David Moody Official Forum: Recent Posts

David Moody Official Forum: Recent Posts http://www.djmoody.co.uk/forum/ Discuss stuff with the author of Hater, Dog Blood and the Autumn series en Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:51:26 +0000 David Moody on "The Mammoth Book of Body Horror" http://www.djmoody.co.uk/forum/topic.php?id=711#post-1277 Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:06:36 +0000 David Moody 1277@http://www.djmoody.co.uk/forum/ <blockquote><a href="http://is.gd/OY3wUO" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://is.gd']);"><img class="alignright wp-image-3575" title="MBOBodyHorror1" src="http://www.djmoody.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/MBOBodyHorror1-197x300.jpg" alt="" width="197" height="300" /></a>I’m very pleased to announce my involvement in this new anthology, out March 1st in the UK from Constable & Robinson and June in the US through Running Press. The book’s been put together by <a href="http://www.shadow-writer.co.uk/" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.shadow-writer.co.uk']);" target="_blank">Paul Kane</a> and <a href="http://www.marieoregan.net/" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.marieoregan.net']);" target="_blank">Marie O’Regan</a>, and it looks like being an absolute cracker. Just check out the stunning table of contents at the end of this post. I feel wholly inadequate being listed alongside King, Herbert, Matheson and Poe, as well as the original short stories that inspired two of my favourite films of all time (THE FLY and THE THING). You can order it now from <a href="http://is.gd/OY3wUO" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://is.gd']);" target="_blank">AMAZON.CO.UK</a>, <a href="http://clkuk.tradedoubler.com/click?p(51196)a(1383695)g(16460516)url(http://www.waterstones.com/waterstonesweb/products/marie+o27regan/the+mammoth+book+of+body+horror/8716387/)" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://clkuk.tradedoubler.com']);" target="_blank">WATERSTONES</a>, the <a href="http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/book/9781780330396/?a_aid=djmoody" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.bookdepository.co.uk']);" target="_blank">BOOK DEPOSITORY</a> and all the other usual sites. I’ll also be taking part in a couple of events to mark the release of the book. On Saturday 10th March I’ll be at <a href="http://www.derbyshire.gov.uk/leisure/libraries/find_your_local_library/chesterfield/default.asp" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.derbyshire.gov.uk']);" target="_blank">Chesterfield Library</a> for a reading followed by a Q&A with <a href="http://www.bbr-online.co.uk/nailed/" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.bbr-online.co.uk']);" target="_blank">Simon Clark</a> and the editors. On 14th and 15th April I’ll be at <a href="http://altfiction.co.uk/" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://altfiction.co.uk']);" target="_blank">alt.fiction</a> at Phoenix in Leicester. More details about that event shortly. MAMMOTH BOOK OF BODY HORROR table of contents: TRANSFORMATION by Mary Shelley; THE TELL-TALE HEART by Edgar Allan Poe; HERBERT WEST: RE-ANIMATOR by H.P. Lovecraft; WHO GOES THERE? John W. Campbell; THE FLY by George Langelaan; TIS THE SEASON TO BE JELLY by Richard Matheson; SURVIVOR TYPE by Stephen King; THE BODY POLITIC by Clive Barker; THE CHANEY LEGACY by Robert Bloch; THE OTHER SIDE by Ramsey Campbell; FRUITING BODIES by Brian Lumley; FREAKTENT by Nancy A. Collins; REGION OF THE FLESH by Richard Christian Matheson; WALKING WOUNDED by Michael Marshall Smith; CHANGES by Neil Gaiman; OTHERS by James Herbert; THE LOOK by Christopher Fowler; RESIDUE by Alice Henderson; DOG DAYS by Graham Masterton; BLACK BOX by Gemma Files; THE SOARING DEAD by Simon Clark; POLYP by Barbie Wilde; ALMOST FOREVER by David Moody; BUTTERFLY by Axelle Carolyn; STICKY EYE by Conrad Williams.</blockquote> <a href="http://www.djmoody.co.uk/2012/02/10/the-mammoth-book-of-body-horror/" >The Mammoth Book of Body Horror</a> David Moody on "AUTUMN: AFTERMATH" http://www.djmoody.co.uk/forum/topic.php?id=710#post-1276 Thu, 09 Feb 2012 13:34:03 +0000 David Moody 1276@http://www.djmoody.co.uk/forum/ <blockquote>With the US release of <a href="http://t.co/MiNwS0M" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://t.co']);" target="_blank">AUTUMN: AFTERMATH</a> now just over a month away (UK and German releases to follow later in 2012) I thought it was about time I told you a little more about the book. I’ve deliberately not said too much, because this is a direct sequel to both <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0312569998?ie=UTF8&tag=davidmoodyaut-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0312570007" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.amazon.com']);" target="_blank">PURIFICATION</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0312570015?ie=UTF8&tag=davidmoodyaut-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0312570015" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.amazon.com']);" target="_blank">DISINTEGRATION</a> and it was important for everyone to have had chance to read the preceding books first. So, to whet your appetites, here’s the blurb… <a href="http://t.co/MiNwS0M" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://t.co']);"><img class=" wp-image-2348 alignleft" title="Autumn: Aftermath US cover" src="http://www.djmoody.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/0312570023.01._SX280_SCLZZZZZZZ_V156094367_.jpg" alt="" width="224" height="335" /></a>“It’s been almost one hundred days since a killer disease wiped out 99% of the population. Three months since the dead reanimated. Survivors are few and far between now, and those who remain stick together to give themselves the best possible chance of continuing to stay alive. They are the last of the living. A band of refugees has taken shelter in a medieval castle – a fortress that has stood strong for hundreds of years. Besieged by the dead, they only emerge when it’s absolutely necessary. As autumn turns to winter, however, the balance of power slowly begins to shift. The unexpected appearance of survivors from another group changes everything. They bring choice, and an alternative way of life which is a far cry from the world everyone has been forced to leave behind. Society as we know it has crumbled beyond repair and things will never be the same again. Some people are ready to embrace this change, others can’t let go of the past. The choice is divisive. Are we entering mankind’s final days? In the aftermath of the disease, will the last survivors destroy each other, or will the dead destroy them all?” Just to clear up any confusion, this is very definitely the final book in the AUTUMN timeline. There are a few more short stories to share, but is the last chapter in the series. And yes, in case you’re wondering, the ‘survivors from another group’ mentioned in the blurb are from the island of Cormansey… Next week I’ll introduce you to one of the key characters from the book, and those of you who read THE HUMAN CONDITION first time around might remember him!</blockquote> <a href="http://www.djmoody.co.uk/2012/02/09/autumn-aftermath-2/" >AUTUMN: AFTERMATH</a> David Moody on "The AUTUMN artists – Dan Boucher" http://www.djmoody.co.uk/forum/topic.php?id=709#post-1275 Wed, 08 Feb 2012 08:13:40 +0000 David Moody 1275@http://www.djmoody.co.uk/forum/ <blockquote>Continuing my series of articles featuring the fine folks who’ve contributed artwork to <a href="http://www.lastoftheliving.net" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.lastoftheliving.net']);">http://www.lastoftheliving.net</a>, here’s a long overdue piece on the great Dan Boucher – excellent artist, Flash guru, and founder of <a href="http://www.thenovelblog.com" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.thenovelblog.com']);" target="_blank">http://www.thenovelblog.com</a>. I recently talked to Dan about his techniques, philosophies and inspirations. But first, a quick reminder of his work. Dan’s the man behind the animated artwork for <a href="http://www.djmoody.co.uk/duckandcover/" >Duck and Cover</a> which you might remember from last year. If not, click on the image below. <a href="http://www.djmoody.co.uk/duckandcover/" target="_blank"><img class="aligncenter wp-image-2049" title="Duck and Cover" src="http://www.djmoody.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/duck_cover.jpg" alt="Duck and Cover - graphics and animation by Daniel Boucher" width="500" height="390" /></a> Dan recently gave the Hater website (<a href="http://www.thehatertrilogy.com" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.thehatertrilogy.com']);" target="_blank">http://www.thehatertrilogy.com</a>) a lick of paint, turning an image of a Lowestoft housing estate (home to Danny McCoyne in <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/031253583X?ie=UTF8&tag=davidmoodyaut-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=031253583X" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.amazon.com']);" target="_blank">THEM OR US</a>) into a post-apocalyptic ruin. He has a talent for manipulating images, as can be seen from the before/after pictures below.  <a href="http://www.thehatertrilogy.com" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.thehatertrilogy.com']);"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-3547" title="hater trilogy" src="http://www.djmoody.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/hater-trilogy.png" alt="" width="569" height="443" /></a> I first ‘met’ Dan when he featured <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/031260808X?ie=UTF8&tag=davidmoodyaut-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=031260808X" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.amazon.com']);" target="_blank">HATER</a> and a subsequent interview with myself on his site <a href="http://www.thenovelblog.com" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.thenovelblog.com']);">http://www.thenovelblog.com</a>. He produced a striking animation for the top of the page, which impressed me so much he was the first person I thought of to ask to work on the idea I had for Duck and Cover. I knew what I wanted to illustrate the story, but it was way beyond my very limited technical and artistic skills. He turned this photograph of Birmingham City Centre into the image at the top of this post. <a href="http://www.djmoody.co.uk/duckandcover/" ><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-3550" title="Birmingham" src="http://www.djmoody.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Birmingham.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="375" /></a> I asked Dan how he approaches his work – does he consider the technical or the artistic side of things first? He explained that he has no formal training in either, and that he’s completely self-taught on all counts. “I’ve always enjoyed being creative and the creative, be it another artist’s work, taking time to draw with a pencil and paper or creating a functional software that’s aesthetically pleasing—an art form I might add, all its own. It’s not easy to design interfaces for end users, they’re picky and usually have a tech-level that hovers just above dangerous. There’s a fine line between looking good and being functional, and the real art for me anyway, lies in finding that balance.” Dan’s now branched out with a new company, <a href="http://www.wicked-concept.com" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.wicked-concept.com']);" target="_blank">Wicked Concept Creations</a>. For him it marks the first step in moving from building data-driven applications to creative content. It’s something he’s been looking to do for a while, and already he has some impressive clients including a major Hollywood FX company and a film score producer. “I‘m really looking to step into the creative side of entertainment in a big way and being able to feature work like I’ve done for you goes a long way. I’ve no delusions about this though, I know it’s a lot of time and effort and can be a significant source of stress, but I’m passionate about books and movies, so it never really comes across as work.” I asked Dan about <a href="http://www.thenovelblog.com" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.thenovelblog.com']);" target="_blank">http://www.thenovelblog.com</a>. Launched in December 2008, it aims to provide independent, unbiased book reviews. “I’ve often struggled with the spending of $25 – $30 on a hardback that reviewers had raved on and on about how awesome it was, only to find out that, well, it sucked. I’m also extremely aggravated by all those “reviewers” out there who give a book a one-star review on Amazon with nothing more to say than they hated it. No reason as to why or where it fell short, they simply hated it. To me, that’s not a review, that’s another author who’s jealous over someone else’s success. My point is if it sucked, say so, just back it up with facts—which is what I hope we do.” As an aspiring author himself, he’s well aware of the ‘reviews game’ played by some publishers and writers. “If you read one of our reviews, you can rest assured that there’s no outside influence, it’s simply our opinion.” Dan cites Stephen King as his foremost literary inspiration. With CUJO, King opened the floodgates for him to devour any books he could find by a wide range of authors including Peter Straub, Richard Matheson, Peter Benchly and William Blatty. “I would love to be a full-time writer,” he says, “and that is my ultimate goal.” And after a number of false-starts, he feels that 2012 will be the year he makes it happen. I want to wish Dan the very best, both with his writing and with Wicked Concept Creations, and I’d like to take this opportunity to thank him again for the AUTUMN and HATER-related artwork he’s provided. Cheers Dan!</blockquote> <a href="http://www.djmoody.co.uk/2012/02/08/the-autumn-artists-dan-boucher/" >The AUTUMN artists – Dan Boucher</a> David Moody on "THEM OR US – audiobook out today" http://www.djmoody.co.uk/forum/topic.php?id=708#post-1274 Wed, 01 Feb 2012 10:07:23 +0000 David Moody 1274@http://www.djmoody.co.uk/forum/ <blockquote><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1455154687?ie=UTF8&tag=davidmoodyaut-20&linkCode=shr&camp=213733&creative=393177&creativeASIN=1455154687&ref_=tmm_abk_title_0" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.amazon.com']);"><img class="alignright size-full wp-image-3528" title="Them or Us audio book" src="http://www.djmoody.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/6815.jpg" alt="" width="155" height="218" /></a>I’m thrilled to announce that the audiobook version of <a href="http://gan.doubleclick.net/gan_click?lid=41000613802196933&pubid=21000000000117629" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://gan.doubleclick.net']);" target="_blank">THEM OR US</a> is out today. Released by <a href="http://gan.doubleclick.net/gan_click?lid=41000613802196933&pubid=21000000000117629" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://gan.doubleclick.net']);" target="_blank">Blackstone Audio</a>, and available in a variety of formats, it’s again narrated by Gerard Doyle who did such a great job with his readings of HATER and DOG BLOOD. The book’s available from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1455154687?ie=UTF8&tag=davidmoodyaut-20&linkCode=shr&camp=213733&creative=393177&creativeASIN=1455154687&ref_=tmm_abk_title_0" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.amazon.com']);" target="_blank">AMAZON</a> and all the usual outlets, and can be downloaded from <a href="http://www.audible.com/pd/ref=mp_ja_1_12?asin=B0074APUKE" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.audible.com']);" target="_blank">AUDIBLE</a> and <a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=N3azZ6lqKeg&offerid=146261&type=3&subid=0&tmpid=1826&RD_PARM1=http%253A%252F%252Fitunes.apple.com%252FWebObjects%252FMZStore.woa%252Fwa%252FviewAudiobook%253Fid%253D500005474%2526s%253D143441%2526uo%253D4%2526partnerId%253D30" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://click.linksynergy.com']);" target="_blank">ITUNES</a>. Special thanks to Shawn who campaigned for this release. I don’t know if they bowed to your pressure or whether the book was in the pipeline anyway, but thanks all the same!</blockquote> <a href="http://www.djmoody.co.uk/2012/02/01/them-or-us-audiobook-out-today/" >THEM OR US – audiobook out today</a> David Moody on "Scream Magazine issue 9" http://www.djmoody.co.uk/forum/topic.php?id=707#post-1273 Sun, 29 Jan 2012 17:58:54 +0000 David Moody 1273@http://www.djmoody.co.uk/forum/ <blockquote><a href="http://www.screamhorror.com/category/scream-horror/" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.screamhorror.com']);"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-3520" title="Scream9" src="http://www.djmoody.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Scream9.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="286" /></a>I always like to mention new issues of <a href="http://www.screamhorror.com/category/scream-horror/" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.screamhorror.com']);" target="_blank">SCREAM</a> magazine when they’re released, because I think it’s a genuinely great publication – a mag for real fans of the horror genre. In this issue, as well as the usual reviews and interviews, there’s an excellent article on the history of the zombie from the Voodoo movies of the early 1930′s, right through to The Walking Dead and the sudden surge of mainstream popularity the living dead currently enjoys. Great stuff. You can get hold of copies from all branches of <a href="http://forbiddenplanet.com/" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://forbiddenplanet.com']);" target="_blank">Forbidden Planet</a> in the UK, <a href="http://www.screamhorror.com/category/scream-horror/" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.screamhorror.com']);" target="_blank">or by clicking here</a>.</blockquote> <a href="http://www.djmoody.co.uk/2012/01/29/scream-magazine-issue-9/" >Scream Magazine issue 9</a> David Moody on "So what exactly is ISOLATION going to be?" http://www.djmoody.co.uk/forum/topic.php?id=706#post-1272 Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:34:39 +0000 David Moody 1272@http://www.djmoody.co.uk/forum/ <blockquote>A new post over at the <a href="http://www.isolationmovie.net/" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.isolationmovie.net']);" target="_blank">ISOLATION</a> website sheds a little light on what we’re intending to do with this project. Please read the piece and, if you’re interested, follow us on <a href="http://twitter.com/isolationmovie" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://twitter.com']);" target="_blank">Twitter</a> and <a href="http://www.facebook.com/isolationmovie" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.facebook.com']);" target="_blank">Facebook</a>. More updates coming very soon. <a href="http://www.isolationmovie.net/" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.isolationmovie.net']);" target="_blank"><img class=" wp-image-3475 aligncenter" title="isolationslide" src="http://www.djmoody.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/isolationslide1.jpg" alt="" width="500" /></a> </blockquote> <a href="http://www.djmoody.co.uk/2012/01/27/so-what-exactly-is-isolation-going-to-be/" >So what exactly is ISOLATION going to be?</a> David Moody on "The Human Condition part II – now available" http://www.djmoody.co.uk/forum/topic.php?id=705#post-1271 Thu, 26 Jan 2012 22:34:17 +0000 David Moody 1271@http://www.djmoody.co.uk/forum/ <blockquote><a href="http://www.lastoftheliving.net/en/free-fiction/human_condition_part_ii" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.lastoftheliving.net']);"><img class="alignright size-full wp-image-3509" style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; float: right; border-width: 0px;" title="Last of the Living" src="http://www.djmoody.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/lotlcap.jpg" alt="" width="280" height="236" /></a>As promised, the concluding part of the 18,000 word AUTUMN story – <a href="http://www.lastoftheliving.net/en/free-fiction/human_condition_part_ii" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.lastoftheliving.net']);" target="_blank">THE HUMAN CONDITION</a> – is now available to read at <a href="http://www.lastoftheliving.net/en/free-fiction/human_condition_part_ii" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.lastoftheliving.net']);" target="_blank">http://www.lastoftheliving.net</a>. I hope you enjoy it. Things have been a little busy here this week so I haven’t been able to post much, but bear with me. There’s plenty of good stuff coming very soon!  </blockquote> <a href="http://www.djmoody.co.uk/2012/01/26/the-human-condition-part-ii-now-available/" >The Human Condition part II – now available</a> David Moody on "Autumn: Disintegration now available (again!)" http://www.djmoody.co.uk/forum/topic.php?id=704#post-1270 Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:09:21 +0000 David Moody 1270@http://www.djmoody.co.uk/forum/ <blockquote><a href="http://www.djmoody.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/autumn_disintegration_medium1.jpg" ><img class="alignleft wp-image-2451" title="Autumn - Disintegration UK" src="http://www.djmoody.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/autumn_disintegration_medium1-195x300.jpg" alt="" width="156" height="240" /></a>Apologies to those of you in the UK who’ve been waiting to get your hands on <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0575091428?ie=UTF8&tag=theinfected-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=0575091428" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.amazon.co.uk']);" target="_blank">AUTUMN: DISINTEGRATION</a> after the book initially sold out. I’m pleased to advise that it’s back in stock at <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0575091428?ie=UTF8&tag=theinfected-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=0575091428" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.amazon.co.uk']);" target="_blank">Amazon</a> and other retailers. I also have a small supply of signed copies available from <a href="http://www.infectedbooks.co.uk/Signed.htm" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.infectedbooks.co.uk']);" target="_blank">http://www.infectedbooks.co.uk</a>. By the way, if you’re interested in signed foreign editions of the AUTUMN and HATER books, you can find some of those listed over at <a href="http://www.infectedbooks.co.uk/Signed.htm" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.infectedbooks.co.uk']);" target="_blank">http://www.infectedbooks.co.uk</a> too. Finally for today, thanks to my good friend and web guru <a href="http://27smiles.com/" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://27smiles.com']);" target="_blank">Rich Grundy</a>, I have a new tool for those trying to locate specific eBook editions of my books. Check it out below: <div id="book_selector"></div>   Pick the book you’re after, chose your country and the eBook platform you use, then press ‘Go’. Simple! You can find this widget at <a href="http://www.infectedbooks.co.uk#ebooks" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.infectedbooks.co.uk#ebooks']);" target="_blank">http://www.infectedbooks.co.uk</a>.</blockquote> <a href="http://www.djmoody.co.uk/2012/01/23/autumn-disintegration-now-available-again/" >Autumn: Disintegration now available (again!)</a> David Moody on "Recommended reading – Vacation" http://www.djmoody.co.uk/forum/topic.php?id=703#post-1269 Sun, 22 Jan 2012 12:00:59 +0000 David Moody 1269@http://www.djmoody.co.uk/forum/ <blockquote>I have a feeling you might have missed this one… Matthew J. Costello’s <a href="http://is.gd/rRTLhu" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://is.gd']);" target="_blank">VACATION</a> is an interesting spin on the traditional zombie story. In the aftermath of devastating food shortages around the world, groups of humans become predatory, cannibalistic creatures. Elsewhere, life goes on after a fashion. After a near-death experience, an NYPD cop takes his family on a much needed vacation to an idyllic compound paradise where they’re free to roam in the open air and swim and play and live life like they used to. Of course, things don’t go according to plan… <a href="http://is.gd/rRTLhu" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://is.gd']);"><img class="alignright wp-image-3482" title="Vacation" src="http://www.djmoody.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Vacation.jpeg" alt="" width="150" height="214" /></a>“In the near future after a global crisis causes crops to fail and species to disappear… something even more deadly happens. Groups of humans around the world suddenly become predators, feeding off their own kind. These “Can Heads” grow to such a threat that fences, gated compounds, and SWAT-style police protection become absolutely necessary in order to live. After one Can Head attack leaves NYPD cop Jack Murphy wounded, Jack takes his wife and kids on a much-needed vacation. Far up north, to a camp where families can still swim and take boats out on a lake, and pretend that the world isn’t going to hell. But the Can Heads are never far away, and nothing is quite what it seems in Paterville…” I had a lot of fun reading <a href="http://is.gd/rRTLhu" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://is.gd']);" target="_blank">VACATION</a>. A fairly standard zombie set-up is given a new lease of life in unusual settings. I said: “Costello takes a typical family and throws them headfirst into a situation that’s anything but. What would you do to protect those you love at the end of the world? A thrilling, fast-paced story of priorities, secrets, and survival.” And I’d be interested to hear your thoughts…</blockquote> <a href="http://www.djmoody.co.uk/2012/01/22/recommended-reading-vacation/" >Recommended reading – Vacation</a> David Moody on "The Human Condition – new free fiction now available" http://www.djmoody.co.uk/forum/topic.php?id=702#post-1268 Thu, 19 Jan 2012 15:13:15 +0000 David Moody 1268@http://www.djmoody.co.uk/forum/ <blockquote>It’s been a while, but I’ve finally added some new free fiction to <a href="http://www.lastoftheliving.net" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.lastoftheliving.net']);" target="_blank">http://www.lastoftheliving.net</a>. It’s part one of <a href="http://www.lastoftheliving.net/en-US/free-fiction/human_condition_part_i/" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.lastoftheliving.net']);" target="_blank">THE HUMAN CONDITION</a> – the novella from which <a href="http://www.djmoody.co.uk/books/autumn-the-human-condition/#.TxgxoZh2i9c" >this book</a> originally took its name. <a href="http://t.co/MiNwS0M" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://t.co']);"><img class="alignleft wp-image-2550" title="Aftermath" src="http://www.djmoody.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Aftermath-200x300.jpg" alt="" width="128" height="192" /></a>Later this month I’ll start telling you more about <a href="http://t.co/MiNwS0M" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://t.co']);" target="_blank">AUTUMN: AFTERMATH</a>, the final book in the AUTUMN series. In the run up to the novel’s US release in March, there will also be more free fiction appearing. For those of you who read <a href="http://www.djmoody.co.uk/books/autumn-the-human-condition/#.TxgxoZh2i9c" >AUTUMN: THE HUMAN CONDITION</a> first time around, you might have noticed that a couple of stories are still missing from <a href="http://www.lastoftheliving.net" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.lastoftheliving.net']);" target="_blank">http://www.lastoftheliving.net</a>. You’ll find out why when you learn more about AFTERMATH… Until then, come back next week for the concluding part of <a href="http://www.lastoftheliving.net/en-US/free-fiction/human_condition_part_i/read" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.lastoftheliving.net']);" target="_blank">THE HUMAN CONDITION</a>, and check back again later this week for more <a href="http://www.isolationmovie.net" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.isolationmovie.net']);" target="_blank">ISOLATION</a> news.</blockquote> <a href="http://www.djmoody.co.uk/2012/01/19/the-human-condition-new-free-fiction-now-available/" >The Human Condition – new free fiction now available</a> ukmum on "Recommended reading – Remains of the Dead" http://www.djmoody.co.uk/forum/topic.php?id=700#post-1267 Thu, 19 Jan 2012 14:56:51 +0000 ukmum 1267@http://www.djmoody.co.uk/forum/ I loved this too, good set up for the final book in the trilogy. David Moody on "So you want to write about zombies?" http://www.djmoody.co.uk/forum/topic.php?id=701#post-1266 Wed, 18 Jan 2012 16:09:21 +0000 David Moody 1266@http://www.djmoody.co.uk/forum/ <blockquote><a href="http://www.djmoody.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/ZombieWritinge.jpg" ><img class="alignright wp-image-3448" title="Zombie Writing" src="http://www.djmoody.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/ZombieWritinge-247x300.jpg" alt="" width="148" height="180" /></a><a href="http://is.gd/7fKgGZ" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://is.gd']);" target="_blank">ZOMBIE WRITING</a> is the title of an interesting new eBook, to which myself, Joe McKinney, Craig DiLouie, Jasper Bark, and many others each contributed a few words. The Kindle edition is free for the next three days, so <a href="http://is.gd/7fKgGZ" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://is.gd']);" target="_blank">click here for a risk-free read</a>!</blockquote> <a href="http://www.djmoody.co.uk/2012/01/18/so-you-want-to-write-about-zombies/" >So you want to write about zombies?</a> David Moody on "Recommended reading – Remains of the Dead" http://www.djmoody.co.uk/forum/topic.php?id=700#post-1265 Sun, 15 Jan 2012 11:01:34 +0000 David Moody 1265@http://www.djmoody.co.uk/forum/ <blockquote>Here’s another book recommendation which I intended to make when it was released last year: Iain McKinnon’s <a href="http://is.gd/zFYbas" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://is.gd']);" target="_blank">REMAINS OF THE DEAD</a>. I love the concept of parallel sequels, and on this occasion McKinnon tells a story which starts at the same point as his previous novel <a href="http://is.gd/pCjGPU" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://is.gd']);" target="_blank">DOMAIN OF THE DEAD</a>, then shoots off in a completely different direction. And it’s all the better for it. <a href="http://is.gd/zFYbas" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://is.gd']);"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-3440" title="iain-mckinnon-remains-of-the-dead-500x500" src="http://www.djmoody.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/iain-mckinnon-remains-of-the-dead-500x500-199x300.jpg" alt="" width="199" height="300" /></a>“The world is dead, devoured by a plague of reanimated corpses. Cahz and his squad of veteran soldiers are tasked with flying into abandoned cities and retrieving zombies for scientific study. Deep in infected territory, hundreds of miles from their support vessel, the ever present dangers weigh heavily on Cahz’s mind as he shepherds his team to make quick, clean extractions. Then the unbelievable happens. After years of encountering nothing but the undead, the team discovers a handful of disheveled survivors in a fortified warehouse with dwindling supplies. Surrounded by hordes of ravenous corpses, Cahz is faced with the terrible responsibility of determining the five passengers who will escape in the helicopter. While those left stranded must continue to fight off the infected and starvation long enough to be rescued.” Some astonishing cover art there too from the ever reliable <a href="http://www.craigpaton.com/" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.craigpaton.com']);" target="_blank">Craig Paton</a>. <a href="http://www.djmoody.co.uk/2011/08/02/the-autumn-artists-craig-paton/" >Click here for a reminder of Craig’s brilliant work from the AUTUMN website</a> <a href="http://www.lastoftheliving.net" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.lastoftheliving.net']);" target="_blank">http://www.lastoftheliving.net</a>. I enjoyed this book a huge amount, and relished the glee with which McKinnon leads us and his survivors through the dead world. As I said at the time: “Believable characters trapped in a nightmare scenario—REMAINS OF THE DEAD is a breathless, high-octane zombie thriller. [McKinnon has] written another great book here…”</blockquote> <a href="http://www.djmoody.co.uk/2012/01/15/recommended-reading-remains-of-the-dead/" >Recommended reading – Remains of the Dead</a> David Moody on "Special Bulletin" http://www.djmoody.co.uk/forum/topic.php?id=699#post-1264 Sat, 14 Jan 2012 12:08:06 +0000 David Moody 1264@http://www.djmoody.co.uk/forum/ <blockquote>This week at the Post-Apocalyptic Movie Club, a little known gem from the 1980’s: SPECIAL BULLETIN. <img class="alignright wp-image-3426" title="Special Bulletin logo" src="http://www.djmoody.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/rbs-news-special-bulletin-500x369-300x221.jpg" alt="" width="240" height="177" />You might not have heard of this movie, but it’s certainly worth checking out. It’s a well done (for the time) faux news broadcast covering a breaking story. A group of terrorists have docked a boat in the port of Charleston, USA. It’s soon established that they’re a group of nuclear scientists and peace campaigners, and their demands are simple: the government has 24 hours to disarm the stockpile of 600+ nuclear missiles at a nearby military base and deliver the triggers to the dock, or they’ll detonate the nuclear bomb they have on the boat. At the time of writing the whole film is available on <a href="http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5395928224148935228" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://video.google.com']);" target="_blank">Google Video</a> and I’ve embedded it below. So why not watch it first, then come back and read my thoughts. In fact, for reasons which will quickly become apparent, I’d definitely recommend doing it that way. Okay, video first, my comments after the break. <embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docid=-5395928224148935228&hl=en&fs=true" style="width:500px;height:404px" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" /> It’s dated and it creaks and groans in places, but goodness me, Special Bulletin still packs a punch. In some ways its relevance has diminished (it’s a very definite product of the Cold War), but other aspects are still surprisingly relevant today. Filmed in the style of a live news broadcast, the movie opens with news of a gun fight at the docks. A TV reporter – there to cover another story entirely – is taken hostage, and a live feed is established between the terrorists on the boat and the fictitious RBS news station in New York. Anchors Susan Myles (Katherine Walker) and John Woodley (Ed Flanders) cover the story as it unfolds. Direct footage of the protestors is interspersed with talking heads – scientists, politicians, local reporters and the like – as the twenty-four hour deadline approaches. SPOILERS AHEAD! The US Government, refuses to accede to the terrorists’ demands, and when it’s established that the bomb on the boat is real, Charleston is evacuated. With the clock ticking, the authorities appear to have a change of heart, and abruptly agree to disarm their missiles and deliver the triggers as per the terrorists’ demands. However, the trucks which arrive on the dock carry a military strike force. The ship is stormed and all but one of the protestors killed. The timer on the bomb has less than two hours left to run. A specialist team arrive at the dock to decommission the device but fail, triggering an anti-tamper device, and it explodes. A mushroom cloud rises over Charleston. Special Bulletin succeeds largely because it’s an accurate approximation of a news broadcast (of the time). Shot on video tape and complete with all the TV logos, jingles and idents you’d expect, on the whole it feels surprisingly realistic. The story is relatively plausible, and even when it edges towards being far-fetched, the cast handle events with the required level of gravitas to keep the viewer onside. As a kid watching this back in the 1980s, I’d not come across too many movies before with endings like Special Bulletin. I can still remember sitting in front of the TV, watching the footage of government scientists desperately trying to escape from the boat having tripped the device. Then the disbelief as the screen turned brilliant white for the briefest of moments before cutting back to the RBS news desk, the two anchors lost for words and overwhelmed with emotion. The explosion itself is handled well with the director wisely showing little of the devastation. In fact, the post-detonation scenes with the biggest impact are arguably the unsteady, out of focus shots of reporter Megan Barclay (Roxanne Hart), several miles from the epicentre of the blast. She stumbles around in shock with her cameraman, the rest of her crew lying dead around her… Special Bulletin deservedly won a lot of praise when it was first shown. The original broadcast ran with frequent disclaimers (‘The following program is a realistic depiction of fictional events. None of what you are seeing is actually happening…’ etc.) in order to avoid panicking the viewing public. It has inevitably aged in many respects, and there are a few gaffes. The bomb itself, for example, looks like something out of Dr Who complete with standard glowing red LED countdown timers. One of the terrorists is played by Rosalind Cash who appeared in The Omega Man with Chuck Heston. Her TV news ‘mug shot’ when her character is first identified, actually appears to be a still from that movie! Several other actors also went on to become well known, and their familiar faces also spoil the faux broadcast illusion somewhat. <img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-3438" title="Special Bulletin - the RBS studio" src="http://www.djmoody.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/1265416665_1-300x224.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="224" />But if you can look past all of that, Special Bulletin is still a strong piece of drama. The world’s a very different place now, of course, and most people’s understanding of terrorism is a million miles removed from a handful of middle-class scientists on a boat with a bomb and a ransom note, but there are still parallels with how things are today. The governmental response (or lack thereof) to the unfolding situation, is plausible and chilling, and the film makes some really interesting points about how the media shapes and changes the news it reports with direct, twenty-four hour coverage and information overload. And in an entirely unintentional twist which really makes you think, in the background of the New York news studio throughout the broadcast, are the twin towers of the World Trade Centre. If you’ve got ninety minutes to spare, I’d definitely recommend <a href="http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5395928224148935228" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://video.google.com']);" target="_blank">clicking the link</a> above and watching Special Bulletin while it’s still there. Next time… mainstream cinema screws up another movie about a pandemic.</blockquote> <a href="http://www.djmoody.co.uk/2012/01/14/special-bulletin/" >Special Bulletin</a> David Moody on "AUTUMN: THE CITY – UK mass market paperback out today" http://www.djmoody.co.uk/forum/topic.php?id=698#post-1263 Thu, 12 Jan 2012 12:46:18 +0000 David Moody 1263@http://www.djmoody.co.uk/forum/ <blockquote><a href="http://is.gd/5bHZr4" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://is.gd']);"><img class="alignleft wp-image-1630" title="Autumn The City UK" src="http://www.djmoody.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/51+xYANnL3L._SS500_-186x300.jpg" alt="" width="149" height="240" /></a>2012 is certainly shaping up to be a busy year. Less than two weeks in and here’s another new book! Continuing their publication of the <a href="http://www.lastoftheliving.net" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.lastoftheliving.net']);" target="_blank">AUTUMN</a> series in the UK, Gollancz are today releasing the mass market paperback edition of <a href="http://www.djmoody.co.uk/books/autumn-the-city/" target="_blank">AUTUMN: THE CITY</a>. It’s available from <a href="http://is.gd/5bHZr4" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://is.gd']);" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, <a href="http://clkuk.tradedoubler.com/click?p(51196)a(1383695)g(16460516)url(http://www.waterstones.com/waterstonesweb/products/david+moody/the+city/7885484/)" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://clkuk.tradedoubler.com']);" target="_blank">Waterstones</a>, <a href="http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/book/9780575091344/?a_aid=djmoody" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.bookdepository.co.uk']);" target="_blank">The Book Depository</a>, and all the other usual places. By the way, apologies to those of you in the UK who’ve had trouble getting hold of <a href="http://www.djmoody.co.uk/books/autumn-disintegration/" target="_blank">AUTUMN: DISINTEGRATION</a> since its release at the end of last month. I can’t help feeling a little smug about this – the book sold out! A new printing is underway, and I’ll post here again when it becomes available again. Sincere thanks to everyone who picked it up. As always, you can find out more about the AUTUMN series over at <a href="http://www.lastoftheliving.net" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.lastoftheliving.net']);" target="_blank">http://www.lastoftheliving.net</a>. There’ll be some new free fiction appearing there next week.</blockquote> <a href="http://www.djmoody.co.uk/2012/01/12/autumn-the-city-uk-mass-market-paperback-out-today/" >AUTUMN: THE CITY – UK mass market paperback out today</a> David Moody on "Isolation – The Rules of the Dead" http://www.djmoody.co.uk/forum/topic.php?id=697#post-1262 Wed, 11 Jan 2012 11:02:57 +0000 David Moody 1262@http://www.djmoody.co.uk/forum/ <blockquote>Will Wright and I will soon be able to share much more information about ISOLATION, our forthcoming film project. Is this an AUTUMN movie? <a href="http://isolationmovie.net/content/2012/01/the-rules-of-the-dead/" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://isolationmovie.net']);" target="_blank">The Rules of the Dead</a> - a new blog post which answers this question – has just been added over at the <a href="http://isolationmovie.net/content/2012/01/the-rules-of-the-dead/" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://isolationmovie.net']);" target="_blank">ISOLATION website</a>.</blockquote> <a href="http://www.djmoody.co.uk/2012/01/11/isolation-the-rules-of-the-dead/" >Isolation – The Rules of the Dead</a> David Moody on "Autumn: Disintegration released in the UK today" http://www.djmoody.co.uk/forum/topic.php?id=690#post-1261 Tue, 10 Jan 2012 17:03:24 +0000 David Moody 1261@http://www.djmoody.co.uk/forum/ Glad you enjoyed it. Still don't know what's going on with Amazon... Aftermath is out in March in the US, November (at the moment) in the UK. ukmum on "Autumn: Disintegration released in the UK today" http://www.djmoody.co.uk/forum/topic.php?id=690#post-1260 Tue, 10 Jan 2012 17:02:07 +0000 ukmum 1260@http://www.djmoody.co.uk/forum/ Finished it! David all I have to say is “You bugger”" !!! It was fab as expected, but now I just want more……..whens Aftermatth out? David Moody on "Zona Zombie – Spanish edition of Autumn: Purification out today" http://www.djmoody.co.uk/forum/topic.php?id=696#post-1259 Tue, 10 Jan 2012 10:01:38 +0000 David Moody 1259@http://www.djmoody.co.uk/forum/ <blockquote>My first release for 2012! I’m very pleased to announce that the Spanish edition of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0312569998?ie=UTF8&tag=davidmoodyaut-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0312570007" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.amazon.com']);" target="_blank">AUTUMN: PURIFICATION</a> – <a href="http://www.amazon.es/gp/product/8445078720?ie=UTF8&tag=davmooautofth-21&linkCode=xm2&camp=3626&creativeASIN=8445078720" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.amazon.es']);" target="_blank">ZONA ZOMBIE</a> – is <a href="http://www.planetadelibros.com/zona-zombie-libro-59071.html" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.planetadelibros.com']);" target="_blank">out today from Minotauro</a>. <a href="http://www.amazon.es/gp/product/8445078720?ie=UTF8&tag=davmooautofth-21&linkCode=xm2&camp=3626&creativeASIN=8445078720" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.amazon.es']);"><img class="aligncenter wp-image-3386" title="72_1_zona_zombie_copy" src="http://www.djmoody.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/72_1_zona_zombie_copy.jpg" alt="" width="500" /></a> </blockquote> <a href="http://www.djmoody.co.uk/2012/01/10/zona-zombie-spanish-edition-of-autumn-purification-out-today/" >Zona Zombie – Spanish edition of Autumn: Purification out today</a> David Moody on "Recommended reading – Maberry’s Dead of Night" http://www.djmoody.co.uk/forum/topic.php?id=695#post-1258 Sun, 08 Jan 2012 15:49:41 +0000 David Moody 1258@http://www.djmoody.co.uk/forum/ <blockquote>Something else I’m planning to do with increased regularity throughout 2012 is recommend more books. I have a massive ‘to read’ pile which I’m steadily working my way through (actually, make that a ‘to blurb’ pile*), and I thought it would be good feature here some of the books I’ve recently blurbed and genuinely enjoyed. No reviews as such, just the publisher’s blurb, my blurb and, occasionally, a few words from the author. Okay, I’m several months late with this one, and most self-respecting zombie fans will already know about it or own it, but I’d like to recommend Jonathan Maberry’s <a href="http://is.gd/AKFPQc" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://is.gd']);" target="_blank">DEAD OF NIGHT</a>. <a href="http://is.gd/AKFPQc" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://is.gd']);"><img class="alignright size-full wp-image-3378" title="maberry dead of night" src="http://www.djmoody.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/maberry-dead-of-night.jpeg" alt="" width="185" height="273" /></a>“A prison doctor injects a condemned serial killer with a formula designed to keep his consciousness awake while his body rots in the grave. But all drugs have unforeseen side-effects. Before he could be buried, the killer wakes up. Hungry. Infected. Contagious. This is the way the world ends. Not with a bang… but a bite.” Great stuff as usual from Maberry. This is a fast-paced, by the numbers zombie story, written with confidence and style by a man who knows a thing or two about the living dead. I have a fascination with what goes on inside a zombie’s brain: do they remember anything? Are they trapped and helpless? Are they as evil as we frequently assume them to be, or are they victims too? One of the highlights of Dead of Night for me was the way Maberry handles this question, presenting a terrifying disconnection between the reanimated corpses and the conscience which once controlled them. I said: “Dead of Night stands drooped head and lurching shoulders above most zombie novels. The nightmare increases exponentially – from minor outbreak to major crisis with unstoppable speed, building to a heart-stopping climax you won’t be able to put down.” Highly recommended reading! * On the subject of blurbs – I’ve committed to enough to last me about six months, and I’m steadily working my way through them. Please don’t send any more my way, because there’s just no way I’ll be able to read them for the foreseeable future. Sorry to be a pain. Thanks for understanding!</blockquote> <a href="http://www.djmoody.co.uk/2012/01/08/recommended-reading-maberrys-dead-of-night/" >Recommended reading – Maberry’s Dead of Night</a> David Moody on "Children of Men" http://www.djmoody.co.uk/forum/topic.php?id=694#post-1257 Sat, 07 Jan 2012 16:03:44 +0000 David Moody 1257@http://www.djmoody.co.uk/forum/ <blockquote><a href="http://is.gd/A5Bhud" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://is.gd']);"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-3357" title="Children of Men" src="http://www.djmoody.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/poster_children-of-men-poster-215x300.jpg" alt="" width="215" height="300" /></a>It’s been far too long since I recommended any films on this site. Here then is another classic up for consideration as part of my <a href="http://www.djmoody.co.uk/category/post-apocalyptic-movie-club/" >Post-Apocalyptic Movie Club</a>. I’m going to try and post these with much more regularity throughout 2012. The film I’ve chosen today is one of my all time favourite movies, and one of those rare instances when a film adaptation clearly surpasses the source material. I’m talking about <a href="http://is.gd/A5Bhud" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://is.gd']);" target="_blank">CHILDREN OF MEN</a>, directed in 2006 by Alfonso Cuaron, and starring Clive Owen, Michael Caine and Julianne Moore. Where do you begin with a film like this? It’s a matter of personal tastes of course but, for me, Children of Men is almost note perfect. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nLfQd_GxbM" rel="nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nLfQd_GxbM</a>  Back in 2009 when I was writing <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0312532881?ie=UTF8&tag=davidmoodyaut-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0312532881" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.amazon.com']);" target="_blank">Dog Blood</a>, I talked a lot with my editor about world building – creating a believable environment in which your characters can interact and your story can take place. There’s a lot of clumsy science-fiction out there where the technology becomes the focus – the MacGuffin if you like – diverting the audience’s attention from the plot. Landmark films such as Kubrick’s <a href="http://is.gd/khkXpB" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://is.gd']);" target="_blank">2001: A Space Odyssey</a> and, of course, <a href="http://is.gd/iCq5Be" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://is.gd']);" target="_blank">Blade Runner</a>, presented alternate visions of the future where people simply go about their lives as we do, but using the tools and technology of the future. Deckard doesn’t bat an eyelid when he gets into his flying car – he just gets into his car. In 2001, Dave and Frank casually check the news on their tablet computers (<a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/apple-ipad-samsung-galaxy-stanley-kubrick-showed-tablet/story?id=14387499" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://abcnews.go.com']);" target="_blank">which just so happened to pre-date the iPad by 50 years or so</a>). Do you see what I’m getting at? Although more than 40 and 30 years old respectively, both films still hold their own, not least because of the plausible landscapes in which they’re set. Children of Men takes place in a dystopian world which feels both incredibly real and uncomfortably close. It’s based on a 1992 PD James novel, but other than keeping the basic premise it deviates considerably from the original text. (An interesting side-note: PD James has a home in Southwold and part of the novel takes place in the town. Southwold, of course, is also where Danny McCoyne makes his last stand in <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/031253583X?ie=UTF8&tag=davidmoodyaut-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=031253583X" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.amazon.com']);" target="_blank">Them or Us</a>, the final <a href="http://www.thehatertrilogy.com" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.thehatertrilogy.com']);" target="_blank">Hater</a> book.) It’s 2027, and it’s 18 years since the birth of the last baby. The human race has, for reasons unknown, become completely infertile. A former political activist (Theo, played by Owen) is recruited by his ex-wife (Julian – Julianne Moore) to help smuggle a female refugee out of the country to reach the Human Project, a ship-based sanctuary floating somewhere on the English Channel. And why is this particular refugee so important that people are willing to risk their lives for her? Because she’s pregnant. Children of Men makes for an incredible viewing experience. I began this post by talking about world building, and it’s here that the film really comes into its own. I can’t recall having ever seen a more gloriously visualised world. It’s clear that society is crumbling, and the landscape seems to be decaying along with the aging population. There are some wonderful visual treats here, and the level of detail shown is remarkable. Check out the passing shots of the corpses of farm animals burning in the fields; the frothing sewage pumping out into streams unchecked; the dilapidated school buildings, unused for years… My personal favourite – and this perfectly illustrates the level of detail we’re talking about here – the grubby London 2012 sweatshirt Theo wears in the final scenes in Bexhill. Bear in mind that this film was made in 2006… But it’s not just how the film looks that makes it special, it’s also how it moves. There are some wonderful extended scenes which, to me, are just breath-taking in their execution. The editing, camerawork, special effects and direction combine to devastating effect on several occasions when scenes of apparent normality descend into chaos in what appear to be seamless, single takes. Theo’s narrow escape from a terrorist bomb in the opening scenes is one such example, an attack on a moving car another. All of these pale into insignificance, however, alongside the climactic confrontation in Bexhill. There are spoilers ahead, but do check this out: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiyA70jAL14" rel="nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiyA70jAL14</a> Extraordinary. As you’ve no doubt gathered, Children of Men comes highly recommended. I’ll not spend an age going through the ins and outs of the story, or discussing the performances of the uniformly excellent cast, instead I’ll just suggest that you get hold of this film and watch it. If you’ve already seen it, watch it again. Next time at the Post-Apocalyptic Movie Club – a slice of obscure, made for TV, 1980’s US Cold War drama.</blockquote> <a href="http://www.djmoody.co.uk/2012/01/07/children-of-men/" >Children of Men</a> ukmum on "Autumn: Disintegration released in the UK today" http://www.djmoody.co.uk/forum/topic.php?id=690#post-1256 Sat, 07 Jan 2012 10:05:02 +0000 ukmum 1256@http://www.djmoody.co.uk/forum/ Its arrived....a nice glass of wine tonight and a hot soak in the bath, whilst i read it. Promise not to drop this copy in the water like I did my first Autumn copy!!! A long wait for this book, but im sure it will be brill...thanks David Moody on "Ain’t It Cool News liked the AUTUMN movie" http://www.djmoody.co.uk/forum/topic.php?id=693#post-1255 Thu, 05 Jan 2012 16:02:18 +0000 David Moody 1255@http://www.djmoody.co.uk/forum/ <blockquote>It was really great to see the AUTUMN movie featured over at <a href="http://www.aintitcool.com/node/52426" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.aintitcool.com']);" target="_blank">Ain’t It Cool News recently</a>. <a href="http://amzn.to/dWIt06" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://amzn.to']);"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-3339" title="Autumn UK DVD cover" src="http://www.djmoody.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/13704158_500x500_1-218x300.jpg" alt="" width="218" height="300" /></a>“Rather than diving into flesh eating ghoul territory, Moody’s AUTUMN takes a more patient and scientific approach. In many ways, this is a thinking man’s zombie flick with some fun performances and decent effects… AUTUMN makes for a damn fine zombie experience… definitely worth seeking out for the geek in search of genuine scares and interesting takes on the sub-genre.” As luck would have it, those of you in the UK can <a href="http://horrorchannel.co.uk/shows.php?title=Autumn&episode=238004" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://horrorchannel.co.uk']);" target="_blank">catch the movie on TV again in the early hours of Friday morning</a>. It’s also available on DVD in various countries. <a href="http://www.lastoftheliving.net/en-US/movie" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.lastoftheliving.net']);" target="_blank">Click here for more information</a>.</blockquote> <a href="http://www.djmoody.co.uk/2012/01/05/aint-it-cool-news-liked-the-autumn-movie/" >Ain’t It Cool News liked the AUTUMN movie</a> David Moody on "The Cost of Living – free flash fiction at www.thisishorror.co.uk" http://www.djmoody.co.uk/forum/topic.php?id=692#post-1254 Wed, 04 Jan 2012 00:14:25 +0000 David Moody 1254@http://www.djmoody.co.uk/forum/ <blockquote><img class="wp-image-3323 alignleft" title="The Cost of Living" src="http://www.djmoody.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/cost02-219x300.jpg" alt="" width="102" height="140" />The title of this post says it all really. Here’s a (very) short new year’s treat for you. <a href="http://www.thisishorror.co.uk/read-horror/flash-fear/the-cost-of-living-by-david-moody/" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.thisishorror.co.uk']);" target="_blank">The Cost of Living</a> – a beautifully illustrated (by <a href="http://www.multigrade.it/" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.multigrade.it']);" target="_blank">Daniele Serra</a>) little slice of post-apocalyptic flash fiction, hosted by my good friends over at <a href="http://www.thisishorror.co.uk/read-horror/flash-fear/the-cost-of-living-by-david-moody/" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.thisishorror.co.uk']);" target="_blank">http://www.thisishorror.co.uk</a> as part of their <a href="http://www.thisishorror.co.uk/read-horror/flash-fear/the-cost-of-living-by-david-moody/" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.thisishorror.co.uk']);" target="_blank">Flash Fear</a> series. <a href="http://www.thisishorror.co.uk/read-horror/flash-fear/the-cost-of-living-by-david-moody/" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.thisishorror.co.uk']);" target="_blank">Click here to read the story</a>.</blockquote> <a href="http://www.djmoody.co.uk/2012/01/04/the-cost-of-living-free-flash-fiction-at-www-thisishorror-co-uk/" >The Cost of Living – free flash fiction at <a href="http://www.thisishorror.co.uk" rel="nofollow">http://www.thisishorror.co.uk</a></a> David Moody on "Visiting the end of the world" http://www.djmoody.co.uk/forum/topic.php?id=683#post-1253 Tue, 03 Jan 2012 16:20:48 +0000 David Moody 1253@http://www.djmoody.co.uk/forum/ Can you ever have anything but a hellish night in Great Yarmouth? David Moody on "Visiting the end of the world" http://www.djmoody.co.uk/forum/topic.php?id=683#post-1252 Tue, 03 Jan 2012 16:20:48 +0000 David Moody 1252@http://www.djmoody.co.uk/forum/ Can you ever have anything but a hellish night in Great Yarmouth? David Moody on "Announcing ISOLATION" http://www.djmoody.co.uk/forum/topic.php?id=691#post-1251 Tue, 03 Jan 2012 16:20:08 +0000 David Moody 1251@http://www.djmoody.co.uk/forum/ Thanks Aaron! arayner on "Announcing ISOLATION" http://www.djmoody.co.uk/forum/topic.php?id=691#post-1250 Tue, 03 Jan 2012 15:24:41 +0000 arayner 1250@http://www.djmoody.co.uk/forum/ Count me mate! I'll help with what evers needed, and I'd loved to play dead! David Moody on "Announcing ISOLATION" http://www.djmoody.co.uk/forum/topic.php?id=691#post-1249 Mon, 02 Jan 2012 15:02:52 +0000 David Moody 1249@http://www.djmoody.co.uk/forum/ <blockquote>Hope you’ve had a great New Year! I mentioned in a recent post that I’ll be trying a few different things this year, but that doesn’t mean I’ll be completely turning my back on the post-apocalyptic tales of doom which have served me well so far! I wanted to start 2012 by formally announcing a project which I, along with several others, have already been working on for some time. If you’ve been following me for a while, you’ll probably have heard me describe myself as a frustrated film-maker. I’ve made no secret of the fact that film is something I’ve long wanted to get more involved with, and in 2012 that’s going to happen. <a href="http://www.isolationmovie.net/" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.isolationmovie.net']);" target="_blank">ISOLATION</a> is a film project I’m working on with <a href="http://www.revwright.co.uk/" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.revwright.co.uk']);" target="_blank">Will Wright</a>. Will and I met a couple of years back and, born of a mutual desire to make a certain type of zombie movie, we immediately started plotting. We now have a script, a strategy, and a number of industry professionals ready to help us turn our story (actually stories) into a unique movie. I’m not going to tell you very much more just yet, other than the fact we’ll be filming in and around Birmingham, UK, this summer. So why I am telling you this today instead of waiting until we’ve got something more tangible to show you? The answer’s simple – we want you involved from the outset. We want you to help shape this project. Over the coming weeks and months we’ll be revealing more and more about ISOLATION and asking for your feedback and ideas. <a href="http://isolationmovie.net/content/get-involved/" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://isolationmovie.net']);" target="_blank">If you’re a designer, musician, make up artist, actor, stunt person, promotions expert etc. etc. then we want to hear from you. If you’re a zombie fanatic who has very definite ideas on the kind of zombie movies you’d like to see, then we want to hear from you. If you just like the idea of playing dead on film, then we want to hear from you!</a> More to come very soon. In the meantime, follow <a href="http://www.isolationmovie.net/" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.isolationmovie.net']);" target="_blank">ISOLATION</a> on <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/isolationmovie" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://twitter.com']);" target="_blank">Twitter</a> and <a href="http://www.facebook.com/isolationmovie" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.facebook.com']);" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, join the <a href="http://eepurl.com/hvlwQ" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://eepurl.com']);" target="_blank">mailing list</a>, and keep an eye on the website. Until then, here’s <a href="http://defdfires.co.uk/" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://defdfires.co.uk']);" target="_blank">DefDFires</a> zombie-themed video for The Palace, directed by Will. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGr9HYaR0Sw" rel="nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGr9HYaR0Sw</a></blockquote> <a href="http://www.djmoody.co.uk/2012/01/02/announcing-isolation/" >Announcing ISOLATION</a> Matov on "Visiting the end of the world" http://www.djmoody.co.uk/forum/topic.php?id=683#post-1248 Mon, 02 Jan 2012 13:05:30 +0000 Matov 1248@http://www.djmoody.co.uk/forum/ I once spent a hellish night in Great Yarmouth which really is the end of the world ! David Moody on "Autumn: Disintegration released in the UK today" http://www.djmoody.co.uk/forum/topic.php?id=690#post-1247 Sat, 31 Dec 2011 10:36:00 +0000 David Moody 1247@http://www.djmoody.co.uk/forum/ That’s strange… Can’t understand what’s going on at Amazon. Oh well, I’ll get your book in the post today. Might be some end of the year/bank holiday glitch! Thanks Sarah! ukmum on "Autumn: Disintegration released in the UK today" http://www.djmoody.co.uk/forum/topic.php?id=690#post-1246 Sat, 31 Dec 2011 10:35:13 +0000 ukmum 1246@http://www.djmoody.co.uk/forum/ Hi David, Just to let you know that i’ve had to cancel my Amazon order…they dont have the stock, shame as I had the order from october! ukmum on "Autumn: Disintegration released in the UK today" http://www.djmoody.co.uk/forum/topic.php?id=690#post-1245 Sat, 31 Dec 2011 10:35:09 +0000 ukmum 1245@http://www.djmoody.co.uk/forum/ Ok, just ordered via infected books..cant wait to read it! Sarah David Moody on "Autumn: Disintegration released in the UK today" http://www.djmoody.co.uk/forum/topic.php?id=690#post-1244 Thu, 29 Dec 2011 09:01:44 +0000 David Moody 1244@http://www.djmoody.co.uk/forum/ <blockquote>I hope you’re all enjoying the holidays. Here’s my last post for 2011, and it’s one that I’ve been looking forward to for a long time. <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0575091428?ie=UTF8&tag=theinfected-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=0575091428" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.amazon.co.uk']);"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-2451" title="Autumn - Disintegration UK" src="http://www.djmoody.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/autumn_disintegration_medium1-195x300.jpg" alt="" width="195" height="300" /></a><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0575091428?ie=UTF8&tag=theinfected-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=0575091428" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.amazon.co.uk']);" target="_blank">AUTUMN: DISINTEGRATION</a> is, at long, long last, released in the UK today. I’ve already talked a lot about the book and the reasons for its numerous delays (<a href="http://www.djmoody.co.uk/2011/09/12/autumn-disintegration" >click here for a reminder</a>), so today I just want to concentrate on the positive news that the book is finally out. For a reminder of the plot of the new novel and to understand how it fits in with the rest of the AUTUMN books, <a href="http://www.djmoody.co.uk/2011/09/21/autumn-disintegration-long-delays-and-parallel-sequels" >click here</a>. A limited number of signed copies of the UK hardcover edition are now available from <a href="http://www.infectedbooks.co.uk/Signed.htm" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.infectedbooks.co.uk']);" target="_blank">Infected Books</a>. <a href="http://www.infectedbooks.co.uk/Signed.htm" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.infectedbooks.co.uk']);" target="_blank">Click here for more details</a>. Thanks again for all your support throughout 2011. I’ll be back very early in 2012 with loads of good stuff. Until then, enjoy DISINTEGRATION and have a Happy New Year!</blockquote> <a href="http://www.djmoody.co.uk/2011/12/29/autumn-disintegration-released-in-the-uk-today/" >Autumn: Disintegration released in the UK today</a> David Moody on "Happy Holidays (and Christmas Zombies!)" http://www.djmoody.co.uk/forum/topic.php?id=689#post-1243 Fri, 23 Dec 2011 10:52:36 +0000 David Moody 1243@http://www.djmoody.co.uk/forum/ <blockquote><img class="alignright wp-image-3287" title="Zombie Santa" src="http://www.djmoody.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/snzn.jpg" alt="" width="200" />Hello! Long time no post! You might have noticed the lack of updates here over the last couple of weeks. After the madness of November (lots of book releases and events etc.), I ended up taking a very definite step back to survey the landscape. 2011 has been a phenomenal year and now, almost at the end of it, I find myself in a position I haven’t been in for a while. All my contracted books have been delivered and I’m taking my time deciding what to do next. It’s a good feeling – quite liberating, actually. The last five years (and in particular the last three) have been pretty full-on. It’s been <a href="http://www.thehatertrilogy.com" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.thehatertrilogy.com']);" target="_blank">HATER</a> and <a href="http://www.lastoftheliving.net" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.lastoftheliving.net']);" target="_blank">AUTUMN</a> all the way, and I’m ready for a change of direction. I’ll tell you more about my plans in early 2012. But just looking back over 2011 for a moment, I’m amazed how many releases I managed to chalk up: In the US, AUTUMN: THE CITY, AUTUMN: PURIFICATION, AUTUMN: DISINTEGRATION and THEM OR US were all released, along with the mass-market edition of DOG BLOOD. It was the same in the UK, along with a mass-market edition of AUTUMN as well. Elsewhere, SEPTIEMBRE ZOMBIE and CIUDAD ZOMBIE were released in Spain, and translations of HATER appeared in Romania, Japan and Italy. Oh, and there was THE MONSTER’S CORNER anthology, and my story for the recent SFX ZOMBIE SPECIAL. See what I mean? It’s been a busy year! And that’s before I start talking about the events and signings and interviews and meetings and website launches etc. etc. 2011 has been a blast, and thanks to everyone who has been a part of it. This won’t be my last post of the year, but I just wanted to take this opportunity to wish you and yours a Happy Christmas. Whatever you celebrate, wherever you are, have fun! I’ll leave you with a festive treat. Remember back in October when <a href="http://www.djmoody.co.uk/2011/10/10/brain-eating-book-signings-and-wicker-trees/" target="_blank">Wayne Simmons, Jasper Bark and I ended up holed-up in Leicester</a>, surrounded by zombies, discussing our love for the genre and our favoured survival techniques? Well here’s the video evidence. <iframe width="500" height="281" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/l4JUChsyZVQ?fs=1&feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> It’s very tongue in cheek and everyone had a huge amount of fun on the day. Thanks to Vince, Adele, and all involved with <a href="http://http://unboundve.blogspot.com/2011/12/ubve-2-zombies.html" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://unboundve.blogspot.com']);" target="_blank">Un:Bound Video Editions</a>.</blockquote> <a href="http://www.djmoody.co.uk/2011/12/23/happy-holidays-and-christmas-zombies/" >Happy Holidays (and Christmas Zombies!)</a>