When to put a book down and why is a contentious topic with almost as many opinions as readers. My father, for instance, never puts down a book. He will read it until the end no matter how much he dislikes it. I’ve seen a rule floating around that if you’re under fifty, you should … Continue reading Why I Put a Book Down
writing
Author Interview: Danger Slater
I received the wonderful opportunity to interview Wonderland Award-winning author Danger Slater. He did not disappoint, answering as only Danger can. You can find my review of his novel Impossible James here And my review of his novella He Digs a Hole here Enjoy! -- ZÉ BURNS: When did you start writing? DANGER SLATER: The … Continue reading Author Interview: Danger Slater
Writing Update (Summer 2019)
As I recover from a nasty cold, I thought I would take a break from my usual content to give my readers an update on my own writing—the question I'm asked most these days. I took several months off from long fiction to write short stories, a relatively unexplored medium for me. (Though novels take … Continue reading Writing Update (Summer 2019)
How I Discovered Bizarro Fiction
We’ve all had those life-changing discoveries, those moments where we find things we could never imagine living without. Mine came with an obscure, underground small-press genre called bizarro fiction. In the summer of ’06, I visited Prague with my mother. My reading and writing at the time revolved around fantasy with bits of literary fiction … Continue reading How I Discovered Bizarro Fiction
A Guide to Neurotic Editing
All last month and into this one, I’ve been editing like mad. Eraserhead Press (the largest bizarro publisher out there) is starting one of their yearly open submissions, putting the pinch on what is otherwise a leisurely task. Meanwhile, I’m struggling to rewrite a novel I wrote years ago that just won’t cooperate. This week … Continue reading A Guide to Neurotic Editing
10 Things I Learned: BizarroCon
BizarroCon was very educational. I learned not only many things about writing, but also about life and my fellow human beings. Without hyperbole, I can say the experience changed my life. Below are some of the many valuable tidbits I picked up. 1) Everyone is just as nervous as you are. Some are just better … Continue reading 10 Things I Learned: BizarroCon
BizarroCon 11
It’s the only time I’ve seen someone drinking a beer before 11 a.m. The only time I’ve witnessed such a deluge of imagination. The only time I’ve met such a friendly, cohesive group of people. BizarroCon is a four-day, alcohol-fueled whirlwind of creativity and bacchanalian insanity. I went for the first time this year. Day … Continue reading BizarroCon 11
