Interview with Mark Allan Gunnells

Mark Allan Gunnells is the author of the zombie novella, Asylum. He is a fun-loving guy with a good since of humor. Enjoy the interview.

Lyle

Why did you decide to write about zombies?

Mark
I have always loved the Romero type zombie films, but when watching them, I always wonder where all the gay characters are. Seems like some of us would survive the zombie apocalypse. So I decided to write a story with almost all gay characters.

Lyle
What can you tell us about your novella, Asylum?

Mark
I always jokingly call it “Night of the Living Dead” set in a gay club instead of a farm house. I really use the zombies as an excuse to get all these different characters together and explore what makes them tick. I consider it a character-driven piece…with some flesh-eating goodness thrown in for good measure.

Lyle
Do you have any other published work?

Mark
Yes, I have published three books with Sideshow Press: A Laymon Kind of Night, a chapbook that collects a few short stories, Whisonant/Creatures of the Light, a book that collects two of my novellas, and Tales from the Midnight Shift Vol. I, a short story collection. I also have a digital short, “Dancing in the Dark,” through Darkside Digital.

Lyle
To you, what characteristics need to be present in order to be considered a zombie?

Mark
You need to be dead and still moving around. Oh, and hungry for some human flesh.

Lyle
Your novella, Asylum, does have strong homosexual content, have you received any flack because of that?

Mark
Actually none. I have to admit, it was a concern, but my publisher The Zombie Feed, an imprint of Apex Publications, seemed to have no qualms about the gay elements of the tale. I’m very pleased by the fact that readers by and large haven’t batted an eye.

Lyle
Are you a full time writer or do you have another job? What’s your writing schedule like?

Mark
I am a security guard, and I actually write mostly at work. I was once on third shift, and I had plenty of time to write. Now that I’m on first, I have less time, but I still have some downtime during which I can sneak in some writing. I’m very lucky that way.

Lyle
What are your thoughts on self-published work?

Mark
I’ve never gone that route myself, but I think it can be a great way for up-and-coming writers to get their work out there. My one stipulation is that I think writers who self-publish still need to find people to act as editors.

Lyle
Where can people pick up your books?

Mark
Asylum is available as a print and digital book at www.amazon.com and www.barnesandnoble.com. Whisonant/Creatures of the Night and Tales from the Midnight Shift Vol. I are available at www.sideshowpressonline.com. And “Dancing in the Dark” at www.darkside-digital.com.

Lyle
Do you have anything zombie related coming out?

Mark
Not anytime soon, but I am currently writing a zombie tale, a follow-up to Asylum, set on a college campus called Fort.

Lyle
Have you prepared yourself for the zombie apocalypse?

Mark
I’m just going to let myself get bit. If you can’t beat em, join em.