Columns

I Tried. I Just Don't Like Harry Potter

July 29th, 2016

Before you start waving a wand at me and yelling "Fuckemupus!" or something, please hear me out. I don't hate Harry Potter. I don't hate that this thing exists. I just don't like it. Don't enjoy it.  But I'm not sure whose fault that is. Mine or Harry's. Let me explain. Why I Read The Books The two-word version of this section: a girl. If you want more than two words, keep reading. 

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UPDATED WITH WINNER!!!!!!! LitReactor's Flash Fiction Smackdown: LAST ONE!!!!!!!!

July 29th, 2016

THE LAST  Flash Fiction Contest Welcome to LitReactor's Last Flash Fiction Smackdown (for now, anyway...) How It Works We give you inspiration in the form of a picture, poem, video, or prompt. You write a flash fiction piece using the inspiration we gave you. Put your entry in the comments section. One winner will be picked and awarded a prize.

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Bookstores As Innovators

July 28th, 2016

“Do you sell iPads here?” I was asked this question at least a half dozen times during my various stints as a bookseller. It always puzzled me in its consistency. Does a small, independent bookstore seem like a place that would sell Apple products? 

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6 Tips For Cleaning Up Your Dirty Words (Grammatically, Of Course)

July 26th, 2016

There is an art to profanity that is hard to come by for many writers. As an editor who favors working within genres the other editors can’t stomach, from hardcore erotica to medieval splatterpunk, I really don’t see enough helpful information on the ins and outs of writing with obscenities. You won’t find anything on the many versatile uses of “fuck” in The Chicago Manual of Style or Amy Einsohn’s The Copyeditor’s Handbook.

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Storyville: Introducing Your Children to Horror

July 25th, 2016

I’ve been a fan of dark fiction for as long as I can remember, so when the day came that I had children of my own (twins actually, a boy and a girl) I knew it was only a matter of time before they started asking about my work, reading and writing, and seeking out dark fiction, horror especially. Here are some ideas on how you can turn your kids on to horror without scarring them for life.

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10 Non-Fiction Books That Changed My Life

July 22nd, 2016

Photo by Gregg Segal I read a lot of non-fiction books. Mostly for self-improvement, ideas and inspiration. Ways to make my life better and to help me grow both personally and professionally. More often than not the books I choose do help, and with each read I take away nuggets of wisdom I can implement to improve my life. But occasionally a book is an absolute game changer. This is what I’m focusing on today. Sometimes it’s not following the book exactly to the letter that changes my life but the fundamental principles I learn.

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Is "Stranger Things" The Contemporary Sci-Fi/Horror Juggernaut We've Been Waiting For?

July 21st, 2016

Right now, people are talking about Stranger Things just about as much as they're playing Pokémon Go (almost, anyway).

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The Weird World Of Marvel What If's

July 21st, 2016

Here's the deal with Marvel's What If? series: Imagine a bunch of comic book dorks sitting around, arguing about what would happen if the Fantastic Four hadn't beaten Galactus. And when you imagine this, I recommend only your visual and auditory senses. Skip on the olfactory.

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Wrestletown, Publishing, and Doing It By Myself

July 20th, 2016

The modern publishing industry has never been as splintered as it is today, with authors finding success through a number of channels – traditional big four, small press, self-publishing, crowdfunding, putting work out for free through sites such as Wattpad or blogs to gain a following, etc. The playing field is wide with more and more responsibility being placed on the creator – no matter the avenue they take – to promote themselves and sell their work. There has never been a better time to experiment, and there is no wrong way to pursue your dream.

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The State of the Great American Novel

July 19th, 2016

The concept of a unifying “Great American Novel” (GAN) dates back to an essay published by essayist John William De Forest in The Nation in 1868. Essentially, De Forest wanted exactly what the title says— an original novel that encompassed the heart of the American experience. 

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