Vicious Whispers with Mark Tullius

A lot has gone down since my last episode.

I've added quite a few Try Not to Die contracts and have two brand new ideas about to bloom. The series is growing like crazy and now I have to do my best to develop everything without getting overwhelmed.

New book merch includes stickers, buttons, and bookmarks with more coming soon.

I did go through a 4 day depressive episode that got me motivated to finally go to the Amen Clinics for mo...

A lot of cool stuff happened over the last month. In addition to getting 4 full weeks of M-F 6am jiu jitsu classes, I had the pleasure of training with my son. Three new TNTD books have had contracts signed and we're digging into the writing this weekend. The cover for TNTD: On Slashtag is revealed and the eBook will go on Netgalley and to early reviewers very soon. TBI or CTE is free on Amazon through Feb 18 - get at https://g...

It's been a month since I recorded an episode. I do a quick recap and go into jiu jitsu and the latest release, Dethfest Confessions.

A hand injury has been the source of a ton of pain this month but I've decided the pain is worth it. The pros of training far outweigh the negatives so I am now committed to training Mon-Fri at 6am, my new favorite time of the day.

I also registered for a jiu jitsu comp coming up in a few weeks. Shou...

I skipped the last two weeks recording the podcast and wasn't so sure if I was going to return to it. I've put in over 4 years of consistently putting out episodes but decided I should only do it if it's something I enjoy. This year, I'll try to find the best schedule.

I go over results from IBJJF No Gi Worlds comp in Vegas.

The new Try Not to Die rash guard is out.

We're planning trips for Our Jiu Jitsu Journey coffee table book w...

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 tha...

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 ...

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 - htt...

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 t...

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...

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 Deth...

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 ...

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 s...

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 ...

Having COVID was as shitty as expected, but I'm pumped to be feeling much better. I won't try training until Sunday, but I can't wait to get back on the mats for jiu jitsu.

Knowing I would probably never finish Try Not to Die: Super High, I decided to scrap all the death scenes and am currently rewriting it to be the first novella in the Doomed to Die series.

My friend Brian Ochoa killed it on his latest Try Not to Die creation. Sh...

My nerves got the best of me at Saturday's NAGA competition. I submitted one opponent and got submitted by the other.

In addition to the second place medal, I also took home a nice case of COVID, possibly the first for me. I'm feeling like crap but keeping as focused and productive as possible while I steer clear of my family.

I'm bummed that the sickness will keep me from the Metal Injection festival. There aren't a lot of opportu...

Wednesday was the release of Try Not to Die: At Dethfest.

It's my 18th book, but means a lot because heavy metal has been such a huge part of my life.

One of the coolest parts about the book is that it includes Jose Mangin, a DJ from Sirius XM's Liquid Metal/Octane. He agreed to let us include him and as a thank you we've donated to his Headbang for Science charity and include a link for it at the back of the book.

The other cool t...

What a great week. I'd love if you could make it even better by helping me share the Try Not to Die: At Ghostland $0.99 sale and the launch of Dethfest on Sept 6. Purchasing, leaving reviews, and recommending it to friends is all so super helpful and appreciated. Here is Ghostland: https://geni.us/AtGhostland

Here is Dethfest: https://geni.us/Dethfest

I'm back to an early morning routine for jiu jitsu with the 6am class M/W/F at 10...

It's been a long week and I'm exhausted after training jiu jitsu with my wife. 

My new jiu jitsu project is coming together and I'm excited about even being able to train when we go to Germany. It's such a great way to meet new people and try not to let them murder you.

Derek the Demon just started his first novel: 500 Years of Burning in Hell: My Life as a Demon. I'm not sure how committed he is to it but he said it sounds fun.

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