Tuesday 28 January 2014

BLOG TOUR - PROMOTION & REVIEW & GIVEAWAY - THE ZOMBIE RULE BOOK - A ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE SURVIVAL GUIDE BY TONY NEWTON

BOOK PROMOTION

ISBN: 9781782793342
ASIN: 
Publisher: Cosmic Egg
Pages/File Size: 132pages
Formats Available: Paperback, E-Book
Release Date: 7th January 2014

BLURB from Goodreads
Rules and tips for surviving the zombie apocalypse. The following information may save your life. This book is designed to fit perfectly in your bug-out bag! If you are prepared for the zombie apocalypse you are prepared for anything! Throughout this book you will learn how to survive in the event of a zombie apocalypse and learn how to be a survivor! Use the following information to your advantage. Think like a survivor - when the zombie apocalypse descends upon us you will be a few steps ahead of the rest. Read, re-read, practice and apply, train hard and always think smart, you are a born survivor. This book of zombie survival rules will be a great asset to anyone preparing themselves for the zombie apocalypse.

Goodreads Book Link

GIVEAWAY
Enter for your chance to Win an e-copy of
                                                                The Zombie Rule Book

                                                               a Rafflecopter giveaway

AUTHOR INTERVIEW
What is your name, where were you born and where do you live now?
I’m Tony Newton, I was born in Cambridge in the UK, and I live in Essex at present.

Did you always want to be a writer? If not what did you want to be?
Yes, I have always wanted to be a writer. I knew whatever my future held it would have something to do with my passion for reading.

When did you first consider yourself as a "writer"?
I think really when I started writing for a few hours at least every day without fail.

Did it take a long time to get your first book published?
Not as long as I anticipated.

Do you work another job as well as your writing work?
Yes I work in Brand creation and logo design.

What is the name of your latest book, and if you had to summarise it in less than 20 words what would you say?
The Zombie Rule Book A Zombie Apocalypse Survival Guide, Rules and tips for surviving the zombie apocalypse. Rules and tips for surviving the Zombie war!

Who is your publisher? or do you self publish?
My Publisher is the fantastic Cosmic Egg Books, I think if you can’t find a publisher these days there are other great options like CreateSpace to get your work out there.

Do you have a "lucky charm" or "lucky routine" you follow when waiting for your book to be accepted by a publisher?
No just to check the emails and always check your spam folders.

How long does it usually take you to write a book, from the original idea to finishing writing it?
It really does depend on the individual project. Some shorter books would take me a matter of months and long ones (over fifty thousand words) could take up to a year.

Which of your books were easier/harder to write than the others?
I think the zombie book I am working on at present is the hardest. I’m telling stories from different points of view from people of different ages and genders.

What can we expect from you in the future?  ie More books of the same genre? Books of a different genre?
It sounds crazy but I like writers who are like musicians, you don’t want the same sound every time on every album and it’s the same with writers.  I am currently working on a self-motivation book which couldn’t be further away from the zombie fiction I’ve written previously. I think it’s great to write about subjects and situations that you enjoy reading about, that way you always have passion for what you’re writing about. As for what you can expect from me in the future, you can expect a wide range of titles of all different genres .

Do you have plans for a new book? Is this book part of a series?
This book is not part of a series although I have enough material to do a second book, so who knows in the future.

What genre would you place your books into?
Horror, zombie fiction, dystopian, self help.

What made you decide to write that genre of book?
Ever since reading horror and getting scared at a young age I knew I would love to write in that genre.

Do you have a favourite out of the books you have written? If so why is it your favourite?
The Zombie Rule Book is my favourite, although it’s not a huge piece of work I had the most fun putting it together.

Do you have a favourite character from your books? and why are they your favourite?
I think Layne from the zombie book I am working on now, he is very interesting.

If you had to choose to be one of your characters in your book/books which would you be? and why?
I would be a Zombie for sure all that roaming around walking and hunting after brains.

How long have you been writing?, and who or what inspired you to write?
I have been writing one thing or another since I can remember but only recently decided to take it further.

Where do you get your book plot ideas from?What/Who is your inspiration?
They just come to me, sometimes while I’m out roaming the countryside and other times whilst I’m getting creative in the kitchen.

Do you have a certain routine you have for writing? ie You listen to music, sit in a certain chair?
I always listen to jazz music and sit in my favourite chair or couch with a flask of strong coffee and the odd biscuit or two.

Do you have anybody read your books and give you reviews before you officially release them?ie. Your partner, children, friends, reviewers you know?
Yes I do get family and friends to read through first kind of like a beta test.

Do you gift books to readers to do reviews?
Yes

Do you read all the reviews of your book/books?
No, everyone has their own opinion, you could drive yourself crazy doing that.

What was the toughest/best review you have ever had?
None are really that tough, just that persons opinion on your work. You can’t please all of the people all of the time.

Would you ever ask a reviewer to change their review if it was not all positive about your book/books?
No an honest review is helpful all round.

How do you come up with the Title and Cover Designs for your book/books?Who designed the Cover of your books?
The title is always the fun part, but making sure no one else has already used it is the hard part.

Do you choose a title first, or write the book then choose the title?
No, always write the book then the title.

How do you come up with characters names and place names in your books?
They come naturally to me and they just feel right.

Are character names and place names decided after there creation? or do you pick a character/place name and then invent them?
I always invent them, they come as I write.

Do you decide on character traits (ie shy, quiet, tomboy girl) before writing the whole book or as you go along?
No, as I go along it seems to works better. The characters grow and change as I write.

Do you basic plot/plan for your book, before you actually begin writing it out? Or do you let the writing flow and see where it takes the story?
Yes I always have a basic plot then I go from there.

How do you market/promote your books?
Through social media and word of mouth.

What do you think makes a book a really good/bestseller ?
Good content.

Have you ever suffered from a "writer's block"? What did you do to get past the "block"?
No, luckily I’ve never suffered from writers block.

What do you do to unwind and relax? Do you have a hobby?
I love to read, and collect old books and unusual antiques.

Have you ever based characters on people you know or based events on things that have happened to you?
No characters but definitely some events.

Are there any hidden messages or morals contained in your books? (Morals as in like Aesops Fables type of "The moral of this story is..")
Not yet but I will do something like that in the future. I love the idea of it just like C.S Lewis did.

Is there a certain Author that influenced you in writing?
Ray Bradbury has always  been a huge influence to me, his writing is phenomenal, I wrote a letter to him once and asked him if there was a secret to writing he sent me back a hand written note saying “Just Write It!” the message has pride of place in my sitting room.

Which format of book do you prefer, ebook,hardback, or paperback?
I much prefer paperback books, but do enjoy reading the kindle on journeys or holidays.

What is your favourite book and Why?  Have you read it more than once?
My favourite book is Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. I love the idea of it, I have read it many times over.

Do you think books transfer to movies well? Which is you favourite/worst  book to movie transfer?
I did enjoy The Road movie but as is often the case the book The Road by Cormac McCarthy was far superior, the imagination is far greater than any movie can be.

What are you currently reading? Are you enjoying it? What format is it?(ebook, hardback or paperback)
I am currently reading Stephen King’s Doctor Sleep which is one of the best Stephen King books I’ve read in a long time.

Do you think ebooks will ever totally replace printed books?
Yes I think they will eventually, they’ll be like vinyl records are now.

Do you think children at schools these days are encouraged enough to read? and/or do Imaginative writing?
Yes there are a lot of great schemes encouraging young readers to read and write.

Did you read a lot at school and write lots of stories or is being a writer something newer in your life?
Yes I loved the library even then I was always reading and wring short stories.

Did you have a favourite author as a child?
My favourite author as a child was Roald Dahl his books were and still are amazing, what a genius.

Do you have a treasured book from your childhood? If yes, what is it?
Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak, it is an amazing book, one of the first I remember it really stood out to me.

Do you have a favourite genre of book?
Horror, dystopian, sci-fi, motivational.

Is there a book you know you will never read? Or one you tried to read but just couldn't finish?
No I am open to anything whether I’ll read the whole thing or not is another story though.

Are there any New Authors you are interested in for us to watch out for? and Why should we watch out for them?
Kathleen MacMahon

Is there anything in your book/books you would change now if you could and what would it be?
No not really.  Always have a good edit never look back only look to the future.

What do you think about book trailers?
I love the idea of them they look pretty but I’ve heard they’re not as productive as they could be so don’t spend a lot of money on them.

What piece of advice would you give to a new writer?
Never Give Up – like Ray Bradbury said Just Right It! And back up all your work.

Do you or would you ever use a pen name?
I don’t but who knows in the future.

If you could invite three favourite writers to dinner, who would you invite and enjoy chatting with?
Living writers would be Chuck Palahniuk, Brett Easton Ellis, Stephen King, and Clive Barker but I’m not footing the drinks bill!

Where can readers follow you?

@TonyNewton1
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7083697.Tony_Newton

MY REVIEW

ISBN: 9781782793342
Publisher: Cosmic Egg
Pages/File Size: 132pages
Formats Available: Paperback, E-Book
Release Date: 7th January 2014

BLURB from Goodreads
Rules and tips for surviving the zombie apocalypse. The following information may save your life. This book is designed to fit perfectly in your bug-out bag! If you are prepared for the zombie apocalypse you are prepared for anything! Throughout this book you will learn how to survive in the event of a zombie apocalypse and learn how to be a survivor! Use the following information to your advantage. Think like a survivor - when the zombie apocalypse descends upon us you will be a few steps ahead of the rest. Read, re-read, practice and apply, train hard and always think smart, you are a born survivor. This book of zombie survival rules will be a great asset to anyone preparing themselves for the zombie apocalypse.

INITIAL THOUGHTS
I only got into the whole "zombie" genre around the middle of this year so there's lots for me to read and catch up with. Approaching this book, I expect it to be humorous, though I'm unsure what format the book will take. Will it be lists of rules? or In a kind of diary with scenarios and rules?

MY REVIEW
I received this book directly from the Author via publicist Maria Barry. The cover is definitely eye catching with its right yellow. The book also has a gory feel to it with all the blood splatters featured on the book too. I think using the yellow which looks very much like the hazardous colour symbols is an excellent idea. So would the cover make me pick it up in a book store? Yes I would be attracted enough to pick up the book.
So the book is basically what it say's on the cover A Zombie Survival Rule Book. It's basically a tongue in cheek, yet highly practical list of tips and rules and advice to follow in the event that there ever is a zombie apocalypse. There's survival advice on what you should keep in your "bug-out" bag such as fairly obvious things like a supply of tinned food, a first aid kit and perhaps things you may not think of like those foil sheets that are placed around marathon runners shoulders to keep heat in etc.
I admit to being slightly disappointed as I expected more too the book. I wanted more scenarios, perhaps with characters. I kind of wanted this "handbook" to be part of a post apocalyptic series. I think it may have worked better as part of a series, as I feel as a standalone "handbook" it remains a bit stilted and maybe even a little odd. It does have some small bits of humour, but not as much as could have been incorporated. As part of a series the rules could have been referenced to the individual characters like "things could have been so different if Jane had used her knife instead of her gun etc etc."
I can't really say anymore about the book without just revealing some of the rules therefore spoiling the book.
So did I enjoy the book? Yes but I felt it could have been so much more. Would I recommend the book? Yes, but I feel I would have to point out that it is literally a Rule Book.  Would I read other books by Tony Newton?  Yes especially if they were apocalyptic novels!                   

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