My story “In the Land of the Blind” (which won the Chizine contest, like, a decade ago) is reprinted in volume one of Best New Zombie Tales edited by James Roy Daley. Really, it’s in there, as can be seen from the back of the book:
Yes, that’s my name there, along with “Micro Award Finalist,” which I guess is something special even though the Micro Awards are no more (three years is the normal longevity of an award, right?).
Anyhow, it’s not your common zombie story. I like to call it a “non traditional” zombie story, because yes, the living dead are in it, but they do not eat humans. In fact, they’re actually scared of humans. Here’s a little bit from the opening:
Like everyone else he knew, Steven’s heart did not beat. Instead it lay dead in his chest, as docile as his brain and his lungs and his soul. So when he first heard the faint beating sound coming from outside his bedroom window, he didn’t know what to think.
He considered telling his parents. He’d been hearing the beating for almost a week now. Somewhere in the trees and bushes beyond their backyard. Its continuous thump-thumping sounded not outside of his head, but rather in.
When his friend Jimmy came over to the house one day, Steven took him out back.
“Do you hear that?”
“Hear what?”
“Nothing.”
If Jimmy couldn’t hear the beating, Steven knew his parents wouldn’t either. They’d just stare down at him with dead eyes and say, Oh Steven, don’t make things up. You know what will happen if you do.
He knew. It dealt with something only the zombies had, something called imagination. It was dangerous and evil and those who had it were hunted down and put out of their misery.
But one night the beating became too much for Steven. He snuck outside with a shovel — why the shovel, he didn’t know, except that he would need it — and followed the sound until he came to a spot beneath a willow tree. He placed his hand on the dirt where the thump-thumping was the loudest and felt the earth vibrating. He began to dig.
The anthology is available as an e-book (for $2.99 at Amazon and Smashwords) and as a trade paperback (for a slightly higher price at Amazon). I actually got my contributor’s copies the other day and they’re really nice. A thick book, too, over 300 pages (mostly because Ray Garton’s story “Zombie Love” is about 100 pages long). Yes, the book is mostly filled with reprints, even though it’s called Best New Zombie Tales. But hey, as they say, if you haven’t read it yet, it’s new to you.
Now, I have an extra copy here. Me thinks it’s time for a new mini-contest. And here’s how we’re going to do it. In the comments section, write something that has to do with zombies. Your favorite zombie movie, book, video game, whatever. Or your least favorite zombie movie, book, video game, whatever. Or be creative and come up with a new mash-up. Whatever, as long as it has something to do with zombies. The deadline? Until ten people have entered. It could be a day, a week, a month, but when the tenth person has entered, I’ll pick a random name and that person will get a free copy. Cool? Cool. Now I’m not great at farewells, so uh … that’ll do, pig.
I just hung out with James. Nice guy. I intend to buy this book. Looks great!
Not that I’m thrilled with the “pig” comment. After all, you’re mixing metaphors? Or something.
Something zombie related … hmmm … how about the fact that I’m in the second volume edited by the same dude? And I like my cover better? Does this count? I want that book! Zombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombiezombie
And Roy was at Necon. I’m hoping he’s a better editor than he is a singer.
Sheldon — It really is a great looking book.
Monica — Do you seriously not get the “pig” reference? Don’t tell me you haven’t seen ZOMBIELAND yet?!
Ohhh, that’s right!
Don’t give the ZOMBIE book to Monica. She smells. Give it to Sheldon. He doesn’t.
Damn, Roy, you and Monica need to take it outside!
Firstly, congrats. I like the cover art, and I love reading new zombie stories. So I can’t wait to get my mitts on this.
Zombie-related musings:
I have to talk about one of my top 5 films of all time: 28 Days Later. This film re-vamped (for want of a better word) the zombie genre with fast-moving zombies. It was one of the first horror films of modern times to pick up on the cultural fears of our society, which weren’t of voodoo and the living dead, but of a virus. And what a more chilling setting to use than familiar old London, deserted.
But it’s not just excellent content that makes this film good. It’s Boyle’s direction, the cast, the soundtrack.
Whenever I ramble on about this film to my friends, we usually come round to this topic: How would you survive a zombie apocalypse?
My friend insists that chain-mail is your best bet, as the zombies wouldn’t be able to bite through it. I usually argue that it would be loud and slow you down, that they’d break you apart inside it, even if they couldn’t eat you.
In conclusion, please give me the free copy. I heart zombies.
Idle hands…has zombies and Jessica alba when she was still attractive, ie pre fantastic four…
Very cool! Congrats!
I have to date written one zombie story, and it was rejected for being “too ethical”. I dunno what that means. I guess zombies don’t wave at their neighbors when they’re out mowing the lawn.
Cool book. Looks fun!
Still time to enter? Man, I just saw Zombieland for the first time and it was great.
I like Rob Zombie. Eligible?
Few zombie tales really capture my attention, but when short zombie fiction is written well, it’s amazing. Which makes me want this book.
That being said, I now reveal my favorite zombie-related anything (and you may consider it cheating because it IS a stretch to consider it zombie-related): The Serpent and the Rainbow (the book, not the terrible terrible movie).
Sophie — The most impressive thing about 28 DAYS LATER, I thought, was how they were able to make London look so deserted. No CGI!
ST — I must admit, I never saw it. And Alba’s still somewhat attractive!
Mercedes — Zombies are people too, you know.
ACD — Zombieland was great.
Bruce — Yes.
Barry — Haven’t heard of it, but I’ll definitely check it out. Thanks!
I’m reading through The Walking Dead graphic novels right now. They’re pretty sweet.
WHAT?!?!?!? Buy that book NOW! It’s even a NON-fiction book about zombies (sorta kinda).
I though you might enjoy this amusing zombie tale…
According to an article from Gawker, Zombie Jellyfish Stings 150 People.
http://gawker.com/5593996/zombie-jellyfish-stings-150-people
I’d love a chance to read your story in Best New Zombie Tales ;-D
vvb32 at yahoo.com
vvb — That is a pretty crazy news story. Thanks for passing it on!
too late to enter? my zombie-related comment is that i’m reading brian keene’s new comic book series the last zombie, and it’s awesome so far.
Douglas — I’ve read only the first issue so far, and looking forward to the rest.
Shaun of the Dead, without a doubt, my all-time favorite zombie movie. It has zombies, humor, action, suspense, superb acting, etc… I did enjoy 28 Days Later, as well as the Living Dead series. Do not want to leave out Dead Alive from 1992. If you haven’t seen it, do. One line from a priest in the movie will have you doubled over.
Shane — Shaun of the Dead is classic, definitely. I really liked their follow-up, Hot Fuzz, but not as much at Shaun.
Best Shaun of the Dead.
Corniest, anything with Bruce Campbell.
Bruce Campbell corny? Maybe. But I still get a kick out of his movie (well, some of them at least).