New Storyville Column on Writing Sex is Now Live at Lit Reactor
Posted on September 10, 2012 Leave a Comment
My latest Storyville column over at Lit Reactor is all about writing sex scenes! What’s the difference between pornography, erotica and simply a powerful sex scene? What words should you use (and avoid)? How do you create sexual tension? Sex is a part of life, and the power it introduces into every intimate relationship will ultimately define that relationship. Hope it helps. ENJOY!
WARNING: There is frank adult language in this article, so if you are underage or sensitive, you have been warned.
My review of Swallowing a Donkey’s Eye by Paul Tremblay is live at The Nervous Breakdown
Posted on September 10, 2012 Leave a Comment
I’ve been a fan of Paul Tremblay for a couple years now. It started with a story here, a story there, and then I picked up some of his crime/mystery work. But I don’t think I really became a serious fan until I absorbed his powerful writing in the collection, In the Mean Time. It blew me away. Ever since, I’ve been a diehard fan. He’s a gifted author, but also an editor, and very supportive of other authors as well. This title, Swallowing a Donkey’s Eye (ChiZine Publications) is a satirical look at a dystopian society where Farm and City dominate the landscape. The powerful element of satire is truth, and hidden behind the humor is a dark, layered and touching story. Check out the full review for more information.
New Storyville column on endings is now LIVE
Posted on August 20, 2012 Leave a Comment
My latest Storyville column over at Lit Reactor is all about endings, twisted and otherwise. What do we talk about? Beginnings, icebergs, fulfillment through resolution, to twist or not twist, deus ex machina, and caring about your characters. Hope it helps. ENJOY!
My review of My Only Wife by Jac Jemc is now live at The Nervous Breakdown.
Posted on August 13, 2012 Leave a Comment
If you are looking for a unique voice, then you’ve found it. Jac Jemc has a poet’s heart, and she brings that POV to her longer fiction. My Only Wife (Dzanc Books) is a haunting, touching and ultimately unsettling novel. I loved it. For the full review, head over to The Nervous Breakdown. Also, Dzanc Books is one of the best independent publishers out there. I’ve linked this book to Amazon, but you can also purchase directly from Dzanc. Be sure to check out some of their other titles, and their imprints, Starcherone, Other Voices, and Black Lawrence Press (where I’ll be editing an anthology out in 2014).
New Column: THE WORD is now live at ManArchy Magazine
Posted on August 11, 2012 Leave a Comment
So, I always leap at the chance to work with brilliant and talented people. So when Pela Via asked me to do something for ManArchy Magazine, I said, “Sure. Watchoo want?” We talked a little bit about it. I already do book reviews for The Nervous Breakdown, and a column on writing for Lit Reactor. So what else could we do? I still wanted to talk about books, if possible, as well as other cool things that have been informing and infecting my life, and my writing. We ended up with THE WORD. The first column talks about Sriracha, The Olympics, Adventure Time, Justified, and The Rumpus Letters. I hope you enjoy it, and while you’re at it, spread THE WORD. Ha, see how that worked out?
Storyville Column Ten: Promotion
Posted on July 25, 2012 Leave a Comment
Aaaaaaaaaaaand my tenth Storyville column is now up as well. It’s all about promotion—how much is too much, what can you do on a budget, and what really works? Head on over today to find out.
My Ninth Storyville Column is Up: Balancing Life and Writing
Posted on July 25, 2012 Leave a Comment
My ninth Storyville column is up as well. It’s all about how to balance your life and your writing, how to find time to be creative and also be a father, a husband, a friend.
Storyville Column Eight is Up: Writing Horror Stories
Posted on July 25, 2012 Leave a Comment
My eighth Storyville column has been up for a little bit now. It’s all about how to write a horror story, all of the elements that go into creating tension, scaring your audience, and caring about characters in distress. Enjoy!
My review of Cataclysm Baby by Matt Bell is now live at The Nervous Breakdown.
Posted on July 19, 2012 Leave a Comment
I can’t remember the last time I read such a compelling work of fiction. I’ve been a long time fan of Matt Bell, but Cataclysm Baby (Mudluscious Press) may be some of his best work to date. Maybe it’s the fact that these stories were scattered far and wide across the literary landscape, and now that they are all contained in this one collection, they are larger than the sum of its parts. All I can say is that these depictions of life in the post-apocalypse are dark, touching, and haunting. Do yourself a favor and pick this up today. Read the full review at The Nervous Breakdown for all of the details.
In addition, Matt is one of the nicest guys out there in the literary world, doing great work at Dzanc Books, one of my favorite independent presses, one of the best, as well as running The Collagist. So, some extra reasons to support his writing.
Interview: Richard Thomas at Slit Your Wrists
Posted on May 19, 2012 Leave a Comment
Laurance Kitts did an excellent job of interviewing me over at Slit Your Wrists Magazine. Yeah, they’re not for the faint of heart, but they do good work. They published one of my stories, “Vision Quest” in their sister publication, Surreal Grotesque, and did a beautiful job of layout and design. We talked about my next book, Disintegration, as well as upcoming short story collections with Kraken Press and Snubnose Press, my influences, what made me decide to write in the first place, my first book, Transubstantiate, the bonus chapter about Madison in the signed/limited edition, and much more. And Laurance is an excellent writer himself, keep an eye out for his work, as well.
- Richard Thomas - 