Jeff VanderMeer et al. - Booklife: Strategies and Survival Tips for the 21st-Century Writer

One of the things that sets VanderMeer apart is his embrace of technology and media. His online presence is considerable and includes a number of web sites, frequent blogging, a short film adaptation of his novel Shriek (including collaboration with pop rock band The Church), his Alien Baby photo project and even a project involving animation via Sony PlayStation. Wired.com

Jeff VanderMeer has written a fascinating book on managing a writing career, including promotion, use of new media, career paths, resources, networking, conventions, and not incidentally! balancing all of this with actual writing. Recommended for anyone who writes, wants to write, or has written and now wonders what to do next.
Nancy Kress, bestselling author of Write Great Fiction

A brilliant writer! New York Times bestselling author Peter Straub

Many books tell us how to write, but Jeff VanderMeers Booklife tells us how to be an Author. VanderMeer made me think, question my own path, and make plans for a more focused move forward.

Mur Lafferty, host and creator of the podcasts Geek Fu Action Grip and I Should Be Writing

Who better than VanderMeer, master of the blogosphere and online innovator, to guide us through the burgeoning, oft breathtaking realm of new media. Jeff helps you hunt down the vast advantages provided by social networks, blogs, podcasts, and the like. And the best part is the silly pith helmet is optional. If youre a writer who knows how to use a computer, then this book is for you.

Joseph Mallozzi, Executive Producer, Stargate SG-1

Jeff VanderMeers Booklife is a frank, revealing, riveting manual by a writer for writers, not simply on how to be a better wordsmith, but on how to be a better human being. Ill be recommending it to all my writing students. I dont know how to praise a book more sincerely than that. Minister Faust, the BRO-Log

VanderMeer has struck a new sort of balance with the Internet: charming his dedicated fan base on the web, creating multimedia promotional tools for his books, and actively seeking out new readers like me in the digital crowds. One of my favorite writers.

The Publishing Spot

VanderMeer may be creating the dominant literature of the 21st century.

The Guardian

JeffVanderMeers book will rock your writers socks off! Ive long marveled at Jeffs mad alchemist-like techniques of creation, promotion, and artistic survival through his artful navigation of brambly networks of writers, artists, musicians, historians, hatmakers, bloggers, booksellers, reviewers, and fans. To steal a line from an Eddie Izzard stand-up act, No one can live at that speed VanderMeer lives at that speed and makes it look effortless and fun! Leslie Ann Henkel, publicist, Abrams Books

Jeff VanderMeer has written a smart practical jungle-guidebook for the wilds of 21st century publishing its incredible pressures, joys, poisons, and, most importantly, the dangers of a false sense of control. Floaty creative types prepare to be taken to task. Julianna Baggott, author of Girl Talk

One of the most literary fantasy writers or fantastic literary writers weve got working these days, take your pick.

Ron Hogan, Mediabistros GalleyCat

Booklife is to authors in todays publishing climate what Writers Market was fifteen years ago: essential. A well-organized, lucid guide to social networking, blogging, and the art of being an author in the age of Twitter. Jeff VanderMeers advice on maintaining ones focus in an era of unfettered public access to the artists private life comes from his own hard-won experience; hes been a writer at-home-on-the-web since before most of us had websites. With excellent additions by Matt Staggs and others, Booklife is a worthwhile addition to any writers bookshelf.

Michelle Richmond, NYT Bestselling author of The Year of Fog

Jeff VanderMeer is everywhere. Hes in your house, frightening your cat. Hes on your lawn, and even John McCain cant get him to leave. Hes applying the poisonous glands of his tongue to the paint of your vintage Chevy. Hes scaling the side of the New York Times building (theyll arrest them when he comes down, but HELL NEVER COME DOWN!). Hes engorged in the Grand Canyon, entombed in Grants Tomb, and impaled on the Space Needle. Hes in the middle of the worlds largest ball of twine. Hes a roving mercenary who kills to earn his living (and to help out the Congolese). He put the bang in Bangkok and the joy in New Joysey. John Waters wanted to make a film about him, but was too disgusted. Harriet Klausner has never had anything good to say about him. Osama bin Laden considered endorsing him, but said even he didnt hate Western culture that much.

And now youre taking him home with you.

Matthew Cheney, the Mumpsimus