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Ask The Lit Coach: 'Is It Possible To Find A U.S. Publisher For Your Spanish Language Novel?' and More
April 16th, 2012
Is it possible to find a U.S. publisher for your Spanish language novel? How do authors attract an agent or promote their book if they choose to publish under a nom de plume? Those are the burning questions answered in this issue of Ask The Lit Coach. Question from Ernesto G. I am in the process of writing a novel, based on historical facts, it will be done in Spanish, since it will deal with the Salvadoran civil war. What would you advice as the best publishing house for that sort of material?
Read Column →How to Tell a True Horror Story: Cabin In The Woods
April 13th, 2012
The best horror stories make you keep on suspecting that this can’t possibly go on. That things have already reached their bloody crescendo, have hit that point past which any reasonable story is going to have run out of gas. That’s right about when Cabin in the Woods starts picking up speed.
Read Column →10 Hysterical, Sexy, Awesome, Ridiculous, Scary Book Trailers
April 13th, 2012
Book trailers. They are officially a thing. And the world is a better place for it. But from whence came they? And since whence? Wikipedia has the (contested) answers: The term "book trailer" is currently a trademarked term owned by Sheila Clover of Circle of Seven Productions. The first book trailer to be played publicly was at a book convention in Shreveport, Louisiana in 2003 [contradiction], Dark Symphony by Christine Feehan.
Read Column →Interdimensional Hit Parade: Sci-Fi Influenced Pop Music
April 12th, 2012
For a geek like me, spotting a science fiction reference buried in popular music is a rare and wondrous thing. In the middle school of life musicians are the cool kids, while online sci-fi columnists are… crap, this analogy is depressing. Regardless, it’s always nice and surprising to discover that creative people are being influenced by the same authors and stories I revere.
Read Column →The Long & Winding Road: Part II - Revision Hell!
April 12th, 2012
Recap: The Long & Winding Road is a multi-part essay about my endeavors to get an agent and publish my first novel. Part 1 discussed writing my first novel and seeking representation.
Read Column →The Problems of the Disassembled Narrative
April 11th, 2012
It’s trendy nowadays for writers to create stories with non-linear narratives. While the experiment can produce some interesting results, I’m going to champion an unpopular position and say that most of the time it’s a terrible idea.
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Super Story Theory with Grant Morrison
April 10th, 2012
Sometimes you read a book and it changes the way you read everything else. Your perceptions are forever altered and your literary history is cleft in two: what you read before, and what you read after.
Read Column →Great Book, Crap Film: 5 Adaptations That Truly Suck
April 9th, 2012
Ever had the experience of reading a fantastic book and wishing someone could make a film of it? Ever had the experience of seeing that film and wishing you could maroon the director on a very small island with only Rush Limbaugh for company? In the spirit of being careful what you wish for, here are five book to film adaptations which had me choking on my popcorn and wondering how anyone could take something so good and end up with something so…there’s no other word for it…crap.
Read Column →The Importance of George R. R. Martin's 'A Song of Ice and Fire'
April 6th, 2012
George R. R. Martin has become a huge voice in the fantasy genre. By now, many of you will have seen the HBO series, A Game of Thrones, based on his A Song of Ice and Fire series of (New York Times Bestselling) novels. The series has become a massive success, but more importantly, it’s redefining our expectations of the genre.
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