Genre Thoughts

Short Little Difficult Books

Novels that challenge with style, story, or form that you can read in a day.

Nov 18 •

The Counter Craft Halloween Horror Writing Guide

🚨New book announcement! 🚨Plus, unlocking bone-chilling articles from the archives

Oct 31 •

The Grand Ballroom Theory of Literature

On literature as an unending conversation, genres as dialogues, and writing as adding your voice to the chat

Aug 18 •

Is Your Worldbuilding Up To Code?

On the infinite ways to build cities, realms, worlds, and galaxies

Jul 4 •

Fairy Tales Before Fantasy Become Tropes

On the weird and surreal magic of old fairy tales

May 19 •

The Age of Genre Bending, Blending, and Juxtaposing

Thoughts on the most important literary trend of the last 25 years, and novels that juxtapose different genres side by side.

May 6 •

Writing Terror into Your Horror

Some October horror writing advice to curdle blood and tingle spines

Oct 4, 2024 •

Dune Names Are Good, Actually

On language, names, and worldbuilding

Mar 2, 2024 •

Underpinning Your Horror in the Uncanny

Some craft tips on evoking the eerie in fiction

Oct 19, 2023 •

Some Surreal Books from Around the World

A reading list for fans of the dreamlike, nightmarish, and downright bizarre

Sep 26, 2023 •

Fear of the Surreal

On David Lynch, surrealism, and hating art that "makes you feel weird."

Aug 31, 2023 •

Fantastic Modes; Or, Is Magical Realism Just Urban Fantasy?

On the differences and similarities between surrealism, fabulism, contemporary fantasy, and etc.

Aug 25, 2023 •

#nojs-banner { position: fixed; bottom: 0; left: 0; padding: 16px 16px 16px 32px; width: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; background: red; color: white; font-family: -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"; font-size: 13px; line-height: 13px; } #nojs-banner a { color: inherit; text-decoration: underline; } This site requires JavaScript to run correctly. Please turn on JavaScript or unblock scripts