JOHN L. CAMPBELL
Horror Writer's Association
Active Member since 2013
International Thriller Writers
Member since 2016
HomeAbout the Author, About Writing
It's been said, "You don't start your writing career with a novel. Start small." I don't necessarily believe that, now or then, and back in 1989, there was no one to tell me I couldn't. I threw myself into a full-length horror tale, knocking it out on an electric typewriter at a 60's era kitchen table with a cracked formica top. I was proud of it. It was about as bad as a first novel gets. No one wanted it, and when I'm courageous enough to peek at it these days, I don't blame them.
Short stories came next, a dozen churned out with clueless abandon. Check the rough draft for spelling errors and call it good. Make copies and stuff manilla envelopes. Spend money you don't have on postage, send to publishers and wait for New York to call. No one wanted them, either, but I collected an impressive pile of rejection letters.
Another novel, science fiction this time, and better than the first. So my friends and family told me. Landed an agent! One I had to pay up front, and who never called. Who knew? There was no internet to offer advice. New York wasn't calling, either.
What do you do about a sci-fi novel which isn't selling? Well, you write an even bigger sequel, of course. One which no one will want.
More short stories then, perhaps crafted a bit more carefully, and edited. One of them sold to a tiny horror mag in California. I photocopied the $10 check and hung it over my desk, placing my contributor's copy in a place of honor on the bookshelf. (I still have that copy!)
Another story sold, this one for $20, and I was crushed when the mag went belly-up before publication. And yet... someone had actually given me money for something I had written. I was doomed.
Novel number four was born, a futuristic tale with a samurai flavor, and much better than my three previous attempts. Not enough for anyone to print - seeing a pattern here? - but better. More short stories, and more rejection slips.
Years passed, my work was unwanted, and my dreams of becoming a writer were sinking. And all the while I failed to realize that I was a writer. I was writing, putting my work out there, getting knocked down and writing more. I was learning.
This was all pre-internet, pre-self publishing, and I'll be forever grateful for that. There is no question I would have pushed all those ill-crafted words onto the e-market, simply to get some small validation and satisfaction. Today they would be like dead animals forever hanging around my neck. Instead, the novels went into their boxes, and into the sea chest I'd inherited from my father. They remain there today.
I took a sabbatical from the keyboard... Alright, I got frustrated and quit, for nearly twelve years. The words called me back, though, the stories chasing around in my head, needing to be told. I unearthed some of those short stories and put them through brutal rewrites, started submitting again. A few were accepted, both in print and online. I began crafting more, dreaming up new short tales, starting to see a bit of success (the "we're not paying you but we'll print it" kind of success.) Again, I was learning, sharpening, taking more time.
A screenplay was born, co-written with a dear friend. It's waiting patiently, not in a trunk, but for me to have enough courage to put it out there and risk Hollywood rejection. I assembled short stories into collections, self-published, experienced pathetic sales, but sales nonetheless. Still growing my craft, still building my courage.
Then I wrote Omega Days.
It became an Amazon horror Bestseller within days of publication. I'm doomed.
Any tips I have to offer are likely nothing you haven't heard before. I did, and finally started listening.
* Write as often as you can. Make sacrifices...the game, a movie, an evening of loafing, time at the bar during business travel. Give it to your story. Novels do not write themselves.
* Rewrite. It's not as good as you think it is, which you will quickly see when you go through your story again. And again...and again. Walk away from it for a few days, and then go through it once more. You'll find things you want to change. It's worth it.
* Edit. Grammar, spelling, punctuation, word choice, typos...they all count, and poor editing is the number one complaint from readers of self-published work. I know you want to get your masterpiece to market, but take the time to polish it. Your readers will appreciate it, and they'll buy your next masterpiece. I am by no means perfect in this area, and even after four rewrites and three rounds of editing, have had small errors slip through to publication. It's maddening, and don't think for a second your readers won't call you on it.
* Write what makes you happy. If it's a commercial success, all the better. This craft is a taskmaster with little mercy, a selfish, consuming compulsion demanding all your time and then crying out for more. It can be isolating and lonely, and your only salvation is if you love what you're doing.
* Believe in yourself, and in your story. Most people won't, so you'll have to be strong and take up the slack. And when you do experience success, great or small, the victory will be all the sweeter because you knew you could do it all along.
-John L. Campbell
Campbell is the author of the Omega Days novels from Berkley/Penguin USA, including Omega Days, Ship of the Dead, Drifters, Crossbones and The Feral Road. His short fiction has appeared in numerous anthologies, literary magazines and e-zines. He has lived all over the U.S., and has worked as everything from a limo driver to professional investigator and executive. He currently resides with his family in the New York area, where he is at work on his next novel.
OMEGA DAYS
When the end came, it came quickly. No one knew where or exactly when the Omega Virus started, but soon it was everywhere. And when the ones spreading it can't die, no one stands a chance of surviving.
Within weeks, the world is overrun by the walking dead. Only the quick and the smart, the strong and the determined, will survive - for now.
"Well written...interesting characters and plenty of suspense. You can't go wrong with that."
- The Mad Reviewer
"Campbell has created the quintessential zombie series...this is the novel zombie aficionados have been craving!"
-Novel Idea Reviews
"A master at putting a new spin on the classics...there are creepy echoes of King and Koontz."
-SF Revu
"Campbell delivers an ambitious and very readable zombie novel."
-San Francisco Book Review
"Campbell builds a mood of terror that sweeps the reader along in this powerful example of the zombie thriller at its best."
-Publishers Weekly
(Starred Review)
"Character development was superb...vividly described in detail."
-AudioBook Reviewer
"Omega Days is, hands down, one of the shining stars of the zombie genre."
-Joe McKinney
Bram Stoker Award-winning author of
The Savage Dead and Dead City
"Voted Top 10 Best of 2013"
-The Bookiemonster
SHIP OF THE DEAD
In the weeks following the Omega Virus outbreak, survivors form desperate clusters, uniting to defend against hordes of the walking dead. But they can only hide for so long…
As the numbers of the dead swell, the living are running out of safe havens—especially when the biggest threats lie within their own ranks.
ADDITIONAL TITLES by JOHN L. CAMPBELL
DRIFTERS
The survivors of the Omega Virus make a desperate effort to find the living. But the walking dead aren't done with them yet...
Amid the chaos of a destroyed civilization, the survivors encounter a new threat. And these new monsters can't be outrun - or outwitted...
"The suspense is non-stop... Campbell has a talent for writing thrilling urban horror... This is every zombie lover's ideal series."
-Novel Idea Reviews
"Frequent and chilling zombie encounters highlight both Campbell's competence in presenting horrific gore and his insistence that dedication to humanity is also the strongest definition of faith."
-Publishers Weekly
"Horrific gore...edge of your seat breath-holding moments...tragedy, action, suspense and...the probing of the human psyche."
-Literal Addiction
"If you're craving some explosive action, this is the book - and series - to pick up."
-Owlcat Mountain
"Absolutely a no-holds-barred, teeth-gritting, white-knuckle experience."
-SF Revu
To book an appearance or discuss a project, contact;
Jennifer De Chiara - Literary Agent
jenndec@aol.com
"Campbell is a master...will keep readers coming back for more of the Omega Days series."
-Novel Idea Reviews
"Campbell has proven himself a force to be reckoned with in modern zombie apocalypse tales."
-Literal Addiction
"This author really excels at setting the scene."
-CA Reviews
"Read this...at night, turn off the lights, and prepare to be FREAKED out!"
-Manga Maniac Cafe
"Character development in the midst of a zombie tale as old as time."
-Fresh Fiction
CROSSBONES
Campbell returns to his "impressively convincing vision" (Publishers Weekly) of the apocalypse, as humanity's last hopes struggle to outlive the end of the world...
As the safe haven of the Nimitz is besieged by vicious marauders and terrifying Hobgoblins, the survivors come up against the most deadly obstacle they've faced yet, one they have no chance of defeating - the cruel whims of nature itself...
TRY THESE TITLES...
(my not-so-secret Pen Name!)
"Scary and compelling..."
-For the Love of Books
"Suspense and ultimate thrills! This novel will leave you chomping at your fingernails and cringing in anticipation."
-Novel Idea Reviews
"I was completely engrossed..."
-Manga Maniac Cafe
"Top 5 pick of 2015"
-Topsham Public Library
JUNE 11, 2017
Thank you to everyone who turned out for my back-to-back events in Buffalo and Nashville! I had a great time, and as always, it was amazing to be able to connect with the fans. You're the reason I do this!
The summer and fall schedule is packed, but I have some breathing room until mid-August, and I'll be disappearing into my writing cave to finish my latest work; CANNIBAL KINGDOM. Anticipating a summer release date. Watch social media for the upcoming trailer, and check back here for both the trailer and a sneak peek at the cover. I'm very excited about this one...should keep you turning pages! More to come!
THE FERAL ROAD
Skye Dennison returns in this latest installment of the apocalyptic Omega Days novels!
In deserted, snowbound towns and along empty roads, the frozen dead hunt for the living. But death in winter takes many forms...
Risen from the legions of the walking dead, a cluster of fearsome Hobgoblins has formed a pack, and is stalking a small band of survivors. Led by a massive and terrifying Alpha, they will stop at nothing to bring down their prey...
"A potent mixture of horror and humanity, Campbell's latest in this harrowing epic shocks and breaks hearts in equal measures. Required reading for both lovers of deep scares and deep emotions. Highly recommended!"
-Jay Bonansinga, New York Times bestselling author of
The Walking Dead: Search and Destroy
2017 APPEARANCE SCHEDULE
Aug. 11-13 BOSTON
Boston Comic Con
Aug. 18-20 MOHEGAN SUN, CT
TerrifiCon
Sep. 16 DANBURY, CT
Ct. HorrorFest
Sep. 28 MONROE, NY
Lecture: Monroe Free Library
Sep. 30-1st PHILADELPHIA
Walker Stalker Con
Oct. 25 TENNESSEE
White Pine Books
Oct. 27-29 ATLANTA
Walker Stalker Con
Dec. 9-10 EDISON, NJ
Walker Stalker Con
