Breakfast of Champions, by Kurt Vonnegut Jr. This may be a controversial choice to top a list of humorous science fiction books, but I have… The post Bad Chemicals & Babel Fish: My Favourite Humorous Science Fiction Books appeared first on mark a rayner.
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mark a rayner: 42: win and wear the ultimate answer!
The ultimate answer in sterling silver form: 42 I thought this would be a cool thing for fans of the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy… Continue Reading42: win and wear the ultimate answer! The post 42: win and wear the ultimate answer! appeared first on mark a rayner.
Continue readingmark a rayner: What is dark comedy and why do we like it so much?
There I was, on stage, leading the entire audience and cast in a barn-burning, Christ-crunching rendition of Always Look on the Bright Side of Life. It… Continue ReadingWhat is dark comedy and why do we like it so much? The post What is dark comedy and why do we like it
Continue readingmark a rayner: How to Beat Writer’s Block: An Author’s Tale
Once upon a time, I lived in Prague, in a part of town known as Smichov, long before I had to learn how to beat… Continue ReadingHow to Beat Writer’s Block: An Author’s Tale The post How to Beat Writer’s Block: An Author’s Tale appeared first on mark a rayner.
Continue readingmark a rayner: Greed is . . . not-so-good
On Tumblr, the kids are calling it “late-stage capitalism.”* Unlike other late-stage diseases – syphilis springs to mind — there is still hope for saving… Continue ReadingGreed is . . . not-so-good The post Greed is . . . not-so-good appeared first on mark a rayner.
Continue readingmark a rayner: Biggest laughs…
I’m not entirely sure I agree with my literary patronus on this one, but there is something to be learned from the quote. I DO… Continue ReadingBiggest laughs… The post Biggest laughs… appeared first on mark a rayner.
Continue readingmark a rayner: Dystopic stories – why are we obsessed?
And let’s face it, we are obsessed. Our media are laden with the dystopic. Some of our most popular stories are based on horrific cultures,… Continue ReadingDystopic stories – why are we obsessed? The post Dystopic stories – why are we obsessed? appeared first on mark a rayner.
Continue readingmark a rayner: An apology to the Autistic Community (and a thanks)
Ten years ago I wrote a novel called The Fridgularity. As I often do, I prefaced it with some quotations I thought applicable to the… Continue ReadingAn apology to the Autistic Community (and a thanks) The post An apology to the Autistic Community (and a thanks) appeared first on mark
Continue readingmark a rayner: It Came from Plan B
A few years ago I had an epiphany about one of my life choices. I was a guest on my buddy Keith’s excellent podcast about… Continue ReadingIt Came from Plan B The post It Came from Plan B appeared first on mark a rayner.
Continue readingmark a rayner: The Monkey’s Tail, as Told by Marcel Duchamp the Day After Charles Lindbergh Landed at Le Bourget Field
I had this friend who was obsessed with having a monkey tail grafted to his ass. Actually, to call him a friend is stretching the… Continue ReadingThe Monkey’s Tail, as Told by Marcel Duchamp the Day After Charles Lindbergh Landed at Le Bourget Field The post The Monkey’s Tail, as
Continue readingmark a rayner: Review: The Serpent of Venice
The Serpent of Venice is a mash-up extraordinaire of The Merchant of Venice, Othello, and The Cask of Amontillado, starring Pocket, the lead from Moore’s… Continue ReadingReview: The Serpent of Venice The post Review: The Serpent of Venice appeared first on mark a rayner.
Continue readingmark a rayner: Twain edits
Full quote: I notice that you use plain, simple language, short words and brief sentences. That is the way to write English – it is… Continue ReadingTwain edits The post Twain edits appeared first on mark a rayner.
Continue readingmark a rayner: An Open Letter to Boris Johnson’s Hair
Dear Boris Johnson’s Hair, It’s really not going very well, is it? But it’s not your fault. It really isn’t. In the history of British… Continue ReadingAn Open Letter to Boris Johnson’s Hair The post An Open Letter to Boris Johnson’s Hair appeared first on mark a rayner.
Continue readingmark a rayner: Writing as Therapy
“Writers get a nice break in one way, at least: They can treat their mental illnesses every day.” ~Kurt Vonnegut Photo by Ruslan Alekso from Pexels The post Writing as Therapy appeared first on mark a rayner.
Continue readingmark a rayner: Clown Apocalypse – the first flash fiction
Years later, the survivors discovered the Bozo Virus got its start at Escola de Clown de Girona, near the end of semester. The “Esclowna” was… Continue ReadingClown Apocalypse – the first flash fiction
Continue readingmark a rayner: Wormageddon
In a playground war of worm-whipping debauchery, a boy must decide if he’s a bully or a Romeo. Continue ReadingWormageddon
Continue readingmark a rayner: Listicle: Ernest Hemingway’s 5 Surprisingly Easy Rules for Writing
Kill adjectivesMurder your darlingsSlaughter long sentencesExterminate repetitionWhiskey, but only after slaking your bloodlust writing
Continue readingmark a rayner: More plaudits for The Fatness
NEW YORK, NY – On June 3rd, New York Times bestselling author CJ Lyons announced The Fatness won in the humor category of the annual IndieReader Discovery Awards (IRDAs). The announcement was made at BookExpo America (BEA), a major publishing trade show. This is the second literary award the satirical novel has
Continue readingmark a rayner: Silver IBPA Benjamin Franklin Award for The Fatness!
Hey, hey, The Fatness won a Silver in the humor category of the 30th annual IBPA Benjamin Franklin Award™ These awards aren’t well-known generally, but they’re quite prestigious and valuable indicators of quality. The Independent Book Publishing Association (IBPA) has more than 3,000 members, and is the largest publishing trade
Continue readingmark a rayner: Review: My Hands Were Clean
Tom Bradley is one of those writers who sends me running to the dictionary. That is praise and damnation at the same time, but more of the former. Because like John Fowles, who also does this to me, I’m always impressed by the precision and rightness of the word in
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