Notice for Review Requests

I receive review requests weekly. However, my personal schedule is hectic and I no longer review actively. (I also manage another blog called The Toronto Cafe and Food Blog). I do read every request sent but I apologize in advance that I do not reply to them all.

If I do take on a request, I will forewarn that it may take some time before I can review it. I am now looking to review adult fiction and self-help books instead of young adult fiction because I have grown out of it. If you are to request a review for either adult fiction or self-help, I will more likely to give it a shot.

In the meantime, Stop, Drop, and Read! serves as an archive book review blog. When I have the time, I may post a review. Thank you for understanding.

Monday, November 30, 2009

Author Interview: E. Van Lowe + Contest

E. Van Lowe, who debuted with his first and laugh out loud YA novel, Never Slow Dance With A Zombie, is here with us today for an interview! He has written for popular comedy shows such as The Cosby Show and Even Stevens too!

There is a contest to win a cute t-shirt of Never Slow Dance With A Zombie and some signed bookmarks! Scroll down below for details!

If you want to learn more about E., please visit: www.evanlowe.com. If you subscribe to his site, you will be able to read his new novel, I Want You Back!, for free! He will start releasing chapters around Christmas!

What inspired you to write Never Slow Dance With A Zombie?

I had been writing for TV for quite a few years and knew that I wanted to write a YA novel. I love both vampires and zombies, and since there were so many vampire novels, I chose zombies. Who knew (three years ago) that there would a literary zombie uprising?

Why is it that you decided to write in a girl's perspective opposing to a male's? Do you consider it harder or easier to write the opposite gender? Why?

I had been reading a lot of YA when I decided to write a novel. Everything I was reading at the time was from a girl's POV. So, I knew I was going to write as a girl. I don't know how it happened, but even in my scripts I write from a female POV most of the time. It feels natural to me. Back in college I wrote for romance and confession magazines--all female POVs. So, I guess it started back then. I don't consider it easier or harder. I do find women more interesting. The emotions in my characters are emotions I feel intimately: wanting love, feeling betrayed, etc. The emotional makeup of my characters is neither male nor female.

What do you find is the easiest part of writing? And the hardest?

The easiest part is coming up with fun, funny, adventurous situations to put my characters in. I can entertain myself all day doing this. The hardest part is everything else. But I LOVE it all. I wouldn't trade what I do for anything.

What other genres are you thinking about expanding your writing to, asides comedy and zombies?

I've just completed my third novel, and I am currently writing a novella, I Want You Back! Everything is about teen girls with elements of the paranormal and some comedy. The later books have romance in them. The novel I just completed, Hollyweird, has a very strong romantic element, too, and it's darker. It features all the elements found in the first, I think it's just more grown up. Hopefully, I am getting better as a novelist.

What is your favourite zombie movie and zombie novel?

My favorite zombie movie is 28 Days Later & Shaun of The Dead. I know, I chose two. I love them both. Hmm, zombie novel. I haven't yet read a bunch that have come out this year like: Breathers and Zombie Queen of Newbury High. So, I need to get back to you on that one. I read Patient Zero this past spring. It was pretty good.

What is your number one survival tip on living through a zombie apocalypse?

When you see a zombie coming--run!

Lastly, please give us an interesting fact about yourself that many do not know of!

I like to dance. I don't know if that's interesting, but it's definitely something I don't tell my buddies. LOL. I look at So You Think You Can Dance? and think "I think I can dance, but not like them!" LOL.

~~~

Now that you had the chance to learn a little bit more about E., it is time for the contest!

One winner will get a large t-shirt of Never Slow Dance With A Zombie and some signed bookmarks! Yes, the size is only large at the moment but it'll be a comfy t-shirt to sleep in!

Answer the following to be entered. NO ANSWER, NO ENTRY!

+1 What is your favourite zombie movie or book?

Extra Entries:

+1 New follower
+2 Already a follower
+1 For every site you link to. Give me direct links! No links, no entries! 5 max!

This contest is open to international readers and it will be closed on December 19, 2009!

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28 comments:

Orchid said...

My favorite zombie movie would have to be the Resident Evil movies.

+2 old follower

hauntingorchid (at) aol (dot) com

Milka said...

One of my favorite zombie books is Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. I love pride and prejudice and then zombie parts are just so weird that I have to like them

+2 old follower

milkavainamo@lyseo.edu.ouka.fi

Mardel said...

I'm a follower (as in already)

My favorite Zombie movie is Shaun of the Dead. I watched it just last year for the first time and loved it. 2nd favorite is Zombieland.

Favorite Zombie book is Happy Hour of the Dead by Mark Henry (so far)

They say ("they") that everyone has a male/female side to them. Props for letting yours out to play in novels. I'm definitly going to be looking for your books now.

Hot Off the Shelves said...

Sean of the Dead is probably my favorite Zombie movie. I really haven't read a lot of zombie books to pick a favorite from.

+2 I am an old follower

jasmyn9[at]hotmail[dot]com

Natalie said...

+1 Zombieland. It was amazing!
+2 Old follower
+1 Tweeted it!

n_monzyk_27@yahoo.com

Jenny N. said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jenny N. said...

I don't have any favourite zombie movies but my favourite zombie read is The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan

+2 Old follower

+1 Tweeted: http://twitter.com/Jullysay/status/6246682449

+1 Added to sidebar http://jennys-books.blogspot.com

jen4777[at]hotmail.com

Kelsey said...

My favorite zombie book is Zombie Queen of Newbury High by Amanda Ashby.

+2 old follower

kelseythebookscout at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

The only zombies book I've ever read was Pride and Prejudice and Zombies so right now that's my favourite.
I would love to be entered in your draw. Thanks.
wandanamgreb(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I just became a follower of your blog. wandanamgreb(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I love zombies! My fav is a book called It's Beginning to Look a lot Like Zombies where they took Christmas songs and turned them into zombie themed ones.

+2 alread a follower
+1 tweeted http://twitter.com/justkeepreading/statuses/6324372898

foltzsfantasticbooks at gmail.com

Jenny!!! said...

My favorite zombie movie is Fido. Have you seen it?! Hilarious! Also, Shaun of the Dead is great.

Favorite new zombie book is Forest of Hands and Teeth.

+1 Just became a follower

librarianjle(at)gmail.com

Rebecca said...

My favourite zombie book would be Kiss of Life by Daniel Waters.

+1 New follower

everythingtodowithbooks@gmail.com

Justine said...

Ooh, my favourite zombie would have to be I Am Legend. That was really cool! :P

+1 new follower
+1 linked on the sidebar here

Justine
justeena_25(at)yahoo(dot)ca

Beleth said...

My favorite zombie book was Pride Prejudice and zombies :D
+2 old follower
battyaboutbats at gmail.com

Kelsey said...

Oh my word! Definitely 28 Weeks Later! I'm surprised this movie isn't more widely known. It is AWESOME!!!

Please enter me in the contest

-Kelsey
krae991@yahoo.com

Miriam said...

I have not read that many Zombie books but I love 'The Forest of Hands and Teeth'.
+2 I'm an old follower
+1 - https://twitter.com/Backchatgirl/status/6475271694

Email: miriamfrancos@dsl.pipex.com

Dahlia (TheBookShopaholic) said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Dahlia (TheBookShopaholic) said...

Favorite zombie book: Generation Dead

+2 Old Follower

thebookshopaholic(at)hotmail(dot)com

Bleuette said...

Sounds great!:)

+1 New follower
+1 Tweeted it.

http://twitter.com/PheonixFire2

http://fantasysink.blogspot.com/

SnakeRaja said...

My favourite zombie movie is "Dawn of the Dead"

go with happiness said...

My favorite zombie book is Generation Dead by Daniel Waters! It's fantastic!

thebookblogger@Hotmail.com

Noella said...

My fav zombie movie is Resident Evil: Apocalypse!
+1 new follower
Cheers for the contest,
june.mmix@gmail.com

Unknown said...

Hi :)
I'm just in time!
:)
My favorite Zombie movie is Night Of The Living Dead.
Merry Christmas,
RKCharron

Kapri (Book Fanatics) said...

+1 new follwer
+1 favorite zombie movie: Shaun of the Dead. So funny!!

bookfanatics@rocketmail.com

Kirthi said...

Hey, I'm a new follower! Just found your blog, somehow, from searching Banri Hidaka sensei on Google. Weird huh?

Well, I'd love to enter this contest!
+1 New follower!

Thanks!

raokiki6(at)gmail(dot)com

Kirthi said...

Ack! Favorite zombie "movie" is from Wizards of Waverly place. It's pretty much the only zombie "movie" I've watched!

Diana Dang said...

I'm sorry, this contest is over long gone. D: But if you stick around, my blogoversary is coming up. Lots of contests then! ^^