Vicious Whispers with Mark Tullius

I'm in a fantastic mood for several reasons.

A big one is getting back into jiu jitsu at 10th Planet Whittier. I hit open mat Sunday and attended 3 nights this week with my wife who's a great training partner (I swear she didn't make me say that)

I'm excited to hit open mat on Saturday and then watch Ashlee Evans-Smith fight at 4pm PST in the UFC. She'll be repping the gym and I've been a fan since I interviewed her back in 2012: https://youtu.be/qwRvlxfln4g

Today I posted A Very Ghostly Giveaway. If you're over 18 and Live in the US or Canada you can enter for free. Check it out: https://geni.us/GhostlyGiveaway

Yesterday I had an awesome talk with an author who also designs board games. It's not official yet but I offered him a TNTD and he's excited about it. He'll also be helping me figure out the board game.

I also finally sent out contracts and some invites for authors to contribute to the Dethfest Confessions. Those short stories will probably start releasing around November.

I read some reviews for TNTD: At Ghostland and a special one from Lisa A. for Ain't No Messiah.

I read the death scene from TNTD: At Ghostland Chapter 1 and right after that my daughter narrates Chapter 2.

I'm excited that my daughter agreed to narrate Try Not to Die: At Ghostland to share on the podcast. Duncan and I are hiring a professional for the real version, but I thought this would be fun to have Liv run us through the book.

I made a bad decision regarding my knee on vacation but fortunately it didn't hurt me. Overall, vacation was awesome, relaxing, and resulted in two more TNTD projects. The best part though was the new friendships.

I didn't make as much progress as I would have liked on TNTD: Back at Grandma's House, but I'm still confident I can hit a Halloween release for it.

(11:10) Liv Tullius narrates Chapter 1 of Try Not to Die: At Ghostland

It's been a great week for Try Not to Die: At Ghostland with high rankings and ratings. I'm predicting this will be one of my all-time highest-rated books.

https://geni.us/AtGhostland

I'm excited to have the Try Not to Die: At Dethfest proof. I need to make a few changes, get the next proof, and then I'll send to advance readers.

https://geni.us/Dethfest

It has been a fantastic vacation in Wyoming and we still have two more days at this incredible Brooks Lake Lodge which is at an elevation of 9200 ft. Jackson Hole was neat and we had a lot of fun exploring Yellowstone. The trip also resulted in me plotting out a new project: Try Not to Die: In Yellowstone. I will be writing to potential coauthors this week to see who the right fit will be.

I just set Try Not to Die: At Grandma's House for $0.99.

https://books2read.com/u/mK7EeE

(5:25) The conclusion of Try Not to Die: in the Wild West narrated by Steven Barnett. https://geni.us/WildWest

Try Not to Die: At Ghostland, coauthored with Duncan Ralston, released on Monday for the paperback and Friday for Kindle. It's off to a great start with rankings and reviews. I predict this book will do very well. Check it out on Amazon: https://geni.us/AtGhostland

I created a document of all upcoming projects (22 total) so I could see which ones to attack first. Finalizing TNTD: Back at Grandma's House is first on the list. Expect ebook/paperback around September.

(10:10) Continuing the tale of Try Not to Die: In the Wild West narrated by Steven Barnett. The story finale is next week.

I'm in a great mood thanks to squeezing 5 jiu jitsu training sessions in 3 days. There's a bit of pain and discomfort but it doesn't outweigh the positives.

I'm excited my whole family will be competing in a bjj competition this August. And with a little luck, my friends Luka and Karl will join us.

The response to early reads of Try Not to Die: At Ghostland has been fantastic. The last chance to claim a copy is by picking it up in my newsletter. Paperbacks and the official release will be in about 3 weeks.

Try Not to Die: In the Wild West is free through June 19 on Amazon - https://geni.us/WildWest

The Try Not to Die: Reading this Sampler was just released. Download it free at https://dl.bookfunnel.com/5u77spu09f

And Try Not to Die: At Dethfest is up for preorder: https://geni.us/Dethfest

Got my tickets to the Metal Injection Festival in September. 

I had a great time being a guest on Mind of the Warrior podcast. You can check it out here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/motw-137-mark-tullius/id1021422295?i=1000616826218

(12:20) The continuation of Try Not to Die: In the Wild West narrated by Steven Barnett.

Last weekend's 10th birthday at 10th Planet Whittier was so cool. My son and his friends had an awesome time and my daughter got excited about training again.

I've been getting more and more into training but yesterday's appointment with an orthopedic surgeon was quite sobering. Looks like my ACL is fairly trashed and he said my right hip is in need of replacement.

My next appointment will be with the doctor that gave me stem cells for my right shoulder 5 years ago. Hopefully, stem cell will be an option for at least one of those joints.

On the writing front, I've been spending a lot of time trying to finish formatting TNTD: At Ghostland and the TNTD: Reading this Sampler. The Sampler will be out next week and Ghostland the first or second week in July.

My wife has set a goal for herself to finish her law career in 3 years. I'm going to piggyback off her deadline and set that for the completion of the TNTD series. As much as I enjoy the books and think they will be key in increasing my readership, I never intended for the series to take me away from all of the personal projects I've been forced to shelf.

(15:00) The next batch of the TNTD: In the Wild West audiobook narrated by Steven Barnett.

If you would like a Spotify download code for the audiobook just shoot me an email at Mark at MarkTullius.com 

It has been a fun week of seeing hard work paying off.

John Palisano's short story Try Not to Die: In a Hell Hole was a #1 new release.

I just received the TNTD: Reading this Sampler and TNTD: At Ghostland cover. GL still needs work but it will look sick when finished.

I picked up my jiu jitsu training a bit, not in intensity, but in the number of classes. I had a lot of fun training with my wife, daughter, and niece and plan on training with them at least 2-3 times a week in addition to the MWF 6am class.

I took off most of Thursday to hang out with a friend which was a nice reminder of just how much I love doing what I do. Sure, it's great to take breaks, but nothing beats being passionate about your work.

The TNTD: In the Wild West audiobook is now available on all retailers. Shoot me a message if you'd like a free Spotify download code. 

(8:00) Includes the first 4 chapters of Try Not to Die: In the Wild West narrated by Steven Barnett. 

Covid screwed up some plans this past weekend, but it didn't stop me from working on Try Not to Die: In a Dark Fairy Tale. I'm really enjoying the main story and will have it wrapped up next week.

Huge thanks to Pat Feutz who did a final edit on Dethfest. His edits were awesome and really improved the book. Advance eBook copies will start going to metal influencers next week.

Once Dethfest is finished, Duncan and I will be cleaning up TNTD: At Ghostland which releases early July. 

I stuck with jiu jitsu this week, taking it slow but making progress. And more importantly, enjoying the process and getting exercise.

This is the final week sharing stories off Untold Mayhem.

"Dead Spot" narrated by Michael David Axtell.

"Left Unfinished" narrated by Chris Andrew Ciulla.

This week I stayed focused on Try Not to Die: In a Dark Fairy Tale. I'm making progress, but it can be slow at times. Another 1-2 weeks on the book and I'll be ready for the death scenes.

I took time off jiu jitsu to rest and rehab my injuries. Treading water while holding a weight behind my back has been a great exercise I've added to my routine.

The Wild West audiobook is finished and approved. Just waiting for ACX and Findaway to send the books to retailers.

A Dark and Disturbing  Collection is on sale for $2.99 on Amazon through May 23. This includes Twisted Reunion, Untold Mayhem, and 25 Perfect Days: Plus 5 More. Over 80 short stories total.

https://geni.us/DarkAndDisturbing

Includes two short stories off Untold Mayhem.

(7:45) "Last in Line" narrated by Vivienne Leheny

(18:40) "The Feeling's Back" narrated by Jay Ben Markson 

A couple conversations with readers from around the world inspired me to talk some more about TBI or CTE and where I'm currently at with my brain health.

I talk about external demands and building the resiliency to deal with them.

I re-learned a powerful lesson through jiu jitsu this week. My instructor, Mike Wilson, was pointing out that I'm not breathing correctly, I'm moving way too much and inefficiently, and overall just need to slow everything down. These are all keys to improving my jiu jitsu, but more importantly, they will improve my life.

Slowing down when it comes to my writing means focusing on one book at a time and changing my perspective on all the unfinished projects waiting in the wings.

A reminder that I have two kindle books on sale in the US/UK

TBI or CTE: https://geni.us/TBIorCTE

TNTD: In the Wizard's Tower: https://geni.us/WizardsMT

Includes two stories off the Untold Mayhem audiobook

(15:25) "The Season" narrated by Landon Woodson.

(35:15) "Dead to Me" narrated by Chris Andrew Ciulla.