Heya folks! Please welcome Michael Whitehead, one of the authors of the Undead Worlds anthology. They have pitched in to have a big book giveaway with multiple winners. Audiobooks, signed paperbooks, swag, and ebooks! Yay! Just scroll to the end for the giveaway! And check out the Master Post for more interviews!
Reality in my fiction: how important is it? Lengthy travel, cussing, and bathroom breaks happen in real life. How do you address these mundane occurrences in your writings?
Firstly, thanks for including me in this interview.
I think the reality of such day-to-day things very much depends on the style of a piece of writing. If a writer is trying to achieve a real-time feel, then they would feel the need to include such things as those mentioned. If, as I do, you want a flow that leaves space between the important issues of the story, such things become less important. If there is a gap of hours between scenes then it can be assumed that the characters have taken care of bathroom issues.
Of course there is fun to be had in making someone need to sneeze in the middle of a tense scene where they are hiding from an enemy.
More and more we see fiction being multimedia – a book, a TV show, a PC game, a graphic novel. How do you see the publishing industry evolving to handle this trend? Any plans to take your works in the multimedia realm?
I’m a huge fan of audio books. In fact my main consumption of books takes place in audio form. My first book is currently being recorded by the excellent Terry Self. I’ve listened to the chapters as he’s recorded them and I can’t wait to get them out on to the market. I’m sure people will love his work.
As far as the other platforms are concerned, I am sure if I was approached, I would be very interested in seeing my work in other forms. It’s not something I will move forward with myself as I’m a writer, not a TV producer or game designer, however. I think I’d be happier putting my work into other hands. It takes trust but the relationships I’ve developed so far have been great.
What are the top 3 historical time periods and locations you would like to visit?
As you may have guessed, I’d love to visit Ancient Rome. The idea of seeing a civilisation as sophisticated as our own is intriguing. So much of the morality and law that we hold dear today was born at that time.
Moving to a much more recent time, I have a real soft-spot for the 19th century. In particular the exploration and maritime travel that opened up after the discovery of how to measure longitude. The world became a smaller place and a man could achieve so much more than he ever could before.
Thirdly, I’d kind of like to see what the future holds but it would take a brave person to press that button and step into the unknown.
Who are some of your favorite book villains?
I think the best villains are the ones that sway away from the black and white. The ones with plenty of grey areas. I think a reader likes to feel a little sympathy with the villain and also there is no harm in a hero with a dark side.
Randal Flagg from the Dark Tower series is good example. He is a powerful, almost all-knowing being when we first meet him. However, as the series evolves we learn that he is as much a prisoner to his own fate as anyone else in the books, he just plays his part so well.
I read a lot of historical fiction. I love seeing a writer give sympathetic justification for the actions of traditional villains. Conn Iggulden does this very well. He takes a character like Julius Caesar or Genghis Khan and makes them human and vulnerable.
In my experience, some of the best fiction is based on facts and history. How do you build your research into your fictional works?
While I like to build my stories over a framework of reality and historical fact, I am aware that as I develop the tale I move further into fantasy with each page. I aim to give the reader the broad strokes of the time without getting bogged down with too much historical fact. I am by the nature of writing a zombie apocalypse novel building a world in order to rip it down.
In the same way that I am happy to read a story that mentions a pistol without needing to know the make, model and how many rounds it holds, I don’t feel the need to saturate my stories with historical details.
If you could sit down and have tea (or a beer) with 5 fictional characters, who would you invite to the table?
As I’m sober I think we will stick to tea, thanks. In no particular order I think I will go for:
Druss the Legend from the David Gemmell novels.
Roland Deschain from the Dark Tower novels by Stephen King.
Tiro from Robert Harris’ Imperium trilogy. The best narrative voice I’ve ever read.
Alex from the Clockwork Orange
Finally, if I can include one of my own characters, Otho. I had so much fun writing him that I’d love to meet him.
Five men I notice but that wasn’t deliberate.
What do you do when you are not writing?
I’m a trucker and that takes up a lot of my time. It does give me a lot of audio book time though. I spend most of my free time with my family, that’s the most important part of my life. For down time, I’m a gamer and I like to build and paint model ships.
What is the first book you remember reading on your own?
The Hobbit I think. I do remember my junior school teacher sending a letter home asking if my mum was happy for me to read Lord of the Flies at ten years old. Thankfully she was.
You have to run an obstacle course. Who do you invite along (living or dead, real or fictional)?
I’m a lazy sod at heart. So I’m going to go for Thor. Hopefully he’d be in the mood to carry me.
Finally, what upcoming events and works would you like to share with the readers?
Other than my inclusion in the Undead Worlds Anthology? My first audio book will be out soon, Legion of the Undead.
I’m also close to finishing a new story. A horror based on the real life disappearance of a ship with full crew and passengers aboard. I’ve taken the story and added my own twist, hopefully people will like it. Then I’m back to finishing the Legion of the Undead books with the third and final instalment.
Thanks for the questions, it’s been fun.
Book Blurb for Undead Worlds:
22 Authors. 22 Undead worlds. 1 Great Book.
Do you dare?
Alone Together by David Simpson: What do you do when there is nowhere left to run? Gone Fishin’ by Justin Robinson: When the dead rise, the living become the monsters. The Festival by Christopher Manhood: A city on lockdown as a nation awaits bloodshed, let the festival begin. Jimmy by Arthur Mongelli: Decades of meddling with the food we eat brings about the zombie apocalypse, ordinary people struggle to survive. The Fort by Michael Whitehead: When sanctuary becomes a prison, all you can do is fight. Adam by Sylvester Barzey: Some families aren’t worth dying for. A Peaceful Town by Jeremy Dyson. The Undead Pool: The Zombie Night by Derek Ailes. Zombie Exterminators by Grivante: Two brothers saving the world one job at a time! The Horror at Roswell Mills by Michael Peirce. Before Safe Haven: Losing the Battle by Christopher Artinian: There is no greater weapon than the will to fight for the ones you love. On the Rocks by E.E. Isherwood. Morning of The Living Dead by Mark Cusco Ailes. Defenseless: A Story of Death & Decay by R. L. Blalock: As the zombies rise, 6-year-old Dylan must face a frightening new world alone. To the Hills by T. D. Ricketts: A real live zombie apocalypse! When I Grow Up, I Won’t Be by Brea Behn: What if you knew you’d never make it to 18? Fallen by Jessica Gomez. Brain Waves by Julien Saindon. Damaged Goods by Samie Sands: There’s only one rule: don’t get bit! Avery by Valerie Lioudis: Trapped in a world with the undead, Avery looks to control it by filling her space with treasures, leading her to risk her life for useless garbage. In the Beginning, God by Charles Ingersoll: God made Man. Man made monsters. Evacuation by Adrienne Lecter: When the world is about to end, one man has to bring home the bacon.
Michael Whitehead
Hi, My name’s Michael Whitehead, I’m 43 years old. I live in Mansfield, on the edge of Sherwood Forest in England. I was born in Liverpool but grew up and went to school in Nottingham. I’ve been with my wife for 26 years and we have two sons, Morgan and Lucas. I’m a late starter, I began writing this time last year. I’m one of those people who read a lot and wanted to know if I could turn my hand to writing.
Ladies, gentlemen and anyone who counts themselves as neither. As you may or may not be aware I have the honour of being included in the Reanimated Authors new anthology, Undead Worlds. It is the only place to get a copy of my short story – The Fort. It’s set in the Legion of the Undead world.
Facebook ~ GoodReads ~ Twitter ~ Amazon
Here’s some of the prizes that you could win!
Signed paperbooks of Undead Worlds anthology (USA only) courtesy of T. D. Ricketts

Ebook copy of Aftershock Book 1 by Valerie Lioudis (International)

Ebook of Lockdown by Samie Sands (International)

Ebook of Red Dirt Zombies Book 1 by Michael Peirce (International)

Signed paper copy of Undead on Arrival & swag from Justin Robinson (USA)

Ebooks Undead On Arrival & Coldheart by Justin Robinson (International)

Signed paper copy of Harvest of Ruin by Arthur Mongelli (USA only)

Audiobook Mash Anthology via Audible UK courtesy of Grivante

Paperbook The Zee Brothers by Grivante (USA only)

Ebooks of Legion of the Undead & Legion of the Undead: Rise and Fall by Michael Whitehead (International)

Ebooks Infected and Immune by Jessica Gomez (International)

Any 2 books by Derek Ailes (paperbooks for USA or ebooks for International)

GIVEAWAY!!!
So these lovely authors have pitched in some great prizes, as you saw above. Here’s a quick list of them again:
2 signed paperbooks of Undead Worlds anthology (USA only)
Ebook copy of Aftershock Book 1 by Valerie Lioudis (international)
Ebook of Lockdown (international) by Samie Sands
2 ebooks Red Dirt Zombies Book 1 (international) by Michael Peirce
Signed copy of Undead on Arrival & swag (USA) by Justin Robinson
Ebooks Undead On Arrival & Coldheart (International) by Justin Robinson
Signed copy of Harvest of Ruin (USA only) by Arthur Mongelli
2 UK Audible Mash Anthology
Paperbook The Zee Brothers (USA only) by Grivante
Ebook of Legion of the Undead & Legion of the Undead: Rise and Fall (International) by Michael Whitehead
Ebooks Infected and Immune (International) by Jessica Gomez
Any 2 books by Derek Ailes (paper for USA & ebooks for International)
Enter the giveaway via the Rafflecopter below or answer these questions in the comments. Note that commenting on any of the Undead Worlds interviews or this master post gets you extra points! 1) Which prize(s) are you most interested in? 2) What is the best zombie story you have experienced? 3) What country do you live in? 4) Leave a way to contact you (email, facebook link, twitter, etc.). Giveaway runs from October 1 through November 27, 2017 midnight. Good luck!
What has been your worst or most difficult job? How does it compare to writing?
My office is my home and it is a disgrace in some ways. The desk is an unfinished door with my cables going in the hole where the doorknob should be. It’s cluttered with computer screens, guitar tuners, notes to myself and bits of unrecognizable debris. There is usually a cat named Felicia sitting in front of my keyboard assuring it’s desperately uncomfortable to type in my blatherings. But it’s home…
Mike has been a musician and songwriter as well as a soldier in an African War and private security agent. His “Red Dirt Zombies” trilogy started life as a musical and draws on his experiences in those other areas.
Heya folks! Please welcome Mark Cusco Ailes, one of the authors of the Undead Worlds anthology. They have pitched in to have a big book giveaway with multiple winners. Audiobooks, signed paperbooks, swag, and ebooks! Yay! Just scroll to the end for the giveaway! And check out the
If you could introduce one of your characters to any character from another book, who would it be and why?
Finally, what upcoming events and works would you like to share with the readers?
Mark Cusco Ailes is the author of several novels, including The Day The Earth Cried, which is popular in England. He currently resides in Valparaiso, Indiana and often mentions his hometown in his books. His hobbies include meeting celebrities at conventions, reading, writing, and acting. He was the drummer for the 80s heavy metal band Latem. He was an extra in the movie Moon 44, and he has been in several stage plays. In the eighties he designed haunted houses in Stuttgart, West Germany three years in a row and won two awards for best design. He also has done several radio and television commercials.
If you had to choose someone to rescue you from the jaws of certain death would it be a superhero, supernatural creature, or a space alien?
Jessica Gomez is a best-selling author who enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and gardening. She was born and raised in Oregon, where she still resides with her family. She enjoys hearing from and chatting with her readers, who have the same passion for reading.







Samie Sands is a 28 year old freelance graphic designer who has recently decided to follow her lifelong dream and use her creativity in a new way by writing.
From your own writings, are there any characters you would like to cosplay?
Valerie has had a great writing year so far. She won the leighgendarium.com flash fiction contest with her short story Reincarnation and used the prizes to publish The Many Afterlives of John Robert Thompson. She has been accepted into 7 anthologies this year. Treasured Chests is an anthology that is being compiled by Marc Moore at Good Morning Zompoc and the proceeds will benefit a breast cancer charity. The 30 day collective ran an anthology contest with the theme The End, and Valerie wrote a story that won. She is working hard with The Reanimated Writers, not only to do weekly interviews with zombie fiction authors, but also spearheading the Reanimated Writers Undead World Anthology that will be released this fall with the works off 22 zombie fiction authors. She is also creating an anthology Mad Like Me that will benefit Vets with PTSD. That one is shaping up to be quite a read. All this, and finishing up Aftershock book 2 with her husband Kristopher.
Heya folks! Please welcome Grivante, one of the authors of the Undead Worlds anthology (here’s the 
Derek Ailes is a demented post-apocalyptic science fiction and horror author serving his readers one plateful of horrific terror after another. He is the mastermind behind several horror anthologies including Musings From A Demented Mind and Catfurnado, Zombies and One Killer Doll. He recently ventured into the vast superhero universe with his first comedy/horror novel The Undead Pool.