While trying to distract yourself from yesterday’s heartbreak, did you happen to catch last night’s Z Nation? If so, in the Season 2, Episode 10 episode titled “We Were Nowhere Near the Grand Canyon,” you’d have seen one of my favorite writers zombified.

No, I don’t mean George R. R. Martin! Besides, that was a couple of episodes ago. I mean this guy.

That’s right—me!

So how’d that happen? (more…)

As some of you may recall, I arrived in Spokane last month for Sasquan several days earlier than necessary, which allowed me to spend nearly every waking moment the Monday before Worldcon doing something super sekrit which I could not share then but promised I’d share someday.

That someday is today.

Because tonight, the second season of Z Nation premieres on Syfy at 10/9 Central. And if you keep tuning in each Friday night, eventually you’ll see this guy.

Recognize him?

Here’s how I turned from the me you know into that shambling wreck above.

Craig Engler, who was my boss at Syfy for more than a decade as I edited Science Fiction Weekly, SCI FI Wire, and Blastr, plus a print magazine, is the co-creator and co-executive producer of Z Nation, which coincidentally films in the city that hosted this year’s Worldcon. Once I realized this many months ago, I asked whether it would be possible for me to watch filming one day.

Because I love zombies. How much do I love zombies? So much I’ve got a collection out featuring nothing but zombie stories.

After I asked whether I could witness some zombie action, Craig promised he’d do better than that—he’d see if I could actually be a zombie, assuming zombies were needed during filming when I’d be in town.

And lucky for me, they were!

That’s all you’ll get out of me for now, because I wouldn’t want to spoil any of the scenes in which you might spot me. I’ll share more once my specific episode airs and giving you more details wouldn’t ruin it for you.

For now, just enjoy my official set photo above … and try not to say, “gee, I guess they didn’t need that much makeup” … OK?