Columns

10 Politically Subversive Novels Veiled in Absurdism

January 4th, 2017

There are politically or sociologically-charged novels that come right out and say what they mean, with varying degrees of heavy-handedness. And then there are novels that make sweeping critiques of government and society through gross (in both senses of the word) surrealism and absurdity, often doing so via subversive means. 

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My Resolution to Write Less

January 3rd, 2017

The Best-Laid Writing Advice Write write write. Every day, write. A hundred words. A thousand words. Five words. Doesn't matter. Just write. Admit it. You've heard that advice, offered unbridled by legends like Ray Bradbury as well as dozens of contemporary authors. "If you want to be a writer, you should write. Every day. Write."

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A Traditional Form Poetry Starter Pack

January 3rd, 2017

Many poets are interested in learning or at least experimenting with traditional form poetry, but where to start? There are hundreds of traditional forms and variations, and learning which is which can overwhelm before you even get to the writing part. It’s hard to dabble when the options are practically infinite.

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How I Turned My Shitty Night Job into a Novel

January 2nd, 2017

This is the article that gets me fired, so pay attention. Unless you’re my boss, then instead of reading this article please spend your time watching this video of very cute owls.

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Paul Neilan, Soiled Underwear, and The Best Book I'll Never Read

January 2nd, 2017

This is a column about something we've all experienced, which is KNOWING a great book is out there but wondering if it's ever going to be in here [gestures at brain].  And it's also about the best poop story I've ever heard. My mother always told me to lead with a poop story whenever possible. My mother's weird, but I respect her. Which is why I'll follow her advice, die alone, and lead with the poop portion of this story.

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13 Can't Miss 2017 Young Adult Releases

December 29th, 2016

The holidays are over and it’s time to look forward to all that 2017 has to offer. Fans of Young Adult novels can rejoice in knowing there are a ton of amazing new releases to look forward to. Whether you’ve got a holiday gift card to the bookstore burning a hole in your pocket, or you’re planning your 2017 book budget now, we’ve got 13 highly anticipated releases to add to your list. So give that one-click pre-order button a workout and be ahead of the game with these stunning new Young Adult releases.

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My Life Dumpster Diving for Books

December 28th, 2016

It’s eight minutes past midnight on a warm summer Texas night. I’m sure most of the city’s relatively young residents are out enjoying adult beverages, live music, and the company of wonderfully inebriated cohorts. Not me. Instead of cavorting downtown, I’m sweating inside a dumpsters full of books in the back of a parking lot, using my phone’s flashlight to dig around the massive pile of discarded tomes under my feet. I’m looking for treasures I can recycle. You know, one man's trash and all that.

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Resist, Rebel, Repeat: A Writer’s Guide to Post-Trump America

December 27th, 2016

I grew up during the Reagan administration. For a lot of you, this little statement probably doesn’t evoke any kind of emotion. Chances are, you either weren’t born yet, or you were so young you have zero memory of the guy. But for me, the mere mention of the dude sends a chill down my spine.

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The Guide To Building Your Own 2017 Reading Challenge

December 26th, 2016

It's that time again. The time of year when we all decide to get in shape, stop being jerks, and start a new reading list. That means finding a gym, finding a path to inner peace, and finding a reading list.  And for most of us, that means abandoning the gym after a few weeks, deciding it's better to be an asshole (more fun, too), and forgetting entirely about that reading list.

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What I Learned from 1 Year of 1,000 Words a Day

December 23rd, 2016

In January 2016 I quietly set a New Year’s resolution to write 1,000 words every single workday, before I did anything else. My mantra was “1k before the day.” I had it stuck to the top of my laptop and everything. I didn’t really tell anyone about it because 1) I had no idea if it would work or not, and 2) I only wanted to be beholden to myself.

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