Authors
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Borges on Fiction and Philosophy
Borges on fiction and philosophy? You could devote an entire blog just to this subject, of course. But for today, I’ll focus on this interview from 1976, which is full of gems. Interviewer: Can a narrative, especially a short narrative, be rigorous in a philosophical sense? Borges: I suppose it could be. Of course, in… Continue reading
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Small Press Shout-Out: Luath Press!
Our globetrotting search for good people putting out good books continues! Last week we journeyed to Australia for a visit to the kindhearted and energetic Pantera Press. Up this week: the land of mountains high-cover’d with snow, straths and green vallies, forests and wild-hanging woods, torrents and loud-pouring floods…that’s right! We’re going to visit the Land… Continue reading
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Awaking to Find You’re a Monstrous Vermin (The Promotion Excerpt #6)
In Which the Narrator Tiptoes into the World of the Mysterious Mina Meinl Even now it gives me chills to think of that moment when I heard the name for the first time. The way the words sounded, coming through those teeth. It was a name at the heart of the strangest experience of my… Continue reading
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Formatting a CreateSpace Book in 2014: One Quick Tip
I’ve gotten some good feedback from the post touting the still-timely advice of Guido Henkel and his e-book formatting guide. But what about formatting for print-on-demand? That’s no less confusing – and I never found a Guido Henkel to serve as my Virgil. So it’s Googling, and more Googling, and a lot of trial and… Continue reading
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Self-Publishing Update: Reading on a Smartphone
Ugh, is there anything worse for today’s author than to think about someone reading their book on a smartphone? We like the image of a reader luxuriating with a stately hardcover, a sleek paperback, or—in a pinch—an e-reader. But a tiny-screen phone? Is no tradition sacred? Why not throw words out too, while we’re at… Continue reading
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Small Press Shout-Out: Pantera Press!
We’re headed down under for this week’s small press shout-out. And what a trip it is! Even the most seasoned, curmudgeonly book buyer will find it hard to return from the Pantera Press website without wearing a smile. This press exudes friendliness and charm, from their mission-like statement “our passion is publishing books readers rave… Continue reading
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One Flew Over the Law Firm (The Promotion Excerpt #5)
In Which the Narrator Hears the Name That Will Forever Alter His Future We started, as lawyers always do, by defining ourselves according to our practice areas. She nodded when I gave my little sentence about being a specialist in government and internal investigations, some white collar, a lot of Foreign Corrupt Practices Act work… Continue reading
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What They Knew #30
“High and fine literature is wine, and mine is only water…” – Mark Twain “…but everybody likes water.” – Mark Twain Continue reading
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Fantastic Poet Breakdown: Auden Again!
The last time we took a break from the Terrible Poetry Breakdown series, we focused on a fantastic poem by W.H. Auden (and the many great poets who were inspired by it). This time, we’re going to look at this amazing New York Review of Books article by Edward Mendelson, which made me admire Auden… Continue reading
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Flannery Speaks!
Have you ever been disappointed by hearing recordings of famous authors? No? Then maybe you haven’t heard enough of them. The sound of Hemingway bloviatiang about the time he “banged” Marlene Dietrich (“that Kraut”) is not something you can ever unhear. Fear not, reader! I’m not going to link to that. Instead, here’s an illuminating, uplifting experience: listening… Continue reading
Jacke Wilson 