Adam-Troy Castro

Writer of Science Fiction, Fantasy, Horror, and Stories About Yams.

 

FAQ: “I’ve Never Read Your Work! Where Should I Start?”

Posted on August 25th, 2017 by Adam-Troy Castro

The question posed in the title is actually a pretty common one. Folks like my online persona or think I’m a great guy at conventions, and think I’m likely a pretty good writer, but want an entrance point.

The answer is, “It depends what you like.”

You see, by inclination and design I have never been a writer who stuck to his genre. I have done hard science fiction, violent and upsetting horror, children’s books, and jokey romps. As a result, I have constituencies among my readers who only know me for the one thing and who would never think of venturing as far as other stuff I’ve done. There are folks who think my Spider-Man novels are the best things I’ve ever done and the best I’m ever likely to do, and I may disagree heartily, but it’s not an argument I can win, not with them. It’s part of the price of the way I run my career. So is having to answer this question as a series of If-Then Statements.

This website has a complete bibliography, regularly updated, but if you want some additional guidance.

If you want a quick sampling of my science fiction or fantasy, go to Lightspeed Magazine, which has a bunch of my stories up, in both text and audio.

If you like horror, here is a similar list of my Horror which can be found at its sister publication, Nightmare Magazine.

My single best book, as far as I’m concerned, is the short-story collection Her Husband’s Hands And Other Stories.  It’s a tough and frequently upsetting book, and so I do not recommend that it be read at one sitting.

If you want the most sheer fun of any fiction I’ve written, I suggest you start with the middle-grade series that begins with Gustav Gloom and the People Taker.

27 Responses to "FAQ: “I’ve Never Read Your Work! Where Should I Start?”"

  1. I saw the start of the question and was thinking it would read “I’ve Never Read your Work! Where Should I State in the Loudest Terms That I’m Not Interested in Anything You Might Write?”

  2. I get that, too.

    Usually from trolls who have just spent a couple of hours flinging shit who also want me to know that they would never, ever.

  3. I had a feeling that would be the case. They don’t know what they’re missing.

  4. The usual response at that point is, “I am not surprised.”

  5. Adam-Troy Castro I’ve been able to reply to “I’ll never read anything you wrote” with “And that’s why Baskin-Robbins makes 31 flavors.”

  6. I will not read your fucking FAQ.

  7. Sorry. Could not resist.

  8. Tried. Couldn’t.

  9. Aw. FAQ you.

  10. Someone called?

  11. HA!

  12. See the problems you create by not sticking to the SF&F genre. 😉

  13. Next one’s a mainstream thriller.

  14. Oh no! More creative diversion! (But if it creates something that is turned into a movie…)

  15. I understand Harlequin is always on the lookout for new authors.

  16. Thanks a lot.

  17. Adam-Troy Castro Only if you’re looking for a new genre to try!

  18. Just go on Amazon, or the book seller of your choice, and buy everything you can find.

  19. I adore Gustav Gloom 🙂

  20. Thank you!

  21. That’s similar to what I have on my own website FAQ too.

  22. I’d love to try Andrea Cort, but the novels aren’t available on Kobo, or at the Toronto Public Library, or at the Merril Collection, which SHOULD have them. *sigh

    I did just buy 3 short things from Kobo, although I have a feeling the president one may have been a mistake, since I’m not fond of horror.

  23. Night of the Living Potus is more tongue in cheek political satire than horror.

  24. Thank you. I’d have started anyway, but now I’m more comfortable about it.

  25. More Andrea ebooks including the novels will be available within a few months, next prtoject after I finish current novel.

  26. @Josh Olson: I see what you did there… #applause

  27. @Adam-Troy: Unlike Josh Olson, I did read (and will utilize it when making recommendations to others) your f@#$ing FAQ! Thanks for providing it!

    P.S. Josh…I have this script I think you mi–uhhh…no, no…never mind. 😉

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