Category Archives: Inspirational

Fictional Heroes and Personal Transformation

  Here is a new essay by me, published online for the first time at The Atlasphere. It presents the reasons — now backed by empirical psychological studies — why fictional heroes provide us not “mindless escapism,” but are actually … Continue reading

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Vince Flynn, R.I.P.

  I’m devastated to learn, and saddened to report, that Vince Flynn — one of my all-time favorite thriller authors, and one of my all-time most-admired people — has just died at the tragically young age of 47. If there … Continue reading

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Hugh Howey: Self-Publishing Is the Future

  Folks, even if you aren’t interested in self-publishing, you’ll want to read “Self-Publishing Is the Future — and Great for Writers,” by self-publishing superstar Hugh Howey, writing in Salon. This terrific piece of persuasive writing is a wonderful tribute … Continue reading

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Hugh Howey: Profile in Courage and Individualism

Here is an inspiring story of one man’s courage to stick by his guns against an entrenched establishment and decades of stale traditions; to refuse sell his soul and his long-term rational self-interest, even for over a million bucks; and … Continue reading

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Indie Author Joe Konrath Sells 1 Million Ebooks

  Back in 2010, when I was first contemplating the idea of writing and self-publishing novels, two bloggers were most influential in prompting me to take the plunge. One was Robin Sullivan, wife of bestselling fantasy author Michael J. Sullivan. … Continue reading

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Book Review: THE STORYTELLING ANIMAL

  As both a nonfiction author and a bestselling novelist, I’ve pondered certain puzzles for decades. Why do people find certain ideologies and philosophies appealing, but not others? Why do we so often hold to our points of view dogmatically, … Continue reading

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My Latest Personal Interview

I’ve just been interviewed by Denise Wy in her blog “Successilism,” devoted to publishing success stories from people in different walks of life. It is probably the longest, and undoubtedly the most probing and personal, interview I’ve yet conducted with … Continue reading

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Interview with Suspense Author Allan Leverone

  Allan Leverone is a 2012 Derringer Award winner for excellence in short mystery fiction and the author of four novels. These include the Amazon Top 25 overall bestseller THE LONELY MILE  (StoneHouse Ink), as well as the thriller FINAL … Continue reading

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Are We “Homo Narrans”?

                  Are we humans Homo sapiens — or Homo narrans? I’ve written elsewhere about the under-appreciated power of stories or “Narratives” in our lives — especially in political and social persuasion. Now, … Continue reading

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Interview with Thriller Author J. Carson Black

  J. Carson Black is the author of three short stories and thirteen novels, including the critically acclaimed Laura Cardinal series, recently optioned by Winkler Films/Sony Television. Since April of 2011, her books have sold over 300,000 copies. Her first … Continue reading

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