Category: Books

The Most Prolific Author You’ve Never Heard Of

Stefanie Snider

Henry Darger. Ever heard of him? I hadn’t either. I was browsing online and stumbled across his story. Immediately, I was in awe at the sheer dedication he showed as an author.

But you’ll never see his work in bookstores.

You’ll never see it, because his most famous epic, The Story of the Vivian Girls, in What is known as the Realms of the Unreal, of the Glandeco-Angelinian War Storm, Caused by the Child Slave Rebellion is 15,145 single-spaced pages long. Not only did this unassuming man (a janitor by day) manage to pen more words in one epic than many will during their entire lives, he also painted hundreds of pictures to accompany it, which went on in turn to influence other artists.

Oh, by the way…he then went on to write a sequel that exceeded 10,000 pages.

And then a semi-fictional autobiography topping out at 4878 pages.

A documentary about the man and his work, In the Realms of the Unreal, was released in 2004.

What have you done lately?

Book Review: Your Money or Your Life

Stefanie Snider

I’m going to preface this by stating the obvious: the first edition of this book (the one I have) was published twenty years ago. The internet was nothing like it is today. E-books were far fewer, and there sure as hell was no such thing as a Kindle. Even so, I’m using it as part of my Five Year Plan, to further my career as an indie ebook writer, which at first glance seems counter intuitive.

Stay with me.

This book is important, for anyone, but especially for people wanting to get away from a day job. It offers the standard advice, like making your own coffee* and packing a lunch. But where this one differs significantly from those other finance guides is in the perspective. The book’s goal is getting you to financial independence, and it may be closer than you thought.

But, you say, I need a million-billion dollars to support myself/my family, so I can’t ever leave my day job! “Your Money or Your Life” points out all the unseen costs associated with going to the day job itself. Do you spend money on special work clothes? On parking? On social lunches? These extra costs would disappear along with your 9-5.

And what about extra time? Do you commute? Do you spend a lot longer getting ready in the morning, so you can meet a certain office standard? What about after work–do you need mindless “unwind” time to get over your miserable day? Wouldn’t that time be better spent, y’know…doing something?

You may be working more hours for less money than you thought. And the more money and time your day job eats, the less of both you have to put towards working for yourself.

Pick this one up, from the bookstore, the library, or get it in ebook form. Sit down (when you actually get a minute) and read the entire thing. Even if something specific doesn’t seem to apply to you, read it anyway. It’s the overall mindset that’s important here. It’s about re-learning how to prioritize your money and your time.

As far as career goals go, I’d say that’s pretty damned important.

*pleasant side effect: since I make coffee in much larger volumes than I’d buy at the drive-through, my caffeine consumption is much, much higher and I am much, much happier. Caffeine is my happy drug.

New Story: Needles & Pins

Stefanie Snider

He’d do anything to make Stacey love him. Anything, even voodoo. But when that doesn’t work, he’ll have to resort to something a little more drastic.

Click here for Needles & Pins.

3 Of My Favourite Writing Books

Stefanie Snider

Any writer worth anything should be in love with books. If you know me, you know that I have a bit of a book…obsession fixation…habit. I can’t imagine a life not surrounded by books.

So it should go without saying that I’ve amassed a number of how-to writing books, and thought I might share a few of my favourites. The ones I like best are the ones that go beyond the mechanics and add a little humor, or offer a peek into the lives of authors and writers.

The first I want to mention is one I’m reading now: How I Write: The Secret Lives of Authors. It’s a wonderful book, one of those that should be sitting as inspiration on your shelves. The editors asked authors to name what it is that inspires them, what keeps them writing. Some authors chose to share their spaces: the specifics of desk and chair and view. Others tell about the little totems they keep to bring them luck or appease their muse.

The second is Page Fright: Foibles and Fetishes of Famous Writers. Harry Bruce has unearthed all kinds of interesting little facts about some of the most well-known authors. No matter what bizarre little writing habits you’ve picked up, I guarantee this book will make you feel normal. (Or at least a part of a big, crazy tribe.)

And third, you must, and I can’t stress this enough, check out Chuck Wendig. Start with 250 Things You Should Know About Writing and go from there. Read his books, all of them, and never look at writing (or being a writer) the same way again. (All I’m going to say is that this is the man who once wrote a recipe calling for “a dick of carrots”. You’ll have fun with these.)

It’s Read an EBook Week!

Stefanie Snider

Haven’t tried e-books yet?

This week Smashwords is hosting Read an E-Book Week. What does it mean? Thousands of independent authors, like me, have put our work on sale.

We’ve done it because e-books are a great way to try out a new author. Because we want you to step outside the rules of traditional publishing and see what it’s like when authors control their own work. Independent authors set our own rules and publish our own truths, without having to bend to the will of publishers. You get a pure story, as it was meant to be read, as the author envisioned it.

Supporting indie authors means you’ll see more unique voices than you would through traditional publishing. Indies have more freedom to experiment with new formats, new ideas, and new niches that traditional publishing simply doesn’t have the resources to support.

It’s exciting, and if you haven’t tried e-books before, this is your time.

This week only, my Dark Side collection is on sale for 25% off. Don’t have an e-reader? Don’t worry; you can read it right on the site at Smashwords.

Click on the cover to get your own copy of Dark Side: Seven Repulsive Stories, and use coupon code REW25 to get 25% off at checkout.

Hitchers

Stefanie Snider


Illustration ©2011-2012 *WolfesClothing

This is the cover art for Hitchers, a book by Will McIntosh. To be honest, I hadn’t heard of the book before, but when I came across this illustration I was immediately interested. It’s one of those pieces that grabs (HAH! GET IT?) your attention right away. The contrast between the eyes of the character, tinged red, against the glowing eyes of the ghost (?) is fantastic. Click on the picture to visit the original source and see it in a larger size.

This kind of art always makes me a little bummed that I can’t draw anything recognizable, and intensely jealous of those who can.

(via Fuck Yeah Illustration)

New Story, FEED, Now Available!

Stefanie Snider

“He’s got that look in his eyes again, the one that only brings trouble. “Buddy,” I warn him, “cool it.”

I know he can hear me, at least on some level, but the part of him I can see is all glassy eyes and stiff body. He’s just like a hound, when he gets like this, and I get that feeling in my gut again. I know something’s going down, and soon.

My brother bobs his head absently to the music from the juke. It’s some of that C&W bullshit he’s always playing on the truck radio. I can’t stand it, myself, all heartbreak and such. Life has enough problems, believe you me, without adding more.

I know all about that.

Buddy’s leaning forward on his stool a little. His massive gut pushes up against the high table but he don’t seem to notice. The bar’s crowded tonight, men drinking off the week. Some came with their own woman. Some came with another man’s.

I get that feeling, and I know he’s seen her.”

Click on the cover to purchase, 99¢ on Amazon.

“Aspiring” Writers Take Note

Stefanie Snider

…Chuck Wendig has a bone to pick with you.

Anything that comes out of the delightfully filthy Wendig mouth is worth listening to, whether you write for fun or money (or both, please God). His ebooks on writing make you want to pick up a pen and wield it like a sword. (If swords weren’t a little…you know. You know.)

Anyway, I catch up with Chuck’s blog, Terrible Minds, now and then when I need a good kick in the writerly ass.

And the other day, he delivered. Hoo boy, did he deliver.

“No More Aspiring, Dingbats
Here are the two states in which you may exist: person who writes, or person who does not. If you write: you are a writer. If you do not write: you are not. Aspiring is a meaningless null state that romanticizes Not Writing. It’s as ludicrous as saying, “I aspire to pick up that piece of paper that fell on the floor.” Either pick it up or don’t. I don’t want to hear about how your diaper’s full. Take it off or stop talking about it.”

So begins his list of 25 Things I Want to Say to So-Called “Aspiring” Writers.

Coddling, it’s not.

Motivating? Oh hell yeah.