Reading Books by Problematic Authors

Books
Written By Chris Well

YouTuber The Artisan Geek offers a well-measured, thoughtful approach to how and when to read and discuss books by problematic authors.

Featured
Remembering Brian Wilson with The Flintstones
Remembering Brian Wilson with The Flintstones

Pop music legend Brian Wilson wrote so many amazing songs. But I’m here to talk about “This Isn’t Love”—the song he wrote for the 2000 movie The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas.

When Death Came to Discworld—and Never Left
When Death Came to Discworld—and Never Left

How the Grim Reaper became a regular character carrying his scythe across the fantasy landscape of Sir Terry Pratchett's Discworld books. “There were so many outrageous things done in the name of fantasy. I thought ‘It’s time to have a laugh at it now’.”

Remembering Star Trek author and comics legend Peter David (1956-2025)
Remembering Star Trek author and comics legend Peter David (1956-2025)

Sad to learn that writer Peter David has died, following years of health complications His memorable stories starred genre heroes from Star Trek, plus Spider-Man, Supergirl, Babylon 5, and more.

Reading comic book ‘Joe Golem: Occult Detective’ in one omnibus
Reading comic book ‘Joe Golem: Occult Detective’ in one omnibus

For fans of supernatural detective stories, the comic book collection Joe Golem: Occult Detective Omnibus features a mash-up with a hardboiled detective dealing with some very dark supernatural problems that threaten the world.

Wait—Catherina Steel invented goblin martial arts? And what MG fantasy ‘Vanishings’ is (also) about
Wait—Catherina Steel invented goblin martial arts? And what MG fantasy ‘Vanishings’ is (also) about

Catherina Steel kicks off her MG fantasy series The Wythic Wood Mysteries with the spellbinding adventure Vanishings. In our interview, we discuss what pulls us readers into these magical worlds. Plus how the author has created a brand-new kind of martial arts! From goblins!

Toho vs. Marvel for ‘Godzilla Destroys the Marvel Universe’ comic book event
Toho vs. Marvel for ‘Godzilla Destroys the Marvel Universe’ comic book event

This 5-issue event calls for all hands on deck as Godzilla is set to fight the combined might of the entire Marvel Universe—including the good guys AND the bad guys!

Revisiting ghost story Mapping the Interior by Stephen Graham Jones
Revisiting ghost story Mapping the Interior by Stephen Graham Jones

Horror luminary Stephen Graham Jones pulls readers on a spine-tingling journey through a young boy’s haunted home with a new edition of Mapping the Interior. Find out more about the book and learn more about the author.

Frank Gorshin—those episodes with Star Trek, The Munsters, and (of course) Batman
Frank Gorshin—those episodes with Star Trek, The Munsters, and (of course) Batman

Celebrating the birthday of actor Frank Gorshin (1933-2005), my list of what we might watch for a “Frank Gorshin Festival.” Including details about these classic TV episodes.

Where All Can You Find Ultraman Today? (Lots of Places)
Where All Can You Find Ultraman Today? (Lots of Places)

Japanese superhero Ultraman is more accessible than ever. There’s the brand-new streaming channel, two crossover comic books, plus novelizations from an award-winning author.

How TNG’s Wil Wheaton is giving spec fiction authors their Big Bang
How TNG’s Wil Wheaton is giving spec fiction authors their Big Bang

The legend is using his nerd power to help authors find their audience. “You’re going to meet authors you don’t yet know you love, including some who are being narrated for the very first time.”

Chris Well

Chris Well been a writer pretty much his entire life. (Well, since his childhood.) Over the years, he has worked in newspapers, magazines, radio, and books. He now is the chief of the website Monster Complex, celebrating monster stories in lit and pop culture. He also writes horror comedy fiction that embraces Universal Monsters, 1960s sitcoms, 1980s action movies, and the X-Files.

https://chriswell.substack.com/
Previous

Jeaniene Frost: Complete Night Huntress series in order
Next

Flashback: PLANET OF THE VAMPIRES (1965)