Book Review: Funerals to Die For

Funerals to Die For: The Craziest, Creepiest, and Most Bizarre Funeral Traditions and Practices Ever by Kathy Benjamin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I stumbled upon this book while doing research for a non-fiction article I was writing. Figuring that it might describe some obscure funeral customs that I could further research for my article, I gave it a shot.

It didn't have anything related to my article, but it certainly was enjoyable. The anecdote of British TV presenter Victoria Coren's run-in with people who attend funerals of people they don't know just for free food and drink (Google it), the story of record-setting hearse processions (deliberately, to try to set a new record), a description of what happens to some of your internet life after you die, and examples of humorous epitaphs (including show biz ones) were some of my favorites.

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Snowbound, with Zombies Now Available for Kindle

Snowbound, with Zombies, a collection of 22 short supernatural stories inspired by the life and works of John Greenleaf Whittier, is now available for Kindle.

My short story, "The Fortune Teller," is in there, along with stories from Samuel T. Pickard, John M. McIlveen, Peter Rawlik, Christopher Golden, Scott T. Goudsward, Celia Thaxter, Stuart Conover, W.H. Pugmire, Roxanne Dent, Ken Faig, Jr., Judi Calhoun, Tracy L. Carbone, K.H. Vaughan, Joseph A Citro, Kristi Petersen Schoonover, Karen Dent, Hannah Gonsman, David Bernard, Michelle Souliere, Gregory L. Norris, John G. Whittier, and Faye Ringel.

Order it from the Amazon Kindle Store

Book Review: How to Keep Writing with a Full Time Job

How to Keep Writing with a Full Time Job by K.A. Laity
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

K. A. Laity (actually, Dr. Laity -- she has a PhD in Medieval Studies) knows how to write, and how to write a lot. As she noted, "I wrote my novel Pelzmantel while I was writing my dissertation on Old English, Old Norse and Old Irish. I wrote The Mangrove Legacy as a 500-word-per-week serial that ended up over 100,000 words long. I’ve written academic works at the same time as I’ve been writing genre fiction. So keep in mind, I speak from the perspective of being a very busy woman with a demanding job, important relationships and a desperate need for idleness and fun."

This eminently readable eBook helps you push through your blocks to writing, make writing a priority, and actually do it.

Whether you're a new writer who has no idea where to start or a practiced writer who's lost the trail, this book can help you get on track.

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