As a writer, you, by both pleasure and necessity, have to read a lot.
The old adage that to write you must read is absolutely true and I am proud of the fact that I spend more time reading than watching TV. It’s close sometimes (especially when it comes to Star Trek) but eventually reading always wins.
When I was getting my degree, I read a lot there also. Some of it good and some of it bad. I think that’s the beauty of it - what you love, others may absolutely hate. What you hate, others may have a deep passion for. It’s like broccoli, only different.
So, after 40 years of reading, here are five novels that I absolutely cannot live without.

A Prayer For Owen Meany by John Irving - This book changed my life. Period. It changed the way I think about religion. About faith. About fate. About the art and craft of writing that can elevate ink on paper to a whole new experience. When I was young, I wanted to be the next John Irving. How that I’m older, I’m happy to write my own stories and just enjoy Irving and his work like a fine glass of vintage wine. It’s a book that by turns is funny, sad, enlightening, infuriating, and then he ties it all together in the final chapters like a master craftsman putting that final coat of varnish on a beautiful handmade desk. It’s an exquisite novel.

A Confederacy Of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole - This book is a lightning rod. Either you love it or hate it. There is no inbetween to those who have entered the madcap, highly satirical world of John Kennedy Toole and his fictional modern day Don Quixote, Ignatius J. Reilly. I still have my original dog-eared paperback copy that I bought the year it won the Pulitzer. Only two books have made me laugh so much that I thought I was gonna rupture something. This is one of them. Toole does so many things right in this novel. He gets the people right - their quirks, their dialogue, their interactions with each other and their surroundings. He gets the place right - you can literally see old New Orleans of the 1960’s coming back to life before your very eyes. These days though, I must admit it makes me a bit sad, knowing that Nawlins will never be the same after Hurricane Katrina and the subsequent clusterfuck that was the attempt at restoration by FEMA and the Bush Administration. But if you want a comedic, episodic novel that you can really just devour and get a good laugh out of, please do pick up this story.

The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck - John Steinbeck makes me want to be a better person and a better writer. I own all of his works and this one stands out (as well it should). There is a reason that every English teacher on the planet requires it to be read. The compassion, the true heart of this brilliant (yet I will admit, uneven) writer comes across on every page as we join the Joad family on their journey to California. If you’ve read ‘Everlasting Life’, my second Denton and Monty mystery, then you know just how much affection I have for this novel. I think that the above mentioned force-feeding really turns a lot of people off this novel, which is unfortunate. There are so many layers, so many things going on, besides the trip West, that as a novelist, it’s such a joy to peel back those layers and learn more about the art of writing.

The Stand by Stephen King - I love this book. It’s my guilty pleasure. Say what you will about King, he can tell a story. When he’s on his game (The Shining, The Green Mile, The Stand) he’s one of the best. Other times, he just rambles on and really needs a good, strong editor to cut those page counts. I’ve heard King describe this book (his most popular) as his version of The Lord Of The Rings. Good versus Evil. A Journey. The awakening of the hero in every man and woman. If you’re unsure of the book, look for the shorter, original printing as opposed to the newly reissued extended version of the book. Both had King’s blessings, of course, but the first version had a pretty strong editor and the second put back in everything the first editor took out. For me, I have both versions and it depends on what kind of mood I’m in. If I want my post-apocalyptic adventure on the hurry up, then I read the original version. If I want to take my time and really savor it, get to know the characters even better and deeper, I get the extended version.

Dune by Frank Herbert - Possibly the most fully realized science fiction novel of all time. Herbert has created a world and a universe so complete, so complex that it just blows my mind. There is a reason that it has never been out of print since it first blew away the sci-fi fandom community in the 1960’s. If you’re dead set against science fiction, this book may change your mind. As I am somewhat of a purist when it comes to Herbert and his Dune universe, it might surprise you to know that I actually really like the cinematic adaptations that have been made so far. The David Lynch movie, the two made-for-TV mini-series, I thought they all did justice to bringing Herbert’s vision to life. But because of this snobbery, I also hate, hate, hate the recent ‘continuation’ of the series by Herbert’s son Brian, and Kevin J. Anderson, neither of which could write their way out of a brown paper bag. My opinion is that you should avoid them at all costs, but that’s just me. Being a snob.

Well, the juggernaut that is my upcoming appearance at NecronomiCon just keeps on rolling.
I spoke to the woman in charge of the Dealer’s Room, and she said that it had been sold out for months - I’m guessing since the Monday after last year’s convention - but that they had Author’s Row, which is a special area for guest authors to do signings and sell books and chat with fans and stalkers and curiosity seekers alike.
Sounds good to me!
Normally, the 3 by 6 table costs $50, but as I’m a guest, I get it for $25.
Sounds even better!
I’ve decided to really get more aggressive about marketing myself, the books and the series, and with that comes more exposure, more discomfort, but ultimately, more growth.
And that’s a good thing for me, and my future readers.
So I’ll be outside the Dealers Room.
Come hang out and say ‘Hi!’ and get your books signed

Calling all comic book/manga artists!
Let me give you money to draw stuff for me!

A million years ago, back when I was very busy on LiveJournal, I came across an amazing comic book artist. He (or she) was on one of my Friends’ Friends List. If that makes any sense.

I thought it was either Christopher, Brian, or my favorite Spinning Turtle, but, after looking through them, can’t find this person again for the life of me. So either this person magically reappears, or I find someone new to draw me some Denton and Monty goodness.

What am I looking for?
It’s a bit nebulous, but here’s a thrown together list of requirements and ideas:
- One drawing, of Denton and Monty standing side by side.
- What you draw is going to be printed on two of these groovy things, which I will carry around with me from signing to signing. Denton on one display, Monty on the other; and, when both displays are put side by side, they make one big display.
- The drawing will be in color.
- I will need it scanned in color and in grey scale in case printing color on the displays is too expensive.
- I like the clean, neat style of manga, Jim Lee, John Byrne. But no big eyes and small mouth.
- I like the gritty reality of Frank Miller, Jaime Hernandez and the Kubert Brothers.
- Think modern, think noir.
- Think emotional. Think shading.
- I know exactly what the characters look like (in my head) and what I’m looking for. Depending on what type of artist you are, this could be a dream commission or one from hell.
- I need your finished drawing in my hand by September 1st, 2008. This gives me time to get the displays ready for NecronomiCon in October.
- I will own the drawings, as I own the characters you are drawing, and will be authorized to use your artwork in marketing, advertising and anything else as I see fit. You will get full credit, free advertising and referrals from my website and from me if anyone asks. Oh, and my money.

How Much Will I Pay You?
I appreciate and pay for good work. I’m not a Brinks truck, but I’m not going to arm wrestle you for a nickel, either.

What Do I Need To Do?
If you know a comic book artist who might be interested, let me know. Let them know. Point them here. If you’re an artist, and have any questions or need clarification, drop me a line at willmize at yahoo dot com. You can also send samples (jpg, png, etc.) as attachments to that address for me to review.

I’m very excited about this project and I really hope I find just the artist for it.

Do remember reading a panic-mongering news story a while back about genetically engineered ‘Frankengrass’ ‘escaping’ from the golf course where it had been planted? That news story was foreshadowed decades previously in the form of prophetic fiction wherein a pushy salesman, a cash-strapped scientist, and a clump of crabgrass accidentally merge forces with apocalyptic consequences. A triple-genre combo of science fiction, horror, and satire, Greener Than You Think is a forgotten classic that resonates beautifully with modern times. This is a faithful reading of a 1947 first edition text. (Summary by Lee Elliot)

• Wikipedia - Ward Moore
• LibriVox’s Greener Than You Think Internet Archive page
• Zip file of the entire book 408MB

An Ideal Husband is an 1895 comedy by Oscar Wilde which revolves around blackmail and political corruption, and touches on the themes of public and private honor. The action is set in London, in ‘the present’, and takes place within a single day. ‘Sooner or later,’ Wilde notes, ‘we shall all have to pay for what we do.’ But he adds that, ‘No one should be entirely judged by their past.’ (Summary from Wikipedia)

Characters:
Narrator - Read by Alex Foster
The Earl Of Caversham, K.G. - Read by Linton
Viscount Goring, his son - Read by John Gonzalez
Sir Robert Chiltern, Bart., Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs - Read by David Barnes
Vicomte De Nanjac, Attache at the French Embassy in London - Read by Juho Fröjd
Mr. Montford - Read by Matthew Walton
Mason, Butler to Sir Robert Chiltern - Read by Hugh McGuire
Phipps, Lord Goring’s servant - Read by Juho Fröjd
James, footman - Read by Read by Chris Goringe
Harold, footman - Read by Zachary Brewster-Geisz
Lady Chiltern - Read by Kristin Hughes
Lady Markby - Read by Heather Barnett
The Countess Of Basildon - Read by JemmaBlythe
Mrs. Marchmont - Read by Ezwa
Miss Mabel Chiltern, Sir Robert Chiltern’s sister - Read by Ophelia Darcy
Mrs. Cheveley - Read by Betsie Bush
Project Editor - Paula Berinstein

• Gutenberg e-text #885
• Wikipedia - Oscar Wilde
• Wikipedia - An Ideal Husband
• LibriVox’s An Ideal Husband Internet Archive page
• Zip file of the entire book 95.2MB

A Man of Means is a collection of six short stories written in collaboration by P. G. Wodehouse and C. H. Bovill. The stories all star Roland Bleke, a nondescript young man to whom financial success comes through a series of ‘lucky’ chances, the first from a win in a sweepstake he had forgotten entering. Roland, like many a timid young man seeks love and marriage. In this pursuit his wealth is regularly a mixed blessing. The plot of each story follows its predecessor, sometimes directly, and occasionally refer back to past events in Bleke’s meteoric career. The writing style is crisp and droll, and shows much of the skill and polish of the later Wodehouse. The disasters that befall the hapless Bleke are entertainingly recounted and his unforeseen rescues surprise and delight. In the character of the butler, Mr Teal, we meet an early draft of the ingenious Jeeves. The stories first appeared in the United Kingdom in The Strand in 1914, and in the United States in Pictorial Review in 1916. They were later published in book form in the UK by Porpoise Books in 1991; the collection was released on Project Gutenberg in 2003. (Summary by Wikipedia adapted by Tim Bulkeley)

• Gutenberg e-text
• Wikipedia - P. G. Wodehouse
• Wikipedia - A Man of Means
• LibriVox’s A Man of Means Internet Archive page
• Zip file of the entire book - 85.8MB

Hauffs Märchen entstanden in der Spätromantik. Der erste Band mit der Rahmenerzählung ‘Die Karawane’ zeichnet sich durch hohes Einfühlungsvermögen in die orientalische Lebensweise aus.

Er enthält neben den bekannte Märchen ‘Kalif Storch’ und ‘Der kleine Muck’ ‘Die Geschichte von dem Gespensterschiff’, ‘Die Geschichte von der abgehauenen Hand’, ‘Die Errettung Fatmes’ und ‘Das Märchen vom falschen Prinzen’.

‘Das Gespensterschiff’ und ‘Die abgehauene Hand’ sind nach heutigem Empfinden für Kinder nicht geeignet.
(Summary by Wikipedia and Hokuspokus)

• Zeno e-text - Märchen-Almanach auf das Jahr 1826
• Wikipedia - Wilhelm Hauff
• LibriVox’s Märchen-Almanach auf das Jahr 1826 Internet Archive page
• Zip file of the entire book 135.9MB

‘The Memoir of my Aunt, Jane Austen, has been received with more favour than I had ventured to expect. The notices taken of it in the periodical press, as well as letters addressed to me by many with whom I am not personally acquainted, show that an unabated interest is still taken in every particular that can be told about her. I am thus encouraged not only to offer a Second Edition of the Memoir, but also to enlarge it with some additional matter which I might have scrupled to intrude on the public if they had not thus seemed to call for it. In the present Edition, the narrative is somewhat enlarged, and a few more letters are added; with a short specimen of her childish stories. The cancelled chapter of ‘Persuasion’ is given, in compliance with wishes both publicly and privately expressed. A fragment of a story entitled ‘The Watsons’ is printed; and extracts are given from a novel which she had begun a few months before her death; but the chief addition is a short tale never before published, called ‘Lady Susan.’ I regret that the little which I have been able to add could not appear in my First Edition; as much of it was either unknown to me, or not at my command, when I first published; and I hope that I may claim some indulgent allowance for the difficulty of recovering little facts and feelings which had been merged half a century deep in oblivion.’ - James Edward Austen-Leigh in the Preface to Memoir of Jane Austen

• Gutenberg e-text
• LibriVox’s Memoir of Jane Austen Internet Archive page
• Zip file of the entire book - 143.9MB

Friedrich von Schillers (1759 - 1805) Übertragung der ‘Mme de la Pommeraye’-Episode aus Diderots (1713-1784) ‘Jacques le Fataliste’, erschienen 1785.

Aber die kühne Neuheit dieser Intrige, die unverkennbare Wahrheit der Schilderung, die schmucklose Eleganz der Beschreibung haben mich in Versuchung geführt, eine Übersetzung davon zu wagen, welche freilich die Eigentümlichkeit des Originals nicht erreicht haben wird. -Friedrich von Schiller

This reading is in German.

• Zeno.org e-text
• Wikipedia - Denis Diderot
• Wikipedia - Friedrich von Schiller
• LibriVox’s Merkwürdiges Beispiel einer weiblichen Rache Internet Archive page
• Zip file of the entire book 61.3MB

LibriVox’s Short Story Collection 028: a collection of 10 short works of fiction in the public domain read by a group of LibriVox members.

• LibriVox’s Short Story Collection Vol. 028 Internet Archive page
• Zip file of the entire book (85.6M)

Okay, the new and improved Chapter One MP3 has been uploaded. You can get it by making with the right clicky here.

As an added bonus, for those of you who are listening through iTunes or on your iPod, iPhone or iTouch, here’s some custom made cover art just for you.