Happy New Year, writers and would-be writers! As you prepare to get a fresh batch of literary masterpieces on paper for the new year, these are some of writer/editor/book reviewer Erin O'Riordan's articles from the year past to provide inspiration.
January: My Favorite Weird Fiction of 2010
February: Attracting More Reviews For Your Books
March: Great Books For Women's History Month
April: Review of The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson
May: Review: The Strangest Book I've Ever Read
June: The Art of the Anagram
November: Two Articles for Aspiring Writers
Showing posts with label book reviews. Show all posts
Showing posts with label book reviews. Show all posts
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Sunday, May 1, 2011
The Strangest Book I've Ever Read (by Erin O'Riordan)
A week or two ago, if you had asked me what the strangest book I've ever read was, I probably would have answered, "Christopher Priest's The Prestige." If you've seen the film version, directed by Christopher Nolan and brilliantly acted by a cast including Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Hugh Jackman and David Bowie, you have some idea of the strangeness of that novel. Some, but not all. In a distinctively English way, Priest took the idea of turn-of-the-century dueling stage magicians to places I never could have imagined...and keep in mind I read the novel after seeing the film.
I think we have a new winner, though. The title of strangest book I've ever read must now go to The Sacred Book of the Werewolf by Victor Pelevin. Pelevin, one of the finest contemporary Russian writers, released the book in his native language in 2005. It was released in English in 2008, translated by Andrew Bromfield.
Werewolf is narrated by A Hu-Li. Apparently, the Russian translation of her name is "So F---ing What," though in the original Chinese it means "A Fox Named A."
A Hu-Li is a werefox, but she's so much more than that. She's 2,000 years old, one of a sisterhood of werefoxes from ancient China. These foxes are a kind of energy vampires, using prostitution as a cover to feed off the sexual energy of men. Through a kind of hallucinogenic effect they produce with their fox-tails, A Hu-Li and her sisters never actually have to touch these men. A Hu-Li is, in fact, a 2,000-year-old virgin.
For the first time in her extremely long life, A Hu-Li is faced with the prospect of falling in love. She goes a little too far with a client who offends her; her imaginary whip draws real blood. This arouses the suspicions of an SVR (what used to be the KGB) officer named Alexander. Alexander is a werewolf. He may be Fenrir, the wolf from Norse mythology who, at the end of time, catches the sun and devours it. The two were-creatures are drawn to each other. By twining their tails together, they can act out any fantasy imaginable in their minds.
A Hu-Li has a sister who lives in England, with a husband who's obsessed with esoteric magic and believes in the coming of a super-werewolf. Alexander is convinced he is the super-werewolf, and together he and A Hu-Li embark on a strange journey through their own minds, over which they discuss the meaning of existence itself.
My favorite quote is this one: "The energy that serves for the conception of life does not belong to people. Entering into the act of love, a human being becomes a channel for this energy and is transformed from a sealed vessel to a pipe that is connected for a few seconds to the bottomless source of the life force. I simply require access to that source, that's all." Don't we all?
I think we have a new winner, though. The title of strangest book I've ever read must now go to The Sacred Book of the Werewolf by Victor Pelevin. Pelevin, one of the finest contemporary Russian writers, released the book in his native language in 2005. It was released in English in 2008, translated by Andrew Bromfield.
Werewolf is narrated by A Hu-Li. Apparently, the Russian translation of her name is "So F---ing What," though in the original Chinese it means "A Fox Named A."
A Hu-Li is a werefox, but she's so much more than that. She's 2,000 years old, one of a sisterhood of werefoxes from ancient China. These foxes are a kind of energy vampires, using prostitution as a cover to feed off the sexual energy of men. Through a kind of hallucinogenic effect they produce with their fox-tails, A Hu-Li and her sisters never actually have to touch these men. A Hu-Li is, in fact, a 2,000-year-old virgin.
For the first time in her extremely long life, A Hu-Li is faced with the prospect of falling in love. She goes a little too far with a client who offends her; her imaginary whip draws real blood. This arouses the suspicions of an SVR (what used to be the KGB) officer named Alexander. Alexander is a werewolf. He may be Fenrir, the wolf from Norse mythology who, at the end of time, catches the sun and devours it. The two were-creatures are drawn to each other. By twining their tails together, they can act out any fantasy imaginable in their minds.
A Hu-Li has a sister who lives in England, with a husband who's obsessed with esoteric magic and believes in the coming of a super-werewolf. Alexander is convinced he is the super-werewolf, and together he and A Hu-Li embark on a strange journey through their own minds, over which they discuss the meaning of existence itself.
My favorite quote is this one: "The energy that serves for the conception of life does not belong to people. Entering into the act of love, a human being becomes a channel for this energy and is transformed from a sealed vessel to a pipe that is connected for a few seconds to the bottomless source of the life force. I simply require access to that source, that's all." Don't we all?
Friday, February 18, 2011
Attracting More Reviews For Your Book
Writing a book and getting it published is a lot of work, but it’s only the beginning. Once the book is published, the marketing begins. One of the best ways to generate good word of mouth and increase your book’s visibility is to gather honest reviews.
Here are a few resources you can use to find quality book reviewers.
1. Examiner.com Though Examiner operates throughout the U.S. and Canada, many of its writers create local content. Find your local book or arts Examiner, or the Examiner who writes about your subject area, online. Visit his or her profile; many Examiners post links to personal websites through which you can get in touch with them. Find out if they’ll review and rate your book for Examiner.com. The writers often have a following of subscribers who receive e-mails about all their posts.
2. BloggerLinkUp Three times a week, BloggerLinkUp e-mails go out to subscribers. These e-mails include products for review. To call for reviews for your book, all you need to do is sign up at the BloggerLinkUp website, then fill out a brief submission form. Interested reviewers will get back to you via e-mail.
3. Gather.com Originally created as a social networking site for and by writers, Gather members place a strong emphasis on original written content. It’s easy to find readers on Gather, and many are willing to write reviews. Gather is also free, can be used (to a limited extent) for self-promotion, and rewards users with points that can be redeemed for gift cards or PayPal payments.
4. Author Meeting Place Advertising on this site is free. Reviews by AMP’s volunteer staff are also free if you’re willing to have your book placed at the bottom of the queue. Expedited reviews are available for a fee.
5. Writers Marketing Group Blog There are many Yahoo groups that can link you up with book lovers and reviewers. This one is especially for writers to exchange guest posts on one another’s blogs. It’s a good place to find a book to review in exchange for the author’s review of your book.
6. Reviews4Reviews Reviews4Reviews also allows you to choose from free and paying options, and is another place where authors can meet and exchange reviews.
7. Writer Gazette blog Author Krista Barrett maintains a list of reviewers and also accepts calls for reviews.
8. Manic Readers Manic Readers is also designed to connect writers and readers, and offers a variety of advertising options.
“Attracting More Reviews For Your Book” is a guest post by Erin O’Riordan. Erin writes the Pagan Spirits book blog.
Here are a few resources you can use to find quality book reviewers.
1. Examiner.com Though Examiner operates throughout the U.S. and Canada, many of its writers create local content. Find your local book or arts Examiner, or the Examiner who writes about your subject area, online. Visit his or her profile; many Examiners post links to personal websites through which you can get in touch with them. Find out if they’ll review and rate your book for Examiner.com. The writers often have a following of subscribers who receive e-mails about all their posts.
2. BloggerLinkUp Three times a week, BloggerLinkUp e-mails go out to subscribers. These e-mails include products for review. To call for reviews for your book, all you need to do is sign up at the BloggerLinkUp website, then fill out a brief submission form. Interested reviewers will get back to you via e-mail.
3. Gather.com Originally created as a social networking site for and by writers, Gather members place a strong emphasis on original written content. It’s easy to find readers on Gather, and many are willing to write reviews. Gather is also free, can be used (to a limited extent) for self-promotion, and rewards users with points that can be redeemed for gift cards or PayPal payments.
4. Author Meeting Place Advertising on this site is free. Reviews by AMP’s volunteer staff are also free if you’re willing to have your book placed at the bottom of the queue. Expedited reviews are available for a fee.
5. Writers Marketing Group Blog There are many Yahoo groups that can link you up with book lovers and reviewers. This one is especially for writers to exchange guest posts on one another’s blogs. It’s a good place to find a book to review in exchange for the author’s review of your book.
6. Reviews4Reviews Reviews4Reviews also allows you to choose from free and paying options, and is another place where authors can meet and exchange reviews.
7. Writer Gazette blog Author Krista Barrett maintains a list of reviewers and also accepts calls for reviews.
8. Manic Readers Manic Readers is also designed to connect writers and readers, and offers a variety of advertising options.
“Attracting More Reviews For Your Book” is a guest post by Erin O’Riordan. Erin writes the Pagan Spirits book blog.
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