Category: Literary/Ebooks
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Are fiction writers conscious of how their stories will be interpreted? Hell, yes!
A few decades ago, a high school student sent surveys to well known writers and asked them how conscious were they about symbolism and interpretation for what they were writing. The answers were varied and interesting. Here’s my perspective as a fiction writer and editor. “Symbolism” is much too strong a word, but I would…
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Free short story collection by Jack Matthews
Regular visitors may already know that my small ebook publishing company (Personville Press) has been publishing several ebooks by the Ohio author Jack Matthews. I have actually been working hard on doing that (which explains why I post so rarely here). I am actually working on several titles with Mr. Matthews now (the most recent…
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Jade: Outlaw By Robert Flynn (Book Review)
Jade: Outlaw by Robert Flynn (2010), JoSara MeDia, 190 pages. Author’s Website and Blog (with RSS feed) Ebook: Amazon/BN (now at 99 cents!) Print Editions: Used copies are available, but with ebooks so cheap, why bother? Summary: A Western tale about a 19th century Texas town that is harsh, spiritual and profound. Recommended if you…
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The cool photo gallery I created
Here’s a large photo gallery I created of the cars of the novels by Jack Matthews. Lots of photos, a slow-loading page, but generally enjoyable (I wrote a short introductory essay as well).
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Damaged by my education
Lynn Barber sums up the life lessons she gained from her ill-fated affair: What did I get from Simon? An education – the thing my parents always wanted me to have. I learned a lot in my two years with Simon. I learned about expensive restaurants and luxury hotels and foreign travel, I learned about…
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Advice to Literary Critics
Don’t read other critics before you write your review or criticism. Why? First, the essay becomes more a reaction if not an embellishment upon what the other critics have said. In college I wrote a great essay about Allen Bloom’s polemic about academia, Closing of the American Mind. While preparing my review, I read longer…
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Complete Works and Other Stories by Augusto Monterroso (Book Review)
Complete Works and Other Stories by Augusto Monterroso (1995), UT Press (Austin). Translated from Spanish by Edith Grossman, 150 pages. Print Editions: Used copies are available for about $10 Book Page at UT Press site , Amazon.com page, Complete Review page , Author Wikipedia page ; Another review. Summary: A great and hilarious sketchbook with…
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Highly Recommended Fiction Books
This list compiles my favorite literary titles I’ve read since 2005. This repeats my capsule review/synopses that I write for my Reading/Writing chronologies (see link at top). I’ll update this list over time, with my most recent recommendations appearing at the bottom. See also my list of favorite novels and a list of writers who…
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A Man Jumps Out of an Airplane: By Barry Yourgrau (Book Review)
A Man Jumps Out of an Airplane by Barry Yourgrau (1999) Print Editions: Used copies are available for less than $5. Ebook Editions: Amazon, BN (less than $4) Arcade Publishing, Author Website. Summary: Spellbinding flash fiction which is silly/fantastic/profound – take your pick. Rating: 5 Stars. Recommended if you like: Baudelaire’s Paris Spleen, David Byrne, …
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Free Writing Ebook: A Worker’s Writebook by Jack Matthews
Jack Matthews is a distinguished 86 year old fiction writer. Recently he published an ebook called A Worker’s Writebook. I helped him do the formatting and design for it. Between August 1 and September 4, 2011, this ebook will be a free download. See the ebook description page for more details about how to download…
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Disclaimers
Sometimes my reviews may be tainted by various factors – by knowing the author or getting a freebie. I don’t want to exaggerate these things – I can still do a decent review, but I do mention this association at the end of a review..in the interest of full disclosure. I believe that is perfectly…
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November Literary Linkdump 1
(I’m sorry; these links are on random topics, not just literary ones!). What if there were a wiki for time travelers? (Read this ingenious short story). Here’s the greatest sci fi story ever written (honestly!) It’s also short and fun. Lovethelibrary website contains random questions which patrons ask reference librarians. One of the funniest things…
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Robert Flynn has an ebook! (Last Klick)
I posted that belated wrapup of Robert Flynn links as a result of receiving an email from my writing teacher which mentioned (among other things) that his Last Klick novel is now an ebook. It sells for the very affordable price of $1.99. I’ve read a few novels and short story collections by Robert Flynn.…
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Robert Flynn has a blog!
Collection of essays by Texas fiction writer Robert Flynn, with excerpts. Religious satire, Texas life, political observations. Flynn was my writing teacher at college.
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Linkdump: Cultural and Literary
First, I am reading and very much enjoying Steven Moore’s landmark book on the Novel: An Alternative History. (Read this review by Steven Donoghue which is extensive and critical though somewhat fair): If authors had any genuine talent for categorization, they’d be accountants. Authors are nitwits – that’s what makes them holy; it’s the critic’s…