In this episode we sit down with Rebecca Cuthbertson to talk about her debut novel Waves of Undead. Set on the surf‑soaked cliffs of Tofino, the story blends a tsunami and zombie outbreak with a gritty but sometimes hilarious take on the genre. Rebecca walks us through the twin‑bond of Anna and Paul, the multi‑POV structure that gives the narrative a cinematic pulse, and her own activism at the Fairy Creek blockade which informed the novel’s environmental undercurrents.

She also shares about the realities of writing while caring for a toddler, the challenges of indie publishing, and the joy of seeing readers connect with a story that respects both nature and the horror genre. Whether you’re a fan of grounded zombie fiction or just love a good coastal thriller, this conversation offers plenty of fresh takes on the genre and some laughs along the way.

Author Links:

• Rebeccas website - https://rcuthbertsonwrites.com/
• Buy 'Waves of Undead' - Link

Come join our Zombie Survivor camp on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/cw/ZombieBookClub

Support the show

Zombie Book Club Links

• Join us on on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ZombieBookClub
• Join the Brain Muncher’s Zombie Collective: https://discord.gg/rn3nPDa4CB
• ZBC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zombiebookclubpodcast/
• ZBC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/710957975263518/
• Zombie Book Club Voicemail: (614) 699-0006‬
• Zombie Book Club Email: ZombieBookClubPodcast@gmail.com

The horde keeps growing, and so does the heart. We’re kicking off season four by turning our loose, joyful shenanighans into a real book club you can actually join; slow reads, inclusive picks, live conversation, and clear values that put people first. Think of it like building a survivor camp together: strong walls, warm fires, and a shared map for what we read and why it matters.

Here’s what’s new: four to five community reads a year at a humane pace; monthly author spotlights that dive into craft, worldbuilding, and big topics like mutual aid and the economics of survival; and casual dead episodes for experiments, movie talk, and small acts of preparedness. Patreon becomes our free home base for polls, voting, and book discussions where you can speak your mind as we read along. Also perks like early bonus episodes, stickers, and a zombie art calendar for paid members.

Join us June 12 - 14th at Living Dead Weekend! If you're going, let us know and we can plan a meetup.

Click here to back Ollies 'MAZE 1: Staken; Not Stirred' on kickstarter

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ollieeatsbrains/maze-1-staken-not-stirred

Support the show

Zombie Book Club Links

• Join us on on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ZombieBookClub
• Join the Brain Muncher’s Zombie Collective: https://discord.gg/rn3nPDa4CB
• ZBC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zombiebookclubpodcast/
• ZBC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/710957975263518/
• Zombie Book Club Voicemail: (614) 699-0006‬
• Zombie Book Club Email: ZombieBookClubPodcast@gmail.com

Texas Solves the outbreak in 5 minutes, sorry New York.

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. David Perlmutter, professor of Media & Communication at Texas Tech University, to dissect how societies record—and eventually lose—their histories when the grid goes dark. From ancient clay tablets to floppy disks, we explore why the very mediums we trust to preserve culture can become our Achilles’ heel. Dr. Perlmutter breaks down the role of teachers, archivists, and storytellers in a crisis, weighs the ethics of propaganda versus transparent messaging, and shows how decentralized decision‑making keep military units cohesive when supply lines crumble.

Links relevant to the episode topics

• Dr. David Perlmutter's bio: https://www.depts.ttu.edu/comc/faculty/faculty/dperlmutter.php
• The Last of Us analysis (why it resonates with real‑world apocalypse thinking): https://writersblockmagazine.com/2023/05/23/the-last-of-us-love-and-humanity-in-a-post-apocalyptic-world
• “Apocalypse software” – building resilient local intranets and offline digital libraries: https://apocalypse.support/7_level_7_early_digital_civilization/s_4_local_isplike_services.html
• Ötzi the Ice Man: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%96tzi
• Collapse OS’ an Open Source Operating System for the Post-Apocalypse: https://www.vice.com/en/article/collapse-os-is-an-open-source-operating-system-for-the-post-apocalypse/

Click here to back Ollies 'MAZE 1: Staken; Not Stirred' on kickstarter

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ollieeatsbrains/maze-1-staken-not-stirred

Help Keep Zombie Book Club alive!!! - https://www.gofundme.com/f/keep-zombie-book-club-alive

Zombie Book Club Links

• Sign up for our Newsletter!!!! --- https://zombiebookclub.io/newsletter/
• Join the Brain Muncher’s Zombie Collective: https://discord.gg/rn3nPDa4CB
• ZBC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zombiebookclubpodcast/
• ZBC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/710957975263518/
• Zombie Book Club Voicemail: (614) 699-0006‬
• Zombie Book Club Email: ZombieBookClubPodcast@gmail.com
• Our Merchandise Store (Where you can find our Evil Magic Chicken Zombie Shirts): https://zombie-book-club.myspreadshop.com

We join special guest Jack Callaghan for a deep dive into the unlikely heroics of Eugene from The Walking Dead and the eerie rural mystery of his upcoming novel Wyrd Water. After a quick chat about Jack’s creative pivot from the stalled Zombie Nerd series to this 1979‑set folk‑horror tale, the conversation turns to Eugene’s evolution; from a self‑proclaimed “coward with a mullet” to the logistical mastermind who saves Alexandria with sabotaged ammunition.

Together they explore why brains beats brawn in apocalyptic storytelling, how flawed characters can anchor thriving communities, and what makes Wyrd Water so mysterious.

Links

• Jack Callaghan on Instagram - @JackCallaghanAuthor
• Wyrd Water - Buy now on Ingram Spark

Click here to back Ollies 'MAZE 1: Staken; Not Stirred' on kickstarter

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ollieeatsbrains/maze-1-staken-not-stirred

Help Keep Zombie Book Club alive!!! - https://www.gofundme.com/f/keep-zombie-book-club-alive

Zombie Book Club Links

• Sign up for our Newsletter!!!! --- https://zombiebookclub.io/newsletter/
• Join the Brain Muncher’s Zombie Collective: https://discord.gg/rn3nPDa4CB
• ZBC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zombiebookclubpodcast/
• ZBC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/710957975263518/
• Zombie Book Club Voicemail: (614) 699-0006‬
• Zombie Book Club Email: ZombieBookClubPodcast@gmail.com
• Our Merchandise Store (Where you can find our Evil Magic Chicken Zombie Shirts): https://zombie-book-club.myspreadshop.com

Join us for an unforgettable conversation with award‑winning author Kate L. Mary, the mastermind behind the Broken World saga and many others. Kate walks us through the genesis of her slow‑burn apocalypse, explaining why she chose a stripper‑protagonist to humanize the chaos and how the fan‑favorite character Angus evolved from a wild catalyst into the emotional core of his own series. She also shares the hurdles she faced in traditional publishing—being told “no market for zombies”—and how self‑publishing empowered her to let readers decide the fate of her world.

Beyond the zombies, Kate delves into the deeper social themes woven throughout her books: deconstructing evangelical conservatism, championing queer, trans, and disability representation, and confronting reproductive‑rights oppression. She talks candidly about balancing mental‑health needs with creativity and the therapeutic power of dystopian storytelling.

Relevant Episode Links:

• Kate L. Mary's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/zombieauthormom
• Author Website - https://katelmary.com
• Suggested Reading Order - https://katelmary.com/reading-order
• Broken World (book 1) - Amazon Link

Click here to back Ollies 'MAZE 1: Staken; Not Stirred' on kickstarter

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ollieeatsbrains/maze-1-staken-not-stirred

Help Keep Zombie Book Club alive!!! - https://www.gofundme.com/f/keep-zombie-book-club-alive

Zombie Book Club Links

• Sign up for our Newsletter!!!! --- https://zombiebookclub.io/newsletter/
• Join the Brain Muncher’s Zombie Collective: https://discord.gg/rn3nPDa4CB
• ZBC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zombiebookclubpodcast/
• ZBC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/710957975263518/
• Zombie Book Club Voicemail: (614) 699-0006‬
• Zombie Book Club Email: ZombieBookClubPodcast@gmail.com
• Our Merchandise Store (Where you can find our Evil Magic Chicken Zombie Shirts): https://zombie-book-club.myspreadshop.com

We’re rolling out a “Human‑Creators‑First” policy and explaining why our podcast will now prioritize authors who write their own stories and use human‑made cover art. In this bonus episode we unpack the hidden costs of AI‑generated covers—from unpaid training data to the erosion of artists’ livelihoods—and share concrete alternatives: finding independent cover illustrators, responsibly using stock assets, and leveraging skill‑sharing networks.

If you’re an indie author feeling pressured by AI tools, DM us and we’ll connect you with resources and real‑world help.

Contact information & relevant links

• Instagram – cover artist Karl Dahmer: https://instagram.com/dahmerart
• Instagram – author Ross Killey: https://instagram.com/rosskilley_author
• Shutterstock AI Contributor Fund article: https://petapixel.com/2023/07/12/shutterstock-may-have-paid-out-over-4-million-from-its-ai-contributor-fund/
• XPiks blog on Shutterstock payouts: https://xpiksapp.com/blog/how-much-shutterstock-pays-contributors/
• Toolify AI news on AI‑powered book covers: https://www.toolify.ai/ai-news/aipowered-book-covers-the-ethical-dilemma-for-indie-authors-3626920#bar5
• RNZ story on NZ Book Awards AI‑cover ban: https://www.rnz.co.nz/life/books/top-writers-ruled-out-of-nz-book-awards-due-to-ai-covers
• NPR coverage of 70+ authors’ open letter (2025): https://www.npr.org/2025/07/03/nx-s1-5454736/more-than-70-writers-send-open-letter-about-ai-to-literary-publishers

Help Keep Zombie Book Club alive!!! - https://www.gofundme.com/f/keep-zombie-book-club-alive

Zombie Book Club Links

• Sign up for our Newsletter!!!! --- https://zombiebookclub.io/newsletter/
• Join the Brain Muncher’s Zombie Collective: https://discord.gg/rn3nPDa4CB
• ZBC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zombiebookclubpodcast/
• ZBC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/710957975263518/
• Zombie Book Club Voicemail: (614) 699-0006‬
• Zombie Book Club Email: ZombieBookClubPodcast@gmail.com
• Our Merchandise Store (Where you can find our Evil Magic Chicken Zombie Shirts): https://zombie-book-club.myspreadshop.com

In this episode we break down the anatomy of a zombie bite and translate forensic‑style bite‑risk data into a practical “survival wardrobe.” By mapping where bites most often land—forearms, hands and lower legs—we prioritize protecting the extremities first, then layer outward for weather and mobility. Plus, we discuss low‑tech hacks like duct‑taped DIY bracers.

We also pull in real‑world analogues: forensic pathology shows defensive wounds concentrate on the forearms , police self‑defence manuals echo the same patterns , and CDC dog‑bite statistics illustrate how bite incidence clusters on exposed limbs. Those indirect sources justify our bite‑risk percentages and guide the material matrix that ranks denim, leather, Kevlar, silk, nylon and others for durability, weight, breathability and bite resistance. Whether you’re scavenging, fighting, or just staying mobile, this episode equips you with a data‑backed checklist to stay alive in the apocalypse.

Related Links

• Forensic Pathology, by Vincent J.M. DiMaio
• A paper published on the NIH website about Animal and Human Bite Wounds

Zombie Stories that include forearm armor

• Among The Dead : Part One : Shadow of Death by Ryan Colley
• Return by Alice B. Sullivan
• Last Man Standing: The Complete Trilogy by Keith Taylor
  
  

Click here to back Ollies 'MAZE 1: Staken; Not Stirred' on kickstarter

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ollieeatsbrains/maze-1-staken-not-stirred

Help Keep Zombie Book Club alive!!! - https://www.gofundme.com/f/keep-zombie-book-club-alive

Zombie Book Club Links

• Sign up for our Newsletter!!!! --- https://zombiebookclub.io/newsletter/
• Join the Brain Muncher’s Zombie Collective: https://discord.gg/rn3nPDa4CB
• ZBC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zombiebookclubpodcast/
• ZBC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/710957975263518/
• Zombie Book Club Voicemail: (614) 699-0006‬
• Zombie Book Club Email: ZombieBookClubPodcast@gmail.com
• Our Merchandise Store (Where you can find our Evil Magic Chicken Zombie Shirts): https://zombie-book-club.myspreadshop.com

Using Deepa Iyer’s Social‑Change Ecosystem framework, we match each of its ten roles—Weaver, Experimenter, Frontline Responder, Visionary, Builder, Caregiver, Healer, Disruptor, Storyteller, and Guide—to iconic characters from The Walking Dead. From Glenn’s bridge‑building hustle to Michonne’s charter writing chronicles, we show how those archetypes keep hope, logistics, and morale alive when the dead rise.

Check out Deepa Iyer's framework to name your own apocalypse strength, spot gaps in your crew, and pair complementary roles. Let us know your archetype, and let’s turn the zombie apocalypse into organized community action.

• Framework & resource links mentioned in the episode
  • Social Change Map (home of the ecosystem): https://www.socialchangemap.com/home/step-1
  • Deepa Iyer’s Instagram post referenced in the show notes: https://www.instagram.com/deepaviyer/?hl=en

Click here to back Ollies 'MAZE 1: Staken; Not Stirred' on kickstarter

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ollieeatsbrains/maze-1-staken-not-stirred

Help Keep Zombie Book Club alive!!! - https://www.gofundme.com/f/keep-zombie-book-club-alive

Zombie Book Club Links

• Sign up for our Newsletter!!!! --- https://zombiebookclub.io/newsletter/
• Join the Brain Muncher’s Zombie Collective: https://discord.gg/rn3nPDa4CB
• ZBC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zombiebookclubpodcast/
• ZBC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/710957975263518/
• Zombie Book Club Voicemail: (614) 699-0006‬
• Zombie Book Club Email: ZombieBookClubPodcast@gmail.com
• Our Merchandise Store (Where you can find our Evil Magic Chicken Zombie Shirts): https://zombie-book-club.myspreadshop.com