A Further Introduction:
A few days ago I introduced you to Storytellers Unplugged and created a table of contents to the October stories they posted last month. This was to make it easier for you to find the free stories and read them. The idea was that by reading some authors you’ve never read before you might find you have an interest in reading more.
However, Storytellers Unplugged actually has more to it than that. For 11 months out of the year, some 30 authors, editors, agents and booksellers take turns posting an essay. The topics can be wide ranging from writer’s block to finding an agent to dealing with unfair criticism. Usually the posts have something to do with writing in general but not always.
Who is the Audience?
The people who would be interested in adding this blog to thir list are writers and anyone else in the publishing industry or anyone who wants to be a part of the publishing industry. However, if you are an avid reader of horror, if you the kind of person who always wonders “Where do they get their ideas?” or if you like to see behind the scenes, the Storytellers Unplugged is also for you.
Still not sure if this is the blog for you? Check out these representative samples and decide for yourself. If you like what you read, then save the URL to your bookmarks and visit often. You can subscribe using RSS (see the orange box in the upper right hand corner of their website) and get a copy of the posts in your RSS Aggregate Reader daily.
The Essays:
The First Church of Words and Starry Wisdom is In Session by David Niall Wilson
David Niall Wilson, his ministry and the perils of writing to be a great writer.
It’s Hard to Tell the Truth by Bev Vincent
Bev Vincent talks about that old piece of writerly advice: “Write what you know.”
What Not To Do With Writer’s Block by Sarah Monette
Sarah Monette tackles a mountainous problem for writers and turns it into a molehill.
Autopsy of the Mind by Robert Jones
I originally put this post with the stories, because it starts out with a story. But R. C. Jones’ post is more a brief, intense and insightful look at the mind and making of a serial killer. This would be a good place to start your research.
Caveat Author by Janet Berliner
The dark side of a writer’s success becomes apparent when “friends” reveal their true hearts.
Thomas Sullivan: Competition and Other Weapons of Mass Destruction by Thomas Sullivan
Taking Janet’s post (see above) as a starting point, Thomas Sullivan talks about the value of competition. The lesson here is not just for writers but for everyone.
Repeat After Me: “I (You) Don’t (Don’t) Write (Write) Mysteries (Mysteries)” by Elizabeth Massie
Elizabeth Massie talks about being branded a mystery writer despite the truth. I saw ways this can be applicable to the horror reader as well.
Is It Really Worth It? by Brian Knight
After all the grief that writers go through to get published, to sell books to get recognized . . . they all have to ask and answer Brian Knight’s question for themselves.
Popularity: 14% [?]
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Kind of you to link my column, Greg. Yours is a labor of love, and we are all beholding to you for it.
– Sully
Sully,
Thank you for you kind words. The column I linked to caught me by surprise. I was just looking for good essays to use in this post and I found your words which are still occupying my thoughts, a lot. So, thank you for a very thought provoking column.
–Greg “The Undead Rat”
Thank you, Gregory. I’m glad that my essay
spoke to you. –Janet
Janet,
Thank you for stopping by. I tried to leave a comment at your essay and I wound up convincing your system that I’m a robot.
I’ll try again.
–Greg “The Undead Rat”