Join us as we dive into “The Dead‑Weight Resistance” with returning guest Jo Salazar, author of The Dead Weight and its thrilling sequel. We explore Quinn’s journey in post-apocalyptic St. Louis—her fight for healthcare, her emotional trauma, and the chance to redefine herself when no one knows her past. Jo shares how stepping away from social work into full-time writing has changed her life, and what drew her to themes of identity and moral complexity in the zombie genre.

This episode is packed with insights into character building, feminist storytelling, and indie publishing. We also get juicy details on new characters like Archer, Hera, and Amy, and updates on The Dead Weight book 3. Whether you love gritty apocalypse stories or smart, morally gray protagonists, this chat with Jo is a must-listen.

Find & Follow Jo Salazar

• Website: JoSalazarWriting.com
• Instagram: @jo_salazar
• TikTok: @jo_salazar

Where to Buy

• The Dead Weight
• The Dead Weight: Resistance

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 Secret Website That Isn't Finished: https://zombiebookclub.io

Our Merchandise Store (Where you can find our Evil Magic Chicken Zombie Shirts): https://zombie-book-club.myspreadshop.com

The tension was palpable as we welcomed comic creators Laurie Calcaterra and Brandon Starocci to the Summerween Slamdown - a bare-knuckle brawl between frenemies that would determine the fate of Laurie's zombie crown and Brandon's prized mustache. What began as online beef culminated in this explosive showdown, judged by none other than 2024 Zombie-ween king and horror author Sylvester Barzey.

Contact & Social Links for Guests & Related Authors

Elevator Pitch

• R. Cuthbertson: @rcuthbertson.writes
  • Waves of Undead

Guests

• Laurie Calcaterra: @LaurieCalcaterra
  • Path of the Pale Rider
• Brandon Starocci: @brandonstarocci
  • Avalon Comic

Judge

• Sylvester Barzey: @sylvesterbarzey
  • SylvesterBarzey.com

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 Secret Website That Isn't Finished: https://zombiebookclub.io

Our Merchandise Store (Where you can find our Evil Magic Chicken Zombie Shirts): https://zombie-book-club.myspreadshop.com

In this provocative and poignant episode, we sit down with author KQ Watson to explore her short story Wheelchair Seating for the Apocalypse. Far from your average survival tale, this narrative focuses on a wheelchair user who chooses to opt out of enduring a zombie-infested world—prompting a powerful and compassionate exploration of autonomy, dignity, and the underrepresented voices in apocalyptic fiction.

We dive into the ethics of medical aid in dying, ableist tropes in horror, and what it means to grant agency to those who refuse to “survive.” Amid the weighty themes, KQ shares unlikely passions—from The Dark Crystal’s eerie magic to satanic death metal for sober listeners—and reveals what writing about a fallen angel, cookie dough, and last meals say about confronting the end of everything.

Contact & Social Media for KQ Watson

• Carrd: kqwatson.carrd.co
• Instagram: @kq_watson
• TikTok: @kq_watson

Music & Show Recommendations from KQ Watson

• The Gears by Dethklok
• To Tame the Temporal Shrew - Rishloo
• Memento Mori - Will Wood
• Baphomet - Zeal & Ardor
• Dead Set - Tv Show
• Threads - nuclear apocalypse (Full Movie)

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 Secret Website That Isn't Finished: https://zombiebookclub.io

Our Merchandise Store (Where you can find our Evil Magic Chicken Zombie Shirts): https://zombie-book-club.myspreadshop.com