David Moody's Blog, page 51

Steven Rumbelow – the director of AUTUMN – has passed away

I’ve sad news to report. Steven Rumbelow, who directed the 2009 movie adaptation of AUTUMN, has passed away. You can read Variety’s obituary here.

If you’ve heard me talk about the AUTUMN movie, you might be surprised to hear this, but I think I’ve a lot to thank Steven for. I’ve been pretty vocal in the past about my feelings for the film – it was a valiant attempt to adapt the film for the screen, but it fell well short of its potential. The main cast was great (in particular , and ) and some scenes really caught the look and feel of the novel beautifully. Technical shortcomings hampered production, and ultimately the level of the budget didn’t allow the film-makers to fully realise their ambition.

Some people loved the film, though. The UK’s well respected Empire Magazine called AUTUMN “surprisingly downbeat and intelligent“. 365Horror.co.uk said “It’s slow and thoughtful and mesmerising to watch, allowing the viewer to think and reflect. Rumbelow has created something worthy of the Romero tip of the hat here.” Reviewer Nicholas Bergquist wrote “If you’re a bit tired of the same-old same-old zombie films, you need to see Autumn. If you’re just keen for a good horror movie that eschews standard formulae and obligatory kill counts, you need to see Autumn. If you want to watch a really damned fine end of the world tale that tries for a more measured pace… Autumn’s your movie.”

But it’s fair to say, the criticism massively outweighed the praise. Also, the project never really stood a chance after David Carradine’s death and the subsequent leaking of an unfinished cut of the movie online which was seen (and slated) by hundreds of thousands of people.

I said I’ve a lot to thank Steven for, and I meant that. Watching the production of AUTUMN progress, both from a distance and when I was on set, and seeing how the film fared after release taught me a huge amount about the highs and lows of the movie business. I got to go to Canada and play zombie. I ended up on the DVD cover (yes, that’s me). I got to meet a number of very cool people along the way and was able to attend a number of film festivals and other events. Most importantly, in one way or another the movie had a huge effect on my demographic and made substantial numbers of people aware of my books who might not have heard of me otherwise. Someone once said to me it’s better to have a bad movie made of your book than no movie at all, and I’m inclined to agree. I think AUTUMN is a seriously flawed movie more than an out and out bad film, but I’m pleased it happened. I’ll never forget the thrill of sitting in the first UK cinema showing and seeing the words ‘based on the novel by David Moody’ appear on screen.

Visiting the set of AUTUMN in December 2007 (pictured with Steven Rumbelow)

My sincere condolences go out to Rachel, Dickon, and the rest of the Rumbelow and Renegade Motion Pictures families.

Steven Rumbelow – the director of AUTUMN – has passed away is a post from: David Moody - author of AUTUMN and HATER

Year of the Zombie month #3 – THE YACHT by Iain Rob Wright

How can it be March already? We’re onto book #3 of YEAR OF THE ZOMBIE, and I’m thrilled to introduce a cracking little tale from a star of indie publishing. THE YACHT by IAIN ROB WRIGHT hooks you in from the very first line and doesn’t let you go. I know I’m biased, but it’s brilliant. Pick up a copy now from AMAZON.COM or AMAZON.CO.UK.

Even millionaires get seasick…

What’s intended as a little quality time aboard their luxury yacht quickly turns deadly for Emily and Ross Tyler. Something else came aboard their yacht, you see. Something besides their marital difficulties and stresses of the world. And it’s out for blood.

On the high seas, paranoia will get you killed.

Year of the Zombie month #3 – THE YACHT by Iain Rob Wright is a post from: David Moody - author of AUTUMN and HATER

Life and Death

You’ll see from the date of my last post that I’ve not been around for a while. There’s good reason for that. My dad was taken ill at the end of January and, just over a week ago, he passed away (it still feels unreal to type that). Life for my family and I has been on hold for the last month or so.

It’s funny – as a horror author I write about death a lot (heck, the first line of AUTUMN is ‘Billions died in less than twenty-four hours’), but no matter how much you think you’re prepared or how many times you go through it, you’re never quite ready for the tsunami of emotions you feel when you lose someone you love.

My old man had a hellish final month. There were scenes that wouldn’t have been out of place in one of my novels, and Dad even joked that he wanted a slice of the royalties if I based a story on what he’d been through. It was a rollercoaster ride: we laughed, we cried, we laughed some more, then we cried even more after that. He received exemplary care from our incredible NHS, and he died after spending his final hours surrounded by people he loved and who loved him dearly.

See you, Dad, and thanks for everything. You’ll be missed by many, many people and will never be forgotten.

At this point he’d tell me to stop moping and pull my finger out, so I will. Normal service will be resumed here shortly.

Life and Death is a post from: David Moody - author of AUTUMN and HATER

Year of the Zombie month #2 – THE PLAGUE WINTER by Rich Hawkins

I’m over the moon that ADAM BAKER‘s KILLCHAIN – the first book in Infected Books’ YEAR OF THE ZOMBIE – has been so well-received. It really has gone down a storm. I’m equally excited to announce that book two – THE PLAGUE WINTER by RICH HAWKINS – is now available. Set in the world of his brilliant novels, THE LAST PLAGUE and THE LAST OUTPOST, THE PLAGUE WINTER is an intensely personal story of hope and hopelessness at the end of everything. Grab it now from Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk.

Following the devastating outbreak of an alien virus, Eddie and his young grandson struggle to survive within the wasteland of Great Britain. They live day-to-day, scavenging among the ruins, trying to avoid the deadly infected that now roam the land. But Eddie has other demons to conquer: a longstanding drink problem that needs to be kept in check if he wants to keep both himself and his young charge alive.

When a stranger enters their lives, seeking help, Eddie is forced to make a choice that could alter their lives forever.

Year of the Zombie month #2 – THE PLAGUE WINTER by Rich Hawkins is a post from: David Moody - author of AUTUMN and HATER

Tex Montana Will Survive!

You might remember me waxing lyrical about a superb indie zombie film from a couple of years back called THE BATTERY. It was an excellent example of how low budgets and limited resources are no obstacle to success if you’ve got a strong vision and are dedicated to your project. THE BATTERY was an extremely original movie, and it looks like the film-makers’ next release – TEX MONTANA WILL SURVIVE! – is going to be equally inventive.

There’s a Kickstarter campaign running throughout February, and I urge you to support it. Not least because this is a campaign with a HUGE difference. The film is complete, already in the can, and the team behind it intend to use their crowdfunding campaign to release it FOR FREE, WORLDWIDE, as soon as the campaign ends (27 days and counting). As someone whose career was launched by giving their work away for free (if you’re late to the party, the first AUTUMN novel was available as a free download in the early 2000’s), I completely appreciate how big a deal this is for Jeremy Gardner, Christian Stella, and Adam Cronheim. Please view the Kickstarter video I’ve embedded here, check out the campaign, and pledge your support.

Tex Montana Will Survive! is a post from: David Moody - author of AUTUMN and HATER

Trust: Alien Invasion

My earlier news story might have been overlooked in the chaos of new year – the book was released on 31 December – so I just wanted to announce (again) that the German language edition of TRUST is available now from Voodoo Press. TRUST was the first of my rewrites of my early, non-zombie Infected Books novels (followed by STRAIGHT TO YOU and AUTUMN: THE HUMAN CONDITION), and I’m delighted with the way it turned out. It’s great that the novel is now available to even more readers around the world. You can snag an eBook or paperback copy now from Amazon.de.

Trust: Alien Invasion is a post from: David Moody - author of AUTUMN and HATER

Want to be Infected Books’ 12th Year of the Zombie author?

Most of you will know by now that 2016 has been officially designated YEAR OF THE ZOMBIE by Infected Books – 12 months, 12 original zombie novellas. We kicked things off in style earlier this month with Adam Baker’s well-received KILLCHAIN, and we’re looking forward to launching novella #2 at the beginning of February.

As I’ve mentioned previously, 11 of the 12 slots have already been filled by a host of well-known zombie authors. We’re planning on finding author number 12 by running an exclusive PITCH AND PAGE competition (we want you to sell your story to us by submitting a 25 word pitch and a 250 word first page). I’ll be judging entries alongside respected literary agent Gina Panettieri and head of Voodoo Press, Michael Preissl. The competition will run for 6 months from 6 February and the winner will get the prestigious Halloween slot. We’ve just announced full entry details over at the Infected Books site and if you have any questions, feel free to ask via the dedicated thread on the IB Facebook page.

This is a great opportunity to be a part of a project I’m really excited about. After sharing my zombie stories with you for the last fifteen years, I’m looking forward to you finally getting your revenge and bombarding me with undead nightmares of your own. Good luck!

Want to be Infected Books’ 12th Year of the Zombie author? is a post from: David Moody - author of AUTUMN and HATER

A couple of interviews and another 20 minutes of me talking…

I was recently interviewed by Michelle Baker for her www.successcircuit.com site, and you can read it here. I hope you enjoy it. Michelle asked some very interesting questions, which made for a great conversation.

And here, for your Sunday afternoon viewing pleasure (though there’s not much pleasure in looking at my mug) is the third part of my conversation about characters and plot development with Suzanne Robb and Emma Ennis of the Fresh and Untitled podcast.

Keep an eye on this site this week – some great stuff coming up, including details of how you could be a part of Infected Books’ YEAR OF THE ZOMBIE. There’s an interview with Adam Baker – author of KILLCHAIN, the first YoZ novella – live on the site right now.

A couple of interviews and another 20 minutes of me talking… is a post from: David Moody - author of AUTUMN and HATER

The 5th Wave – in cinemas today

THE 5TH WAVE hits cinema screens around the world today. If you remember, last summer I was asked by Wattpad and Sony to write a UK-based story set in the world of the book/ film, and you can read it by clicking on the widget below.

And here’s the trailer for the movie which stars Chloë Grace Moretz and Liev Schreiber

 

The 5th Wave – in cinemas today is a post from: David Moody - author of AUTUMN and HATER

The HATER movie is in good hands

Great to see Ed Barratt’s HOOK PICTURES listed as one of The Telegraph’s 50 most creative companies in England. Have faith, friends – the long-awaited HATER movie is in good hands!

The HATER movie is in good hands is a post from: David Moody - author of AUTUMN and HATER