The Z Word

A zombie apocalypse grips small-town Arizona in this hot and sticky queer horror romance from King-Miller (Ask a Queer Chick). It’s high summer and, as San Lazaro’s annual Pride parade approaches, tensions and spirits are running high. Wendy, reeling after a catastrophic breakup, is just trying to avoid her ex-girlfriend, Leah, but as unprovoked violent attacks disrupt Pride preparations, she and Leah are both swept up in the turmoil, with their respective new romantic attachments in tow. It becomes clear that Seabrook, a local brewery and SL Pride’s biggest corporate sponsor, is connected to the violent outbursts, and it’s up to Wendy and the others to do something about it. With an endearingly messy protagonist and wonderfully complicated relationship dynamics among the entirely queer cast, King-Miller skillfully explores real issues facing the LGBTQ community while cleverly pairing the beats of a romance novel with the visceral gut punches of survival horror. This will appeal to horror fans looking to scratch the same itch as Gretchen Felker-Martin’s Manhunt and queer romance readers who are unafraid of a little gore. Agent: Kate McKean, Howard Morhaim Literary. (May)