As most of you know, I had a couple of booksigning this weekend. (Thanks so much to Elisa and Heather, Jungle visitors who drove all the way up to Baltimore to be there. I genuinely appreciated it!)
Anyway, at the Saturday signing, we started talking about zombies. Those of you who have been around for the past couple of Halloweens know we’re big zombie folks around here–bursting graves in the front yard, et al. But I found it interesting to look around this quaint bookstore and see all the zombie books! The owner told me she met an author recently who predicted zombies will be the new vampires, and that they’re all the rage.
Post-Apolyptic zombie hunters, well, yeah, okay, I can see it. (Zombieland–OMG I can’t WAIT to see that movie, opening day Oct 2!) But Zombies in love? I dunno. I can’t see zombie love being all that groovy. But then, she produced a book with exactly that subject and put it into my hands!
I didn’t buy it, though I was tempted. But I have had enough experience with vampire books to expect it won’t be my thing. Don’t get me wrong, vampires are great…just not as romantic heroes. I like them as monsters. I expect I’ll feel the same way about zombies.
What about you? Anybody else heard this rumor, or read any great zombie themed books lately?
PS: Oh, just for fun, I Zombie-fied myself. Check me out. Scary and gross? Oh yeah. Hot romance novel heroine material? Idontthinkso! (Except maybe the hair…good hair day for a zombie!)
Here’s Bruce (he was a little more understated):
If you’d like to do the same thing, visit: http://www.zombify-yourself.net/ And if you like your pic and want to share it, email it to me at author @ authorleslieparrish . com (no spaces) and I’ll post it here for everyone to see! It’ll be a zombie-party in the jungle! 
:taz: 
OH: One more thing. I’m guest-blogging at The Knight Agency’s blog today, talking about some writing lessons I learned from songs in one of my favorite musicals. Also giving away a copy of Black At Heart! Come by if you can.
Leslie Kelly used to say she wanted to be a doctor when she grew up, but then she discovered Nancy Drew books. Being a flashlight-under-the-covers-nose-in-book reader throughout her childhood, she couldn’t think of anything else she’d rather do as an adult than continue to lose herself in fictional stories. Her real life marriage of 20 years to the man of her dreams is a constant reinforcement that happily-ever-afters really can happen…and that they’re worth writing about. Living in Maryland, Leslie spends her non-writing time laughing a lot with the above-mentioned romance hero and their three daughters. Though an author of more than thirty sexy, contemporary comedies, she has recently branched out to write dark romantic suspense under the pseudonym Leslie Parrish.
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All I can say is that zombies are one creature I will NOT be going out of my way to read about. Pride & Prejudice & Zombies? Not on my to-be-read list.
Now I did enjoy Ann Aguirre’s Blue Diablo very much, mostly because I really like her writing style, but the zombie parts were not my favorite.
As for zombies being the next vampire? I don’t think so. They are the mindless undead, as far away from sexy as maggots. Ick, I definitely don’t see that happening. (shudder)
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I’m with you, Stacey– like I said, I can see zombie-killers, just not the creatures themselves as protagonists. Hard to root for a hero whose nose might fall off mid-kiss.
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Good morning Les, I don’t see zombies as the way of the future. I still cringe when I watch the “Thriller” video for goodness sakes. Just the thought of the undead being romantic really grosses me out…imagine all the body parts falling off…hey maybe in a book as a parodic or satiric take on romance, but that’s about it. I would knot be tied up in knots waiting for the release of a book such as this, that’s for sure.
Kudos to all those who went to the booksignings to show you some love. I just know you guys had a blast. I am hoping to go to the one on the 7th of November.
I will try to zombify myself and email it to you. Today is the beginning of Teacher Orientation, so I won’t be on for most of the day anymore…boo, hiss…I hope to get some good news from the doctor today as well. I will let you guys know.
Have a great day everyone, and I will swing by later.
Peace and love,
Paula R.
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Good luck, Paula! Really hoping you hear good things today.
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Hey, thanks for the well-wishes Les. I needed that hug, btw. The answer wasn’t a definitive one. I have to wait until more tests are done to see if they can give me one next week. I am so confused
and a little more anxious. I will let you know more. I am going to bed. I am really sorry, I missed chatting with you today. Love your guestblog topic…the zombie thing didn’t work for me…sorry… 
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Ugh, zombies? No thanks! I actually do love vampires as romantic heroes, read a lot of paranormal romance (Kerrelyn Sparks, Lynsay Sands, Lara Adrian, etc). Not all vampires are the undead — lol!
But zombies? I’ll pass on them. Makes me shudder just to think of it. :-O
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You know, I need to qualify that–I have loved the Kresley Cole books I read and one of them did have a vampire hero!
But her books are just lighter, somehow. Sexy, hot, with one-liners flying all over the place. It’s the all-serious ones I can’t get into.
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I don’t see the draw to zombies in romances either. I’m ok with zombies in movies, but just don’t really see anything sexy about them. Of course, I was pretty late to jump on board with the vampires in romances. I can get around the blood drinking vampires, but zombies tend to have body parts falling off and I just can’t get past it.
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Yowza–imagine the wrong body part falling off at the wrong time! Talk about “coitus interruptus”…
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Even Oprah mentioned the “Pride and Prejustice and Zombies” books. Not my cuppa, but I have a friend who is really into them (totally cool).
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I have to confess, I haven’t read P&P&Z’s. The bookseller told me the next one is coming out soon: Sense & Sensibility & Sea Monsters.
I dunno, I get the alliteration, but sea monsters just don’t terrify me.
Sense & Sensibility & ________________
Hmm. Sirens? Succubi? Slugs?
Not sea monsters, though.
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Frankly, I just love the titles.
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It does feel like zombies are everywhere lately. I can’t quite imagine how one would work as a hero–although I guess he’d be the tortured, brooding type.
I’d never underestimate paranormal authors’ ability to reinvent and redefine a mythology, though–if there’s a way to make zombies sexy, a romance author will come up with it!
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You know, there is a vampire-hero (heroine, actually) book I loved–”Bloodsucking Fiends” by Christopher Moore. Maybe it’s just the humor that I need. I might like the light and funny vampire romances, just haven’t tried them.
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I can definitely imagine writers doing a good job with zombie protags, but it isn’t really my thing, I think. LOVE a good zombie book/movie though with zombies as the monsters.
I loved meeting you & the family Saturday, Leslie! I can’t wait to read your Leslie Kelly novels now that I’ve read the Leslie Parrish ones!
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Right back at you, Heather! It was great to meet you in person. Did you end up at the same Cheesecake Factory (Towson?) Or did you and hubby go back to Annapolis?
Mm…still dreaming of that white chocolate/raspberry cheesecake!
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We stopped at the one in Annapolis. We’ve gotten addicted to their new Red Velvet cheesecake (wow!). Layers of red velvet cake, and a sour cream layer, and a cheesecake layer, and white chocolate frosting.
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I thought about that one, too! My daughter almost ordered it because she’s not a big cheesecake fan but does love red velvet. I really wanted to taste it. Maybe next time…they did gave us these gift cards good for free cheesecake the next time we go back.
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Jeff’s fave flavor used to be white choc raspberry until they came out with the red velvet—it’s surprisingly similar, but not as super-sweet.
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Zombies as romantic heroes is just ick. Gross. However, I loved Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. It was a great retelling of a fave story.
My daughter was just mentioning that movie yesterday and that she can’t wait for it to come out. She’s also the one who wanted to make Zombie Porn as her first movie, but I guess someone beat her to it, or stole her idea. I can’t decide which one it is!! :*&#!:
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I don’t know what it is about silly zombie movies that I so enjoy. Shaun of the Dead just cracked me up, as did Dawn Of. And I have always adored Woody Harrelson in that “certain” role he plays so well–good old boy, smart-ass, tough and determined. Doesn’t have to be zombies, I also loved him in Cowboy Way, with Keifer Sutherland.
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Can’t imagine a sexy zombi
Wait, wash board abs, rock solid shoujnders.
Probably once they set their sights
On you they don’t look at other
women. But they are always so
Stiff…all the time…oh yuk!
I like jr ward and chistine feehand’s
Vampires.
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hahahaha! Yeah, I think I’ve read a few heroes who seems to have been suffering from rigor mortis…some parts of their anatomy are always stiff.
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Oh. My. God. Please don’t do that to yourself!! Yikes!!
I don’t see zombies being the wave of the future either. I mean Ewwww!!
I’m not a vampire reader either unless its Jeanne Stein.
Have a great day all,
Cher, who isn’t going to get herself zombie-fied. (shuddering)
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lol…Bruce did and I just had to meet the challenge. We’re obviously very strange and disturbed people.
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Uhm … no. Vampires may be ‘un’dead but at least they don’t have peeling flesh, rotting limbs or putrifying sores ! EWWWWW !!! Could you imagine kissing someone who smells like road-kill ?!?! Yuck, sorry …
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OMG! Today’s subject & Leslie’s comments are making me laugh!
Zombie’s are so not my thing! Neither books or movies! Ick! Sorry!
Like Cher I am not going to Zombiefy myself! It just wouldn’t be me or very grandmotherly!! I’m still not thrilled with paranormal romance but I’ve read quite a few I enjoyed a lot. Julie’s Phantom series was so good.
Is there still buzz going around that Contemporary romance is on its way out! I just can’t imagine that. It would be such a loss to those of us that enjoy a good romance.
I’m praying that the publishers are smart enough to keep romance alive!
By the way, I love Cheesecake Factory! Haven’t been in awhile as the nearest one to me is about 60 miles away! Love eating there but have trouble having enough room for dessert!!
Thank heavens for take out!
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Yes, Julie’s phantom series ROCKED! Phantoms I can totally see as heroes…they weren’t dead, after all.
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ew, ew ew ew. I’ve noticed zombies as heroes… more for YA books – totally not into it. I mean, I had a discussion with a friend about why super “real to life” people aren’t great heroes – like… an autistic hero in a romance. The whole problem with emotions and interpersonal relationships… anyway I think it would be interesting, but extremely difficult to pull off. In the same … whatever… rotting corpse hero?
*vomit*
I mean, rotting fruit makes me freak out and feel sick. Humans? … Someone… is not thinking this through.
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OMG, Zombies.??? Can you see the heroine in a novel getting you close and personal with a zombie?
How romantic can that be with someone who keeps losing all of their body parts. I think it might be time to go back to the drawing board.
Give me a hot blooded, hard body, knock my socks off male any day. There is nothing else like it.
P.S. I will even take a cold blooded vampire over a bunch of zombies.
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Hey Leslie,
I know its late but been busy today, I found a condo in Alexandria, thinking about it to see if I want it. Now got to figure what to say to my current landlord and try to move out in next month. We’ll see how that goes.
It was my pleasure to meet Bruce and your daughter. You got a great family. Heather it was nice meeting you.
I went to Barnes & Noble and sent you an email with photos of your books. Just bought my friend her birthday gift and gave them your CAT books. Since I love them I am sure she will too.
Great pictures of Zombies… Bruce is a little scarier, I don’t want to run into him at night. lol.
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It was nice to meet you! So much fun to find so many book folk in this area.
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I love this topic. No, really, not a spambot, I really love it. Mostly because I wondered for myself if a zombie could be a sympathetic, no, romantic character. So I wrote this book, and it was published last month, and a lot of people seem to like it.
I think the question of whether a zombie can be a romance hero or heroine comes down to the execution. You could go all humor with it, like a few have. But then it comes off like Sex and the City and the Undead.
Or you could go with tragic, a’ la Romeo and Juliet. It still amazes me how incredibly dark R&J is, and yet it’s considered one of the most romantic works in history. I see the romantic element, but I don’t think it was meant to be. I don’t even think it was supposed to be a tragedy. I think Shakespeare was pointing out how shallow, emotional and trite people can be.
Can a zombie be a romance lead? I dunno, but I love seeing genres get all muddled up.
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I’m with you on the zombies. They work fabulously well for monsters but not as heroes or heroines. Of course, me being me, all I think about now when I hear, or read, ‘zombie’ is the episode of Wizards of Waverly Place where Alex and her friend Harper put on a zombie prom and real zombies show up. The whole thing is hilarious, especially the dance battle. But still…not anything I would think of as hero/heroine material.
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heard an agent was looking for zombies but more of the hero/heroine fight off the zombies – also could work if the hero or heroine are bit and have to find a cure….
also heard steampunk will be big