Category:
Writers

The Murder of Vivian Gordon As Explained by Mystery Writers



You can read the true crime story details at The Smithsonian Magazine site. But for the explanations from fiction writers, see below. I think police in 2024 should adopt this tactic. "So, Stephen King, how would you solve the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum theft?"





Posted By: Paul - Fri Jan 05, 2024 - Comments (0)
Category: Amateurs and Fans, Crime, Writers, 1930s

And the Villain Still Pursued Her; Or, The Writer’s Dream (1906)



The movie in questions starts at minute 32:00.

Essay about it here.

And the Villain Still Pursued Her; Or, The Writer’s Dream joins that rarified company of “What in the name of heaven did I just watch?” films.

Posted By: Paul - Sat Oct 09, 2021 - Comments (2)
Category: Dreams and Nightmares, Movies, Surrealism, Writers, 1900s

The Rain

The film shows Marcel Broodthaers trying to write while the rain constantly washes away the ink. In the final scene, during which the artist gives up and drops his pen, the inscription “Projet pour un texte” (Project for a text) appears.

Is that actually rain, or is someone spraying him with a hose?

Posted By: Alex - Mon Dec 21, 2020 - Comments (1)
Category: Performance Art, Absurdism and Dadaism, Writers, 1960s

Sobriety, sobriety, sobriety…

They thought forcing him to write would teach him sobriety, and yet so many writers are alcoholics.

Indianapolis Star - Oct 23, 1933

Posted By: Alex - Sun Apr 08, 2018 - Comments (3)
Category: Crime, Writers, 1930s

Follies of the Madmen #281

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Those puny digits of females--how can they even grasp a writing instrument?

Original ad here.

Posted By: Paul - Sun Apr 24, 2016 - Comments (12)
Category: Business, Advertising, Products, Writers, 1960s, Men, Women

Who Are You?

Edward Packard invented the "Choose Your Own Adventure" genre, which made him a good living -- and still does. According to wikipedia, he recently started a company to bring Choose Your Own Adventure apps to the iPhone and iPad. Packard may also have caused an entire generation of kids to be confused about their identity:

Posted By: Alex - Thu Mar 01, 2012 - Comments (4)
Category: Literature, Books, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Writers

The Adventures of Mark Twain



We had some weird Zappa claymation not too long ago. Now we get some based on the work of Mark Twain.

Disregard the label on the clip above. It's really an excerpt from this full-length film.

Part 1 of the whole film follows:

Posted By: Paul - Wed Mar 16, 2011 - Comments (3)
Category: Literature, Fantasy, Writers, Religion, 1980s

Hot Stuff and Old Forky

As we observed in this prior post on Harvey Comics, the stories told about Richie Rich, Casper and the gang were frequently weirder than any Grant Morrison or Warren Ellis tale. Here's one from Devil Kids Starring Hot Stuff, Volume 1, Number 6, May 1963, that illustrates my point. You can read the entire five-page story at the end, but I've included some single panels to make my points.

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First, we learn that Cupid inhabits the same universe as Hot Stuff and friends. Nothing like mixing your mythologies up. In any case, Cupid hexes Hot Stuff's trident--or phallic symbol--known as "Old Forky," to become gay.



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Gay anthropomorphic trident on display.



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Unwanted Public Display of Affection.



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Hot Stuff's gay trident attracts unwanted queer suitors.



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Including a giant grape wearing an extremely fetching hair ribbon and spats.



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But Cupid realizes his error and undoes his spell, whereupon all is "he-man" regular again. Even though Old Forky's first action upon reverting was to impale Hot Stuff's butt.

They just don't write 'em like this any more.


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Posted By: Paul - Fri Apr 02, 2010 - Comments (2)
Category: Sexuality, Comics, Fantasy, Writers, 1960s, LGBT, Curses

Towel Day: May 25

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For those of you who are not already aware, May 25 is Towel Day, a celebration of the life and literature of Douglas Adams, author of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
If you want to see some pictures of froods in the know, they have their own group on Flickr

Posted By: fyshstyxx - Sun May 24, 2009 - Comments (2)
Category: Aliens, Armageddon and Apocalypses, Holidays, Literature, Science Fiction, Writers

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Who We Are
Alex Boese
Alex is the creator and curator of the Museum of Hoaxes. He's also the author of various weird, non-fiction, science-themed books such as Elephants on Acid and Psychedelic Apes.

Paul Di Filippo
Paul has been paid to put weird ideas into fictional form for over thirty years, in his career as a noted science fiction writer. He has recently begun blogging on many curious topics with three fellow writers at The Inferior 4+1.

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