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Should a Book Be a Mirror Or a Door?

June 11th, 2024

Should a book be a mirror of representation, a door leading to an unexpected journey — or perhaps a window peeking into another's experience? This column explores the necessity of literary mirrors and doors alike, and considers the implications of this extended metaphor.

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How to Write a Short Story: A Writer’s Ultimate Guide

June 6th, 2024

What does it take to write a short story? Savannah Cordova guides you through the process, sharing what she's learned from writing short stories of her own.

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An Update from Your New LitReactor Overlords

May 28th, 2024

LitReactor is officially returning under new ownership! You’ll find all the details here.

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Beowulf Is The Greatest Classic Book, And I Will Not Be Taking Any Questions At This Time

September 26th, 2023

Header images: Books, Barbarian There's always someone out there trying to prove that one book or another is the all-time, stone-cold-est, greatest classic book of all time. And they're all fools, because unlike me, they didn't pose Beowulf, which is absolutely, 100% the greatest classic book.

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Storyville: Tropes As a Jumping-Off Point

September 25th, 2023

(For reference, check out tvtropes.org as it has a TON of great information.)

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Robert Kirkman's Non-Walking-Dead Comics

September 22nd, 2023

Header image: Pixabay Robert Kirkman is in a weird spot. Because The Walking Dead was such a cultural phenomenon, it’s what he’ll be known for forever, the first line in his obituary, FOR SURE.

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To Carrie White, Signed with Pig's Blood

September 21st, 2023

Dear Carrie White,

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Happy Birthday To Agatha Christie, Inventor Of The Slasher

September 15th, 2023

Author photo: Wikipedia Commons Agatha Christie was born on September 15th, 1890. The author is already much celebrated as one of the greatest mystery writers of all time, but there’s one area where Christie still deserves recognition: as the inventor of the slasher. Whether intentional or not, the horror subgenre owes a huge debt of gratitude to Christie and her 1939 novel And Then There Were None.

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Storyville: Researching Your Novel—for Depth, Emotion, and Authority

September 14th, 2023

Are you thinking about writing a novel? Do you have the authority to tell this story, or do you need to do some research? Let me walk you through the process on my last book, Incarnate, and I’ll see if these suggestions can help you with your next novel.

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Why Progressive Kid's Books Suck

September 11th, 2023

Header via Pixabay While I was browsing the library a bit back, I came across a little book: Feminist Baby. I hated it. Not because I hate the politics of the book or feminism or hate women or have strong opinions on trans athletes in women’s sports or hate babies.

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