I’m back from my blog sabbatical and full of fire for a new cause. A month ago, I had a revelation as I was voting for the Wonderland Awards (given to the best bizarro novel and collection each year). As I struggled to choose my favorite among so many great titles, I felt wistful that … Continue reading How to Grow Bizarro Fiction
Book Review: The Captivating Flames of Madness
The Captivating Flames of Madness by Jeff Parsons This week I review The Captivating Flames of Madness for Blackthorn Book Tours. “Chilled to the bone” is an overused cliché, but that is exactly how I felt reading many of the stories in Jeff Parsons’ collection The Captivating Flames of Madness. Parsons knows the right ways, … Continue reading Book Review: The Captivating Flames of Madness
Writing Update (Fall ’19) + Hiatus
Writing Update A lot has happened since my last writing update. If you recall, I had begun my first foray into horror, a novel-inside-a-novel entitled The Autobiography of M. Well, I finished the first draft. It was not all I wanted it to be, but still had promise that several more drafts could bring out. … Continue reading Writing Update (Fall ’19) + Hiatus
Author Interview: Amy M. Vaughn
This month I “sat down” with bizarro and horror author Amy M. Vaughn. She describes her work as “weird little books,” though she has authored non-fiction as well. Living with bipolar disorder, she advocates for mental health on her blog. You can find my review of her novella Skull Nuggets here Enjoy! -- ZÉ BURNS: … Continue reading Author Interview: Amy M. Vaughn
Book Review: Skull Nuggets
Skull Nuggets by Amy M. Vaughn Rating: 9/10 The last thing I’d want is a hole in my head, but after reading Skull Nuggets, I can at least say I’ve considered it. Meet Robert, depressed and lonely. He is obsessed with neurophages, the so-called brain mites, “that live in the brain and metabolize neurotransmitters.” Days … Continue reading Book Review: Skull Nuggets
8 Great Short Bizarro Books, Pt. 2
This week, I continue the list of eight great novellas and collections that I have somehow missed in my reviews and lists this past year. Check out Part 1 here. CRISIS BOY by Garrett Cook This book would have easily made it into a previous 5 Favorite Bizarre Books list if it were not for … Continue reading 8 Great Short Bizarro Books, Pt. 2
8 Great Short Bizarro Books, Pt. 1
There are so many good bizarro fiction novellas and collections out there and so little time and space on my blog to review all of them. So this week and next, I will cover eight great short books that I somehow missed in my reviews and lists. THE HOUSE OF HOUSES by Kevin L. Donihe … Continue reading 8 Great Short Bizarro Books, Pt. 1
