Saturday 24 August 2013

Doug Ward, author of Parasite - The True Story Of The Zombie Apocalypse

Parasite - The True Story Of The Zombie Apocalypse by Doug Ward is available for Kindle from Amazon:
US: Parasite; The True Story of the Zombie Apocalypse
UK: Parasite; The True Story of the Zombie Apocalypse

Parasite - The True Story Of The Zombie Apocalypse
by Doug Ward
Parasite - The True Story Of The Zombie Apocalypse by Doug Ward

"Parasite - The True Story of the Zombie Apocalypse" has appeared on the iTunes Horror genre charts 41 times. It has appeared on charts in Australia, Canada, and the UK.

The zombies are rising in the sleepy town of Slippery Rock and it is up to Henry Cooper to figure out why. But first he needs to save his wife, Melissa. With the help of his neighbor Dean and some super hero clad comic book fanboys, he's off to the rescue. Join them as they race across Northwestern Pennsylvania on a quest which involves everything from undead to fire trucks. Along the way you will discover the hard science behind how the dead truly rose from the grave.


. . . . . . . .

Author Quiz interviews Doug Ward...

What is it you love most about writing?
I love that I can do it anywhere.  I'm a trained artist.  To do an oil painting I had to be in the studio.  When I started writing I found that I could do it anywhere, on my porch, my Dentists office, or even in a park.  It's a natural extension to painting.  Both are telling a story. 

Is there anything about you or your writing that makes you unique from other authors?
I have dyslexia.  When I was a kid I struggled just to read.  Writing was even more difficult.  It's a personal achievement for me to publish novels.

If you had to sum up your book, Parasite; The True Story of the Zombie Apocalypse, in three words, what would they be?
Zombies meet science.  I love science.  I like to think I give a Michael Crichton spin to the zombie genre.

What are you working on now and what projects and ideas do you have lined up next?
I am finishing up my work on "Predator" which will be the third book in my, "True Story of the Zombie Apocalypse" series.  I am also working on a Fantasy book, you know, wizards and an ancient evil.  I have also been outlining the storyline of a sci-fi novel.

Where did the inspiration for your novel, Parasite; The True Story of the Zombie Apocalypse, come from?
After reading Zombie Fallout I friended Mark Tufo (the books author) on Facebook.  It was there I saw he was having a fan fiction contest.  I entered it and that short story became my first novelette "Saving Jebediah."  It was really fun so I decided I needed to write more.  Thus began my odyssey. 

Why do you enjoy writing in your usual genre?  What is it about your usual genre that appeals to you most as a writer?
I enjoy horror and actually love writing about zombies.  Before I say that let me explain.  A friend of mine sent me a zombie novel for my birthday.  When I received it I was thankful but my inner reaction was, "Zombies?  Seriously?"  About a week later I picked it up and became engrossed.  I immediately fell in love.  About ten books later I found Mark Tufo.

If your book, Parasite; The True Story of the Zombie Apocalypse was made into a movie who would you want to play the main character and why?
I always wanted to be in a Frankenstein movie, not as a main character.  I wanted to be the guy with the pitchfork, or maybe a torch!  Yea, a torch would be cool.  Seriously I modeled my characters after my wife and I.  My wife is actually both women in Parasite. My wife would be great in the part.  Maybe I could play one of the comic book geeks I write about.  That's be fun.

Without being too specific and without revealing too much about the plot, have you ever killed off a character who you felt particularly attached to and if so was it an emotional experience writing the relevant scene?
My theory is that everybody dies in the Zombie Apocalypse.  No one is immune.  It adds a greater sense of reality when you aren't afraid to let go of a character.

What are some of your favourite quotes from reviews that you've received?
This is one of the reviews I received, "Zombielicious. I am remembering biology class as they explain why people are turning into zombies and clues to stop the infection. Adventure, politicians, lawyers and scientist * oh my *... Very good book."  The term zombilicious I thought was hysterical.  I just really love the fact that people like reading my book.  It's surreal to think someone is spending their night reading what I wrote.  I still can't get over it.

I read a book review on amazon once where the reviewer described the book as a page-turner and had clearly enjoyed the book, and yet only gave it three stars out of five.  Have you had any similar experiences with reviews yourself and if so did you take pleasure in the positive comments or frustration from the unduly ungenerous rating?
It's funny how people set their personal standard for giving stars.  I've had people really like my book and state that they can't wait for the next to come out only to give it three or four stars.  So I never go by the star rating but rather by what they say.

Why should people buy your book, The True Story of the Zombie Apocalypse?
I believe I've taken a new approach on the zombie genre.  They have a Michael Crichton spin to them.  It's something I've never seen before.

Of all your books, which would you say was the best starting point for a reader to be introduced to your work?
I would read Saving Jebediah first.  It's a free download wherever eBooks are sold.  This is the short story I wrote for Mark Tufo's contest.  It has a small tie in to my first full book, Parasite, but it doesn't come back into play until book three.  It's a completely different style.  Takes place in the country with, as one reviewer put it, a distinctive Dukes of Hazard flair.  It lacks the scientific components and the Crichton spin but it's a short introduction to my world.  the biggest difference being that it has some fast zombies.  They are the Mark Tufo variety.  In my world there are only slow ones.

. . . . . . . .

Thanks for your comments, Doug, and good luck with your writing.

. . . . . . . .

Doug Ward, author of Parasite - The True Story
Of The Zombie Apocalypse
Discover more about Doug Ward and his writing at his blog:
Zombie Book Writer

. . . . . . . .

Follow Doug Ward on facebook and twitter:
Facebook: Doug Ward
Twitter: @ZombieDoug

. . . . . . . .

Parasite - The True Story Of The Zombie Apocalypse by Doug Ward is available for Kindle from Amazon:
US: Parasite; The True Story of the Zombie Apocalypse
UK: Parasite; The True Story of the Zombie Apocalypse


Other books and short stories by Doug Ward available from Amazon:
Amazon.com:
Saving Jebediah; Another True Story from the Zombie Apocalypse
Symbiote; The True Story of the Zombie Apocalypse Part 2

Amazon.co.uk:
Saving Jebediah; Another True Story from the Zombie Apocalypse
Symbiote; The True Story of the Zombie Apocalypse Part 2


Doug Ward's books are also available from iTunes, Barnes & Noble and Smashwords:
iTunes
Barnes & Noble
Smashwords

No comments:

Post a Comment