How Did Comics Become a Social and Political Battleground?
Column by Peter Derk
Drama of the highest order! Anger! Outrage! Defensiveness! Spider-Men!
Why We Need Border Fiction More Than Ever
Column by Justin Hunter
Now, more than ever, we need to amplify the voices of the border. We need to read and share more border fiction to help spread understanding.
Why Art is So Important During Turbulent Times
Column by Karis Rogerson
Art is extra important during times of turbulence because it provides escapism, fosters empathy and broadens our horizons.
The Voices of Trumpmerica
Column by Leah Dearborn
This is the first Independence Day under a new presidential administration, and it's unlikely to be one we'll forget.
10 Books Donald Trump Should Read
Column by Christoph Paul
I speak personally to President Trump and suggest 10 books that would make him a better human being.
Let's Get Political: 10 Tactics for Writing Resistance Fiction
Column by Susan DeFreitas March 27, 2017
Since 9-11, we're living in a brave new world--one where 'Brave New World' is once again a bestseller. But you don't have to write dystopian sci-fi to write fiction of the #resistance.
8 Books for March 8th: International Women's Day
Column by Stephanie Bonjack March 8, 2017
Women around the world have been celebrating International Women's Day since 1909. It marks our struggle for rights and equality. Here are a few titles by women making a difference in the world.
Resist, Rebel, Repeat: A Writer’s Guide to Post-Trump America
Column by Keith Rawson December 27, 2016
Have you turned into a scared little rabbit, since the election? If so, this column ain't gonna be for you. Because it's time to get pissed and stay pissed, people.
Finding Beauty in the Darkness
Column by Leah Rhyne December 21, 2016
We face dark times now, yes. It's important to realize: we've been here before, and we survived. I know because writers tell us, finding beauty in darkness, a literary legacy of stars in the night sky
How to Fight Fascism with Superheroes
Column by Bart Bishop December 15, 2016
A look at 'Last Night, A Superhero Saved My Life', a collection of essays on how superheroes inspire— specifically Ron Currie Jr.'s take on the 1982 Wolverine mini-series and masculinity.
Two Notable Books on the Kennedy Assassination Conspiracy
Column by Ed Sikov November 22, 2016
On the 53rd anniversary of the assassination of John F.Kennedy, Ed Sikov looks at two books by notable conspiracy theorists.
40 Years Ago, Howard The Duck Ran For President
Column by Peter Derk November 9, 2016
1976 was a simpler time. So much simpler that a duck could be trapped in an election he never made!
6 Horrible Comic Book Presidents (and One Good One)
Column by Bart Bishop October 20, 2016
A look at the last 40 years of comic book political satire, with real presidents turned into supervillains and supervillains turned into presidents.
Depulso: The More Harry Potter You Read, The Less You Like Trump
News by Peter Derk August 23, 2016
Do Harry Potter books contain the secret spell for stopping Donald Trump?
Darth Trump and Princess Hillary: How Claudia Gray's 'Star Wars: Bloodline' Mirrors the 2016 Election Year
Column by Bart Bishop August 10, 2016
A look at Claudia Gray's 'Star Wars: Bloodline', a novel that manages to be about the current election year without boring readers to tears.
Missouri Senator Filibusters Using 50-Cent's Book
News by Peter Derk
A Missouri senator in need of filibuster material turns to the writing of none other than 50-Cent.
7 Tips on How To Write a Better Open Letter
Column by Peter Derk March 16, 2016
If you insist on writing an open letter, read this first.
‘The Manchurian Candidate’ and the 2016 Presidential Election
Column by Ed Sikov March 3, 2016
Richard Condon’s Cold War thriller has a few things to teach us about this year’s election. None of them are flattering.
Unprintable: The LitReactor Podcast Episode 26 - The State of Transgressive Fiction (Guest: Irvine Welsh)
Podcast by Joshua Chaplinsky February 15, 2016
The Dreaded R-Word: The Goods and Evils of Rhetoric
Column by Taylor Houston
Seems like "rhetoric" is always in the news lately. And it's never good. But why?
The Word Is Mightier Than ‘the Pen’: 5 Imprisoned Writers
Column by Ed Sikov
You think you've got it rough? Consider these writers, who landed in 'the pen', either for their politics or their writing. Or both. Or neither.
Tennessee’s Bill for Bible as Official Book Denied
News by Raine Winters April 20, 2015
Looks like state won out over church this time.
Tennessee Names Bible as Official State Book
News by Raine Winters April 17, 2015
What happened to separation of church and state?
Happy New Year! Here's Your Torture Report
News by Peter Derk
Melville House is publishing a print version of the recent report by the Senate Intelligence Committee, aka The Torture Report.
Books Behind Bars: Authors Fight UK Prison Policy
News by Peter Derk August 5, 2014
A new policy about sending books to prisoners has authors in an uproar.
