Stephen Drivick's Blog - Posts Tagged "drivethrufiction"
Sample: Sometimes We Ran 2
Chapter 1
One Year, and One Month After the Zombie Apocalypse
There are times during the zombie apocalypse when you must run.
This was one of those times. Me and my road companion, Claire, were now running for our lives from three very hungry Red-Eye zombies. We had been scrounging for supplies in an old store when we came upon a nest of about half a dozen of the dead bastards resting in the back room.
I pulled my gun and dispatched two. Claire took out one with her weapon of choice, an aluminum baseball bat. One good swing, and she caved its head in. Then, three more got caught in the door trying to chase us. Not wanting to be overrun, we took off, with the three monsters right behind us.
Now we were running at full speed down a dusty road with hell bearing down behind us. I shot a quick glance over my shoulder. The three zombies were just keeping up with us, neither falling behind or trying to catch up. Their plan was simple. They would wait for us to get exhausted, then they would pounce on us.
Then they would feed.
The road ahead had no cover. There weren't even any abandoned cars or buildings to duck into. The store we had been checking for supplies was the only structure around, and it was full of undead. There was simply no place to hide. Claire and I were surrounded by deep, foreboding forest. We would have to use the woods to escape. It was the only way out. I just hoped nothing else horrible lurked in the trees.
I looked at Claire. She was running at full speed with her head down, her small legs churning. As if she could read my mind, she looked up for some guidance on what to do next. I pointed toward the dark forest, and possible salvation. We turned in unison at the first gap, and headed into the trees.
Almost immediately, the sunlight dimmed and the temperature cooled. Warmer weather had returned a few weeks before and the afternoon temperatures were starting to climb a bit. The coolness of the forest was almost refreshing. I could smell the decaying leaves beneath our feet. I wished we could stop to enjoy it. I shot a fleeting glance backward to check on our pursers. They had followed us into the woods and were hell-bent on making us a meal.
I could feel myself getting tired. The chase was taking a toll on my middle-aged body. A slight numbing pain began to radiate from my legs and lower back. I sensed that Claire was beginning to fade as well. Even though she was half my age, a lack of food had left us a little weak from poor nutrition. I was tempted to tell her to run on and I'd catch up later. I knew full well that the Red-Eyes would surround me like a wounded deer and then eat me. Claire knew that too; she would never leave me behind.
It was time to fight.
I put on a burst of speed and cut off Claire. I grabbed her hand, and pulled her into a hiding place behind a large group of trees. We leaned back and made ourselves as small as possible.
“What are we doing?” Claire said, between huge gulps of air.
“We're not going to get away. We can't outrun them, and they won't get tired,” I said, trying to control my breathing.
I drew my handgun and peeked around the tree. A light breeze tickled the trees above me, causing the branches to sway and the leaves to make noise. The birds chirped happily, unaware of the drama unfolding below.
The three Red-Eyes stopped a few feet away. They seemed to be confused. They lifted their heads and sniffed the air in unison, trying to find us. Claire and I have found that the Red-Eyes had developed an excellent sense of smell and hearing. If Claire and I were quiet, we might have a chance to take them out.
Couldn't do much about masking our smell. Neither of us had a bath in a while.
I watched from our hiding place as the undead looked around. They slowly got closer to the tree. One of the trio caught a scent and ran off in another direction, disappearing into the woods and leaving the other two behind. The trio was now a pair. The odds were at least a little more in our favor.
One of the two remaining Red-Eyes began to approach the tree. The other one stood a few yards away, beating the bushes. I tensed and waited for my chance.
I turned to Claire. “Get ready to run,” I whispered. She nodded, and got her bat ready.
The nearest Red-Eye continued to sniff the air, and approach our hiding place. It was a young one, a teen-age girl who had been about fifteen or sixteen years old. She was tracking us, but hadn't seen us yet. She got close to the tree and began to walk around it looking down at the ground. It was time to counter-attack.
She looked up, and I put a bullet in her face. She screeched and fell down at my feet, dead. Her dying screams had alerted her companion, a young male in a tattered hospital gown. He hissed in my general direction and came at me. I got off another shot, but it hit him on the shoulder. It's very hard to shoot when you are running.
Claire had taken off at the first shot. She slowed a little so I could catch up to her, and we started to run again at full speed. The little break at the tree had done us good. Although not fully refreshed, we had both caught a second wind. My shot had slowed the last Red-Eye down. We might have a chance.
Claire ducked into the weeds and onto a gravel path in the woods and I followed. We ran a few yards into a power-line easement. The trees and brush had been clear-cut for huge metal towers to carry main transmission lines from some far away power plant. There was no cover.
“Dammit!...Sorry. Now what do we do?” Claire said.
I could hear our undead friend thrashing through the woods coming down the path. Soon it would be face-to-face with us. “Go wide. Stand over on that side. If he goes for you, kneecap him with the bat.” Claire often incapacitated our adversaries by slamming her bat into their knees.
“What about you?” she said, as she put some distance between us.
“I'll put a bullet in his head,” I said, getting ready for battle.
The Red-Eye broke into the clearing and stopped a few feet from our position. He stared at us both and sized up the situation. After a few seconds, he made a decision.
He started going after Claire: my one-hundred-and ten pound, five-foot-nothing, zombie- wrecking machine.
She didn't flinch, but stood her ground with her bat ready. The Red-Eye approached with foam dripping from the sides of his mouth, growling like some kind of mad dog. When he got close enough, he lunged. Claire was too small and too fast. She avoided his attack, and side stepped away from his reaching, greedy hands and flashing jaws. In one fluid motion, she swung down with the bat and made contact with his knees.
The zombie yelped and tumbled to the ground. The blow to the knees had done something to the joint, and he tried to crawl away from his ultimate fate. Now it was my turn.
I walked up, with gun in hand, preparing to put him out his misery. I aimed at the center of his head and started to pull the trigger. The undead monster flipped over on his back and raised his arms in self-defense. I paused at this strange behavior. The Red-Eye was on the ground with its hands in front of its face. I had never seen one behave like this. It knew it was going to die.
It almost acted alive.
“What are you waiting for, John? Kill it!” Claire yelled from behind me.
I pulled the trigger and put a bullet in its head. It slumped down to the gravel with a large hole in its forehead. Dark blood, black as night, began to leak onto the groomed gravel path.
“Why'd you hesitate?” Claire asked, brushing herself off.
I was still a little shocked by the zombie's behavior. It took a few seconds for me to answer. “Don't know.” I managed to say. “It put its hands up like it was begging for its life.”
Claire poked the corpse with her bat. “Yeah...I saw that too. Creepy.”
****************************************
Available for purchase in the Kindle bookstore. $2.99, or read for free with Kindle Unlimited.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HUGWWQC
Thanks for reading!
One Year, and One Month After the Zombie Apocalypse
There are times during the zombie apocalypse when you must run.
This was one of those times. Me and my road companion, Claire, were now running for our lives from three very hungry Red-Eye zombies. We had been scrounging for supplies in an old store when we came upon a nest of about half a dozen of the dead bastards resting in the back room.
I pulled my gun and dispatched two. Claire took out one with her weapon of choice, an aluminum baseball bat. One good swing, and she caved its head in. Then, three more got caught in the door trying to chase us. Not wanting to be overrun, we took off, with the three monsters right behind us.
Now we were running at full speed down a dusty road with hell bearing down behind us. I shot a quick glance over my shoulder. The three zombies were just keeping up with us, neither falling behind or trying to catch up. Their plan was simple. They would wait for us to get exhausted, then they would pounce on us.
Then they would feed.
The road ahead had no cover. There weren't even any abandoned cars or buildings to duck into. The store we had been checking for supplies was the only structure around, and it was full of undead. There was simply no place to hide. Claire and I were surrounded by deep, foreboding forest. We would have to use the woods to escape. It was the only way out. I just hoped nothing else horrible lurked in the trees.
I looked at Claire. She was running at full speed with her head down, her small legs churning. As if she could read my mind, she looked up for some guidance on what to do next. I pointed toward the dark forest, and possible salvation. We turned in unison at the first gap, and headed into the trees.
Almost immediately, the sunlight dimmed and the temperature cooled. Warmer weather had returned a few weeks before and the afternoon temperatures were starting to climb a bit. The coolness of the forest was almost refreshing. I could smell the decaying leaves beneath our feet. I wished we could stop to enjoy it. I shot a fleeting glance backward to check on our pursers. They had followed us into the woods and were hell-bent on making us a meal.
I could feel myself getting tired. The chase was taking a toll on my middle-aged body. A slight numbing pain began to radiate from my legs and lower back. I sensed that Claire was beginning to fade as well. Even though she was half my age, a lack of food had left us a little weak from poor nutrition. I was tempted to tell her to run on and I'd catch up later. I knew full well that the Red-Eyes would surround me like a wounded deer and then eat me. Claire knew that too; she would never leave me behind.
It was time to fight.
I put on a burst of speed and cut off Claire. I grabbed her hand, and pulled her into a hiding place behind a large group of trees. We leaned back and made ourselves as small as possible.
“What are we doing?” Claire said, between huge gulps of air.
“We're not going to get away. We can't outrun them, and they won't get tired,” I said, trying to control my breathing.
I drew my handgun and peeked around the tree. A light breeze tickled the trees above me, causing the branches to sway and the leaves to make noise. The birds chirped happily, unaware of the drama unfolding below.
The three Red-Eyes stopped a few feet away. They seemed to be confused. They lifted their heads and sniffed the air in unison, trying to find us. Claire and I have found that the Red-Eyes had developed an excellent sense of smell and hearing. If Claire and I were quiet, we might have a chance to take them out.
Couldn't do much about masking our smell. Neither of us had a bath in a while.
I watched from our hiding place as the undead looked around. They slowly got closer to the tree. One of the trio caught a scent and ran off in another direction, disappearing into the woods and leaving the other two behind. The trio was now a pair. The odds were at least a little more in our favor.
One of the two remaining Red-Eyes began to approach the tree. The other one stood a few yards away, beating the bushes. I tensed and waited for my chance.
I turned to Claire. “Get ready to run,” I whispered. She nodded, and got her bat ready.
The nearest Red-Eye continued to sniff the air, and approach our hiding place. It was a young one, a teen-age girl who had been about fifteen or sixteen years old. She was tracking us, but hadn't seen us yet. She got close to the tree and began to walk around it looking down at the ground. It was time to counter-attack.
She looked up, and I put a bullet in her face. She screeched and fell down at my feet, dead. Her dying screams had alerted her companion, a young male in a tattered hospital gown. He hissed in my general direction and came at me. I got off another shot, but it hit him on the shoulder. It's very hard to shoot when you are running.
Claire had taken off at the first shot. She slowed a little so I could catch up to her, and we started to run again at full speed. The little break at the tree had done us good. Although not fully refreshed, we had both caught a second wind. My shot had slowed the last Red-Eye down. We might have a chance.
Claire ducked into the weeds and onto a gravel path in the woods and I followed. We ran a few yards into a power-line easement. The trees and brush had been clear-cut for huge metal towers to carry main transmission lines from some far away power plant. There was no cover.
“Dammit!...Sorry. Now what do we do?” Claire said.
I could hear our undead friend thrashing through the woods coming down the path. Soon it would be face-to-face with us. “Go wide. Stand over on that side. If he goes for you, kneecap him with the bat.” Claire often incapacitated our adversaries by slamming her bat into their knees.
“What about you?” she said, as she put some distance between us.
“I'll put a bullet in his head,” I said, getting ready for battle.
The Red-Eye broke into the clearing and stopped a few feet from our position. He stared at us both and sized up the situation. After a few seconds, he made a decision.
He started going after Claire: my one-hundred-and ten pound, five-foot-nothing, zombie- wrecking machine.
She didn't flinch, but stood her ground with her bat ready. The Red-Eye approached with foam dripping from the sides of his mouth, growling like some kind of mad dog. When he got close enough, he lunged. Claire was too small and too fast. She avoided his attack, and side stepped away from his reaching, greedy hands and flashing jaws. In one fluid motion, she swung down with the bat and made contact with his knees.
The zombie yelped and tumbled to the ground. The blow to the knees had done something to the joint, and he tried to crawl away from his ultimate fate. Now it was my turn.
I walked up, with gun in hand, preparing to put him out his misery. I aimed at the center of his head and started to pull the trigger. The undead monster flipped over on his back and raised his arms in self-defense. I paused at this strange behavior. The Red-Eye was on the ground with its hands in front of its face. I had never seen one behave like this. It knew it was going to die.
It almost acted alive.
“What are you waiting for, John? Kill it!” Claire yelled from behind me.
I pulled the trigger and put a bullet in its head. It slumped down to the gravel with a large hole in its forehead. Dark blood, black as night, began to leak onto the groomed gravel path.
“Why'd you hesitate?” Claire asked, brushing herself off.
I was still a little shocked by the zombie's behavior. It took a few seconds for me to answer. “Don't know.” I managed to say. “It put its hands up like it was begging for its life.”
Claire poked the corpse with her bat. “Yeah...I saw that too. Creepy.”
****************************************
Available for purchase in the Kindle bookstore. $2.99, or read for free with Kindle Unlimited.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HUGWWQC
Thanks for reading!
80 copies
Sometimes We Ran just sold it's 80th copy.
It's a small milestone, but I'll take it. I'm glad some people out there in e-book and paperback land are enjoying my work.
About those paperbacks. Sometimes We Ran (or SWR, as I like to call it) is available in print form at CreateSpace and DriveThruFiction. I've got to tell you: holding a physical book that you have written is sort of an emotional experience. It's weird seeing your name on the cover, and your words flash by as you flip the pages.:) I even have two different covers: "CreateSpace Yellow", and "DriveThruFiction Black".:)
Till next time.
It's a small milestone, but I'll take it. I'm glad some people out there in e-book and paperback land are enjoying my work.
About those paperbacks. Sometimes We Ran (or SWR, as I like to call it) is available in print form at CreateSpace and DriveThruFiction. I've got to tell you: holding a physical book that you have written is sort of an emotional experience. It's weird seeing your name on the cover, and your words flash by as you flip the pages.:) I even have two different covers: "CreateSpace Yellow", and "DriveThruFiction Black".:)
Till next time.
"Where can I buy your book?"
People sometimes ask me where they can buy my book. After they ask, I usually stand there stammering like an idiot while I try to remember the particular link they need.
So here's a little list with a some commentary:
Amazon(Kindle): http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CZLEYZE
Lets start with the biggie. Amazon is not fooling around with this book selling thing! 80% of sales are here. There is also a link to the paperback.
DriveThruFiction: http://www.drivethrufiction.com/produ...
I have a few sales here. Pretty neat site. I didn't see the "Activate Product" button for a few weeks, so SWR didn't even go up for sale for a while.(D'oh!). I have a paperback here as well, with a cool, black cover
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/somet...
Not much action here. I sold one in July. I think it will take a little more time.
Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/eboo...
I have a ranking here, but no sales as yet. More time needed here as well.
Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id65...
I'm on Apple as well. No sales yet, but I'm hopeful some fans will find me.
Leanpub: http://Leanpub.com/SometimesWeRan
Where it all started. Leanpub created all my files, and did a great job. They also have a nice little storefront.
So you see, I think I have achieved full market penetration. I like the shotgun approach.:)
So here's a little list with a some commentary:
Amazon(Kindle): http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CZLEYZE
Lets start with the biggie. Amazon is not fooling around with this book selling thing! 80% of sales are here. There is also a link to the paperback.
DriveThruFiction: http://www.drivethrufiction.com/produ...
I have a few sales here. Pretty neat site. I didn't see the "Activate Product" button for a few weeks, so SWR didn't even go up for sale for a while.(D'oh!). I have a paperback here as well, with a cool, black cover
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/somet...
Not much action here. I sold one in July. I think it will take a little more time.
Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/eboo...
I have a ranking here, but no sales as yet. More time needed here as well.
Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id65...
I'm on Apple as well. No sales yet, but I'm hopeful some fans will find me.
Leanpub: http://Leanpub.com/SometimesWeRan
Where it all started. Leanpub created all my files, and did a great job. They also have a nice little storefront.
So you see, I think I have achieved full market penetration. I like the shotgun approach.:)
Sometimes We Ran 2 - It's Published!
Sometimes We Ran 2: Community is published on Leanpub. It will be coming to an ebook store near you soon.
Here's the rollout schedule, barring any more sick breaks:
-publish to Leanpub
-download to my devices to check the files and make any adjustments
-MOBI files to Amazon(They are the biggest, so they get it first.:))
-EPUB files to Draft2Digital(NOOK, Kobo, Apple)
-EPUB, MOBI, and PDF files to DriveThruFiction
-PDF files to CreateSpace for print copies
-PDF and EPUB to Libiro.com
-do some promotion
-profit! (I hope.:))
That's it. If you absolutely need to read it right now, you can get it from Leanpub.com. They have instructions on how to download. You can even pick how much to pay!
Thanks for reading. See you soon zombie fans.
Here's the rollout schedule, barring any more sick breaks:
-publish to Leanpub
-download to my devices to check the files and make any adjustments
-MOBI files to Amazon(They are the biggest, so they get it first.:))
-EPUB files to Draft2Digital(NOOK, Kobo, Apple)
-EPUB, MOBI, and PDF files to DriveThruFiction
-PDF files to CreateSpace for print copies
-PDF and EPUB to Libiro.com
-do some promotion
-profit! (I hope.:))
That's it. If you absolutely need to read it right now, you can get it from Leanpub.com. They have instructions on how to download. You can even pick how much to pay!
Thanks for reading. See you soon zombie fans.
Sometimes We Ran 2 - The Grand Rollout has Begun!
Sometimes We Ran 2: Community has started to rollout to the sales channels! It is currently available on Amazon for your Kindle. Other ebook stores will follow.
Kindle link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HUGWWQC
NOOK, Kobo, and Apple will follow. DriveThruFiction will also be included in the fun.
And don't worry print lovers...a paper copy from CreateSpace is in the works.
I hope everyone enjoys the book. Keep reading everyone! Thanks zombie lovers.
Kindle link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HUGWWQC
NOOK, Kobo, and Apple will follow. DriveThruFiction will also be included in the fun.
And don't worry print lovers...a paper copy from CreateSpace is in the works.
I hope everyone enjoys the book. Keep reading everyone! Thanks zombie lovers.
SWR 2 - The Rollout Continues!
Sometimes We Ran 2 continues its rollout to the general zombie-loving public!
Now available for:
NOOK: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/somet...
Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/eboo...
Apple, DriveThruFiction, and a print version coming soon! Libiro is out of action while they update, but I'll hit it with PDF and EPUB copies when they reopen.
Now available for:
NOOK: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/somet...
Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/eboo...
Apple, DriveThruFiction, and a print version coming soon! Libiro is out of action while they update, but I'll hit it with PDF and EPUB copies when they reopen.
Sometimes We Ran - 60 copies sold.
Another milestone for Sometimes We Ran 2: Community - 60 copies sold as of today. Thank you, zombie fans!
Speaking of fans, SWR 2 got a five-star review the other day on Amazon. It simply said, "This book is awesome." I'll take it! :)
In other news, my short story bugs just came off Select. It's now available in the NOOK, Kobo, Apple, DriveThruFiction, Scribd, and Inktera bookstores as well as Kindle. In case you can't tell by the title, it's about giant, man-eating bugs destroying civilization. Just the ticket for a light, breezy, summer read.:)
Also, I made a decision about Kindle Unlimited ...I think. I'm going to stay out, and remain in the other bookstores. I'm sure the program is good, but I think I want to make my work available to all zombie fans across the ereader universe.
Then again, I might change my mind. You never know. :)
Speaking of fans, SWR 2 got a five-star review the other day on Amazon. It simply said, "This book is awesome." I'll take it! :)
In other news, my short story bugs just came off Select. It's now available in the NOOK, Kobo, Apple, DriveThruFiction, Scribd, and Inktera bookstores as well as Kindle. In case you can't tell by the title, it's about giant, man-eating bugs destroying civilization. Just the ticket for a light, breezy, summer read.:)
Also, I made a decision about Kindle Unlimited ...I think. I'm going to stay out, and remain in the other bookstores. I'm sure the program is good, but I think I want to make my work available to all zombie fans across the ereader universe.
Then again, I might change my mind. You never know. :)
Keep Fighting Until They All Come Home.
Sometimes We Ran 3: Rescue is (finally) released to the general public! Right now, you can buy it from Amazon and DriveThruFiction. NOOK, Kobo, Apple, and Scribd coming soon.
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VYWHZP6
DriveThruFiction: http://goo.gl/3p9dNR
I hope everyone enjoys it, and thanks to all the zombie fans out there.
Now, on to Sometimes We Ran 4: Enough with the Zombies already!. :)
Link to the cover if you want to take a peek: http://goo.gl/9UVuA5
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VYWHZP6
DriveThruFiction: http://goo.gl/3p9dNR
I hope everyone enjoys it, and thanks to all the zombie fans out there.
Now, on to Sometimes We Ran 4: Enough with the Zombies already!. :)
Link to the cover if you want to take a peek: http://goo.gl/9UVuA5
Sometimes We Ran 3: Rescue - Now in Print Form!
It took four attempts to get the cover right, but Sometimes We Ran 3: Rescue is out in print through Createspace! The fault is mine...took me a while to understand the dang template.
The link: http://goo.gl/oTeqTy $7.50
They should look great. Createspace always does a good job.
For those of you playing at home, this opens all my sales channels. Here are the links:
Amazon Kindle (Almighty 'Zon): http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VYWHZP6
NOOK (more action there lately): http://goo.gl/4haHVD
Kobo (got a few fans over there):http://goo.gl/zsyjwi
Apple (picked up a sale here): http://goo.gl/8CwJ5v
DriveThruFiction (always a few zombie fans over there): http://goo.gl/41Dzgv
Scribd: http://goo.gl/be7Ryb
It's also available at:
Page Foundry: http://goo.gl/8xJynP, and Tolino.
It's also available at Libiro, the all indie bookstore. It comes and goes, so buy it when you see it. It may not be there next time. :)
Where all fine e-books are sold. :)
Later on, zombie fans.
The link: http://goo.gl/oTeqTy $7.50
They should look great. Createspace always does a good job.
For those of you playing at home, this opens all my sales channels. Here are the links:
Amazon Kindle (Almighty 'Zon): http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VYWHZP6
NOOK (more action there lately): http://goo.gl/4haHVD
Kobo (got a few fans over there):http://goo.gl/zsyjwi
Apple (picked up a sale here): http://goo.gl/8CwJ5v
DriveThruFiction (always a few zombie fans over there): http://goo.gl/41Dzgv
Scribd: http://goo.gl/be7Ryb
It's also available at:
Page Foundry: http://goo.gl/8xJynP, and Tolino.
It's also available at Libiro, the all indie bookstore. It comes and goes, so buy it when you see it. It may not be there next time. :)
Where all fine e-books are sold. :)
Later on, zombie fans.
