In October 2010 I interviewed then newly published author Ben Tripp about his zombie novel debut, Rise Again. In the months following that interview, I’ve been peppered with numerous requests for more information about Ben and whether he has any plans for a sequel. With this in mind, I reached out to Ben this morning to get an answer to some of your questions.
It’s been a little while since we last spoke. How has the fan response been to Rise Again?
Just having fans is a novel experience, so to speak. But the response has been amazing. Sales have been strong since Rise Again first hit the shelves — all from word-of-mouth enthusiasm. I have a lot of dedicated zombie lovers to thank.
When I started writing Rise Again, there weren’t many mainstream zombie books out there — and half of them were written by Max Brooks. I couldn’t believe a big publisher would touch a zombie story, let alone by a first-time novelist. So just seeing it published was a thrill.
But to have people writing me with reports of the most horrifying part of the book and how many nights of sleep they lost — there must be something wrong with me, because I get a huge kick out of that. Thanks to all my excellent readers. Seriously.
What has life been like for you since you stumbled into zombie literature?
Not much changes when you write a novel. Novelists are probably the lowest-key ‘notables’ out there — nobody knows what we look like and nobody cares how much we drink. We’re a step below poets on the celebrity meter. It’s like being a serial killer: “He seemed like such a quiet guy… I had no idea he wiped out mankind.”
That said, the strangest change that’s happened since Rise Again’s debut is that journalists now come to me when they need zombie questions answered. They figure I’m an expert — don’t tell them I made it all up.
Another thing — it’s still a kick to walk into a bookstore and see Rise Again on the shelves, especially when it’s ‘employee pick of the month.’ I’m all, “take that, Jonathan Franzen, you high-toned wordsmith you!”
Any news about a sequel?
A sequel? There is interest, as they say in the trades. But I’m not sure anybody could handle what I have in mind. I’m afraid to write it. It will make Rise Again look like Goodnight Moon.
OMG! There has to be a sequel!! Please You can’t leave Danny there!! I Loved Rise Again! I have read a lot of Zombie novels and I have to say Rise Again was one of my personal favs! So please no matter how terrifying we must know her fate!
A little zombie bird told me that a sequel is currently in the planning stages now! Stay tuned. I’ll let you know as soon as I know something definitive.
I agree I finished the book tonight and almost threw it across the room it was an amazing point to end it in a writers pov but from a reader/fans its very frustrating I need to know if Kelly/”the virus” is really still herself or some mockery of the former being if she really just died and turned straight to an undead super version of herself or if its a hunting trick by the new “evolution” of the undead its very compelling and I applause Ben very much I also beg of him release a sequel soon.
man, I got to that last line and was like “WHAT?! That’s just IT?! NO FAIR!!!!!”
I want more! It’s not every day I find a book that makes me jump every time a cat walks past my window, for weeks afterward. Plus, I got so attached to the characters, I wanna see what happens!
Please, sequel, please!
I totally had the same thoughts of the last line as (the above) jake did. I loved the entire book and as I read the last line I thought wow… what a killer cliff hanger!!! I hope Kelly is still her real self. It would be so cruel for Danny if she found out that a virus could twist the memorys of the ‘host’ and use it as some kind of sick hunting technique.
Best Zombie book I have read, well actually listened to. I run a lot and audio books are the best for long training runs. I loved Danny, Wolf and Patrick. The characters were strong and I really miss them now I have finished. What a way to End the book!. Please do a sequel.