Columns

The Worst Fiverr Services for Writers

November 20th, 2019

A bit back I wrote a column about $5 dollar book covers. The results were...mixed. At best. What I’ve discovered is that there are EVEN WORSE author services available on Fiverr. Yes, even worse than terrible graphic design, a sin that damns your indie book to the worst, most indifferent-est circle of hell. Which terrible services am I talking about? 

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Book vs Film: "In The Tall Grass"

November 18th, 2019

It's been another banner year for Stephen King. He has a new novel out, The Institute, Castle Rock came back to Hulu for its second season, and three major motion pictures based on his work hit the theaters—Pet Sematary, It: Chapter 2, and Doctor Sleep. 2019 has also been kind to King's son, Joe Hill, an equally great and prolific author.

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Storyville: Using Rituals to Make Your Stories More Believable

November 14th, 2019

When you write your scary stories, consider the different ways that ritual can inform and add authority to your tale. Think of myths and folklore, spells and prayers, ceremonies. Look at the voodoo, witchcraft, and sorcery that might inform your story. This can really help to add depth, setting, sensory details, and atmosphere to your work. Let me give you a few examples of how I’ve incorporated this into my work.

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Movies Are Not The Ultimate Form Of Books

November 13th, 2019

Want to have your heart broken? Do you love books? Great. You’re in the right place. A bit back I sat down with a great author. A true legend. Let’s just say, for the sake of argument, sci-fi pillar Connie Willis. I got to interview her for a work project, and she couldn’t have been a better interview subject. So generous with her time, so smart.

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5 Bestsellers That Started Out As NaNoWriMo Projects

November 12th, 2019

Ah, November. The month of Thanksgiving, hot cider, flannel, and excited (not to mention exhausted) writers. That’s right — we’re in the midst of yet another NaNoWriMo.

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10 Movies I Wish Had Novelizations

November 7th, 2019

One of the reasons I try to keep my movie critiques to a minimum is that people generally don't understand the difference between exchanging opinions and telling someone their mother *insert famous line about mothers and fellatio from The Exorcist here*. For example, every time I say Tusk sucks or argue that The Babadook didn't do it for me, I get death threats. It's as if telling someone you dislike something they like is a personal attack. Eventually I wind up telling those people to go fuck themselves.

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Wild Speculation Regarding The New 'Hunger Games' Book

November 6th, 2019

When I heard about a new Hunger Games book, I think I felt like most people: depressed. What? Aren’t most of us depressed? Have you BEEN online lately? And do you think a new Hunger Games book coming out in May is going to yank me out of my wallow? Because if you think that, you need to pay more attention to me and my wallows. I put on a clinic, daily. You could learn something.

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Writing Dystopian Fiction When the World Is Going Mad

November 5th, 2019

It’s hard to write dystopian fiction these days. Not because it’s hard to imagine crazy, whacked-out scenarios for the End Times (and everything after). The problem is, given the length of time it takes to write a book, reality can catch up to your vision—and force you to make some hard decisions. Do you re-write what you’ve done, trying to make things even crazier? Or do you leave things how they are, and embrace how closely your fictional narrative is bending to the real life happening outside your window?

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Anime Directors Whose Work Influenced "Cherry Blossom Eyes"

November 4th, 2019

Cherry Blossom Eyes is my new novella from Eraserhead Press. As much as it draws influence from the work of Bizarro fiction authors such as Carlton Mellick III and Cameron Pierce, it also draws influence from some of my favourie anime directors. Here are four anime directors with a brief explanation of what they bring to the table, and how their work influenced my novella.

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7 Great Books to Read for National Nonfiction Day

November 1st, 2019

British bookworms celebrate National Non-Fiction Day on the first Thursday of every November. Originally the brainchild of two organizations dedicated to children’s books, it’s a great opportunity to surprise the young readers in your life with some top-notch, age-appropriate books that will educate as they entertain. But there’s no reason grownups can’t get in on the fun as well!

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