Ethan Rose and his wife Christine are the authors of the award-winning urban fantasy novel Rowan of the Wood
First of all let me confess that I have an affliction. I am an inveterate reader. I read all the time whenever and wherever I can. If there is not some reading material in my hand, then it is probably in my pocket or within 10 feet of me at all times. I keep extra books stashed in my truck in case of emergencies. When you see a guy reading in the checkout line or while stopped at a traffic light, that is me. I have gone so far as to read a phone book when nothing else is available. I am incorrigible. Because of this, I have discovered some gems I never would have otherwise. In all honesty however, I cannot recommend the phone book.
I have found some very enjoyable reading in some rather unusual places. Back in the early nineties, I used to read a small newspaper called simply “The Rag.” It was a monthly paper put out by an individual who just had to write, regardless of the financial drain the paper actually represented. He would distribute it freely around town wherever he could, mostly laundromats and waiting rooms. He would charge five dollars for a classified ad. The money this brought in almost paid for the printing.
He would write all the articles himself on anything and everything that caught his fancy. His writing was interesting, insightful, and off the wall, but more than anything else, delightfully funny.
Another free publication I have quite enjoyed over the years was published at Burning Man. It was called the “Spock Science Monitor.” It was put out daily during the event by a group of hillbillies who, if I remember correctly, also brewed up something they called hyper-whiskey. Probably as a result of this, they sometimes missed a day. The stories seem to be serious civic issues, but they were handled in a very dry-humored, misinformation propagating way. The results were quite hilarious. Their back issues are posted on their website at http://www.smrl.org/ssm.html . Parental discretion is advised.
My most recent discovery is a tiny magazine published in Austin, Texas called “Space Squid.” It is produced by a group of Austinites and features short short stories of a science fiction nature. The stories are both funny and unique. They also have comics and other fun silliness. It is a publication I would recommend to anyone who can get there hands on it. I first came upon this gem while visiting the Nebula Awards held in Austin last year. It is an event worth attending for the reading material alone. You can find out more about them at www.spacesquid.com .
So, for all those readers out there who enjoy good writing wherever it is found, keep an eye out for those free publications, no matter how small, because the kind of person who just has to write regardless of compensation may have something more valuable to offer than the cookie cutter books climbing the commercial charts.
Happy reading!
Please check out Ethan and Christine’s new book Rowan of the Wood – YA fantasy novel National Best Books 2008 Awards FinalistAfter a millennium of imprisonment in his magic wand, an ancient wizard possesses the young boy who released him. When danger is nigh, he emerges from the frightened child to set things right. Both he and the boy try to grasp what has happened to them only to discover a deeper problem. Somehow the wizard’s bride from the ancient past has survived and become something evil.
Watch the Book Trailer at http://www.rowanofthewood.com/trailer.html
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