Tuesday, September 1, 2015
The "Earth-God" Saga Continues in the Virtual Pages of Beyond Science Fiction Issue #10!
The next installment in my "Earth-God Saga" titled "A Darker Trinity Arises" is now available to be read here.
Thursday, August 20, 2015
The Power of Fiction to Traumatize the Reader.
I don't think I've ever mentioned this on this site before, but as of this writing, I am employed by two separate but equal libraries. One is located in an affluent, multicultural area while the other is in more working class environs. However, the response to one particular controversial novel's release has been almost the same at both places.
Harper Lee's original draft for the novel that eventually became "To Kill a Mockingbird" has apparently always existed in some form despite its author's fervent desire that it never see print. In that draft, the beloved Atticus Finch (Immortalized by the late, great Gregory Peck in the film version) was a vicious racist and member of the Ku Klux Klan. That's a far cry from the liberal, social justice oriented Finch of the final version.
Prurient interest caused multitudes of readers to place the book on hold at their local libraries. Since July 14, "Go Set a Watchman" has been on constant hold at both libraries where I work. The moment a copy is returned and checked in, a hold slip prints off for the next person. But something interesting has taken place at both locations and, according to one of my co-workers, it has been a rather consistent and ongoing occurrence. Many people are getting as far as holding a copy in their hands before walking up to the circulation desk and asking us to remove their holds. The consensus? "I don't want this book to ruin 'To Kill a Mockingbird' for me."
As someone who has never cared for the novel, who has in fact found it condescending and emblematic of a greater issue I won't discuss here, it's difficult for me to wrap my brain around the idea that people are so enraptured by Lee's final version that what amounts to an alternate history "what if" tale disturbs them so greatly. Perhaps it's because most of them are not speculative fiction readers, meaning they're unprepared for the concept of alternate realities. For them, "Watchman" is capable of wiping out all the perceived good gained from "Mockingbird." For while those who overcome the urge to read the new novel look unhappy, those who have actually read it seem downright traumatized.
"Atticus Finch as a racist?" they say in tones normally reserved for discussions about real-life killers and sex offenders. It is as if the very notion is enough to destroy their concepts of right and wrong. It cannot be denied that Lee created something special in that character. It also cannot be denied, based on admittedly limited observation, that the strongest reactions have come from essentially the same type of person.
As my co-worker said, "I've only really heard those reactions from white folks. I'd love to hear the whole response."
She is not a woman of color, by the way, nor is she particularly fond of Lee's original novel. She's also right. Every single person who has either refused to read "Go Set a Watchman" or read it and been thoroughly horrified has been a white female, and none of them young. That means "Mockingbird" is a book that defined at least two generations of whites, if not more. No doubt the movie helped the novel attain its prominence, but the fact remains: older white women are not happy about this new Harper Lee novel featuring a character many of them probably wished was their father.
That's the sort of response/devotion that tends to go to disreputable scumbags these days such as the title character of E.L. James' ridiculous ode to abusive relationships.
The response from these library patrons, while perhaps a tad over the top, is testament to the power of lasting literature and the ideas it imparts unto its readers. Those mental midgets who decry "message fiction" haven't the slightest idea what they're talking about. All good fiction contains a message and here it is boiled down to its barest essence as put by the late, great Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. whose works impacted me greatly:
Harper Lee's original draft for the novel that eventually became "To Kill a Mockingbird" has apparently always existed in some form despite its author's fervent desire that it never see print. In that draft, the beloved Atticus Finch (Immortalized by the late, great Gregory Peck in the film version) was a vicious racist and member of the Ku Klux Klan. That's a far cry from the liberal, social justice oriented Finch of the final version.
Prurient interest caused multitudes of readers to place the book on hold at their local libraries. Since July 14, "Go Set a Watchman" has been on constant hold at both libraries where I work. The moment a copy is returned and checked in, a hold slip prints off for the next person. But something interesting has taken place at both locations and, according to one of my co-workers, it has been a rather consistent and ongoing occurrence. Many people are getting as far as holding a copy in their hands before walking up to the circulation desk and asking us to remove their holds. The consensus? "I don't want this book to ruin 'To Kill a Mockingbird' for me."
As someone who has never cared for the novel, who has in fact found it condescending and emblematic of a greater issue I won't discuss here, it's difficult for me to wrap my brain around the idea that people are so enraptured by Lee's final version that what amounts to an alternate history "what if" tale disturbs them so greatly. Perhaps it's because most of them are not speculative fiction readers, meaning they're unprepared for the concept of alternate realities. For them, "Watchman" is capable of wiping out all the perceived good gained from "Mockingbird." For while those who overcome the urge to read the new novel look unhappy, those who have actually read it seem downright traumatized.
"Atticus Finch as a racist?" they say in tones normally reserved for discussions about real-life killers and sex offenders. It is as if the very notion is enough to destroy their concepts of right and wrong. It cannot be denied that Lee created something special in that character. It also cannot be denied, based on admittedly limited observation, that the strongest reactions have come from essentially the same type of person.
As my co-worker said, "I've only really heard those reactions from white folks. I'd love to hear the whole response."
She is not a woman of color, by the way, nor is she particularly fond of Lee's original novel. She's also right. Every single person who has either refused to read "Go Set a Watchman" or read it and been thoroughly horrified has been a white female, and none of them young. That means "Mockingbird" is a book that defined at least two generations of whites, if not more. No doubt the movie helped the novel attain its prominence, but the fact remains: older white women are not happy about this new Harper Lee novel featuring a character many of them probably wished was their father.
That's the sort of response/devotion that tends to go to disreputable scumbags these days such as the title character of E.L. James' ridiculous ode to abusive relationships.
The response from these library patrons, while perhaps a tad over the top, is testament to the power of lasting literature and the ideas it imparts unto its readers. Those mental midgets who decry "message fiction" haven't the slightest idea what they're talking about. All good fiction contains a message and here it is boiled down to its barest essence as put by the late, great Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. whose works impacted me greatly:
“Many people need desperately to receive this message: 'I feel and think much as you do, care about many of the things you care about, although most people do not care about them. You are not alone.”
Saturday, August 1, 2015
The "Earth-God" Saga Begins in the Virtual Pages of Beyond Science Fiction Issue # 9!!!
The headline pretty much says it all, but just in case it didn't explain things well enough, the wonderful folks at Beyond Science Fiction have graciously agreed to post at least three stories (although it might run longer) in my ludicrously ambitious "Earth-God" Saga, where a delusional deity struggles with those members of the humanity race who see is true nature.
Read the first installment up in heah!
Read the first installment up in heah!
Wednesday, July 22, 2015
A Tough Year for Writers Who Aren't Well-known.
Judging by me own experience as well as what I'm reading from other writers, 2015 has become the Year of the Rejection Letter. It would seem as if publishers have grown more conservative in their selections of late and don't feel comfortable taking as much risk with less easily accessible material.
Fortunately, I have some good relationships with a few people who are. Case in point, the publishers of Beyond Tomorrow and Beyond Science Fiction have run several of my flash fiction pieces. Now, they have accepted the first of my three-part "Earth-God Saga." News on that story's availability when I know more.
Fortunately, I have some good relationships with a few people who are. Case in point, the publishers of Beyond Tomorrow and Beyond Science Fiction have run several of my flash fiction pieces. Now, they have accepted the first of my three-part "Earth-God Saga." News on that story's availability when I know more.
Thursday, July 2, 2015
"Do-Over" Now Available.
One of the most intensely personal, heartfelt things I've written in quite a while, "Do-Over" is a short story that explores the very nature of choices and destiny at the cosmic/divine level in just over 1000 words.
Read it by ordering your copy of Beyond Science Fiction here.
And here's the issue's cover:
Read it by ordering your copy of Beyond Science Fiction here.
And here's the issue's cover:
Saturday, June 27, 2015
The best example of purple prose, hyperbole and melodrama in years.
I'm not here to discuss the recent supreme court decision regarding same-sex marriage but this guy is all over it with some truly laughable ranting, not to mention an astounding lack of sensitivity:
On this day, June 26, 2015, five justices of the Supreme Court became moral jihadists who blasted the twin pillars of truth and righteousness into rubble.
On this day, June 26, 2015, five justices of the Supreme Court became moral jihadists who blasted the twin pillars of truth and righteousness into rubble.
Thursday, June 25, 2015
Tuesday, June 16, 2015
Talk About Your Mixed Reactions.
"Christopher,
We really appreciate you giving us the opportunity to read your story! After reading and discussing it, we've decided that while we enjoyed it, we can’t use it for the anthology."
Well, I'm glad I could entertain all of you...for free. That's always fun.
Saturday, May 30, 2015
Reprinted Short Story
"The Party," which first appeared here and was pretty much slammed by this guy but deemed worthy of reprinting by these good folks is available in the anthology pictured below:
It can be purchased here.
Monday, May 4, 2015
First Time Available on Kindle!
There was even talk of adapting this one into a short film at one point.
This was/is probably my most twisted and bizarre story to date. Originally published in 2011 by the tragically defunct Static Movement Press, "Toilet Bums" is a novella focusing on childhood fears being realized in the form of hideous creatures living in our sewers.
The best part about the title is it's absolutely hilarious to English-speaking people outside of the U.S., where a bum is what they call a posterior. Here, bums are what we call filthy, no good scoundrels.
Priced at a mere $2.99, this is about as dark and disturbing as a Nadeau joint gets!
This was/is probably my most twisted and bizarre story to date. Originally published in 2011 by the tragically defunct Static Movement Press, "Toilet Bums" is a novella focusing on childhood fears being realized in the form of hideous creatures living in our sewers.
The best part about the title is it's absolutely hilarious to English-speaking people outside of the U.S., where a bum is what they call a posterior. Here, bums are what we call filthy, no good scoundrels.
Priced at a mere $2.99, this is about as dark and disturbing as a Nadeau joint gets!
Friday, May 1, 2015
Latest Short Story
Fresh off the heels of the Kindle release of my novella, "Bill's Little Friend" comes this recently completed and accepted "flash fiction" piece titled "Open Door Policy." The story appears in the latest ish of Beyond Science Fiction, a monthly online publication of quality featuring kick-ass covers by the quiet yet dangerous Larry Lonsby, Jr.
Some may remember his cover for my second novel, Kaiju, which was published by Source Point Press.
This is, I believe, my third time appearing in this zine and I couldn't be happier to once again be working with them.
Here's the Beyond Science Fiction so you may drool:
Some may remember his cover for my second novel, Kaiju, which was published by Source Point Press.
This is, I believe, my third time appearing in this zine and I couldn't be happier to once again be working with them.
Here's the Beyond Science Fiction so you may drool:
Excerpt from the magazine - "From the Editor's Desk":
Open Door Policy by Christopher Nadeau is a super short piece, though it evokes a sense of horror rarely found in flash fiction.
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