Mark Tullius's Blog, page 8

Episode 200: TBIs and Tackle Football, Plus the Short Horror Story ”In the Cards”

I get a little judgy in this one when I discuss parents letting children play dangerous contact sports that we now know can cause incredible harm. My focus is always football and fighting as those are the sports that I participated in, but the message applies to any event where the child takes repetitive blows to the head.

Most people will become reactive and defensive when hearing this message, but my hope is that they will have the guts to read some articles on the risks they are exposing their children to. Don't rely on organizations who will lie and deny safety claims because those same groups would go bankrupt if they admitted the harm they cause.

I also go into my return to therapy, looking forward to seeing the results of my latest brain mapping, and the awesome conversation I had with a literary agent yesterday. All kinds of exciting stuff on the horizon. 

A reminder that TBI or CTE is only $0.99 in US/UK https://geni.us/TBIKindle

(17:15) Includes the short horror story "In the Cards" taken from Untold Mayhem audiobook and narrated by Stacey Gonzalez.

Episode 199: Death, Death, and More Death, Plus the Short Horror Story ”Midnight Snack”

A little update on my current mental health status. Once again I'm fine.

A big part of my bouncing back is being able to dive into so many different and fun projects. The latest is going over TNTD: In a Dark Fairy Tale with my son.

In addition to all the creative work, I've jumped back on Amazon ads with a vengeance. Today I'll be finishing up the ads, totaling over 100 in 8 countries created in 3 days. 

A reminder to pick up Try Not to Die: At Grandma's House while it is free.

https://geni.us/GrandmasHouse1

(17:10) Includes the short horror story "Midnight Snack" off of Twisted Reunion and narrated by Tee Quillen.

Episode 198: I Swear I’m F.I.N.E.(Forever Ignoring Negative Emotions) and the Short Horror Story ”Book of Revelation”

This week was another major struggle but I feel like I'm on the other side of it. It hasn't been a fun time but I keep looking on the bright side and am reminded that I have to increase my resiliency and lower my stressors.

Stress reducers this week: Cold pool, yoga, weights, sauna, sleep, a lot of cannabis, talks with friends.

Next week I'll be adding in therapy and also having my brain re-mapped for neurofeedback, both which shall also be very helpful.

The Try Not to Die series is chugging right along and several books are close to being finished. I was also thrilled to see Twisted Reunion finally reach 300 reviews. Thank you to everyone who's left a review/rating.

Also a reminder that TBI or CTE audiobook is on sale for $2.99. https://geni.us/TBIbooks

(17:15)  Listen to the 40-minute long horror story "Book of Revelation" taken from the Twisted Reunion audiobook and narrated by Tee Quillen.

Episode 197: Triggered by Dana White’s Power Slap. Includes the Short Horror Story ”Shades of Death”

I had a positive week and should have been in a great mood having just wrapped up the majority of TNTD: Dethfest.

Unfortunately, I watched clips of Dana White's sorry excuse for a sport. His "Power Slap" (the TBS show, not him hitting his wife) is one of the most disgusting things I've seen in a while and it brought on a really bad bout of rage and depression. Of course the show was not the reason for the episode, but it was the spark that set me off.

I discuss how I tried to spin the very negative day into a positive and a warning for others to be careful with the content they consume.

On a more positive side of things, I discuss two of the new authors joining the Try Not to Die team.

The short horror story "Shades of Death" narrated by Tee Quillin on the Twisted Reunion audiobook.

Also includes the short horror story "Shades of Death" taken from Twisted Reunion.

 

Episode 196: Cutting Down on Cannabis, Increasing Exercise and the Short Horror Story ”When it Rains”

In this episode I talk about reducing my excessive cannabis usage. I let things get carried away over the last month, but I'm reeling myself back in.

Part of the reason I was getting high all the time was to deal with stress. That had been building up and I wasn't exercising to blow that steam off. I've picked up the intensity of my workouts and am getting ready for the 10th Planet Whittier opening next month. Can't wait to get back into jiu jitsu.

TNTD: At Dethfest is so close to wrapping up the final first draft. 10 more death scenes and I'm done with it and moving on to TNTD: At Ghostland.

To help deal with the stress and find better coping mechanisms, I plan on beginning therapy again. I always encourage others to do that so I shall do it for myself.

Unlocking the Cage is free on Amazon through January 16. https://geni.us/MMAbook

(13:15) Includes the short horror story "When it Rains" off of Twisted Reunion narrated by Tee Quillin.

Episode 195: Another New Book on Vella, Focusing on Fiction, and the Horror Story ”Group Session”

I just released Try Not to Die: In the Wild West on Vella. This book, coauthored by John Palisano, will be released on Kindle and paperback in March, but can be read one episode at a time on Vella. Unfortunately only available in the US.

Here it is on Vella - https://geni.us/WildWestonVella

Glenn Hedden and I are nearly done with Dethfest's main story and should have that up on Vella in a few weeks.

Keeping this episode short so I can get back to work. These books aren't going to write themselves.

(8:10)  The short horror story "Group Session" taken from Twisted Reunion and narrated by Tee Quillin.

Episode 194: Goals and New Releases for the New Year and the Short Horror Story ”The Artist”

I'm excited to release my first book on the Kindle Vella platform. TNTD: Back at Grandma's House is currently only available on there and accessible by US residents, but the complete eBook will be out a month or so after. https://geni.us/BGHonVella

I go into all the other Try Not to Dies that will be popping up on Vella very soon.

As far as goals go, I'm going to keep on the same path I've been traveling. Overall, I'm very happy with the direction of my personal and business life and don't see the need to make changes. If it ain't broken...

(14:15) The short horror story "The Artist" off Twisted Reunion and narrated by Tee Quillin.

Episode 193: Tis the Season to Shut Down from Stress and Give Away Spotify Audiobooks

The holiday season can be incredibly stressful and I hate to admit it got the better of me. I lost my temper with my wife but it led to a great learning and growing experience for the family.

I've been finishing up TNTD: In the Wild West and Back at Grandma's House and can't wait to put them out. I've also just begun creating a new TNTD with my daughter based on a trip to a diabolical circus.

I just received over 1,000 giveaway codes for my Spotify audiobooks. I will be giving these away in a huge contest at the start of the year, but my listeners and newsletter subscribers get first pick. If there is one of my audiobooks on Spotify that you'd like to check out for free, just shoot me a message.

Also a reminder that Ain't No Messiah is free on Kindle Dec 23-27 

Grab yours here: https://geni.us/AintNoMessiah

(17:00) Includes the short horror story "Reunion" taken from Twisted Reunion and narrated by Tee Quillin.

Episode 192: High School Horror Club, Quality Books, and the Short Horror Story ”Out There”

Just finished up Try Not to Die: Back at Grandma's House and will have that up on Kindle Vella before the end of the year.

I was honored to be a guest speaker at La Serna High School's Horror Club. I think it's awesome the club exists and wish I had something like that when I was in school. I had a blast talking about what makes a "quality" horror book. Also had fun killing them off with a series of TNTD questions.

A reminder that Untold Mayhem is currently free on Kindle. Grab yours here: https://geni.us/Untold

(16:30) Includes the short horror story "Out There" off of Twisted Reunion narrated by Tee Quillin.

Episode 191: Taking Time Off, a New Dystopian Cover, and the Horror Story ”The Infidel’s Prayer”

My wife and I both took off work on Wednesday and went with our kids to Universal Studios. It was a long day with a lot of walking, but we all enjoyed it. But if I don't make it back there ever again, I won't lose any sleep over it.

This week was a lot of tedious business-type work balanced with creativity. A lot of progress was made at TNTD: Back at Grandma's House and I hope to release that soon.

25 Perfect Days: Plus 5 More is trying out a new cover and is free from 12-8 to 12-12. You can download it free from Amazon. - https://geni.us/B3AS0

I also discuss what a failure I am for not releasing anything in 2022, storing it all up for a massive 2023.

(13:50) The short horror story "The Infidel's Prayer" taken from Twisted Reunion and narrated by Tee Quillin.