David Moody's Blog, page 74

A few new releases

Don’t get too excited – I don’t have any new titles to announce yet, just a few new editions of older books.

On 10th October, Gollancz will release the mass market UK edition of AUTUMN: AFTERMATH, details of which are here. And on the same day, they’ll also be releasing THE COMPLETE AUTUMN – a collection of the five AUTUMN novels in a single ebook package, great value if you’ve not yet picked up the series.

By the way, I’m still working on the limited edition AFTERMATH hardcover due from Infected Books in collaboration with Gollancz and I should have some news for you shortly. Apologies for the ongoing delay. More information about that project can be found here.

On 15 October, a little later than originally planned, MKrug Verlag will release HERBST: AUSKLANG – the German translation of AFTERMATH. It’s been a long wait for German readers, so I’m really pleased the book will soon be out.

  

And then in December, I’m very excited to announce that Delos will publish AUTUMN in Italian as AUTUMN, L’ATTACO DEI MORTE VIVENTI (which translates to Autumn, Attack of the Living Dead). More details and cover art etc. as I get them.

HATER Competition time!

Yes I know… I’ve gone quiet on you again. That’s largely because I’m trying to get three novels finished before the end of October (see my recent update here).

I realised that I hadn’t mentioned the campaign recently started by a few of Moody’s Survivors to give Hollywood a hint and see if we can’t get the HATER movie moving forward (there are positive signs, but a little push wouldn’t hurt…). There’s a Facebook page here which I’d love for you to like and share if you feel so inclined. So the position is this: the movie rights were recently re-optioned by Mark Johnson and Guillermo del Toro et al, and J A Bayona (who was previously attached to direct) has mentioned the project a couple of times in recent interviews in connection with his excellent movie, THE IMPOSSIBLE. With THE WALKING DEAD continuing to do great business and with the WORLD WAR Z movie taking everybody by surprise and being a huge hit this summer, a lot of you seem to think – and, of course, I completely agree – that the time is right for the HATER film.

Hopefully I’ll have some more concrete news for you in the very near future. In the meantime, I thought it would be good to run a competition to keep the project in the public eye. All you have to do is design a HATER-themed T-shirt to promote either the books, the film, or the campaign to get the movie made.

Either post your design on Facebook or email it to davidmoody@djmoody.co.uk by the end of October. By that time I’ll have employed a top-notch judging panel (I’m looking at you, Survivors!) who I’ll ask to pick a winner. As well as receiving a few signed books and other odds and ends, the winner will also have their design printed up and made available for sale via the Infected Bookstore.

Let’s join together and spread The Hate!

THE DAY

I’m on a mission to work my way through as many post-apocalyptic movies as I can and report back here with my thoughts (check out the tag Post-Apocalyptic Movie Club). This week a recommendation from reader Paige Topinka – 2011 indie horror, THE DAY.

Here’s a brief synopsis snatched from IMBD: A group of five people working to stay alive in a post-apocalyptic future discover what they think is a safe, abandoned farmhouse, but they soon find themselves fighting to stay alive as a gang of bloodthirsty predators attack. And I’ll keep my thoughts equally brief, because that’s pretty much all there is to it.

I’m on the fence with this one… whilst I thought it looked the part (definite muted shades of the movie adaptation of The Road) and it established an interesting (and interestingly vague) post-apocalyptic world, the performances were pretty standard and the story felt frustratingly linear, very much by-the-numbers. I read elsewhere that the film is part of a planned trilogy, and I’m interested enough by this first part to want to know how the story pans out.

All in all, though, I found THE DAY to be entertaining, but nothing special. It’s filmed with a very grey, washed out and grimy colour palette with occasional flashes of colour, and that really summed the movie up for me: relatively formulaic, but with very definite hints that there’s much more to be seen in this rain-soaked, dying world.

The film’s available now on DVD and Blu-ray. UK folks can stream THE DAY on Lovefilm and I’d be interested to hear your thoughts. Any PA films you’d like to recommend? Please let me know. And thanks again to Paige for the tip!

Forthcoming events

I’ve just confirmed a couple of dates, so I thought now would be a good time to let you know about a few events I’ll be attending before the end of 2013.

GRIMMFEST – 3/10/13 – 6/10/13

Manchester’s brilliant international festival of horror and cult films again takes place at The Dancehouse Theatre this October. Another great collection of eclectic films are showing. Full information can be found at www.grimmfest.com, and I’ll be there on Sunday 6 October.

SCARDIFF 2013 – 27/10/13

A brand new horror event in Cardiff, organised by Fantasy Events, Shock Horror Magazine, and good friend Wayne Simmons. It takes place at the Mercure Holland Hotel, and I’ll be there all day. It promises a brilliant mix of guests and you can find much more information at Scardiff.co.uk.

AUTUMN: HORROR IN THE EAST 2 – 8/11/13 – 9/11/13

A return trip to Lowestoft – the spiritual home of the HATER books! – for this gem of a convention. Highly recommended. I’ll be there, and I hope many of you will be able to support this brilliant free event at the Aspire Centre. More information at www.horrorintheeast.com.

DAY OF THE UNDEAD – 16/11/13

Finally, it’s back to the Phoenix, Leicester for Terror4Fun’s 2013 Festival of Zombie Culture. Twelve hours of zombie movies, special effects, games, competitions… I don’t really need to say anything more! Details here at the Terror4Fun website.

Hope to see some of you around!

ON THE BEACH

You know, when I started writing up these suggestions for my Post-Apocalyptic Movie Club a couple of years back, I looked back on films about the nuclear holocaust with a mix of relief and nostalgia. In the early 1980’s it felt likely – inevitable, almost – that’d we’d all disappear in a white hot radioactive haze at some point. And then things felt like they’d somewhat improved, that we’d stepped back from the brink. Over the last ten years or so, the threat of terrorism seemed to me to make the global situation feel inherently more unpredictable, and yet the possibility of large-scale, international conflict still felt relatively distant. Am I alone in feeling the global mood begin to change again? Of course I’m not. It’s just that, for a little while at least, I think we were distracted. The reality remains: self-serving, gob-shite liars are still in charge wherever you look, working towards their own agendas at the expense of everyone and everything else. It seems that the chasm-like disconnect between leaders and the people they purport to lead is growing wider every day. As Jarvis Cocker so eloquently put it, c**ts are still running the world. Scary.

Mini-rant over.

I recently re-watched ON THE BEACH. Though dated (it was made in 1959), it was interesting to watch it again recently in light of current global tensions. It’s a film that makes you think. It’s a film that, to me, perfectly encapsulates the inevitable futility of nuclear war, and one which illustrates how defenceless we all are individually in the overall scheme of things. If our elected representatives decide to fight, it is they who take that decision. It’ll be you, me and everyone else who has to deal with the consequences.

Hit the link after the video to read more.

Based on the 1957 novel by Nevil Shute, the story tells of a world which has been all but destroyed by a nuclear war, involving all the major players but largely confined to the northern hemisphere. Only Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and parts of South America remain habitable, but only temporarily as a vast cloud of radiation is drifting steadily southwards. It’s clear from the outset that there’s next to no hope. All the people in the southern hemisphere can do is wait…

That’s a startling simple premise for a story, and one which works wonderfully. I’ve said many times that I consider myself a ‘people watcher’ (which isn’t as bad as it sounds… I’m interested in the way people interact and react with each other, how and why they get on or not, and how they work together to fulfil their individual and group responsibilities and needs). Putting people in an apocalyptic situation is interesting in that regard, because many of the layers of bullshit and manners imposed on us by society get stripped away in such circumstances, leaving people with little option but to act instinctively and honestly (for once). The situation faced by the characters in ON THE BEACH is even more difficult. Whilst they all know their deaths are imminent, until the radiation cloud reaches them they’re able to live relatively normal lives. It’s the inevitability that these people will soon lose that normality which, for me, makes the story so powerful.

The 1959 movie remains effective, and there’s also a decent US miniseries remake from 2000 (directed by Russell Mulcahy of HIGHLANDER fame) that’s worth digging out as, of course, is Shute’s original novel. However you chose to experience it, I very much recommend you do check out ON THE BEACH if you haven’t already. Powerful, thought-provoking and ultimately heart-breaking.

Goodbye djmoody.co.uk (hello davidmoody.net)

Same content really, just given a fresh coat of paint and a better address in readiness for the new books (and more regular updates) which will soon be forthcoming. I thought I’d take this opportunity to let you know how the new novels stand…

STRANGERS

Is with a crack team of beta-readers, who are currently beta-reading. I’m nervously awaiting their feedback…

STRAIGHT TO YOU

I’m well into the second draft, and on course to have this new version of my debut novel ready for January 2014 (terrifyingly, that’ll be twenty years since I started work on the original book).

17 DAYS

Revamped, revitalised, and ready to start rewriting. The target is to have the book finished by the end of October.

Proof of work being done…
on my office floor from left to right, 17 DAYS, STRANGERS, STRAIGHT TO YOU

I always find it difficult to keep this site updated over the summer. I have a large family, and with the kids on holiday from school and university, finding time to work becomes frustratingly hard. Writing has to take precedence, so the website and Facebook, Twitter etc. inevitably suffer. The girls are all just about back studying now, so expect to hear from me more regularly again.

One final thing for now… the AUTUMN: AFTERMATH hardcover I mentioned in my last post. If you’re at all interested in getting hold of a copy of this, please let me know by filling in this short form so I can assess numbers. See this earlier blog post for more information. If you could do it by this time next week I’d be hugely grateful. I’ll level with you – it’s touch and go as to whether the book’s viable with the numbers I’ve got so far.

Don’t forget, you’ll qualify for a discount on AFTERMATH if you’ve bought the hardcover edition of AUTUMN: THE HUMAN CONDITION.

Thanks as always for sticking with me. Please keep doing so. Some good stuff on its way very soon…!

AUTUMN: AFTERMATH – can I have five minutes of your time?

We’re another step closer to making the AUTUMN: AFTERMATH hardcover from Infected Books (in association with Gollancz) a reality. I now need to get an idea how many people actually want to buy the book in order that I can get to work on the number-crunching. Could you please spare five minutes to visit this page and complete a very brief survey? There’s no obligation, and no personal details are required.

Thanks in advance. In the meantime, if this is the first you’ve heard of this project, here’s a link to a post which explains more…

If you could let me have your responses by 10 September, I’d be very grateful!

And finally, as I mentioned previously, if you’ve bought one of the limited edition hardcovers of AUTUMN: THE HUMAN CONDITION, you’ll be entitled to a discount on AFTERMATH. If you haven’t yet picked up THE HUMAN CONDITION, it’s currently on offer at the relaunched Infected Bookstore.

AUTUMN: AFTERMATH – can I have five minutes of your time? is a post from: David Moody - author of TRUST and the HATER and AUTUMN books

Infected Bookstore relaunched! Book sale!!

The Infected Bookstore has been given a long-overdue lick of paint. It was about time – there will be more books coming soon, as well as the additional merchandise I’ve been teasing since the beginning of the year. Head on over now to www.infectedbooks.co.uk, and don’t hesitate to let me know if you have any problems with the new site.

To celebrate the relaunch, the limited edition Infected Books hardcovers of AUTUMN: THE HUMAN CONDITION and TRUST have had their prices slashed to £15.00 for the next two weeks only. Click here to visit the site and take advantage of this offer. There are lots of other Gollancz and Thomas Dunne books available at very low prices too…

And remember, those of you who purchase the hardcover version of THE HUMAN CONDITION will automatically qualify for a discount on the forthcoming Infected Books/Gollancz (even more limited) edition of AUTUMN: AFTERMATH.

Infected Bookstore relaunched! Book sale!! is a post from: David Moody - author of TRUST and the HATER and AUTUMN books

Celsius 232

This site has been uncomfortably quiet again. My excuse this time? I spent much of last week in the beautiful town of Avilés, Spain at the second Celsius 232 literary festival. A wonderfully relaxed event organised by a group of lovely people, it was an honour to attend alongside a number of other English-speaking authors including Joe Abercrombie, Lauren Beukes, Christopher Priest, Paul McAuley, John Courtenay Grimwood and Nina Allen. It’s a huge thrill for me whenever I’m asked to sign books for people, but the experience of travelling almost a thousand miles from home and being asked to sign translated editions of those books… well, that’s something else. It’s very humbling to be able to connect with people like that when you don’t even speak the same language!

The view from the hotel tower

Particular thanks to the organising team – Jorge, Cristina, Ian and Ana - for inviting me and for being so hospitable. Thanks also to Jesús Palacios for hosting a really enjoyable interview session and to Diego Garcia Cruz, whose translation skills genuinely have to be seen to be believed. Diego translated the questions into English while they were being asked, listened intently to my rambling answers and made shorthand notes, then translated back to the audience word for word, complete with matching hand gestures and intonation. Astonishing.

Some dodgy zombie books for sale…

Other highlights… well apart from being a typical tourist and wandering around Avilés and the surrounding area with my wife (four days in the sun without the kids… you have to seize these chances when they present themselves!), I’d have to say that watching Willow (in Spanish, of course – it seemed to make more sense when I couldn’t understand the dialogue) outdoors in the Plaza España along with several hundred other folks was unexpectedly entertaining. And taking part in a panel about having your book adapted for screen alongside Robert J Sawyer (who wrote Fast Forward) and Christopher Priest (who, of course, wrote The Prestige), was both a great experience and an education.

Jesús Palacios, Jorge Iván Argiz, Robert J Sawyer, Christopher Priest, Diego Garcia Cruz and myself (photo: www.celsius232.es)

A wonderful and unique festival experience. Thank you, Celsius 232! Read more about this exceptional event by visiting the festival’s official site.

Celsius 232 is a post from: David Moody - author of TRUST and the HATER and AUTUMN books

AUTUMN: AFTERMATH – limited edition

At long last I’m able to provide you with a little more information about the AUTUMN: AFTERMATH hardcover being published by Infected Books in association with Gollancz.

In case you don’t remember, the situation is this: after publishing the first four AUTUMN novels in hardcover, a change in policy meant Gollancz decided not to produce AFTERMATH in the same format. I was understandably unhappy about this – not least because many of you had already bought the first four hardcovers and wanted the fifth to complete the set. I’m pleased to report that agreement has now been reached to publish the book through Infected Books using the Gollancz art and interior files so it’ll match perfectly.

The hardcover will cost £20 and will be published in November 2013. I want to stress that this isn’t something I’m doing to make a few quid – it’s something I want to do because I know a lot of folks were disappointed when the Gollancz hardcover was pulled. For this reason, I’ve decided to produce the book to order – the total number of copies wanted by people will pretty much be the total number of copies printed. I need to be sure, therefore, that the project is financially viable before signing it off and having a few thousand quids worth of books delivered.

Next month I’ll be writing to everyone on the limited edition mailing list (click here to sign up if you haven’t already) to ascertain numbers. I’ll also post here again. Please respond quickly if you want a copy, because this will be the only printing of the book in this format. Again, make sure you’re signed up to the mailing list.

One final thing to mention for now… When I’m working independently like this, I try to reward loyalty and be as fair as possible. For this reason, anyone who has purchased the limited edition hardcover of AUTUMN: THE HUMAN CONDITION will be eligible for a discount on this AUTUMN: AFTERMATH hardcover release. You can find out more about the HUMAN CONDITION here.

Thanks as always for your ongoing support of my work. I don’t say it enough, but it’s hugely appreciated. Have a great weekend!

AUTUMN: AFTERMATH – limited edition is a post from: David Moody - author of TRUST and the HATER and AUTUMN books