This gorgeous Monday morning, I am joined by the wonderful Todd Brown. I was introduced to Todd’s writing late in the game and admittedly, I’m trying to get caught up.

If you are not familiar with Todd, he is the author of the Zomblog series and the Dead series.   He is deeply immersed in pursuing his dream of being a “full-time” writer while trying to balance the duties of husband, father, friend, and Border Collie owner. He keeps busy by reading and editing the numerous submissions for a variety of upcoming anthologies and full-length titles for May December Publications.  He has had short stories published by Pill Hill Press, Living Dead Press, and others. You can contact him at: twbrown@maydecemberpublications.com or visit his website at www.maydecemberpublications.com. You can follow him on his blog at http://twbrown.blogspot.com or twitter @maydecpub and on Facebook under Todd Brown, Author TW Brown, and also under May December Publications.

Now that we have all of that out of the way, let’s start the interrogation… Eer, I meant interview – promise! So tell us Todd, why Zombies? Is there anything specific that draws you to the genre?

I saw Dawn of the Dead at age fourteen. A girl two rows ahead lost it into her popcorn; that was the coolest thing I’d ever witnessed. Other than that, I think it is an open-ended environment that allows a writer to in any direction he or she chooses.

I have witnessed quite a few things while at the movies, but I can say that is not one of them (thank God!). Tell us about your latest project; published or otherwise.

I have the fourth Zomblog (Titled Zomblog: Snoe) coming out on Halloween. I am currently working on the 5^th book in the DEAD series (Dead: Siege & Survival) which will release on December 15^th.

If you’re looking to get a head start on either of those series, here’s a little bit of information about them. Clicking on the covers will take you to Amazon, should you wish to purchase either of them.

The unthinkable has happened. The dead are walking! Humanity’s fragile thread may be reaching its bitter end. Individuals and groups struggle to survive…some at any cost. Will there be anybody left? Or, is this just…The Ugly Beginning?

***

Samuel Todd is a regular guy: …Failed husband… …Loving father… …Dutiful worker… …Aspiring rockstar. He had no idea if anyone would care, or take the time, to read his daily blog entries about his late night observations. But what started as an open monologue of his day-to-day life became a running journal of the firsthand account detailing the rising of the dead and the downfall and degradation of mankind…

Awesome news Todd, I may even be caught up by then! What makes your Zombies different, if anything?

I think it is the characters that make my stuff different. When it all boils down, zombies will be what bring the readers, but the characters are what keep them coming back.

Agreed, many come for the gore that can only be attributed the undead, but in the end, they’ll keep coming back if they care about the characters. Well Todd, speaking about books and characterization, what are your 5 favourite Zombie books that you didn’t write?

In no order except for the first which is my all-time favourite:

Monster Island by David Wellington

The Loving Dead by Amelia Beamer

Day-by-Day Armageddon by J.L. Bourne

The Rising by Brian Keene

The Walking Dead graphic novel series by Robert Kirkman

Monster Island ranks at the very top of my list as well. I think it may have been the first Zombie novel that really broke the mould for me when it comes to the kind of world that you can create after the dead rise. That would make an awesome movie, IMHO, which brings me to my next question. What are your top 3 favourite Zombie films?

Dawn of the Dead (the original)

Shaun of the Dead (hilarious but exceptionally done)

Dawn of the Dead (the remake was excellent…and I am not a fan of sprinters but loved it anyway)

Awesome selections! The original Dawn of the Dead holds a special place in my heart and the remake was shot close to where I live which is surreal in a way. Walking into the mall after seeing the film was more than a little unnerving… 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?

You would have to be naïve to think otherwise. I’ve had countless friends and acquaintances come up to me now and say “Now I get it!” There has always been a culture of zombie, but it has become acceptable now whereas it used to be a fringe group.

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?

A guitar, a coffee table leg, a bookshelf support pole, a lamp stand, and my autographed Kyra Schon NotLD trowel.

You may just make it Todd, especially with a useful arsenal of everyday items. If you’re interested in finding out about the rest of Todd’s works, check out his Amazon Author Page for more information.

Join me next week when I am joined by fellow Canadian and author James Friesen.