or at least my history. A lot of people have been asking me lately how I became a writer and published poet or why I got into zombies in the first place. Well, here is my story.
It began many many years ago right after we had moved to Pittsburgh, PA. My parents had bought a 150 year old home in a small town name Sewickley that needed a lot of landscaping and work. On the weekends my father and I were inseparable working outside or in from dawn till dusk.
One weekend we had torrential downpours and for some reason Dad didn’t want to work inside the house that day (I think his back was acting up) so he and I sat on the couch watching reruns of the ‘Rat Patrol’ followed by Superhost on WUAB out of Cleveland. That morning would change my life forever.
Superhost showed a lot of B-grade horror movies and that weekend that had on what I now consider a classic, ‘The Omega Man’ starring Charlton Heston. While the bad guys in the move were NOT zombies (that’s a post for another day), it was the first apocalyptic film with a villain of that type in it I had ever been exposed to. I can remember being scared at age 6 or 7 and burying my face in my father’s shirt out of fear.
As I grew up my fascination with other types of horror grew to include ‘The Exorcist’, ‘Children of the Corn’, and sorted others. My first official book that was apocalyptic was the series ‘The Ashes’ by William Johnstone. I discovered that series in my early teens and at multiple times have owned the entire series, finally selling it off just earlier this year. If you have never read them I recommend them for adults that enjoy politics, horror, and post apocalyptic themes.
Movie wise the eighties were wonderful. I found the movies ‘Mad Max’, ‘The Road Warrior’, and ‘Metal Storm’. For me these were incredible films dealing with the apocalypse and how to survive.
As for my later years I finally read ‘The Stand’ and watched the movie. I loved it. My eyes were open to all different types of possibilities of the apocalypse.
Now you are probably wondering if I grew up in Pittsburgh didn’t I forget to mention something. I’m getting to that point now. The Dead movies. ‘Night of the Living Dead’, ‘Dawn of the Dead’ (not the crappy remake), ‘Day of the Dead’ and ‘Land of the Dead’. Classics each and every one. I have been fortunate in my life to meet George Romero (During the filming of ‘Monkeyshines’) and this past weekend I met Ken Foree, Tom Savini, Helicopter Zombie, Machete Zombie, and Grey Suit Zombie. It was absolutely wonderful to talk to these men about the movies they were in. A chance of a lifetime. These movies are truly the impetus behind much of my work anymore.
As a man in his mid-thirties I discovered the wonderful world of online novels. Works like ‘Autumn’ by David Moody and ‘Empire’ by David Dunwoody (aka The Dunwoody). I made dear friends in J. Dane Tyler and Bryce Beattie (authors of ‘Ghost Hunters’ and ‘Oasis’ respectively). Then I joined the Library. Not my local one but the Library of the Living Dead (see link to them on side panel). That is when I found out about Horror Realm and got to meet so many of my favorite authors seen in the photos HERE.
So you wonder why I write what I do and enjoy what I do? There is your answer. I grew up with it and it is now engrained into my blood. I am a horror author and poet. You know what?
I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Obviously most of you know that I went to Horror Realm 2009 over the weekend and got to meet a lot of the authors that I love to read. Yes the majority of them write about zombies, but hey, it’s what I’m into.
I had a chance to speak one on one with many of the authors discussing different aspects of writing. I spoke with Jonathan Maberry and S.G. Browne about chapter lengths and structures. I got encouragement from Scott A. Johnson, David Dunwoody, Dr. Pus and many more.
Perhaps the most shocking part was when Stephen North actually read the 19 or 20 chapters of Journals of the Apocalypse and asked me if I had multiple versions of it. We came to find out that Stephen had actually read JotA when it was still published on my blog. He really encouraged me to take up the keyboard and finish JotA and get it submitted to the Library for publishing. (My goal is to have it submitted by Christmas)
I also spent time speaking with Eric S. Browne who really encouraged me to take the plunge and get my work out there. We talked submissions and publishing for a very long time and it was wonderful of him to take that time to speak with me. He even talked with Kristy for awhile on how to encourage me to finish my novel.
So I’m left with a dilemma, what to do now? Well some of the guys even helped me with that. They suggested I take JotA and reread it from the beginning and get back into the swing of things. The ideas should run rampant. See I have this goal, at Horror Realm 2009 I was the fanboy, but next year I will be on the other side of the table signing my book ‘Civilization: End’ (what you know as JotA).
It will happen. Between my desire and my wife’s encouragement, I will be a guest next year and not a weekend passer.
Thanks Everyone,
Ben
Kody Boye is the 17 year old author of the zombie novel ‘Sunrise’
Rhiannon Frater is the author of the highly successful and independently published ‘As the World Dies’ trilogy with has been optioned for a movie or television
Scott A. & Tabby Johnson. Scott is a highly successful author and paranormal investigator. Highly amusing and also a great author, Scott provided me with some great moments of insight and humor through the weekend. Be sure to check out his novel ‘Deadlands’
Stephen North is the author of the widely acclaimed zombie novel ‘Dead Tide’. Stephen and I spent quite a bit of time discussing Post Apocalyptic novels and writing styles at Horror Realm and he is going to be a huge impetus and help finishing my current project. (More to come on that in a later post.)
Eric S. Browne during his reading at a writer’s panel on Sunday. Eric took a lot of his personal time at Horror Realm to talk to me about writing and publishing. Things like what to expect out there and for that I am incredibly grateful. Thanks Eric!
The Man, The Myth, THE DUNWOODY. That’s right folks, this is David Dunwoody, author of the critically acclaimed novel ‘Empire’. Though now legally blind, David continues to write with passion and originality. His next novel coming out is ‘Harvest Cycle’ which is basically what would happen if H.P. Lovecraft and Isaac Asimov had a love child. I’ve read it and the story is absolutely amazing and disturbing!
If THE DUNWOODY is the man, Dr. Pus is an icon. Dr. Pus is one of the most influential people in the small press industry and makes sure that we all have a chance to write and be published. During the day he is a dentist but by night he is Dr. Pus, Super Publisher!
Eyes open slowly
Legs swing over the bed
I sit up
Knees grind
Hips pop
Back grinds
I come to my feet
Hobble down the hall
No shirt
Gym shorts
Hear shower running
Wife getting ready
I turn left
Then a quick left
Bend over the crib
I rub her side with soft hands
Our eyes meet
She smiles
I force one over the pain
She grabs my fingers
My heart melts
Discomfort disappears
My heart fills with her love
Turning pain to joy
