Mark Tufo Interview
Mark Tuffo is an author, who has wrote a successful Zombie apocalypse
series called Zombie Fallout there is at current seven books in this series. He
recently got nominated for a good reads choice award as well. Zombie Fallout
follows a premise that a defective vaccine for the swine flu epidemic we had a
few years back kills and reanimated 95% of the world’s population. Michael Talbot is the main protagonist and fights his way through these books protecting friends and family. Mark also is
the author of Indian Hill another book series, in the sci-fi genre.
I have here a few
questions Mark has graciously agreed to answer for my blog.
Q. Hi Mark, first off how
long have you been writing for?
A. Hi Daniel, first off
thank you for taking the time to do an interview with me. As for how long I’ve
been writing, if you’re talking professionally then three years. But I’ve
always loved to write, even when I was in school and my classmates would groan about
getting a creative writing assignment I would be smiling inwardly.
A few questions from my
co-writer on this blog Mark,
Q. when did you realise
you wanted to write horror?
A. I think sub-consciously
it was the first time I read a Stephen King book back when I was maybe ten or
eleven. I’m fascinated by the genre and it just seemed like a natural
transition to write about it.
Q. And one more in an
overcrowded sub-genre how do you keep things fresh?
A. I’ve received my fair
share of criticism for NOT keeping my books going the traditional route. But
I’ve always thought why would folks want to read the same thing over and over
again? My books are character driven, I let them tell how the nature of the
story is going to go and I think that is how I keep them fresh.
Back to me now
Q. What influences if any
have had an impact on your work?
A. Some authors believe it
to be a bitter pill to swallow and perhaps that they are above it, but
constructive criticism has had a major impact on my work. I constantly strive
to put out the best product that I can produce.
Q. What information can
you give anyone who hasn’t read or is undecided on reading your series?
A. Well Zombie Fallout is
a full length novel for 99 cents, you’ll know from that book if you want to go
further into the series. The worst that anyone is out is an item off the value
menu at McDonald’s. And I am saving them from eating that saturated fat. So
read Zombie Fallout and stay healthy! I think that will be my new marketing
campaign.
Q. How popular do you
think literature is in the world at moment, as in popular, less popular or on
the come back? In my views thanks to kindle/E-readers it’s making a come back
A. I’m with you on this
one. I think before ebooks the written word was heading the way of 8 tracks and
cassettes. E-readers have completely reenergized and simultaneously turned the
literary community on its ear.
Q. Do you have a favourite
book or series of books if so what is it?
A. I friggen love the
Harry Potter books, there is also a series by John Christopher called the White
Mountains, that I discovered in the 6th grade, I have been fascinated with
Science Fiction since.
Q. I am currently trying
my hand at writing I find it hard to concentrate on it for any long amount of
time though, so I write it bit by bit on a blog, how do you stay focused or
what are your tricks for sustained and successful writing?
A. Carving out time for
writing in our busy lives can be difficult, there is ALWAYS other things to do.
I have discovered that extremely loud music is my saving grace, it just drowns
out the world around me and lets me focus on my craft.
Some fun questions now
Mark if you would
Q. Do you have a Zombie Apocalypse plan?
A. Hell yeah, read Zombie
Fallout 1.
Q. What is your favourite
zombie film and/or series?
A. I love the Walking
Dead, and I know some might groan at this but the Resident Evil franchise. But
my props will always go to Mr. Romero who scared the crap out of an
impressionable seven year old.
Q. I believe out of the
major horror icons or even apocalypse settings that the zombie isn’t too far
off in reality with all the chemicals and other types of ways zombies can be
created isn’t it just an accident waiting to happen, what’s your views?
A. My hope is that the
apocalypse does not happen. That’s right you read it here first. I do not think
I am nearly as equipped to deal with it as my lead character Michael Talbot is.
With that being said, do I believe we are heading to some sort of global disaster?
Sadly I think we are.
Q. On that note you’ve
used viral as your reanimate, is that your favourite reanimation way or do you
like/prefer any of the following and what are your views, God/Supernatural,
Chemical, Radiation, Voodoo or Extra-Terrestrial?
A. I love a good zombie
story and I generally don’t get too hung up in the details of how it started, I
suspend all believability anyway, as long as it’s SOMEWHAT plausible I’m cool
with it.
Finally Mark
Q. Where do see your
series and writing going in the future
A. As for the Zombie Fallout series, I’m not sure ZF6 just came out on October 1st and I had meant for that to be the last, but I left a few threads hanging so who knows. Currently I am writing my second paranormal book and ‘spreading’ my wings so to speak.
Thank you for the
Interview Mark, is there anything you would like to add for your fans and
readers of this?
Just a big hearty and
sincere thank you to all of my fans and readers, without them I would just be
some random guy slamming on a keyboard.
Again Daniel thank you for
your time.
No problem Mark hope this gives your readers a little insight into your world and new comers a better understanding. Hope you've enjoyed the interview The Horror Nation peace out!
Great interview. I look forward to see what's coming in the future!
ReplyDeleteNice to see Tufo getting the word out. I so enjoyed each book in the ZF series. Tufo's 'The Spirit Clearing' is worth a read too; if you like a good scare that is. Why didn't you ask if there are any new updates as to the production of ZF? I would have been curious to know...but good interview. From a 'Dear Reader'
ReplyDeletei did Dear reader :), asked the last question where does he see the series and writing going
DeleteGood interview, should have asked Mark about ZF the movie: I believe the rights to it were bought by a production house.
ReplyDelete