Skipp's Self-Isolating ABC’S of the COVID-19 (Stage One)

Skipp's Self-Isolating ABC’S of the COVID-19 (Stage One)

Alphabet photo by Magda Ehlers

AUTHOR’S NOTE — If there’s one symptom of the coronavirus that’s spread faster than the virus itself, it’s writer’s block through the writer’s community. You don’t even have to catch the bug itself, cuz it’s already done a number on our heads.

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Can Townies Write?

Can Townies Write?

Original images by Michael Morse & Polina Zimmerman

You want to write? Are you moving to New York? L.A.? Headed to an MFA program somewhere?

You’re staying in the town where you grew up?

Can that work?

Writing and Publishing

Right off the bat, yes, you can stay in your hometown and write.

Publishing, that’s another story.

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Conflict Without Violence: How to Add More Depth To Your Fiction

Conflict Without Violence: How to Add More Depth To Your Fiction

I'm going to give you three scenarios.

In the first I'm laying in bed in the dead dark of 3 A.M when suddenly the three sleeping dogs around me begin to bark. I see the silhouette of a man at the window slip away, and I'm unable to sleep for the rest of the night.

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Storyville: Turning Your Obsessions Into Fiction

Storyville: Turning Your Obsessions Into Fiction

I want you to take a few moments to look back over your life and consider the things that you are obsessed with, or WERE obsessed with. Those interests, addictions, hobbies, jobs, and skills can really help to create stories that have a strong sense of authority, riddled with details that somebody outside of those habits just can’t get to. Let’s go deeper.

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The Gabino Iglesias Online MFA: Third Semester

The Gabino Iglesias Online MFA: Third Semester

Original image by mentatdgt

You started this MFA with certain preconceived notions and now here you are, transformed into someone who knows what's what. We are proud of you and it fills our hearts with joy that you completed/survived your first two semesters. However, we're only halfway there. Welcome to the third semester. This is where we get serious. Here are the classes you'll be taking in the coming six months.

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Patrick Dennis’s Birthday Banquet

Patrick Dennis’s Birthday Banquet

“Life is a banquet and most poor bastards are starving to death!”

—Patrick Dennis, Auntie Mame: An Irreverent Escapade

The strongest, most eccentric female lead ever created was written by a man who struggled with his sexuality and died a servant to the wealthy after becoming the first author in U.S. history to have 3 consecutive books on the New York Times Best Seller list. Why hasn’t Hollywood optioned this story yet?

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Writers, Stop Neglecting Your Author Photos!

Writers, Stop Neglecting Your Author Photos!

Photo by Edu Carvalho

Author photos are notoriously awful. For whatever reason—be it our noble dedication to the written word or a dogged desire to remain unseen—the writing community hasn’t taken any cues from the acting community that a headshot is a promotional tool. An amazing picture is a way to sell yourself and your brand.

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Let’s Talk About Trigger Warnings

Let’s Talk About Trigger Warnings

Header image via Unsplash

I realize this seems like a bizarre time to bring up the trigger warning controversy that has plagued the small press internet horror community for thousands and thousands of years. There are clearly more significant and drastic events taking place in the world. However, I work the night shift at a hotel, and hotels are considered essential businesses, so how else do you expect me to distract myself at the front desk until my shift ends?

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The Truths And Lies About An English Degree

The Truths And Lies About An English Degree

High School Seniors: You might be making higher ed decisions right now. Or, you’re supposed to, but you’re reading this instead. I support you either way.

College Students: You might be in the middle of a program. Maybe making a tough decision for the fall. Hope this helps.

Recent Graduates: On one hand, this will be almost useless for you. Bitter experience will provide all of these lessons. On the other hand, you can reconcile the truth now and save some heartache later.

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Go Out to Dinner with These 7 Delicious Books

Go Out to Dinner with These 7 Delicious Books

Original Images by Ry Young & Valentina Degiorgis

I didn’t do much before quarantine. I wasn’t the kind of person who went to cool, underground shows at dive music venues. I didn’t spend whole Saturdays shopping at boutiques. Not really a fan of festivals. Some of this has to do with the low rate of pay that comes with the territory of being a writer and working in the book business.

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