What is the title of your latest release?
10 THINGS I HATE ABOUT ZOMBIES
What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?
When Portland smoothie shop owner Zoey meets mushroom farmer Nick, she places a huge mushroom order in order to get close to him…but the resulting mushroom smoothies have some strange side effects, like green skin, shuffling, and a whole lot of moaning about “brains.” Can Zoey and Nick work together to find an antidote to the accidental zombie apocalypse they’ve started – and maybe some true love as well?
How did you decide where your book was going to take place?
I lived in Portland, Oregon, for a few years, and knew that Portland – with its quaint shops and outdoorsy vibes was the perfect setting for this one! Plus, the city literally has an annual Zombie Shuffle – how could I pass that up?
Would you hang out with your heroine in real life?
Absolutely – she has excellent taste in books (Frog and Toad!) and music (60s garage rock)! She’s a wee bit grumpy, though, so maybe she wouldn’t want to hang out with me!
What are three words that describe your hero?
Kind, thoughtful, helper.
What’s something you learned while writing this book?
I learned a lot about mushroom growing! I also spent some time looking through the previous exhibitions at the Portland Art Museum, which was thoroughly enjoyable. It was really lovely to reacquaint myself with the city and all of the spots I used to visit – Laurelhurst Park, the Hollywood Theatre, the waterfront park, the cute shops along SE Belmont St.
Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done?
A little bit of both. I’m usually on deadline, so I have to keep pushing forwards, but I’ll tweak and make adjustments as I go. Unless I’ve thoroughly messed up along the way, the major edits tend to happen once I have a draft done.
What’s your favorite foodie indulgence?
Tiramisu! My husband makes it for special occasions (it’s always a special occasion around here).
Describe your writing space/office!
I mostly write on the couch with my Jack Russell terrier, Samson, snuggled up next to me. It’s not fancy, but it’s cozy!
Who is an author you admire?
Maisy Yates. She’s had such an impressive career and was actually one of the first romance authors I ever read – I love her humor and vibe.
Is there a book that changed your life?
Very weird answer, but the BEOWULF epic. I was taking an Old English class at the time, and it took me down a poetry rabbit hole, which inspired me to try my hand at picture books, which led to me exploring writing for other age groups and genres. Doing so helped me let go of the very rigid idea I had for my career, so in a strange, roundabout way, the BEOWULF poet helped me get to where I am today!
Tell us about when you got “the call.” (when you found out your book was going to be published). Or, for indie authors, when you decided to self-publish.
10 THINGS I HATE ABOUT ZOMBIES is my third book under this pen name, but was part of a new deal, so I was absolutely delighted to hear that Avon wanted to continue with me on some more of these weird romcoms. I did have to change the title, though – the working title was Cloudy with a Chance of Zombies, which, though fun, felt a bit too much like a kids’ book.
I do remember where I was when I heard that Avon wanted to move forward with the first Hazel Graves book – I was in a hotel room in Tucson, Arizona, for the Tucson Festival of Books. Talk about the perfect place to celebrate a book deal!
What’s your favorite genre to read?
I’ll read anything and everything. I usually gravitate towards slightly off-kilter upmarket fiction. And I love to read chapter books with my son, who’s just turning 7.
What’s your favorite movie?
The Third Man is a masterpiece. I do have a soft spot for romcoms as well!
What is your favorite season?
I thrive in the sunshine – there’s a reason I live in the desert!
How do you like to celebrate your birthday?
A quiet day in with my husband and son. My husband is an amazing cook, so he’ll usually whip up something incredible, and then we’ll head to the park or beach and watch a movie. (Very Zoey-like, I know.)
What’s a recent tv show/movie/book/podcast you highly recommend?
A few recent reads I’ve enjoyed are FOR HUMAN USE by Sarah G Pierce, THE DIVORCEES by Rowan Beaird and THE ROAD TO TENDER HEARTS by Annie Hartnett. I’ve been watching The Americans, Window’s Bay and Margot’s Got Money Troubles, and I’ve been listening to the Past Due, Print Run and Script Notes podcasts.
What’s your favorite type of cuisine?
So many! Today lunch at a Turkish restaurant and dinner at a sushi restaurant sounds pretty good!
What do you do when you have free time?
I read, work out, and walk my dog (he’s currently looking at me asking for a walk, even though I just took him)! On long weekends I love to go on beach trips with my son so that he can watch the sea lions.
What can readers expect from you next?
I’m hard at work on THE CURSED BRIDES CLUB, which is a Frankenstein x First Wives Club mashup! It’ll be out from Avon in 2027.
10 THINGS I HATE ABOUT ZOMBIES by Hazel Graves
A laugh-out-loud quirky zombie rom-com with brains, perfect for fans Ali Hazelwood and Lana Ferguson.
Smoothie shop owner Zoey has always had a thing for men with brains. So, when she meets the brilliant and stunningly handsome local mushroom farmer, Nick she’s instantly drawn to him.
Wanting a reason to call her new crush, Zoey enlists Nick help (and his mushrooms) with her latest brain‑boosting smoothie recipe. Before long, they have a viral sensation on their hands.
Sparks fly as Zoey and Nick grow closer, but when the locals start behaving weirdly—with strange mumblings and a fondness for biting—they wonder just how viral the side effects might be for their brand‑new drink.
Can they find an antidote to the zombie apocalypse they may have unwittingly started before everything falls apart… literally?
Romance Paranormal [ Avon, On Sale: September 15, 2026, Paperback / e-Book / audiobook, ISBN: 9780008796709 / eISBN: 9780008796716 ]
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About Hazel Graves
Hazel Graves is an Australian author based in sunny Southern California. The author of more than twenty titles for young and adult readers, Hazel spends her days hunched over her laptop bringing weird fictional people together in weird fictional situations. When not squinting at her screen, Hazel enjoys hiking with her Jack Russell terrier, watching old movies, and eating extravagant amounts of tiramisu. 10 Things I Hate About Zombies is the third in her loosely linked film-inspired romcom series, following The Little Coffee Shop of Terrors and Four Weddings and a Funeral Director.
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