When in doubt: break glass, apply zombies (and a teacup poodle)

Wow! I'm beyond late. Good thing I have zombie art and a surprise!

While I've been deep in my writerly cave, I've also had the fun of working with some talented artists to bring The Pandora Strain to life. 

You know I love a fight scene. And I know you do, too.

Just look at this brilliant piece by Cheeseomancer, an artist I'm delighted to have "met" remotely. Yes, I can do my own art and I love it. Unfortunately, as I've learned to my own...vexation, we'll say, I can do anything but not everything. 

*foot stomp*

Still, I can't be mad when faced with Rick Walker, April Redding and Peri the Poodle illustrated in all their glory. 

I mean, how great is Peri's little face?

There's Rick and April looking serious, and tucked in Rick's arm is a little bundle of pure doggy love. This art gave me serious joy, and I needed some joy this week.

It's also a great counterbalance to the tension, death and danger in the book. I scared my editor (in the very best of ways) and had her on the edge of her seat -- despite already knowing how the books ends. 

And while I don't recommend actually applying zombies to problems...

I might prefer my book's version of events. 

Because good wins. And we know its won with the certainty only a piece of fiction can offer. 

Life is messy. And sadly, I can't scoop up problems the way I do Fable's turds. 

I know you come here for funny Fable stories (she is the greatest) and some great reads -- and that's what I love, too. I plan to keep doing exactly that! 

But I also need to take a brief moment to say that I write dangerous women who make bold choices. I write men strong enough to stand beside them, who protect those women every step of the way. I write loyal dogs -- because let's face it, dogs always make it better. 

In my books, the dog always lives and the heroes always find a way to (eventually) triumph over evil. Maybe it's weird that this is why I love writing zombies. But... it is. There's something powerful and satisfying in throwing the worst at my characters, and still having them ultimately choose hope over fear.

I'm the dog owner who shouts "Inner peace!" at my spicy hound. And I'm the author who finds love in the darkest of places. 

Did I expect to be an author searching for a way forward with the undead?

Nope. But here we are. 

Honestly, I'm just so glad I get to share that with you. 

And because I have been sooooo remiss with my newsletter (I'll sit in the shame corner later... okay, fine, I'll probably NAP in it) I wanted to do something for you. That's why I'm sharing the first half of The Pandora Strain with you for the next week. It will be available to read until November 21, when the book releases. 

Is this basically the amount of book I'd intended to do before I lost all ability to manage my non-dayjob time and accidentally locked myself in my writer cave? Absolutely. My sweet, August self somehow imagined I'd pull that off in an orderly manner.

*laughs like a maniac*

*big Canadian SORRY* 

But you know what? It's still a win, because you're getting a more revised version -- not the final version, but two full rounds past drafting. There's a brand new chapter 3! Character names have changed! There are way less typos! It's pretty exciting stuff.

And OH LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT THE TWIST. 

Actually... you'll find out for yourself. Because the last chapter I'm sharing is the big reveal of the book's sneaky twist. (If you love SPOILERS, there are clues in the picture. You'll have to look closely to figure it out.)

Now, in the words of Fable the Greatest Dane: I hope you have the bestest time, Fren. 

Luv,
Dee