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Social Media for Authors and Planting a Story Seed. Slideshow fans, get ready to geek out.

June 5, 2012

This past weekend I was fortunate enough to have been invited to be a part of the 2012 Tallgrass Writing Workshop. This thing has been going on every year for the past 27 years; I definitely do not take lightly the privilege of being part of such a legacy. Aside from participating in general camaraderie, I taught two sessions. Both of which seem to have been pretty successful (despite my habit of talking WAY too much). For the benefit of those who were not able to attend my sessions (due to simultaneous, better sessions), I have uploaded my two original slideshows for the viewing pleasure of all. The social media one even has audio included. Neat! Click the links below the images to access the slideshows. Watch at Slideshare.net (with audio) | Watch using Google+ SURVIVING ONLINE: Why Social Media is Not a Waste of Time for Authors Some writers claim that time…

Book design, Cover Alteration, Slipcases, and Integral Design (Video Blog Ep 013)

June 4, 2012

Here, in this part 2 of a 2 part-er, I look at a few examples of book design: Cover Alteration, Slipcases, and Integral Design. Examples include Donna Tartt's The Secret Friend, Chuck Palahniuk's Diary, Douglas Coupland's The Gum Thief, Mark Z. Danielewski's Only Revolutions and House of Leaves, Adam Novy's Avian Gospels, Chip Kidd's The Learners, and a collection of three Tim Hall books. View part one here.

First ever live reading of “Click-Clack,” the story that first appeared in Warmed and Bound

May 28, 2012

I've been wanting to read "Click-Clack" to a live audience for a while. It's perhaps one of my more unsettling stories. So, I thought, where better to read it out loud than in a sweaty, un-air conditioned room above Prospero's Bookstore. The crowd seemed to dig the story, as much as one can considering the heat. The version linked here contains a few sound effects as well. A lot of my fiction deals with what I call domestic grotesque situations. None are perhaps more fitting to this term than "Click-Clack." If you like it, pick up more of my fiction, specifically my two story collections Charactered Pieces and Mumurs: Gathered Stories Vol. One.

Recorded live from the “$@!# Authors Say” reading in Kansas City, MO.

May 27, 2012

A few nights ago, some Kansas City authors put together a reading at the Czar Bar (which has a damn amazing hamburger, fyi) at which I read my non-fiction piece "Strippers with Your Son." Extra special to the event is that I began my reading with a sing-along to Jason Webley's "Drinking Song." So, if you love true tales about strippers, father/son on stripper action, and bloody strippers, the watch this video. Other featured authors from the night include Gordon Highland, Phil Jourdan, Hampton Stevens, Hollie Hayes, and Brandon Tietz.

Part Four of Four Dialogues on Literature with Pablo D’Stair and Caleb J. Ross, live at the Sunday Observer

May 27, 2012

Part four of what may be the most interesting dialog I’ve ever had with another human being (I’ve had plenty of good ones with cats) is now live at the Sunday Observer. Pablo D’Stair and I talk all sorts of shop. Seriously, and I say this as objectively as one can when the subject of a piece, this thing is worth reading, all parts, one through four. Read part four, here. Then, be sure to read part one and part two and part three as well.

Live Author Reading will Change Your Life!

May 20, 2012

With two Kansas City area readings coming up, and a few people asking me what the heck an author reading is, I decided to make this quick video, as a bumper of sorts, to preface any future events. If this doesn't get people in the door, what the hell will? What are the upcoming events? Glad you asked. Here: $@!# Authors Say, May 24th The How's My Hair Author Reading, May 26th

Part Three of Four Dialogues on Literature with Pablo D’Stair and Caleb J. Ross, live at the Sunday Observer

May 19, 2012

Part three of what may be the most interesting dialog I’ve ever had with another human being (I’ve had plenty of good ones with dogs) is now live at the Sunday Observer. Pablo D’Stair and I talk all sorts of shop. In his installment we compare publishing to marathon running (but not in that long haul, endurance cliche way that you might be thinking) and also what sort of accolades should be involved, if any, in publishing. Read part three, here. Then, be sure to read part one and part two as well.