written by Richard Laymon
published by Deadline Press (December 1998)
ISBN: 978-0963136770
reviewed by Ty Schwamberger
09.08.2008
A Writer’s Tale, by Richard Laymon, is unlike any other
book by this late, great author. It is
not only the ultimate Laymon companion, but it is
also a survival guide for aspiring authors.
For whom he dedicated the book to.
Richard Laymon kept notes on everything. He would write down on his calendar when he
sent a manuscript or short story to his agents or a periodical. When a response would come back, whether good
or bad, he would document it and then move on to the next thing on his
plate. He never stopped writing, which
is probably the one single greatest thing he told aspiring authors to do –
don’t stop writing, which is exactly what he did. From these notes, he was able to put together
an autobiographical account of his life and career.
He starts by talking about
the trials and tribulations that an up and coming writer must face if they are
determined to write for a living. He
tells tails of what he went through and tips on how to avoid the same mistakes
he made. Laymon
then tells a detailed account behind each of his published and unpublished
works, where the idea came from, when he started writing it, when he finished,
when it was sent to his agent and how it was perceived. Also included in the book are several early
pieces of fiction and poetry reprinted for the first time since their original
publication.
Unlike Laymon’s
other novels where he splashes the pages with brilliant characterization, gore
and dialog, this one is all true. Which
is why, to the aspiring author or horror fan makes it all that much scarier.
If you enjoyed reading
Stephen King’s, On Writing: A Memior of The Craft, you will lovingly give up your
right arm, leg, head…for a chance to even read
this book, as it is a Signed, Special Edition with only 500 copies in
existence (it has never been reprinted).
If you are lucky enough to find one for sale, it will run you around
$500.00. Yes, that is five-hundred
bones. Fortunately for me, I have the
pleasure of owning one of those said copies and it is the prize of my Laymon collection…one that I would give up a body part to take with me to the grave.