Category: Reading
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Killer Nashville writers’ conference full of inspiration, fun
by G. Robert Frazier The Killer Nashville writers’ conference has come and gone, I’ve had a day or two to decompress, and now it’s time to share some takeaways. Overall, the conference was an enjoyable and educational experience. Kudos go to conference founder Clay Stafford, Jaden (Beth) Terrell, staff and…
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Mock crime scene a highlight of Killer Nashville writers’ conference
by G. Robert Frazier One of the coolest things about the Killer Nashville writers’ conference happening this weekend is the mock crime scene that participants will have an opportunity to solve. Not that crime is cool, of course, but playing amateur sleuth definitely is. And since mystery writers love to…
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Review: When Clowns Attack a silly, but serious survival read
by G. Robert Frazier Just in time for Halloween comes an indispensable survival guide, When Clowns Attack (Ten Speed Press, $14.99). The slim hardcover book by Writer’s Digest advice expert Chuck Sambuchino may sound silly, but it treats its topic as deadly serious. (Hey, clowns might look like they are having…
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Review: Devil’s Pocket offers YA action, intrigue
In today’s society where everyone gets a trophy no matter how you finish, it’s no wonder that kids get so excited about do-or-die worlds like The Hunger Games, the Divergent series, or The Maze Runner. The imaginary free-for-alls that make those books and movies so popular seem to provide kids…
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Review: The Dead Student is exciting, psychological thriller
New York Times best-selling author John Katzenbach knows how to get into people’s heads, whether it’s in the psyche of his characters, or the minds of his readers. His newest novel, The Dead Student (The Mysterious Press, Oct. 6), is a perfect example. Katzenbach wastes no time shaking things up…
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Around the Web: Dirty dancing, kinky robots, fear of family spark changes
Every day I scour the Internet and my news feeds for story writing tips and advice. But every once in a while I come across some stranger than fiction articles that compel me to read further. You never know, some of the articles or ideas may just become fodder for…
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Review: The New World excites, then settles into a lull
by G. Robert Frazier Welcome to the New World, Jim Hawkins; it’s savage, untamed, and wholly unpredictable. Hawkins, the son of Robert Louis Stevenson’s more renowned Jim Hawkins of Treasure Island fame, and his companion Natty get a rude introduction to life in North America courtesy of author Andrew Motion’s…
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Review: Constance Kopp a heroine worth waiting for
Author Update (9-28-15): Author Amy Stewart promises a sequel in the Kopp sisters story due in 2016. Also, movie and/or TV offers in the works. Read more at http://nurph.com/LitChat/chats/2481 – by G. Robert Frazier Constance Kopp could be just the leading lady Hollywood has been waiting for. She’s independent, resourceful, intelligent,…
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Review: Author Todd Moss counts down to excitement in Minute Zero
by G. Robert Frazier In the life of every country, at a moment of extreme national disruption, there is a brief period of breakdown, when everything is uncertain. That is the moment to act, to shape events how you want them to go. That is Minute Zero. State Department Crisis…
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Trigger warnings on textbooks, novels border on ridiculous
by G. Robert Frazier I don’t mean to sound insensitive or cold, but this whole push for trigger warnings on virtually everything is ridiculous. According to the Washington Post article, four students, who are members of Columbia’s Multicultural Affairs Advisory Board, say trigger warnings are needed on certain texts dealing with…
