Nancy Holzner is back today after nearly a year to celebrate the release of the second book in her Deadtown urban fantasy series called HELLFORGED which was published on December 28, 2010. Nancy is sharing an exclusive Deadtown document distributed to all residents of Deadtown on understanding the Previously Deceased Humans.  It’s a must read for anyone thinking about visiting   And help make your New Year even better, Nancy is giving away a copy of HELLFORGED. See details below.

Understanding the Previously Deceased: A Fact Sheet

City of Boston

Office of the Mayor

I. Introduction

Boston is a city that prides itself on its diversity. Our neighborhoods weave together a rich tapestry of people from many traditions and all walks of life. This diversity includes a variety of paranormal Bostonians, including previously deceased humans (PDHs). Afflicted by a devastating disease, the previously deceased have recovered to become productive citizens of our city.

Whether you have a previously deceased family member, acquaintance, former neighbor or co-worker, or you just see the occasional PDH out and about in the city, this fact sheet gives you the information you need to understand the previously deceased.

II. The H-DED-1 Virus

The previously deceased were infected by the virus known as H-DED-1. The illness caused by this virus consisted of two phases: In the first phase, which took place immediately upon infection, those afflicted fell into a deathlike state. This phase lasted for approximately three days. In the second phase, the previously deceased regained consciousness, animation, and volition. In layperson's terms, they came back to life.

It is important to note that H-DED-1 no longer exists in the wild. Like smallpox, the virus is extinct. The original strain mutated into something no worse than the common cold. Humans cannot catch H-DED-1 from someone who has had the disease.

III. Physical Characteristics and Needs of the Previously Deceased

As a result of their disease, the previously deceased have a number of distinctive physical traits:

• Spongy-textured, greenish-gray skin that cannot tolerate sunlight

• Redness in the parts of the eye that were previously white

• Extreme keratitis sicca, or dry-eye syndrome, resulting in an inability to produce tears

• Stiffness of gait

• Enhanced strength

• Increased appetite

• Insensibility to heat and cold

• Extreme slowness in healing (possibly an inability to heal)

None of these physical traits is cause for alarm. They are unavoidable consequences of an H-DED-1 infection. Although the long-term effects of these conditions are unknown at this time, in the short term they have not been observed to impair the ability of PDHs to function.

Because of their altered physical state, the previously deceased have some special needs:

Sunlight avoidance. Direct sunlight has been observed to damage the skin of the previously deceased. Sunlight exposure causes a PDH's skin to take on a bright orange hue and become pitted. Slowness in healing means that skin damaged in this way does not recover. Previously deceased humans who go out in the daytime must cover their skin; sunblock provides insufficient protection. Sunglasses with polarized lenses are also recommended.

Ample food supply. Reanimation increased both the strength and the metabolism of PDHs, leading to an increase in appetite. If you spend time with a PDH, be sure to have plenty of food on hand, because the PDH will need to eat almost constantly. Any kind of palatable food is acceptable, but many PDHs express a fondness for what's commonly called “junk food.”

Avoidance of human blood. The scent of human blood has an intoxicating effect on the previously deceased. It arouses in them an intense need to feed, and they will feed upon anything close by, including the human who is bleeding. Humans who are in frequent contact with the previously deceased are advised to avoid any activity which could result in bloodshed. In addition, they should carry activated charcoal to soak up and block the scent of accidentally spilled blood, as well as a supply of food to offer the aroused PDH.

Section IV. Legal Considerations

Both the Boston City Council and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts have enacted legislation designed to promote the harmonious coexistence of humans and the previously deceased. Before you interact with a PDH, know your rights, restrictions, and responsibilities:

It is illegal to assault the previously deceased. In the confusion immediately after the H-DED-1 incident, some humans mistakenly believed that they could attack the previously deceased with impunity. This was never the case, but legislators soon amended Massachusetts law to make it absolutely clear that assaulting any human—including the previously deceased—is a serious crime.

PDHs may not leave Designated Area 1 without a permit. Designated Area 1 (DA-1) was created to provide a home for Boston's paranormal population, including the previously deceased. Other Paranormal Americans may leave DA-1 if they pass through a checkpoint and show their state-issued identification card. PDHs, however, additionally require a permit issued to a non-previously-deceased escort who will remain with the PDH until the PDH returns to DA-1. Online permit application forms are available on the Mayor's website.

Note: A PDH who loses his or her permit while outside of DA-1 should immediately report back to DA-1 or to any of the state's other designated areas, including the secure werewolf retreats in Princeton, Athol, and Savoy, and apply for a replacement.

It is illegal to discriminate against properly documented PDHs. If a PDH enters an establishment such as a restaurant, entertainment venue, or store, the proprietor may ask the PDH to show his or her documentation. Upon presentation of a state-issued identification card and a valid permit, the proprietor must serve the PDH. Failure to do so will result in a fine of at least $500 per incident.

Remember: Understanding the previously deceased will make life better for all Bostonians.

Thanks so much for stopping by Nancy.  Come back anytime!

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Nancy Holzner grew up in western Massachusetts. She majored in English in college and then continued her studies long enough to earn a masters degree and a PhD. She began her career as a medievalist, then jumped off the tenure track to try some other things. Besides teaching English and philosophy, she's worked as a technical writer, freelance editor and instructional designer, college admissions counselor, and corporate trainer. Nancy lives in upstate New York with her husband Steve. She enjoys visiting local wineries and listening obsessively to opera.

Visit Nancy online: Blog|Twitter|Facebook Want to read more from Nancy Holzner? Bo Forrester 1. Peace, Love, and Murder Deadtown 1. Deadtown 2. Hellforged

Giveaway

One copy of HELLFORGED by Nancy Holzner

A demon is stalking Vicky’s dreams—just as several of Deadtown’s zombies are viciously attacked and become really dead. And when Vicky realizes she’s the only connection between the victims, she suspects that the demon is somehow working through her dreams to become Deadtown’s living nightmare.

Click HERE to read an excerpt of HELLFORGED
Click HERE to read an excerpt of DEADTOWN (book one)

GIVEAWAY GUIDELINES

1. Open Internationally
2. Leave a comment/question for Nancy & a way to contact you if you win
3. Entries must be received by Midnight MST on January 10, 2011.

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