Vicious Whispers with Mark Tullius

This week I've split my time between jiu jitsu and writing.

On the plane ride home I cranked out 5-hours of writing and over the week I finished my work on TNTD: In a Dark Fairy Tale. There still needs to be a few more passes between Evan, myself, and the editor, but I've now moved on to the next project.

Dethfest Confessions is being released Christmas Eve and we are scrambling to get it finished in time. As soon as I complete that I'll finish off the Best of Dethfest album. You can preorder the anthology here: https://geni.us/DevilsPlaylist

With jiu jitsu I managed to get in 5 training sessions this week and feel pretty good going into next week's competition in Vegas.

(8:00) I narrate two more scenes from Try Not to Die: At Dethfest

I was very very grateful to be able to get in 4 jiujitsu training sessions while on vacation in D.C. I went to Compound MMA with my family and Beta Academy D.C. with my wife. We made a lot of new friends, learned a lot, and I got crushed by several people.

In addition to training, we had fun visiting the zoo. We also did a 3-hour bus tour, but I've never been interested in that sort of thing.

Try Not to Die: On Slashtag is off for a just about final edit and I'm halfway through the death scenes for TNTD: In a Dark Fairy Tale.  I'm also very excited to announce the Dethfest Confessions: The Devil's Playlist is now available for preorder and releasing Dec. 24. https://geni.us/DevilsPlaylist

"B is for Brother" the short Confessions story by Daemon Manx is free through Monday on Kindle Unlimited: https://geni.us/ConfessionB

Try Not to Die: At Ghostland coauthored by Duncan Ralston is also free on KU through Monday. https://geni.us/AtGhostland

(9:00) Also includes the Thanksgiving horror story "Stuffed" off the Morsels of Mayhem audiobook.

This week I trained a little too much and decided I better rest up before my family flies to Washington D.C. this weekend. It sucks not being able to train as hard as I'd like to, but I need to be mindful of my injuries.

In D.C., my wife and I plan on training at 3 gyms over the week. Our comp is coming up and we don't want to miss that much training.

My nonfiction book Unlocking the Cage is currently free on Kindle Unlimited - https://geni.us/MMAbook

I just released "Fighting Fire With Fire" by Jon Cohn, the fourth standalone story from Dethfest Confessions. https://geni.us/FightingFire

I'm working on two new short Try Not to Die's with an author from Northern Europe. Once I've confirmed the titles I'll fill you in on the details.

I've mailed off the Dethfest shirts and books to readers and coauthors from around the world. I should have them up for sale on the website next week.

(9:20) I narrate two scenes from Try Not to Die: At Dethfest

I go over each of the books I've written in the last eleven years which includes horror, sci-fi, suspense, and nonfiction.

A brief look at what books are in my future, including the jiu jitsu coffee table book.

Training with my wife to get ready for the IBJJF No-gi World tournament December 7.

(19:30) I read the next scene from Try Not to Die: At Dethfest

I got in a lot of jiu jitsu this week and am excited I should be receiving the Try Not to Die rash guards soon.

On the business side, I decided one interested publisher wasn't a good fit, but reached out to one of my top picks for Germany. They are interested in the series and are currently reading Dethfest.

I just handed the majority of Doomed to Die: Super High to my editor. All that's left is writing three quick scenes. Expect the novella around February.

The November giveaway is now live. Enter at the bottom of my website www.MarkTullius.com

"Eat Me" an extreme horror story by Caitlin Marceau is out now as part of Dethfest Confessions. Get it at Amazon - https://geni.us/EatMeNow

(7:30) I narrate some more of Try Not to Die: At Dethfest

Wrapping up my incredible experience at the Frankfurter Buchmesse. Readers, lit agents, and publisher reactions have me convinced this is the start of something big and things will only be improving from here on out.

Although the fair was a success, my body was a mess and my hip had me worrying I might need surgery rather than later. Fortunately, I was able to return to jiu jitsu without any issue.

The second Dethfest Confession is out - "Die Forever" by Simone Trojahn - and it is absolutely brutal. Graphic sex and violence in this one, just like "Eat Me" by Caitlin Marceau which comes out Sunday.

A reminder Try Not to Die: In the Wizard's Tower is on sale for $0.99 on Amazon KU (US/UK)

(17:20) I narrate the next two scenes from Try Not to Die: At Dethfest

I was stressed beyond belief before headed to Frankfurt, Germany for the Buchmesse but jiu jitsu helped. I didn't train like I wanted to but had a great time at MMA Spirit.

I've had very little sleep, very little food (just like last time I was here) but I'm very proud of what I've accomplished so far with both the professional and public meetings.

This week I released both Try Not to Die: Back at Grandma's House and the first Dethfest Confessions story, "B is for Brother." The next two stories should be up by Sunday. Get those and the free ones below on Amazon at: https://geni.us/TulliusAmazon

Try Not to Die: At Grandma's House and In the Wild West are now free on Kindle Unlimited. 

(11:55) Listen to "Shades of Death" narrated by Tee Quillin off of the Twisted Reunion Audiobook.

I leave for Germany on Sunday and am still working nonstop to make sure everything is ready in time. I'm still waiting on Dethfest Confession covers and I need to format the rest of the TNTD paperbacks, but other than that I'm good to go.

I'm excited about the Buchmesse, but also really looking forward to practicing jiu jitsu with a few schools in Frankfurt. I'm going to be strapped for time, but I'll still make it happen, just as I do over here. All about priorities and doing what you love.

This weekend Try Not to Die: At Dethfest is free on Amazon KU. I'd love for you to download it and tell your friends. https://geni.us/Dethfest

(6:15) I narrate the next two scenes from Try Not to Die: At Dethfest

It has been a whirlwind of a week.

Last Saturday my wife and I were honored to be promoted to purple, and brown belt in jiu jitsu. We've been pouring a lot of time into the martial art, but it's time well spent.

I got in all the merchandise for the Buchmesse including the massive TNTD banner, shirts and stickers.

I am nearly ready to release the new paperbacks for the TNTD series. just a few more days until they are available for sale.

I've selected the first 3 Dethfest Confession stories and they are brutal. Translating them now for the German edition and will release them on the 18th.

(15:30) The short horror story "Each Dawn I Die" from the Twisted Reunion audiobook.

Try Not to Die: In the Pandemic is currently free on Amazon KU: https://geni.us/PandemicMT

I had planned on putting out some positive videos about TBI or CTE currently being free on Amazon KU but I slid into a dark place after looking at some sad stories in a brain trauma group I belong to. For those that want to check out the book you can do so here: https://geni.us/TBIorCTE

This week Try Not to Die: In Brightside is also free on Amazon KU: https://geni.us/BrightMT

Part of the reason I had a rough day was lack of sleep and cannabis. Thanks to COVID my lungs are garbage and I'm struggling with jiu jitsu. Still trained 6 days this week though and am hitting a seminar and belting ceremony tomorrow. No idea if I'll be receiving my brown belt but it'll be fine either way.

The jiu jitsu has been essential to help keep me positive and an hour-long breathing session on Tuesday helped tremendously.

I'm excited to be getting in lots of merchandise this week and I had a fantastic talk with Steve Montgomery about two of his books being turned into Doomed to Die books. Going to be extra brutal.

I'm excited about my friends Mareike and Micha visiting from Germany and will be spending the day catching up.