Today my guest is Armand Rosamilia, a prolific writer hailing from Florida by way of New Jersey. So Armand, why Zombies? Is there anything specific that draws you to the genre?

The juxtaposition of their role in society and… nah, zombies are just cool. I’ve always loved zombie movies and when I discovered zombie stories I was hooked.

That’s a very honest answer. I’d have to admit that Zombies hooked me from the ‘get-go’ as well. If you’d like the opportunity to plug your latest project, published or otherwise, feel free.

I have two series running right now. My Dying Days series of zombie books, and the next one will be out very shortly. It’s called Still Dying: Select Scenes From Dying Days, and it is 13 short stories set in the world of the other books with new and old characters throughout. Second is my Keyport Cthulhu series. It is a modern setting set of short stories in the real and creepy town of Keyport, New Jersey. I add definite Lovecraftian twists and turns to the series, and the third tale, “Cabal”, will be out shortly. My Amazon Author page has all of these releases and more.

Here’s a sneak peek at Barren, Armand’s second book in his Keyport Cthulhu series:

A short story with a Lovecraftian slant… In “Barren” (the second in the Keyport Cthulhu short story series) a biker, on the run from the motorcycle club he betrayed, finds something far worse than former friends to contend with. 

8,600 words, including Author Notes… a modern horror twist with a Lovecraft feel to it.

Now, Armand, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty – what makes your Zombies different, if anything?

I don’t want my zombies to be hokey or goofy. I want them to scare you. Not only do my zombies want to eat you, they want to violate you.

Zombies that violate you? Interesting… Not something I’m sure I would want to encounter after the apocalypse. Actually the thought scares me… Moving on, what are your 5 favourite Zombie books that you didn’t write?

The Rising by Brian Keene is the one that got me started on this journey. The rest of his zombie books are up there, and anything by Mark Tufo is solid. I’m a fan of the TW Brown zombie books, as well as John O’Brien, Dave Jeffery and Ian Woodhead. Pick five? Very hard!

It’s always difficult, but we ask the hard questions around here. Let’s hope this one is a little bit easier to answer – what are your top 3 favourite Zombie films?

Dawn of The Dead remake, Shaun of The Dead and Pontypool.

I loved Pontypool! It ranks way up there for me as well, along with the book – which was fantastic! Speaking of how books influence other forms of media, do you think the popularity of The Walking Dead and its appearance in mainstream media has helped to increase the popularity of the genre, or has there always been such an interest?

I think there is a great, healthy fan-base but it exploded with The Walking Dead. Once the series ends, those people will move onto the next big thing (Mummies? Spiders?) but the hardcore fans will always be around. I definitely helped.

Fair answer. Pop quiz: if the Zombie Apocalypse were to occur right now, 5 things found in the room you are currently sitting will be your weapons – what are they?

The half-empty bag of M&M’s, hitting them with my paperback book collection, my Captain America coffee mug, my printer/scanner which never works when I want it to, and these pipe bombs I’m working on. Oops, should I say that out loud?

Probably not, but I’m sure you’ll be okay… Maybe… If you’re interested in connecting with Armand, you can find him on Facebook, Goodreads and Google + and also on Twitter  via @ArmandAuthor. Oh, and don’t forget to check out his Dying Days series!

Join me next week as I interview Joshua Cook, author of the ZombieACRES series.