Anthony Aycock

50 Years of Stephen King

Fifty years ago, King's first novel, Carrie, was published. No one could have predicted what came next.

The Weirdness of Ambrose Bierce

Bierce left an indelible mark on American literature, even if he's mainly remembered for just one famous story...

Make Room! Make Room! For Harry Harrison!

An appreciation for the creator of the Stainless Steel Rat, Bill the Galactic Hero, and other sci-fi marvels.

Desperately Seeking Sources

On the value of encountering difficult, sometimes explicit, material.

The Spy Who Shushed Me

How the government is removing our right to read in private

10 Banned Books That May Surprise You

Sensible or outrageous? You decide

It's Been Ten Years Since I Published My First Book

What have I learned?

Dissecting the Dark Delights of Dexter

Are the books or TV series better? Doesn't matter. What matters is the endlessly fascinating character of Dexter Morgan.

Twenty Years of the Children's Internet Protection Act

Probably the only time a government got censorship right.

The Largely Forgotten Book Ban Case That Went Up to the Supreme Court

Library book bans are fueling national fights. But only one such case has ever ended up before the Supreme Court.

Looking For Your Next Favorite Writer?

Don't myth out on Robert Asprin

Before Book-Banning Wave, the FBI Spied on People's Library Activity

Recapping the Cold War-era FBI Library Awareness Program.

How Libraries Became Refuges for People With Mental Illness

The Argentine writer Jorge Luis Borges is often credited with saying that "Paradise is a library." He must not have meant a downtown public library, circa 8 p.m.

Why Can't I Call My Trans Child by His New Name?

On transformation--his, mine, and ours.

What Happens When A Preacher's Daughter Gets an Abortion

We all think we know what decision we’d make. Then reality intervenes.

Why I've Never Tasted Alcohol and Am Not About to Start

I am afraid of the one thing everyone wants from alcohol — to become someone else.

How to Appreciate an Exploding Cigar

A look back at Peter De Vries, the funniest writer you've never heard of

Don't Be Hard to Get Along With

How to maintain classroom standards without being a jerk

Growing Up PK

Review essay of books by and about preachers' kids

Literary Letters

Correspondence as art

Deep Structure

A story of survival

An Interview with David Grann

The author of Killers of the Flower Moon discusses his method, his materials, and being an “opessimist.”

An Interview with Bart Ehrman

The author of Misquoting Jesus discusses his writing process, his faith journey, and why truth matters in the age of coronavirus.

An Interview with Felicia Day

The actress and author discusses creativity, the writing process, and why she hates bra shopping

An Interview with Jim Butcher

The Harry Dresden creator discusses fan fiction, his origins and influences, and how he nearly came to blows with Patrick Nielsen Hayden.

A Conversation with Nathaniel Philbrick

The author of In the Heart of the Sea talks writing, Moby-Dick (he's read the novel a dozen times), and whether he plans to give up writing for acting.

Ichibancon 2018 Con Report (including Interview with Dante Basco)

The Hook and Avatar star discusses anime, poetry slams, and the joy of working with Robin Williams.

Triad Anime Con 2017 Report (including Interview with Johnny Yong Bosch)

The veteran of anime and Power Rangers reflects on his career, fan fiction, and his band Eyeshine.

A Conversation with Erik Larson

My talk with the bestselling author of Dead Wake, Isaac's Storm, and The Devil in the White City.

Interview with John Scalzi

Rhode Island Comic-Con 2015 Report (with an interview with Chris Claremont)

An interview with THE Chris Claremont. 'Nuff said!

Dogs of War: Bronwen Dickey on Pit Bulls

Wizard World Comic Con Raleigh 2015 Report! (Including an Interview with Kevin Sorbo)

The Hercules star riffs on writing, acting, his personal faith, and the strangest thing (or, rather, things) he's been asked to autograph.

Wizard World Chicago Comic Con 2014 Report! (Including an Interview with Lou Ferrigno)

The original Hulk actor discusses his career, his fans, and why a human Hulk can smash CGI.

IndieReader

A collection of my IndieReader book reviews

Day of the Dead: Bloodline

Night falls in an unnamed American city. Couples are out walking. Workers are driving home. A girl calmly rides her bicycle. And zombies are attacking.

6 Plots

I want to play a game. The game is to count how many classic horror films were mimicked in the making of the Australian thriller 6 Plots.

The Witch

Blair Witch redux? Not exactly. Still, it's a worthy film.

The Accidental Law Librarian

The book I wish I'd had when I became a law librarian.

Writing Personal Essays

I have taught this elective since 2022.

Academic Writing

I have taught ENGL 101, Academic Writing, since 2011.

Get Your Story Straight: The Basics of Legal Research

A webinar in which attendees learned to research court cases, understand legal terms, and make sense of civil or criminal procedures.