Category Archives: Writing

Literary Illustration

Posted on January 28, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

There is a long history of utilizing maps as a mode of literary illustration. The current exhibition Landmarks: Maps As Literary Illustration at Harvard’s Houghton Library in Cambridge, Massachusetts brings together a wonderful collection of more than sixty literary maps of places … Continue reading →

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Effective Dreams

Posted on January 25, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

I was saddened to read this week of the death of the legendary writer Ursula K. Le Guin. One of America’s literary greats of the 20th and 21st centuries, she was also an inspirational feminist pioneer and steadfast opponent of … Continue reading →

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Happy 200th Anniversary Frankenstein

Posted on January 7, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

This week marks the 200th anniversary of the publication of Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley’s classic science fiction novel Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus. The teenage author created the iconic tale after the poet Byron challenged her to come up with an original … Continue reading →

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Start As You Mean To Finish

Posted on January 1, 2018 by Brian D. Butler
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Reading List

Posted on December 19, 2017 by Brian D. Butler
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It’s The Thought That Counts

Posted on December 17, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

What’s a writer with limited financial resources to do when the holidays roll around and he wants to send gifts?  For Langston Hughes, during the holiday season of 1950, the answer was to share some of his wit in homemade … Continue reading →

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Escape Velocities

Posted on December 11, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

This week Arizona State University’s Center for Science and Imagination published Visions, Ventures, Escape Velocities: A Collection of Space Futures, a free digital book collection of fiction and nonfiction about space exploration. The free book, which was funded by NASA grants, is … Continue reading →

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A few fomas and some granfaloons

Posted on December 6, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

During my adolescence, I was strongly influenced by reading Kurt Vonnegut’s brilliant novels. His thoroughly original mash-up of science fiction, satire, dark humor, and political commentary resonated with my angsty teen self. Over the years, I’ve collected and sold a … Continue reading →

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December is the toughest month

Posted on December 2, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

“December is the toughest month of the year. Others are July, January, September, April, November, May, March, June, October, August, and February.” Mark Twain

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Here Comes The Book Flood

Posted on December 1, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

Iceland is known around the globe for its spectacular natural wonders, ultra clean environment, dynamic music scene, and hot springs skinny-dipping, but most folks are unaware that it’s one of the most literate nations in the world.Each year, more than … Continue reading →

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