World Revolver by Gina Ranalli Rating: 8/10 “What is reality?” is my favorite question in literature and the premise of much of my writing. Gina Ranalli’s short novel World Revolver offers a unique perspective on this mind-bending question. The book opens with a manifesto on the environment and the sustainability of the planet. While this … Continue reading Book Review: World Revolver
My 7 Favorite Bizarre Books – Spring 2020
Summer’s here! Or almost here. Being trapped inside during this quarantine has allowed me to read oodles of great bizarro and bizarro-adjacent fiction. I had trouble limiting the list to only five books, so here are the top seven. NOTE: These are books I’ve read in spring of 2020, not necessarily ones that were released … Continue reading My 7 Favorite Bizarre Books – Spring 2020
Work in Progress: GENERICA
I thought I’d take a break from my usual content to share with you the novella I’ve been working on. Fantasy was my first love. Much of my teens took place with my nose in a doorstopper by Terry Goodkind or Terry Brooks. Indeed my first foray into writing long fiction was a clichéd high … Continue reading Work in Progress: GENERICA
The Carlton Mellick Challenge
No one possesses a larger or more renowned oeuvre in the bizarro community than Carlton Mellick III (or CM3). It was in fact his novel Satan Burger that catalyzed the genre in the first place. Putting out roughly three books a year since 2001, he has a bibliography of over 60 books. It was this … Continue reading The Carlton Mellick Challenge
Author Interview: Douglas Hackle
Amy M. Vaughn, bizarro author and friend of the blog, describes Douglas Hackle as "the best bizarro absurdist in the business." He is the author of two short novels and two collections and was nominated for the Wonderland Award. I discovered Hackle’s work in the Red volume of The Bizarro Starter Kit and soon encountered … Continue reading Author Interview: Douglas Hackle
Book Review: Terror Mannequin
Terror Mannequin by Douglas Hackle Rating: 8.5/10 Terror Mannequin by Douglas Hackle is the reason why I read bizarro fiction, a blend of humor and the preposterous assembled in the perfect ratio. It’s one of those stories that makes you ask: “How did he ever come up with that?” When I began reading, I thought … Continue reading Book Review: Terror Mannequin
Women in Bizarre Fiction, Pt. 1
This week I’m taking a look at some of my favorite female authors on the bizarre fiction scene and their work. Some I’ve mentioned previously on this blog, but I feel the need to trumpet them, as they are just that good. -- Gina Ranalli Swarm of Flying Eyeballs It would not be a list … Continue reading Women in Bizarre Fiction, Pt. 1
Bizarre Film: Comma Boat
Back in 2015, I was starved for the bizarre. I had yet to discover bizarro fiction and so I searched endlessly for anything to sate my obsession. It so happened that I attended the “Pop Departures” exhibit at the Seattle Art Museum around that time. Among the Warhols and Lichtensteins was a small curtained-off room … Continue reading Bizarre Film: Comma Boat
Book Review: Cherry Blossom Eyes
Cherry Blossom Eyes by S.T. Cartledge Rating: 8.5/10 “The sun came up a cherry blossom and burst its rose gold light into the sky.” – Opening line The Orphanarium by S.T. Cartledge (my review here) is among my favorite bizarro novels and one of the most unique books I have ever read. So I was … Continue reading Book Review: Cherry Blossom Eyes
My Bizarro Experience
Bizarro fiction has changed my life. I believe I can say that without exaggeration or sentimentality. Writing in the genre has freed me from constantly censoring my work because it’s “too weird,” allowing me to write what I want to write. Reading it has taken me to new worlds that I never thought possible, … Continue reading My Bizarro Experience
