Columns

Book vs. Film(s): 'Invasion of the Body Snatchers'

May 29th, 2015

Collectively speaking, we as a society accept that horror novels and movies not only reflect universal fears, but also contain critiques of contemporary—and, eventually, present day—social issues. Whether or not the creators of horror had an agenda in mind, we can retroactively root out evidence of Dawn of the Dead as a critique of consumerism, Videodrome as an equation of television addiction to insanity, Alien 3 as a warning against pro-life politics infiltrating the government, and so on.

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5 Crime Short Story Writers You Should Be Reading Right Now

May 28th, 2015

Back when I was writing for Spinetingler Magazine on a regular basis, we ran this cool feature called “Conversations With The Bookless.” (The concept was borrowed from Jeff VanderMeer by Spinetingler head honcho, Brian Lindenmuth.) It was a very cool feature which highlighted short story writers who had yet to publish a book. It included writers such as Frank Bill, Todd Robinson, Chris Holm, Patti Abbott, Kieran Shea, and a couple of dozen others (myself included).

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DIY Book Covers for the Self Publishing-Inclined

May 28th, 2015

If you're self-publishing or want to, probably one of the first roadblocks you're gonna hit is that you need to source your own book cover. The simplest way to get over that hurdle is to hire a professional cover designer, or perhaps purchase a ready-made cover. The former can be a bit tricky, but asking around your author circle of friends will usually turn up someone reliable. For the latter, an internet search is sometimes all that is required.

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Video Game Flops: What E.T., Simon's Quest, and Virtual Boy Can Teach Writers

May 27th, 2015

I recently beat Castlevania on my Game Boy Advance. Am I writing this column entirely for the sake of making that announcement? To give space to what is probably, pathetically, the greatest achievement of my life thus far? Not entirely. But there's a percentage. The real reason for this column, the 87% of the reasoning that isn't my Castlevania announcement, is Castlevania II: Simon's Quest.

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6 YA Novels About Suicide

May 26th, 2015

Talking about death is never easy, especially when that death is a suicide. These six young adult novels tackle the subject from different angles, each telling the story of troubled teens in a new and enlightening way. Young adult literature has never shied away from the tough subjects, and these books handle suicide with the gravity and depth necessary to start a meaningful conversation. From mysteries surrounding the circumstances of death to teens helping each other through tough times, these six books explore the complex emotions of grief and loss.

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LitReactor Community Spotlight: May 2015

May 26th, 2015

Normally I like to write some clever introduction, but you and I both know that you're probably at the theater watching Mad Max for the third or so time. Getting your attention is going to be tough. You're likely already drifting off, with another tab open to Craigslist, seeing how much it would cost to hire a guy to stand on the roof of your car playing guitar.

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The 5 Best Horror Comics On Shelves Right Now

May 22nd, 2015

I rarely review or write about comics. I read a lot of them, but I find it hard to offer any significant analysis or criticism. I'm not well versed in their history, and talking about the art is probably the toughest thing about it. I can, however, point you towards some stellar horror books that are on shelves right now. Some are high concept, some have unique settings and some are just fun. Should be something for everyone.

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Confessions of a Closeted eBook Lover

May 22nd, 2015

I made a realization after a friend insisted I read Rivers of London AKA Midnight Riot by Ben Aaronovitch. She lent me her paperback copy, and after a few months of forgetfulness, I finally sat down to read it one evening. The story hooked me instantly, and I was keen on spending some time with it. There was just one problem: I didn’t want to read the physical, ink and paper book. I wanted the eBook.

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The Problems and Virtues of a University Creative Writing Education

May 21st, 2015

My educational journey has been a strange one. I alternated work as a freelance writer with time as a full-time student over the last seven years, and I finally have a degree—along with a batch of honors and extras that, from my current vantage point, I simply don't give a damn about. These years of getting a creative writing education at the university have taught me a lot ... but one of the lessons is that our system isn't entirely functional.

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Why The F*ck Aren't You Reading Kelly Link?

May 20th, 2015

Photo credit: Sharona Jacobs The world is full of the strange. We don’t notice this strangeness because it becomes all too commonplace for us, because we have our heads buried so deeply in our day-to-day lives. We don’t see the vampires lurking in the shadows (or hiding in plain sight, under a burning noon day sun.

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