Compare the Photo to the Painting

Here are some more samples of my painting. Please keep in mind that the photo I use may be interpreted in an impressionistic way. That's what I've done. If the color, brightness, intensity doesn't exactly create the image I want, then zowee, I change it. That's artistic license at work.

Thoughts About Material for a New Book

I have been researching the future, say 100-150 years from now. Or at least what the so-called expert futurists are calling for (and many others). I will say it is an eye-opener and great fodder for a science fiction novel. A couple months ago I became fascinated by the term 'singularity'. That got me going, that is, looking into the increasing speed of technology change. That led me into nanotechnology, artificial intelligence, transhumanism, posthumanism, generational space ships, colonization, cognitive enhancement, and much more. So, that's where I'm headed for the next book...not all of the above, but certainly some.

Update on Apple iBook Reviews

Tonight there are six reviews by readers of 'Flatline Virus: When Zombies Evolved' on the Apple iBook app site. These six average 4 stars out of 5.

Barnes & Noble Reporting Sales of Flatline Virus!

My distributor is now showing the sales coming in from Barnes & Noble for Flatline Virus: When Zombies Evolved. The breakdown by sales channel thus far is this by percentage:

Amazon (KDP including US and UK) 50%
Barnes & Noble 32%
Apple iBooks 18%

Finally the Apple iStore Sales Start to Show Up!

Smashwords, my distributor, is now reporting some sales coming through from the Apple iStore (iBooks). They seem to be at a rate about 1/2 or maybe a little less than Amazon, at least now. I also noted today that Amazon is reporting that sales of ebooks are now exceeding those in print for the first time. Ebook sales have been more than hard cover books for a while.

4 Star Ratings on Apple iStore !

I just checked my iBooks mobile app for the Apple iStore where my book is sold. The reviews average 4 stars out of 5. Granted, the average is based on three reviews, but that's hopefully a better indication of reader satisfaction than one review on Amazon.

Paintings vs. Pictures

I usually paint from a photograph. I like to take some artistic license with colors, light, and so forth, but I believe you can see the resemblance between the paintings and the photos they are drawn from. Some artists can make their paintings very, very photorealistic. I wish I could. Maybe in a few years.

Another Sample from 'Flatline Virus'

To set up the scene...Steve and Ellen, on their way home from their zombie-ruined honeymoon, spot a school bus on the side of the highway which Ellen recognizes as one from the school where she is a teacher. Two zombies are attempting to get in...

From a kneeling position, Steve swung the tire iron around and struck the bus driver on the side of the skull, sending him awkwardly off balance. This allowed Steve to get up and face a zombie who finally saw a meal outside the bus instead of through glass. The bus driver lunged forward at Steve, trying to grab an arm. Steve swung the baseball bat down on both of the driver’s extended arms. Steve could hear them both break. There was no cry of pain from the Z, only another advance toward Steve. Steve jammed the barrel of the bat into the face of the bus driver, sending him three steps backwards. Not deterred, the bus driver advanced again, somewhat more cautiously, waiting for Steve to make a move. Whether it was his Border Patrol training, his humanness, his youthful quickness, or just a survival instinct, Steve used all of them in a blitz attack on the zombie bus driver. It was clearly startled, trying to move back and to the side. But Steve was just too quick. He took a swing at the Z’s lower legs, breaking one, as he got behind his opponent, taking another swing at his head, bringing him down to the ground. With three more roundhouse home run swings to the Z’s skull, he threw the bat to the side, and shoved the sharp end of the tire iron into the ear socket of the bus driver. The kids on the bus had their noses pressed up against the windows. They were very impressed with Steve’s superhero action and quite happy to get out of the bus. After they untied their scarves, belts, and ties (which they had used to secure the door, preventing the dead driver from getting in), a few sped into the bushes to relieve themselves.