Does MOCKINGJAY Suck? Plus, Bid on Signed First Editions of My Books (for Charity!)

Two items of note: First, I’m auctioning off some signed first editions of the three books in the Russel Middlebrook series for charity (a LGBT scholarship). Check it out (and make a bid) here. Second, I have an essay in a new book, just out, called The Girl Who Was on Fire (edited by Leah [...]

Advice for Writers: Are You Writing “Dessert” or “Broccoli”?

As long as I can remember, I’ve divided the movies, books, and TV shows I consume into two kinds of projects: “dessert” and “broccoli.” Dessert is the kind of project I can’t wait to read or watch — and the kind that leaves me breathless and enraptured and totally entertained when I do. These projects [...]

Ask the Brain: I’m a Teen with Homophobic Parents — Do I Come out? Plus, is Tokenism Okay?

Ask the Brain is a column where readers can ask me advice about love, life, writing, and, well, just about anything. My massive, all-powerful brain will deign to grant an answer. Either that, or I’ll just pull something out of my ass. Speaking of which, do you have a question for the brain? Ask it [...]

Whoa! THE LAST CHANCE TEXACO is Free! (For a Limited Time)

What’s this? The e-version of my 2004 novel The Last Chance Texaco is free? Yup, that’s right — for limited time anyway. And for what it’s worth, this is one of the most popular books I’ve ever written — at least in terms of fan letters and sales (it sold tens of thousands of copies!). [...]

Advice to Authors: Stereotypes Are Your Enemy — But Also Your Friend!

If you’re a writer, you’ve heard it again and again: avoid stereotypes! And it’s really good advice. First, it’s just plain boring when your characters act in a predictable, stereotypical fashion — when gay guys are snappy dressers with bitchy comebacks, when black women are always sassy, when disabled or autistic kids are always brilliant [...]

Ask the Brain: I Think a Friend’s Boyfriend is Cheating — Do I Tell? Plus, Should I Have Come Out to the Pervy Mexican Cabby?

Welcome to the first installment of what I hope will be a regular feature on this website: Ask the Brain, a column where readers can ask advice about love, life, writing, and, well, just about anything. Speaking of which, do you have a question for the brain? Ask it here! (Be sure and include the [...]

Wait. When Did SPLIT SCREEN Become DOUBLE FEATURE?

Wait. Didn’t my book Double Feature: Attack of the Soul-Sucking Brain Zombies/Bride of the Soul-Sucking Brain Zombies (the third book in the Russel Middlebrook series) used to have a different title? It did! It was originally published by HarperCollins back in 2007 as Split Screen (with the same “zombie” subtitles). So why does it have a [...]

Advice to Authors: Alas, You Have Almost No Say in How Well Your Book Will Do

I’ve traditionally published nine books with major publishers (with more forthcoming), and I’m often asked by aspiring writers, “What can I do to make sure my book is a success?” There’s certainly a lot an author can do, especially in this Internet Age. But will it necessarily make your book a success? That’s a whole [...]

Do Women Care Less About Plot Than Men?

An acquaintance, who happens to be a film critic, recently told me how much she enjoyed Albert Nobbs, the new movie set in the past where Glenn Close’s character has to pretend to be a man. I hated the movie. I thought it was a total failure on almost every level (except, perhaps, Close’s show-y, [...]

How I Learned to Love E-Publishing (and How It’s Totally Freaking Me Out!)

Truthfully? I was dubious about e-publishing. Not as a reader. I love my e-reader — in fact, I now much prefer to read books electronically. But I’ve been a full-time writer of fiction for well over ten years now (with another ten years of “paying my dues” before that), and let’s just say: I’m used [...]