Vegan Revolution...With Zombies T-Shirts SALE!

Hey folks I am trying to unload some stock I have hanging around the house so I am running an everything must go sale before this weekend. I have 4 copies of Vegan Revolution...With Zombies and two copies of Hunting the Moon Tribe.

So here is the deal. Vegan Rev T-shirt + a personally signed book (Vegan rev or Moon Tribe) for $22 + 3 for shipping. Sales through my Paypal: Count.agranoff@gmail.com

The Eleventh Son by Gu Long (Translated
365 pages
$19.95 Trade paperback

I have wanted to read this novel for years, but for one reason or another I just never got around to it. Wuxia films are some of my favorite movies of all time and I have always wanted to read more of fiction which many of my favorite kungfu movies were based on. Gu Long considered one along with Jin Yong (The Book and the Sword) and Liang Yushen (Bride with White Hair) as the "three legs of the tripod of wuxia". I have also published my own Wuxia horror crossover (Hunting The Moon Tribe) that was more influenced by film as until now I have only read Yong's The Book and the Sword and the Chinese literary classic Three Kingdoms.

So yeah, I was super overdue in reading this novel. It was written in the late 60's, and I am assuming it was published as a serial in newspapers like most Wuxia novels in the era. The chapters take on a serial feel, and it is hard to comment on the writing style because you always wonder how much is a product of translation.

The Eleventh Son is tangled story indeed as characters weave into and out of the story. Some even drop out of the story altogether. The main character Xiao is not even introduced until a few chapters in. It would seem at first that the novel is about Xiao battling for a famous sword called “The Deer Carver.” this maguffin is quickly forgotten as Xiao and a sinister female villian known as Little Mister battle over the Chinese countryside. The main story here is a messy love story between Xiao and a noble woman named Shen. Little Mister who is truly awesome villian frames Xiao for the murder of Shen's entire family. She knows better as Xiao is the one who saved her.

It is said that Long was more influenced by western writers than his competition and I only have Jin Young to compare him too. I can see a little more western influence in the structure of the novel, and the way he tells the story.

Some really cool and weird stuff happens along the way and you would expect in a Wuxia novel, there is a cool chapter where they encounter and battle gods of lightning and thunder. Perhaps my favorite part was a chapter called Doll manor, this super weird chapter finds Xiao and Shen tapped in a doll house worried that they have been shrunk and chaptered a kungfu magician. I was totally surprised by their escape and it was a super neat surprise. The coolest and most inventive part of the novel.

My biggest problem with the novel is that it ended with a set-up for sequel. That is not translated into English. Here is hoping the translator and publisher do this again. We need more Wuxia novels in print!

Donnie Yen plays a character that is in Hunting The Moon Tribe

The story of legendary Guan Yu crossing five passes & slaying six generals. He played a major role in the civil war that led to the collapse of Han Dynasty & the establishment of Shu Han of the 3 Kingdoms, making Liu Bei its first emperor.

Guan Yu is known in Chinese mythology as the god of Martial Power. In the final battle of my novel Hunting The Moon Tribe, the heroes go to the underworld to end the vampire bloodline and are aided by several Chinese mythological characters(He battles the god of thunder Lei Gong). One of them Guan Yu. It's cool to see Donnie Yen playing him in a origin story.

Hunting the Moon Tribe is of course available on Amazon.

New Jet Li Wuxia Pan movies

As the author of a Wuxia Pan novel (kungfu fantasy called Hunting the Moon Tribe)I am super excited about two new films starring Jet Li. One of my favorite movie stars I have not enjoyed his american movies as much so how rad is it that he has returned to making films in china with style. He is also working with the masters of Chinese cinema.

First up is a new film by Ching Siu Tung director of two of my favorite movies and the most profound influence on Hunting the Moon Tribe - those films were the Chinese Ghost story and his 1982 masterpiece Duel to Death. but now he returns with...



and next Jet Li worked with the Steven Spielberg of Hong Kong Tusi Hark. He is coming off a bad decade, with lots of films that were supposed to be his comeback movie. Well I enjoyed a few of those like Seven Swords, it wasn't until last year when he released Detective Dee and the phantom of the Holy Flame, that critics and fans agreed. Hark was back. To follow up he drafted Jet Li for a 3D remake of the 1967 King Hu classic Dragon gate Inn. (Hark produced a remake in the 90's with Bridgette Lin and Donnie Yen that was OK)



Time to order some import DVD's or hope the Hollywood theater here in Portland makes them happen.

Hunting The Moon Tribe Book Release party at the Hollywood theater!

Art: by Eisner award winning artist Eric Shanower.

Hey Portland SAVE THE DATE! Thurs May 5th! Hollywood Movie Theater! My novel Hunting the Moon Tribe's Crazy awesome book release party! Vegan cake! Classic Kungfu and horror movie trailers on the big screen! Books on sale, signing total geek madness!

At the end of April my novel Hunting the Moon Tribe will be released by Little Otick press. It began life as an award nominated amateur screenplay (Dimension films open door contest, the Nicholl Fellowship), and was reborn as an epic Wuxia Pan (Chinese) Fantasy featuring kung fu crazyness and monster madness.


I have worked on this novel off and on since 1994, So this book means alot to me. I can't wait to share this night with old friends and fellow geeks. I promise this night will be a blast. We'll be showing movie trailers on the big screen that inspired the book. The trailers will be riot, super fun. This is a night you'll remember I promise.

Promo video for the event



Advance praise for Hunting The Moon Tribe:


"David Agranoff's HUNTING THE MOON TRIBE mashes up Chinese mythology, some seriously unnerving horror, Maoist politics, a sweet coming-of-age story, dark magic, and high-kicking martial arts into a compelling and unusual page-turner. I've never read (or seen) anything like it, and HUNTING THE MOON TRIBE should mark Mr. Agranoff as one of the most original and exciting new voices to emerge in genre fiction in a dragon's age." - Lisa Morton Three time Bram Stoker award winning author of The Castle of Los Angeles and The Cinema of Tsui Hark.

“Remember that old Shaw Brothers / Hammer Studios flick The Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires? HUNTING THE MOON TRIBE is what that movie should have been. It is an extremely entertaining epic of kick-ass martial arts and bloody horror. Agranoff not only dazzles us with breathtaking action scenes and vampire violence but also tugs at our heartstrings with realistic family drama and romance. It’s a scary martial arts fantasy that will please just about everyone. David Agranoff is a gifted storyteller.” - Jordan Krall Author of Fistful of Feet and Squid pulp Blues

“As terrifying as Richard Laymon, and just as good, David Agranoff reshapes the vampire mythos in ways never experienced. The horror is visceral, the action brutal, and at its core, there’s a poignancy typically left out of today’s horror. A circus between worlds, vampires, and martial arts aplenty – “Hunting the Moon Tribe” reads like “Brotherhood of the Wolf” encompassed in Chinese folklore and culture. One of the strongest new voices in horror fiction that I’ve read.” - Eric Mays author of Naked Metamorphosis and host of the Authors Speak Podcast

New interview up with me on another blog...

Check it out here:
http://mrmoonblogs.blogspot.com/2011/03/mr-moon-interviews-david-agranoff.html


Find who I think would win in a death match between Dee Snyder and Regan. Details on my upcoming novels Hunting The Moon Tribe and Goddamn Killing Machines!

Also stay tuned for interview with Mr. Moon here on my blog. It was a trade.

Three Novels On The Way...

Three New Novels this year:

Hey there, just wanted to give you an update on what is going on with my novels for the next year. First I wanted to take a minute to thank everyone who bought, borrowed or found another way to read Vegan Revolution…with Zombies. I really had fun writing that book and promoting it has also been an adventure. Thank you for supporting the book and helping me promote for an artist at my level word of mouth is crucial.

So I have three more books due out from various imprints of Eraserhead press. Each one is very different from each other and I think if you enjoyed my collection Screams from a Dying World you could get a hint of the range I am shooting for over time with the novels. Here is a short preview of the books.

March/ April 2011

Hunting the Moon Tribe

After years of delay I have a firm date for the first novel I wrote Hunting the Moon Tribe. It’s an epic Wuxia Pan (Chinese kungfu fantasy) horror crossover. Bram Stoker award winning author Lisa Morton who wrote that awesome Castle of Los Angeles..."I've never read (or seen) anything like it, and HUNTING THE MOON TRIBE should mark Mr. Agranoff as one of the most original and exciting new voices to emerge in genre fiction in a dragon's age." Or the bizarro author Jordan Krall had this to say "Agranoff not only dazzles us with breathtaking action scenes and vampire violence but also tugs at our heartstrings with realistic family drama and romance. It’s a scary martial arts fantasy that will please just about everyone. David Agranoff is a gifted storyteller.”

Summer 2011

Goddamn Killing Machines

This a military Science Fiction novel in the tradition of the Dirty Dozen, The Forever War and Starship Troopers.

GKM is the story of a team of military contractors in 22nd century who are wanted around the various planets and colonies of human expansion for various war crimes. They are given a deal. Kill one target and all is forgiven. The problem is the target is the one member of their team they fear and he is hiding the most hostile planet known to humanity.

Somewhere along a river eleven times the length of the amazon on planet filled with vicious wildlife is the greatest psychopath these professional killers have ever known. If they can survive this epic journey they met yet discover the horrible truth behind their mission.

Fall 2011

Bootboys of the Wolfreich

It’s the summer of 1989 sixteen year small town anti-racist Skinhead Paul Jackson is moving with his family to Chicago. He is excited to hang-out,drink beer, fight and go to shows with the big city skins. The SHARPS were winning the turf with the Nazis from the Westside suburbs.

Sonny is smarter than your average Nazi skinhead, he is tired of losing battle after battle in the streets with the SHARPS. After their leader is put in prison an old man with thick German accent walks into their lives, he brings with him the message of thousand year Reich and magical wolfskin.

Overnight their evil ideas and desire for belonging turns them into monsters with a appetite for flesh. The tide starts turning as bodies of mangled rude boys, skins and straight edgers turn up around the northside of Chicago.

Special edition benefit sale! Exclusive deals!

Hey a quick update on the state of my novel The Vegan Revolution...with Zombies. Since day one the love and support this novel has received has been overwhelming. Thank You! News stories on websites ranging from ecorazzi, discovery channel's planet green, authors speak and NPR to name a few. It's been great. A large part of that is due to the fantastic book trailer that we made to promote the book. If you have not seen watch it again but make sure you read the rest of this message after you do...






The budget of the trailer was about $25 dollars for make-up and stuff. It was filmed by the amazing Tim Khan who have volunteered his services and equipment to film. He volunteers like this all the time has filmed the Let Live Animal rights conference, and also the Vegan Iron Chef. To get zombies I just made a facebook event and posted around the internet asking people to show up. And asked if anyone with a Prius could volunteer one for the key scene.

It was important to me to make a big splash with the trailer. The book was released in September and all author profits through the end of this year are meant to go to Try Vegan PDX. Try Vegan is a one on one vegan mentoring organization that has organized an Annual Try Vegan Week (with 30 events), Vegan prom, and Vegan Iron Chef here in Portland.

During the filming we did some cosmetic damage to the volunteered prius and it is going to cost a a few hundred dollars to fix it. I can't afford to fix it, but clearly I want to do the right thing and pay for it. Maybe you can help! I don't want to take it out of the money that would otherwise go to Try Vegan, but at home we need every dime.

I am hoping that if you enjoyed the trailer, and the novel that you will help us out by supporting this special sale.

I am selling four special edition packages with every dime going to fix the prius!

The packages include:

A Personalized Signed copy of “The Vegan Revolution...With Zombies.” signed by the author, and by Magik and Bru-Dawg – The real life inspirations of two of the major characters.

A Personalized Signed copy of the limited edition “Screams from a Dying World” Chapbook. Only 150 copies of this limited first edition zine style chapbook collection were ever printed. It has the first six stories from Afterbirth edition, and pretty full color cover. Super weird art by mister Rick Clarke. (I only have 5 of these left, so these are the last four for sale.)

An Exclusive unreleased short story. Each package will have a different original short story.

An Exclusive List of Bru-Dawg's approved zombie movies,including full reviews of Burial Ground and Nightmare City signed by Bru himself. If you have not read the novel yet, Bru-Dawg is a zombie movie expert inspired by a real life friend of mine. He also played himself in the Trailer

A signed exclusive 10 page preview of my upcoming Kungfu vampire monster mash dark fantasy novel Hunting the Moon Tribe. With full color Art work by Eisner award winning comic book Eric Shanower.


The price for this cool package is a $40 donation. Every dime goes to fixing the car and making sure I can make a complete donation to Try Vegan PDX.

I only have four of these to sell so if you want it, jump on it. Once they are gone they are gone. If you already have a copy of Vegan Rev. Donate it to the library, or pass on to a friend. If you are interested drop me an e-mail Count.agranoff@gmail.com if you are interested.

Hunting the Moon Tribe will not be released by Afterbirth books

Art: by Eisner award winning artist Eric Shanower.

This is a bad news / good news post. I have decided to pull my novel Hunting the Moon Tribe from Afterbirth books. I had agreed to do my short story collection and my first novel with Afterbirth. I was super excited as I have alot of respect for Afterbirth and their catalog.

After the release of my wonderland award nominated short story collection Screams From a Dying World I expected Hunting the Moon Tribe to be released pretty soon after. Not long after Screams was released Karen let her author's know that she had decided to close afterbirth. I respect Karen's reasons and was thrilled that she had agreed to finish the books she had on her plate. After a long wait, Karen and I agreed to end the contract.

So here we are two years later, and the book is back at ground zero. That is the bad news. The good news I have a renewed commitment to see this book in print and soon. I have worked on this novel off and on since 1994, if it means I put it out myself I am going to make sure this book is available in the next couple months. Consider that a promise.

I say that is good news because three days ago I had no idea when or if the book would happen. So I am looking for a publisher for Hunting The Moon Tribe, but if it doesn't happen soon I am going to do it myself in the mean time. Keep your eyes peeled for that. Here are some blurbs so you know why you should be excited...

"David Agranoff's HUNTING THE MOON TRIBE mashes up Chinese mythology, some seriously unnerving horror, Maoist politics, a sweet coming-of-age story, dark magic, and high-kicking martial arts into a compelling and unusual page-turner. I've never read (or seen) anything like it, and HUNTING THE MOON TRIBE should mark Mr. Agranoff as one of the most original and exciting new voices to emerge in genre fiction in a dragon's age." - Lisa Morton Three time Bram Stoker award winning author of The Castle of Los Angeles and The Cinema of Tsui Hark.

“Remember that old Shaw Brothers / Hammer Studios flick The Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires? HUNTING THE MOON TRIBE is what that movie should have been. It is an extremely entertaining epic of kick-ass martial arts and bloody horror. Agranoff not only dazzles us with breathtaking action scenes and vampire violence but also tugs at our heartstrings with realistic family drama and romance. It’s a scary martial arts fantasy that will please just about everyone. David Agranoff is a gifted storyteller.” - Jordan Krall Author of Fistful of Feet and Squid pulp Blues

“As terrifying as Richard Laymon, and just as good, David Agranoff reshapes the vampire mythos in ways never experienced. The horror is visceral, the action brutal, and at its core, there’s a poignancy typically left out of today’s horror. A circus between worlds, vampires, and martial arts aplenty – “Hunting the Moon Tribe” reads like “Brotherhood of the Wolf” encompassed in Chinese folklore and culture. One of the strongest new voices in horror fiction that I’ve read.” - Eric Mays author of Naked Metamorphosis and host of the Authors Speak Podcast

The Vegan Revolution with zombies Cover art!

There will still more blurbs and stuff to be added, so this is not absolute final, but yeah you get the idea. The book will be unleashed at the Portland Vegfest September 18th and 19th and available on amazon around the same time. As for the book...

After a long day of editing classic literature (with zombies) Portland editor Danielle Joanna hits the Portland hipster bar scene. She hates her zombie obsessed 9-5 day job, she hates the Portland hipsters with their fixie bikes and ironic mustaches. She is not happy and needs a change.

When an animal rights activist gives her a flyer promoting a vegan lifestyle, she embraces it and for once things look up.

But nothing is ever perfect for Danni, as her life at home gets better her days at the publishing house are getting worse. She is behind on Of Mice and Men with zombies, She already has The Zombie War and Peace and four more like it on her plate. Her boss is making them watch Italian zombie movies for team building exercises and she sees flesh eating hordes everywhere.

Dani hates irony so she has trouble accepting the walking dead. Huddled together in the world's only vegan mini-mall the survivors realize the only thing they have in common is what they didn't eat.

"Vegan Revolution..with Zombies is my kind of zombie apocalypse. A perfect blend of horror, humor and animal activism. Destined to become a favorite among zombie fans and vegans alike." - Gina Ranalli Author of House of Fallen Trees, and Chemical Gardens

"David Agranoff's satirical zombie novel presents hope for the future of humanity and animal life; it's a world where both handlebar mustaches and bacon are forgotten. This witty novel celebrates everything I love about vegan Portland and kills everything I hate!" Jess of Portland's Get Sconed vegan blog.

Details coming soon my debut novel Hunting the Moon Tribe which will be coming out soon...

Hunting The Moon Tribe cover Art!

The design may change slightly, but I couldn't wait to show off the artwork by eiser award winning graphic novelist Eric Shanower. Eric is fiend from San Diego and one of the most gifted artists I have ever met. His age of Bronze comics are an insanely in depth look at the Trojan war. He is talented writer, artist and creator very blessed to have his involvement!

check out his website and full bio here:

http://www.ericshanower.com/es/bio.shtml

Oh yeah the quote at the bottom:
“HUNTING THE MOON TRIBE should mark Mr. Agranoff as one of the most original and exciting new voices to emerge in genre fiction in a dragon's age." -Bram Stoker award winning author Lisa Morton

New Hunting the Moon Tribe Blurb

My short story collection Screams from a Dying world is available right now!

Were starting the design work and the final edits with Afterbirth for my debut novel Hunting the Moon Tribe. A wuxia pan (martial arts fantasy) horror crossover monster mash. I just received the second blurb for the novel from One of my favorite authors Lisa Morton. She is a triple Bram Stoker award winning author who just released an amazing horror novel I reviewed last month on this blog called "the Castle of Los Angeles."

More importantly for this project is the fact that Lisa is a a blogger who writes about the kind of Asian cinema that inspired this novel. She also wrote a fantastic book on the films of Hong Kong director/producer Tusi Hark whose films were a inspiration for this project.

"David Agranoff's HUNTING THE MOON TRIBE mashes up Chinese mythology, some seriously unnerving horror, Maoist politics, a sweet coming-of-age story, dark magic, and high-kicking martial arts into a compelling and unusual page-turner. I've never read (or seen) anything like it, and HUNTING THE MOON TRIBE should mark Mr. Agranoff as one of the most original and exciting new voices to emerge in genre fiction in a dragon's age." - Lisa Morton

And for good measure here is what Bizarro author Jordan Krall author of Fistful of Feet said about it: “Remember that old Shaw Brothers / Hammer Studios flick The Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires? HUNTING THE MOON TRIBE is what that movie should have been. It is an extremely entertaining epic of kick-ass martial arts and bloody horror. Agranoff not only dazzles us with breathtaking action scenes and vampire violence but also tugs at our heartstrings with realistic family drama and romance. It’s a scary martial arts fantasy that will please just about everyone. David Agranoff is a gifted storyteller.” - Jordan Krall Author of Fistful of Feet and Squid pulp Blues

I'm sorry the book is not out today, but if you can't wait check out the online serial prequel the Fallen Guardian's Mandate Published in the January issue of the the Freezine of Fantasy and Science Fiction.

http://freezineoffantasyandsciencefiction.blogspot.com/2010/01/fallen-guardians-mandate-0.html