Mandy White's Blog: Dysfictional, page 24

The Feeder - 0.99 for the Month of April

Each month I discount a different ebook to 99 cents. 

April's feature is The Feeder. 

It's violent, bloody and intense, with an unpredictable twist regarding the main character's identity.

The Feeder gives brutality a new meaning…

Grief and vengeance transform a law-abiding citizen into a serial killer. Is it possible to return to a ‘normal’ life after committing acts most unspeakable?
Grief and vengeance transform a law-abiding citizen into a serial killer. Is it possible to return to a ‘normal’ life after committing acts most unspeakable?

A killer stalks the streets of Los Angeles. Victims of the butcher known as ‘The Feeder’ are mutilated while still alive, with severed body parts inserted in their mouths.

When Camille places a drunken birthday phone call to her twin, Sammie becomes worried about her safety and flies to Los Angeles to bring her home. After finding the aspiring actress-turned-prostitute slaughtered in a hotel room, grief-stricken Sammie steps into the role of copycat killer. Suspecting that the killer is Camille’s abusive boyfriend, Sammie embarks on a bloody quest for revenge, copying the modus operandi of a brutal serial killer known as The Feeder. Walking the streets disguised as Camille, Sammie resolves to lure the real Feeder out of hiding. Sammie seeks out drug dealers, pimps, rapists – all men who caused harm to Camille. The men are found disemboweled, force-fed their own genitalia and carved up like human Picassos. The bloodbath will not end until Camille’s murder has been avenged.

Warning:
If you are offended by obscene language, graphic violence and scenes of mutilation, then this is NOT the book for you! Read at your own discretion.

The Feeder is available in ebook and paperback from most online retailers.
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
iTunes
Kobo
Smashwords

A sequel for this novel is currently in progress. Look for Fed Up later this year!

A Tribute to Our Alpha Wolf

I recently lost a friend, after helping him get his poetry published in a book. We never met in person, but the loss of him is no less devastating. I could go on for pages, trying to find the words to express all that Dan meant to me, and to every single member of our writing group. Seeing a photo of some forty-odd loved ones gathered around Dan's hospital bed to perform a goodbye ritual was more moving than you can imagine. He died knowing he was loved and that his words would live on in his published book and in the hearts of loved ones around the world.

Writers, Poets and Deviants published the following tribute to Daniel E Tanzo on their page, and I thought I'd share it here.

Dan was one of the original creators of WPaD, which was formed in 2011 by several like-minded writers who met in another writing group. The group was originally named the Wolf Pack After Dark, and Dan was the 'Alpha Wolf' of our pack, so to speak. In the past three years, WPaD has evolved, undergone a name change and seen members come and go. One constant was Dan. He was our anchor, our enforcer when conflicts arose, and a mentor to all. Dan was so many things; he was crass and bold and foul-mouthed, with a wonderfully sick sense of humor. This same man composed some of the most astonishing romantic poetry we have ever had the pleasure of reading.

Raised in Antioch, California, Daniel E. Tanzo was a US Army veteran and former construction company owner and laborer. A self-proclaimed poet/warrior, he began his exploration to his path in 1998. Always an avid reader and lover of words, he was introduced to Rumi, Hafiz, Cohelo and Borges, igniting his own poetry. He has spoken in front of various audiences, including the San Francisco World Conference on the Enneagram. He studied alchemy through the written word at a Bay area based mystery school. A new and recent yoga student, he continued to write poetry and pursue his spiritual path while being caregiver to his mother after her debilitating stroke. After losing his mother to cancer, he was himself diagnosed with cancer shortly afterward. Dan lost his battle with cancer March 27, 2014. We will always miss him, but his poetry will live forever. Dan's poetry has been published in several WPaD anthologies, as well as a book of his own, entitled, Silk She Is.

“I was raised to be a “Man” by a father, uncles and various male role models, coaches etc. This meant, in my particular Bay Area industrial town, don’t cry, never back down from a fight, and all the rest of those peculiar aspects that were passed on and down to us young males. I thoroughly embraced these as biblical writ: I was in the armed forces, where of course this was further enhanced, and became a bouncer at a local watering hole. I have pulled my own tooth and even stitched myself up with an actual needle and thread. So I guess I qualify as to these male standards.”
~ Daniel E. Tanzo ~

One of Dan's final wishes was to see his poetry published in a book before he died, so we made it happen. The proof copy was sent to a friend of his, who brought it to him in the hospital. He was shocked, delighted and overwhelmed to see the book and hold it in his hands. The title, Silk She Is, was chosen by Dan, but the namesake poem for the book is missing. Dan tried to retrieve it from his files because he wanted very much for it to be included in the book, but sadly, we ran out of time. The cover design is based on the image he described, and when he saw it, he said it was “perfect”.

During the toughest battle of his life, Dan fought like a bear, never backing down for a minute. He will forever be loved and missed by friends worldwide. His book is his legacy. Dan asked that the proceeds be donated to cancer research, and so it shall be.

 ‘Grizz’ is now free to roam the afterlife, expressing his poetic wisdom amongst the stars.
Godspeed, Dan.
Until we meet again.
In Love and Light,
The Wolf Pack
AKA
Writers, Poets and Deviants

The Evils of Technology…

I saw a post recently in which some douchecanoe was once again railing about the negative effects of technology on children. I think about how simple my childhood was; no cell phones, no computer or internet. Hell, we didn’t even have cable in our house until I was nine. Children played outside until dark, and if we wanted to talk to our friends we either phoned them or went to visit them. Yes, what sweet, simple times those were.

Simpler, yes. But also devoid of opportunity, especially for kids like me who grew up in a small town. I had no access to anything outside my local area. For schooling, there was only one choice. When I had problems with bullies my only option was to move away, which I did as soon as I was old enough to get a job. I try to imagine what my life would have been like if I’d had access to online schooling. Sure, there was correspondence school in those days, but what a cumbersome pain in the ass that was – I knew someone who took it and I had no desire to go there.

Then I consider how technology has affected my adult life. In the last fifteen years or so, a brand-new world opened up for me. I went back to school to become part of that world instead of shunning it and shaking my fist at it. Thanks to technology, I have access to tools kids of my generation never did. If not for technology, I would probably still be pecking away at my first manuscript on a manual typewriter. If not for the magic of social media, I would never have met all of my dear friends from around the world. Technology allows me to live in a remote area but still remain connected to the rest of the world. It makes the rest of the world accessible, brings us closer and allows us to become part of the lives of people we never would have met otherwise. We share our joys and sorrows the same way we would if we were friends in person. I’m grateful for the changes technology has brought, and look forward to what tomorrow brings.

More on the shift of the Publishing Paradigm...

Another great article from Indies Unlimited, one of my favorite sources of information on all things publishing. In this article, 'Indie News Beat: The Shifting Stigma, Chris James talks about the controversy surrounding Hugh Howey's stunning Author Earnings report and the various reactions from both sides of the publishing industry - indie and traditional.

He addresses the past stigma surrounding self-publishing and how that attitude is evolving, both in the publishing industry and among mainstream readers:

"From just a few years ago, when self-publishing had “failure” written all over it, we’re now moving to a point where traditional publishing is getting its share of negativity: the lousy royalties on e-books and their own vanity imprints ready to fleece the unsuspecting Indie..."


It's a great article. If you're an author, I recommend you give it a read.

Glossary for Authors

Here's a useful post from the incredibly helpful folks over at Indies Unlimited.
The world of independent publishing is rife with new lingo - acronyms, abbreviations that used to mean other things to you, and odd words like "Meatgrinder". WTF does a meatgrinder have to do with publishing books? It's all explained here in IU's new Glossary for Authors:

http://www.indiesunlimited.com/2014/03/04/a-new-resource-glossary-for-authors/

Embrace Old Age

I listen to friends of mine gripe about turning 30, 40, or 50. "I'm getting old!" they wail. It tires me to listen to them. Aging is part of life, and it should be embraced and welcomed. After all, you can't grow to a ripe old age if you're afraid to age and ripen.

I have two friends right now who are battling cancer.

One is near the end of his battle. He, and all of his loved ones are now forced to face the inevitable. There's a noticeable silence in groups usually filled with bright chatter and risque jokes. Dan's absence seems to grow each day, like an ominous shadow. As we pray for a miracle for our beloved friend and mentor, we know that we are mere spectators; powerless to do anything but watch... and wait.

The other friend is a young, pretty woman with lymphoma. Her outcome is uncertain at this point. She tries to maintain an upbeat attitude, but can't help thinking about death, and the finality of it all. She hopes to grow hair again one day, and has fun with wigs, wearing pink, purple or whatever wild thing she can find. She's too young to die. She would be grateful to see age 40, or 50, or older.

I want to get old. I am grateful for every wrinkle and every grey hair. I have earned them, and embrace those changes as part of life. I will celebrate every birthday as a victory, not something to be dreaded. I look forward to 50, 60, 80, or whatever I get.

Aging isn't  so bad. It's better than the alternative - dying young.
Embrace it.

2013 IUEA Winners

You're probably wondering what the heck an IUEA is, an no, it's not some kind of birth control device. It's the Indies Unlimited Excellence Awards. 
I'm posting the link here, partly for my own reference because the page contains to sites I visit on a regular basis, but also as reference material for my readers.

The categories are: 
Best resource site
Best review site
Best watchdog site


I urge you to check out not only the winners, but the finalists as well.
It was a close competition, with some top-rated contenders.

Agoraphobia

This piece will be included in my upcoming novel, Phobia. The book is about an agoraphobic who feels safe and secure inside her house. To her, the outside world feels like a zombie apocalypse. When creepy shit starts happening in her home, she has to decide which is scarier - the inside or the outside?




Agoraphobia

Zombies at my door again

Scraping, clawing to be let in

Can’t they see I’m happy here?

In my sanctuary, safe from fear

Oh, no! Now they’re trying to phone

Zombies, please leave me alone!

I don’t have advice for you

Can’t you see I have questions too?

It’s clear these zombies just won’t quit

I guess it’s time to give them shit

Grab a shotgun; grab some ammo

Smash a window and go BLAMMO!

Each time I fire a head explodes

But still the zombies line the roads

The only way to make them go

Is make peace with my relentless foe

Guts, Gore and Sanity...

I recently had the opportunity to do an interview with horror film site, Search My Trash. We talk about guts and gore, The Feeder, upcoming sequel Fed Up and the question of my sanity...
http://www.searchmytrash.com/articles/mandywhite(2-14).shtml

No, I don't want to write your life story

I sometimes dread telling people I’m a writer.

Some feign interest or offer ‘helpful’ advice on how I can ‘get published’; ignoring the fact that I’m already published.

Others behave like I just announced that I have a contagious disease, or want to talk to them about Jesus, or interest them in multi-level marketing. I can almost hear them pleading with me in their minds not to ask them to read or buy anything.

Those ones are easier to deal with.

What I most dread hearing is, “You’re a writer? Well I have a story for you. We need to sit down and work on something together. You should write my life story. We can even split the profits. We’ll both get rich.”

Um, no. And… NO!

I’m sure your life story is fascinating, as is mine and a million other people out there. It doesn’t mean I want to write it for you. And turning it into a book doesn’t make it an automatic bestseller. There are billions of books out there, and only a comparative handful that are household names.

Most people have no inkling of what goes into writing a memoir. I’m not going to come to your house and transcribe while you talk, box of tissue at your side for the difficult parts. Then I’ll turn it into a literary masterpiece the likes of which the world has never seen and publishers will beat down our doors with big fat checks.

This isn’t Hollywood, and that isn’t how it works. Oh, sure, celebrities do it all the time – they get a ghostwriter to tell their stories in book form. Those writers are well paid for their efforts. Publishers snatch them up because of the name attached, not the story inside.

Many times I have had to, as tactfully as possible, explain that I am not that type of writer. I write fiction, not biographies. I have no shortage of ideas. What I’m short of is time to get all of my ideas written down in this lifetime.

My advice to those who have a story to tell is, tell it. Write it down, even if you’re not a writer. Once you have it on paper, then you can hire a writer to transform it into what you want. You can self-publish it. But first, you have to do the work. Provide your writer with something to work on, and then choose the right writer for the job. Expecting a horror fiction author to transform your sensitive memories into a heart-touching non-fiction book is unrealistic.