Two new nonfiction collections – Gaiman’s The View from the Cheap Seats and Hurley’s The Geek Feminist Revolution – present contrasting perspectives on geek culture today. So what’s the state of it? Geeks were once like Victorian children: seen, but not heard; talked about but mocked, rarely given their own voice. But the newfound popularityContinue reading “Geek critique: Neil Gaiman and Kameron Hurley pick apart pop culture”
Category Archives: Writing Journal
What was the first science fiction novel?
The Chymical Wedding by Christian Rosencreutz might be the first ever sci-fi novel, claims John Crowley, but are there even earlier claimants? “The heroes of many Indian myths, in a strange echo of today’s Marvel superheroes, also often derive their powers from scientific knowledge.” Ask many science fiction fans what the first novel in theirContinue reading “What was the first science fiction novel?”
No, books are not back.
The RMS Titanic sank over a century ago, taking with it 1500 lives. It could have been many fewer, but in the early stages of the catastrophe the boat appeared to stop sinking, and many passengers in 3rd class were told the situation was safe, to only then feel the ship resume it’s lethal progressContinue reading “No, books are not back.”
Why is writing easy?
A follow up to last weeks video asking why is writing hard…why is writing easy! What is the first story you were ever told? The huge number of stories we absorb just by being alive can make writing easy. Take that natural storytelling know-how, add some solid skills and you can enter the flow stateContinue reading “Why is writing easy?”
Why is writing hard?
I bet you’ve always wondered what I look like, right? Well now you can find out in glorious 720p video! “Damien gets passionate about writing, and talks about the thing that makes it hard, the clash of two very different sides of our personality, the conscious mind and the subconscious imagination. OR. The crazy oldContinue reading “Why is writing hard?”
Have the Locus awards been hit with “myopic sexism”?
An all-male shortlist for YA fiction has left the Locus awards mired in controversy – but prejudice is an unavoidable part of any literary prize. Literature has always been a tribal world, and the internet has only made that worse. The romance readers on one forum, the crime buffs on another. The LitFicers trade snarkContinue reading “Have the Locus awards been hit with “myopic sexism”?”
Who is Chuck Tingle?
While I can only speculate on the identity of the cult erotica author, I suspect Chuck Tingle is the future of publishing. Hours after the announcement of the 2016 Hugo Award shortlists, one of the nominated authors published a book to express his feelings on the matter. Slammed In The Butt By My Hugo AwardContinue reading “Who is Chuck Tingle?”
Thoughts on the 2016 #HugoAwards
Last year I compared the Hugo awards to the Wacky Races, a comedic and mostly harmless event in which competitors bend the rules to get ahead…or a nomination in this case. That was before the “Sad Puppy” affair made them something much nastier. Last year the Hugos escalated from Wacky Races to twenty car motorwayContinue reading “Thoughts on the 2016 #HugoAwards”
The 0 best productivity apps for writers
The Mac app store has a dedicated section of Apps for Writers. It contains Scrivener, and some “distraction free” text editors, and a whole bunch of to-do list apps, pomodoro timers and other productivity aids. I sometimes find myself scrolling through these apps, which I’ve learned is a good indication that my writing day isContinue reading “The 0 best productivity apps for writers”
The indie author’s secret weapon – market intelligence
I’ve been covering the indie publishing revolution both here and for The Guardian since Amazon announced 70% royalties for authors selling ebooks through their Kindle store. It was clear that move was going to create a huge opportunity for indie published authors, and in the six years since that’s certainly been the case. “I amContinue reading “The indie author’s secret weapon – market intelligence”
The book marketing secret that doesn’t get said enough
Either your book is its own best marketing, or it’s doomed for the bonfire. This gets rephrased in polite publishing circles as the importance of “word of mouth” marketing. IE, either people are interested / excited / enthralled by your book and hence tell others who in turn become interested / excited / enthralled by yourContinue reading “The book marketing secret that doesn’t get said enough”
On Virtue Signaling
If your actions are so repugnant to the world, so self evidently wrong, and so lacking in basic human empathy, that people who speak out against you happen to gain the respect of others, then you’re the one with a problem. read this, you’ll like it
Damien Walter 