviews, and giveaways in the Waiting For Daybreak blog tour!
The weekly
Waiting For Daybreak
blog tour updates are here!
It was a much busier week this week, which was of course exciting!
Wickedly Bookish interviewed me. Check that out to find out my self-publishing advice!
Wickedly Bookish also hosted a giveaway that is still open. If you have yet to win a copy, definitely consider entering.
Ellie Hall posted a review (that is also cross-posted to 1889 Labs) where she says, "The story flies by and it is thoroughly engrossing, with periods of action and adrenaline nicely balanced by periods of memory and self-reflection. The sense of danger and suspense is well developed, and the narrator’s doubts and fears are easily understood."
The Book Hoard's review says, "If anyone had told me that I’d enjoy a zombie apocalypse a year ago, I’d have told them they were nuts. However, I have come to enjoy a few zombie apocalypse stories like Waiting For Daybreak."
The Book Hoard is also hosting a giveaway that is still open. That's two! Two chances to win a copy! Ah-ha-ha.
Last but not least, Persephone's Winged Reviews posted a review stating, "At the end of the day, it’s much more about Frieda trying to find out what normal means in a world gone wrong instead of a zombie book. I believe that it is a fresh take on zombies in the fiction genre."
Thanks once again to every single participating book blogger! I truly appreciate you giving me (and my writing) time and space on your blogs.
blog tour updates are here!It was a much busier week this week, which was of course exciting!
Wickedly Bookish interviewed me. Check that out to find out my self-publishing advice!
Wickedly Bookish also hosted a giveaway that is still open. If you have yet to win a copy, definitely consider entering.
Ellie Hall posted a review (that is also cross-posted to 1889 Labs) where she says, "The story flies by and it is thoroughly engrossing, with periods of action and adrenaline nicely balanced by periods of memory and self-reflection. The sense of danger and suspense is well developed, and the narrator’s doubts and fears are easily understood."
The Book Hoard's review says, "If anyone had told me that I’d enjoy a zombie apocalypse a year ago, I’d have told them they were nuts. However, I have come to enjoy a few zombie apocalypse stories like Waiting For Daybreak."
The Book Hoard is also hosting a giveaway that is still open. That's two! Two chances to win a copy! Ah-ha-ha.
Last but not least, Persephone's Winged Reviews posted a review stating, "At the end of the day, it’s much more about Frieda trying to find out what normal means in a world gone wrong instead of a zombie book. I believe that it is a fresh take on zombies in the fiction genre."
Thanks once again to every single participating book blogger! I truly appreciate you giving me (and my writing) time and space on your blogs.
Second Edition of Novella - Waiting For Daybreak - FREE Until Midnight Pacific Time July 22nd
I am thrilled to announce the publication of the second edition of my novella Waiting For Daybreak. I published the first edition 10 years ago in 2012. I have completed major updates throughout the second edition, as well as added an author’s note and a content note. You can view both of the notes in their entirety by using the preview book feature on its Amazon page.
Here is the updated blurb:
"I just want to live like normal people. But my Borderline Personality Disorder fills each day with emotional pain. And drives other people away. Not that there’s anyone to drive away anymore…
Frieda’s a struggling twenty-something young professional when the apocalypse comes. Overnight, Boston falls apart as a rapidly spreading virus makes her neighbors crave brains. Enough to kill for them.
She survives alone for a whole year in her urban studio apartment. And she surprises herself by managing her mental illness better than she did before. When her beloved cat becomes ill, Frieda goes on a quest to save her. It sets off a chain of events that challenges everything.
Reviews of the first edition call this a “dynamic” read that’s a “great story with a twist I didn’t foresee.” This places a character you’d expect in a women’s fiction novel at the heart of a zombie apocalypse."
Today and tomorrow (July 19th-20th, 2022, Pacific Time), the ebook is free for everyone. Please consider downloading your copy today!
If you previously purchased the first edition, note that Amazon does not automatically send the second edition to your kindle. Please take advantage of these two free days to get the updated version. If you missed the free days, you can sign up for my newsletter to get notified of future ones. I hold them periodically.
Please be sure to check out my Publications Page for my other work.
Here is the updated blurb:
"I just want to live like normal people. But my Borderline Personality Disorder fills each day with emotional pain. And drives other people away. Not that there’s anyone to drive away anymore…
Frieda’s a struggling twenty-something young professional when the apocalypse comes. Overnight, Boston falls apart as a rapidly spreading virus makes her neighbors crave brains. Enough to kill for them.
She survives alone for a whole year in her urban studio apartment. And she surprises herself by managing her mental illness better than she did before. When her beloved cat becomes ill, Frieda goes on a quest to save her. It sets off a chain of events that challenges everything.
Reviews of the first edition call this a “dynamic” read that’s a “great story with a twist I didn’t foresee.” This places a character you’d expect in a women’s fiction novel at the heart of a zombie apocalypse."
Today and tomorrow (July 19th-20th, 2022, Pacific Time), the ebook is free for everyone. Please consider downloading your copy today!
If you previously purchased the first edition, note that Amazon does not automatically send the second edition to your kindle. Please take advantage of these two free days to get the updated version. If you missed the free days, you can sign up for my newsletter to get notified of future ones. I hold them periodically.
Please be sure to check out my Publications Page for my other work.
