#InterviewByBook with Adam Wallace

Title: Zombie Inspiration
Author: Adam Wallace
Illustrator: James Hart
Publisher: Krueger Wallace Press
Genre: Zombie/Comedy/Personal Development
Age Group: 9-13

Please tell us a bit of what your book is about.

Well, this is a totally, absolutely, fully, nearly almost true story about me when I was at high school and the zombie apocalypse hit the world! It’s about my search for someone who inspires me, and that inspiration comes from the most unlikely source … the zombies themselves!

What kinds of themes / issues are raised in this story?

Well for starters the fact that the zombie apocalypse is inevitable … but aside from that, the fact that zombies can teach us so much about reaching our full potential. They set goals, focus, try really hard, don’t quit easily, they take action towards their goal, they eat what’s good for them and heaps more too!

How are these important to you in raising awareness to your readers?

SO important. I have wanted to do a personal development book for kids for a long time, and I just needed to find the perfect setting. Well, the apocalypse was it!

Who or what inspired you to write this story?

I had been playing with it for a few years, and it was when I went to a Tony Robbins 4 day seminar in Sydney that I was struck with the feeling that I had to get it done.

What is your favourite part of the book?

My favourite page is page 111. That was the page I did in colour, with a bloody handprint on it, and it also has all the lessons zombies can teach us.

How would you describe the publishing process? Were they supportive? How long did it take?

The publisher was pretty supportive. He was a bit annoying sometimes. Yes, I did it myself! Once I decided to get going on this book, it was about a year from getting James onto the illustrations till we had books in our hands.

What was the collaboration like between author and illustrator? Juicy gossip, please!

IT WAS AWESOME! I have done 6 books with James now, and although he sometimes tries to run away when I want to give him a hug, it generally works really well!

What has the feedback / audience response been like so far?

It’s been really great! Kids have been sitting and reading late at night, and when I have talked about it in schools the response has been great too.

What teaching and learning ideas would you suggest to complement this book?

I have actually created an online video course to follow on from the book. It’s at www.udemy.com/zombie-inspiration and it uses a workbook to take you through the 10 step program of zombie awesomeness! You will learn to set goals, focus better and all the other things zombies do to make themselves super awesome.

Do you have a book trailer for your book?

Nope, sorry. I did have one but the zombies ate it.

Any details on your book launch you’d like to tell us about?

We launched the book on Halloween, and it was awesome. Lots of people dressed up, and it was just really cool.

Please let us know where we can find more on you and your book, Zombie Inspiration.

www.zombieinspiration.com is the best place!!!

Haha! It sure is! Thank you for sharing your story with us! 😱 😵 💀

My pleasure, thanks for having me!

Adam Wallace is the author of over 30 books for children, which are always highly entertaining, but sometimes totally gross. His most recent books include Spark, New York Times bestsellers How to Catch a Leprechaun and How to Catch an Elf, and of course, Zombie Inspiration. Check out more at his website and Facebook pages.

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