Summer of Zombie Blog Tour 2014: Mark Tufo

You're reading Books, Beer and Blogshit! It's the only blog that's a-bloggin' all summer about zombies. I am your walking dead host, Mr. Frank!

We haven't had a Saturday post on the Summer of Zombie Blog tour this year. Today is going to be the exception for two reasons: It's officially the first day of summer and there seems no better fit for the occasion than to present an interview with the one and only Mark Tufo.

Talbot Don't Surf!

So let's enjoy some zombie goodness over a nice Saturday afternoon brunch or just grab a few wine coolers and head out to the back porch with your tablet and enjoy the soulful sounds of Mr. Mark Tufo.

Books, Beer and Bullshit: Are you a survivor or one of the undead?

Mark Tufo:  I had better be a survivor or I am going to totally be pissed off. I’ve got a joke with my wife that more than likely I’m going to be patient zero or the first bitten just because of the irony of the whole damned thing. If that’s the case I’m heading to Armand’s house first.

The Blogshit: What is your latest piece of zombie fiction we should be concerning ourselves with?

Mark Tufo:  I am currently working on Zombie Fallout 8 which at the moment I do not have a title for. Hoping to have this out by August (y).

The Blogshit:  Do you feel you are a classic or progressive type of zombie fiction writer?

Mark Tufo:  I am classic with a progressive slant. How’s that for straddling the line! Missed my calling should have been a politician.

The Blogshit:  What makes your zombies different from all others?

Mark Tufo:  I don’t know if my zombies are different from all others, but they are adapting and evolving as the series progresses. I started with your average walker and have some unique variations now.

The Blogshit:  What makes your living different from all the others?

Mark Tufo:  If you write full time for a living then we’re the same. I consider it an honor and a privilege that you the fans, the readers allow me to do this. Oh wait did you mean the characters in my books? It’s amazing how a lack of coffee will affect you. Well for starters there’s Michael Talbot with a list of idiosyncrasies that a therapist would have a field day with.

The Blogshit:  Do you think it's important, in this climate, to run with the pack or really try to reinvent the wheel in zombie fiction?

Mark Tufo:  Honestly I don’t think it matters, there are going to be your traditionalists that want zombies to be dumb, slow and decay at a certain rate. And then there are others who want, the fast runners and thinkers, and then there are some like myself that enjoy them all. If you have a great story it doesn’t really matter.

The Blogshit:  Zombie fiction seems heavily dependent upon working within the construct of a series. Do you feel that is the way that makes it work best for you or do you think there is still room for stand alone stories?

Mark Tufo:  I can only go by my personal experience, but I’ve found that my series far outweigh stand-a-lones in terms of sales. Readers want to get vested in a set of characters, they don’t necessarily want a one and done.

The Blogshit:  Are you ever afraid of being pigeon-holed in this zombie fiction genre?

Mark Tufo:  I love zombies, I love watching movies about them, I love reading about them and I certainly love writing about them. But I also enjoy sci-fi and the paranormal which I also write in. I think I’d like to be considered a writer not just a zombie writer.

The Blogshit:  For your next zombie story, stand alone or series, do you think you will need to go sicker or smarter to keep it going?

Mark Tufo:  Depends on the series, but if you’re talking about Zombie Fallout then definitely smarter, there is just something super creepy about a zombie that has the ability to think and to strategize a better way to get its food.

The Blogshit: On last year's tour, we asked about what to put on your zombie sandwich. This year, we want to know: What special ingredients would you use to pickle the pickles on your zombie sandwich?

Mark Tufo:  Aged belly bile I think would make a terrific brine.

Just wanted to say thank you for allowing me to be on your blog! Much appreciated!

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Mark Tufo:  http://www.marktufo.com/home.html

Zombie Fallout Series: http://zombiefallout.blogspot.com/