S.P. Oldham's Blog, page 26
July 26, 2020
FREE BOOK GIVEAWAY - UK INDIE AUTHORS! ENTER TO WIN!
Ben Black to Written Undead
22h
*** 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧 UK READERS - COMPETITION TIME 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧 ***
UK READERS - NOW IT’S YOUR CHANCE TO WIN A FEW PAPERBACKS TO BOLSTER YOUR COLLECTION FROM A CADRE OF OUR UK BASED AUTHORS OF THE WRITTEN UNDEAD
Nothing’s more zombie-apocalyptic than reading tales of the undead on thinly sliced sheets of dead trees — and everyone loves the smell of dead trees, right? To be in with a chance of winning, just comment “undead,” “zombie” or “dead trees”. Once you’ve done this, share this post far and wide to help spread the infection… Remember, this competition’s for UK readers only; Sorry folks, but international shipping can be a bitch.
PLEASE NOTE: You MUST comment on the ORIGINAL POST in Written Undead for your entry to qualify for the draw. Link below:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Writt...
ONE Winner from the UK will be drawn at random. The competition runs from Saturday 25th July to Friday 31st July Midnight GMT.
THE PRIZE: A PAPERBACK COPY OF EACH OF THE FOLLOWING BOOKS,
COMPETITION ENDS MIDNIGHT GMT ON FRIDAY JULY 31st 2020.
Pestilence Reigns by Ben Black: https://tinyurl.com/PestilenceReigns
An epic tale of the zombie apocalypse and set in the near future and with his world falling apart, Bill Reddings is forced to do whatever it takes to survive as his life is ripped apart and society crumbles around him.
A new strain of a deadly plague appears in London, spreading like wildfire and infecting the entire nation. Martial law is declared, as quarantine and disposal of contaminated corpses become top priority. As the disease continues to expand exponentially, bodies begin to mount up. Rumours of a vaccination being withheld circulate amongst the population, riots ensue and towns and cities are plunged into chaos.
As quarantine locks down the entire United Kingdom, the watchful eyes of the United Government’s Marine Corps maintain an anxious vigil on the island. The few left alive face slaughter at the hands of fellow survivors or an agonising death by infection: either way, the island will be their tomb.
In a world that has fallen to a vile and deadly scourge, only a handful stand strong, pushing back against overwhelming odds, struggling to survive the pestilence that has descended on where they once called home.
In The End by GJ Stevens: amazon.co.uk/dp/B07KDG59GK
When humanity faces an undead nightmare, one man’s party turns into a race to survive.
Logan has always taken things a little too seriously. So when his New Year's Eve attempt to unwind descends into chaos, he's the first to realize it's no joke. After Logan and his friends miss the evacuation transport, he's given a choice: lead the group to safety or watch all of his friends come back from the dead…
When Logan discovers the military and government have no interest in saving them, making it to sanctuary alive may be their only hope. And after he learns his party of survivors might hold the key to a cure, the fate of humanity rests on his shoulders. But saving his species could mean sacrificing himself…
Can Logan stave off the end of the world or will one wrong decision doom humankind?
In The End is a fast-paced post-apocalyptic zombie thriller. If you like nightmarish settings, reluctant heroes, and action-packed adventures, then you’ll love GJ Stevens’ spine-chilling novel.
Wakeful Children by Sue Oldham: https://www.troubador.co.uk/bookshop/...
Wakeful Children is a collection of highly imaginative and inventive short stories. The oak sways gently, a shiver shimmers its way from roots to tip. A branch creaks as if in resistance. A small, fresh leaf strains to curl into life, shows promise for an instant, then withers and dies. A sigh, just beyond human hearing, vibrates the night. All else is still. You will be unwittingly taken on a journey to witness the twisted brutality of Joe Gallows, the weird dream-scape of The Sandman, the ice-cold grasp of The Face of the Gale, the elemental horror of an ancient, evil entity in Devil's Drop. You will visit some of the residents down a darkly troubled street in Absorption; watched over by a beautiful, malignant presence all the while.
These and other tales make Wakeful Children an extremely unusual, compelling and refreshingly different read in this genre. One that will leave you thinking of it long after you have turned the last page...
July 16, 2020
Zombie-Con Online August 4 - 16 2020
I am excited to be part of this! Can't wait to meet and greet some readers and zombie lovers, take part in panels and generally have a great weekend with like-minded people! Join us if you can. Cons may not be do-able in the real world at the moment, but you can still be part of things online. Dress up if you feel like it! Fancy dress costumes always bring something to the party!
July 14, 2020
A-Z of Horror - Red Cape Publishing
Thank you so much to @RedCapePublishing, Leanne Blakey-Novis and P.J. Blakey-Novis - Storyteller for the fabulous graphics they have made for author contributors to their A-Z of Horror series. What a lovely surprise! This is mine, and I love it!
Click the link to buy this copy - the 'E' volume. For more about the alphabet so far, go to Red Cape Publishing.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B088X2FVTS
July 9, 2020
Sleep, Think Die - New Review plus get the trilogy!
Great 5** review for 'Sleep, Think, Die' today. Even better, it sounds like the reviewer will go on to read Book 2 in the trilogy!
"5 out of 5 stars Awesome
Reviewed in the United States on July 8, 2020
Great telling of the zombie apocalypse in Europe somewhere. I loved the location and how the author brought the characters fully to life. I hope to learn more about lavender."
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XJYGFC2
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B06XJYGFC2
July 7, 2020
Featured Author - Written Fantasy
I am today's Featured Author on Written Fantasy on Facebook. Why not take a look to find out more about me, the book and lots of other dark fantasy authors?
June 26, 2020
Fruit of the Dead
I learned something very interesting from my sister Sylvia Williams during our weekly Lockdown Family Quiz yesterday. Apparently, the humble pomegranate was also known as the Fruit of the Dead in Ancient Greece. Here, again, is an example of horror tying in with ancient mythology. It seems that the fruit sprang from the blood of Adonis. It features prominently in the story of Persephone, the Goddess of the Underworld, and her forced marriage to Hades. Interesting.
I read Mythos and Heroes by Stephen Fry last year. Those old myths (all myths, not just Greek) often have very grisly plotlines and would make for some truly horrific horror movies!
Aside from that, I think 'Fruit of the Dead' is a great title for a horror short..
June 20, 2020
Prize Winner Emma Hastings
Lovely to hear from recent prize winner Emma Hastings today, and to know that she has safely received her prize. Emma writes:
"Thank you so much for my prize bundle. Loved the book ( yes I've read it already, it was fab!) Now to decide which of your books to read next! Thoroughly recommend."
Thank you, Emma!
So Lost in Words - S P Oldham on Facebook
June 15, 2020
Written Undead - Poll - Summer Zombie Reading
Hi all, I never do this so forgive me for asking please. There is currently a poll up and running on Written Undead on Facebook (if you are not a member, take a look and consider joining - you won't regret it!) If you happen to have read and enjoyed my zombie series the Mindless Trilogy, I would be grateful if you would add it to the poll, so it can be in with a chance of getting a vote or two.
The winner of the poll wins the title of Zombie Book of the Summer Recommended Reading, so obviously it would be great for me to get another reader or two, hopefully.
Thank you, as ever.
S P Oldham
Mindless Trilogy Book 1 - Sleep, Think, Die
Mindless Trilogy Book 2 - The Undertaking
Mindless Trilogy Book 3 - Brutal Truths
June 10, 2020
Emily Williams aka boo-hun - Zombie Art
My niece Emily has been doing some drawings during lockdown. She has focused on zombies and the undead lately, and kindly sent me some sketches with permission to share them. She draws in an 'anime-esque' style, I believe is correct. I think she has some talent. She has agreed to do one or two illustrations to go alongside some of my writing too. All will be revealed in good time...
June 7, 2020
Red Cape Publishing
Thank you @Peter Blakey Novis at
Red Cape Publishing My anthology is included here, as well as many others, should you fancy some shorter reads.
June Spotlight @ Red Cape Publishing - Anthlologies
