Columns

Storyville: Happy, Not Sappy

December 13th, 2012

I know that a lot of people here at Lit Reactor tend to write dark stories. Whether those are horror, neo-noir, crime, fantasy, science fiction or literary stories, the desire to see how characters react to trauma, violence, and negative experiences is a normal one. It’s just more interesting to see how people deal with a bad day instead of a good one. But how do you write a positive, upbeat story without it being melodramatic? How can you focus on the light, instead of the dark?

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Indie Press Spotlight: ChiZine Publications

December 11th, 2012

Do you like vampires that poop spangly fairy dust and are apparently resistant to sunlight? Do you like barrel chested werewolves who are emotionally conflicted about being killing machines? Do you like sociopaths who are debonair charmers with 180 IQ’s that leave a calling card whenever they murder someone? Do you like “horror” novels that read like recycled Stephen King or Dean Koontz?

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Say Cheese! 12 Terrible Photos of Bestselling Authors

December 10th, 2012

Whenever I get a new book, I give the thing a thorough once-over before I dive in. I check its teeth, kick its tires, and generally read every scrap of information that isn't the story proper. This includes author blurbs, the table of contents, and any introductions or forewards. Then I flip the book over to read the synopsis on the back cover. It makes me feel prepared, and gives me a frame of reference for the journey I'm about to embark on. I even check out the author photo, to give a current face to the name.

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Ask the Agent: Options For Novellas and More Advice on Query Etiquette

December 10th, 2012

Navigating the rough terrain of today’s publishing industry shouldn’t be a solo event. This week in Ask the Agent, I’ll explore and dissect two of the industry’s mysteries, straight from the shoulder. Question from Courtney What types of options are there for novellas within the traditional publishing industry? Would I be better off going with self-publishing or should I send out some feelers first -- and to whom? Agents within my genre, or are there novella-specific agents I should research?

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UPDATED WITH WINNER: Workout Your Brain: Write a Sonnet (& Win!)

December 10th, 2012

Let’s get one thing straight—I am not a poet. But I am a writer, and let’s face it, poetry takes the best that language and grammar have to offer and elevates it to divine status. Even though I know poems are the result of a lot of hard work, a good one can read like a miracle.  That said, I am now going to advocate writing a poem, potentially a very bad poem, a sonnet to be exact.

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Why I Paid for a Book Review and Why I Won't Do It Again

December 7th, 2012

Image by Karolina Grabowska The greatest difficulty for a writer who has chosen to self-publish their work is publicity.

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Have You Been Good This Year? 10 Awesome Holiday Gifts For Bookworms

December 7th, 2012

December is upon us and that means the holidays are nigh, a time of thanks and family and introspection – and, of course, the giving and receiving of big, juicy gifts. We here at LitReactor would never leave you high and dry, so here you are: the most covetable book gifts available this holiday season. Feel free to thank us with any of the items on this list.

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Why Netflix Makes You a Better Writer

December 7th, 2012

Welcome to the 21st century. Are you taking advantage of it? Today's technology provides innumerable new resources for hopeful writers, and one of the most powerful learning hubs—besides LitReactor, of course—is Netflix. When used appropriately, Netflix is one of the most powerful, thorough, and affordable learning hubs for up-and-coming creative writers.

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10 Awesome Comics To Give and Receive For The Holidays

December 6th, 2012

It’s somehow that time of year again. So what are the comics you should be gifting (if you want people to love what they’re getting) and asking for? Here are ten fantastic books, both old and new, that should be on your list.

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Publishing in The Time of War

December 6th, 2012

I’ve been reluctant to dig too deep into the publishing wars that have been heating the upholstery of board room chairs for the past several years. Art is art and business is business, and for centuries the two have never mixed terribly well. But, we’ve now entered into a dark time of war, hyperbole, and hysteria; and common sense is being lost to rank silliness.

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