Category Archives: Uncategorized

Click here to read a satirical approach to the post-9/11 concept of “terrorism” in Everybody’s Dictionary. Then you can click here to read a short story about conspiracy theories, ranging from the Romans, Alfred Dreyfus and China to Unit 731, opium and President Bush’s grandfather, in Conspiracy. Happy reading!

Judith over at Leeswammes’ Blog has got a Literary Giveaway Blog Hop underway. Aside from being a voracious reader, she’s an awesome blogger who reviews more books than Carter has pills. And now she’s giving away two copies of A Father’s Son, which she reviewed  in September.

Click here to visit her blog and enter the contest for a free signed copy of my novel – sent to you wherever in the world you may find yourself – and then take some time to see what else she’s reviewed, as her taste in literature is about as eclectic as they come.

Who doesn’t like free stuff? Well, from November 3-10, I’m giving away three copies of A Father’s Son for free. That’s right, folks! You heard it here first. FREE! Just click here and then click on the “Enter to win” tab when you’re on the site. At the end of next week, three winners will be chosen randomly by goodreads.com. Then I’ll send out a signed copy to each winner. Good luck!

I’ve just posted my two latest short stories on Wattpad. To check out the one taking a satirical look at the publishing world (and dedicated to all editors and agents), click here for A Novel Idea. For word lovers and Scrabble freaks, click here to read <word nerds>. Happy reading, and don’t forget to vote if you enjoy the story!

Wattpad is a Canadian-based site that’s awesome for readers, especially those who like short stories and poetry. Although it’s been around since 2006, it’s really picked up steam in the last couple of years (Margaret Atwood is now on board for a set of poetry awards called the “Attys”). You can post as often or infrequently as you like, create your own cover art (or upload originals) and interact with millions of fellow readers/writers.

I’ve recently started to post my short stories on Wattpad and will continue to add one story a week for the next few months. Click here to see my latest entry, “Men Gone Mad,” or click here to see my first short story, “The Language of Love.” If you like a story, please vote for it by clicking on the star icon in the  upper right-hand corner.

Happy reading!

I petition the CBC to have self-published books and e-book originals written by Canadian citizens considered for nomination in the Canada Reads program. The current policy, which only allows for literature produced by “traditional publishers,” is anachronistic, unfair, and serves as yet another protectionist measure for established publishers in an industry that already institutes countless obstacles for independent writers and artists to overcome.

If the aim of Canada Reads is to indeed showcase the best our country has to offer in this field, then allow Canada’s readers the last word in whom they nominate. Do not limit which books they can or cannot support based on the name of their publisher.

The theme of Canada Reads 2014 is to “look for a novel that has the power to inspire social change in Canada.” I believe that very same theme begins by meeting the humble request of this petition.

Richard H. Harris
Toronto, Ontario
October 8, 2013

I love what Stephen King did in his book On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft when it came to the editorial process. Instead of just telling us what he does, he showed us how painstaking it can be with images from a manuscript of his and all the stuff that goes on behind the scenes before that great story lands in a reader’s hands. And that inspired me with an idea: The Evolution of a Novel. I’ve kept every draft of A Father’s Son since I first started writing it in 2006. After going through them over the last couple of days, even I was blown away at how much just one scene (the opening paragraph) has changed over the seven years it took for the novel to reach publication. Please click here to see a portion of the “time-lapse novel” come to life…

Finally! Pictures from the monumental book signing at Chapters on John St. from Sunday, September 15! While I’d like to say the event was held to celebrate the release of a novel, it’s pretty damn clear from the photos that the kids stole the show. Thank you so, so, so, so much to everyone who came down to support the cause – and for getting their children excited about books!

It took some highbrow finagling. It took some in-person visits. But in the end, 8 bookstores in the downtown Toronto area have agreed to carry A Father’s Son. Depending on where you find yourself, please support local businesses and visit Chapters (142 John St.), Coles in the Beaches (2169 Queen St. E.), Circus Books and Music (866 Danforth Ave.),  RE: READING (548 Danforth Ave.) or any of the four great Book City locations (Annex, Beaches, Danforth, Yonge/St. Clair).

Reviews will kick your ass. They’ll question what you put into a piece. They’ll ask the tough questions about things you’re most sensitive about. And in the end, they’ll stand as a barometer of what you accomplished. Judith, who reviews upwards of 20 books a month and is an online legend, was kind enough to read my book and provide a thorough review. I’ll let her statements carry the day at this point…

“You know I read a lot and that I get more books offered for review than I can possibly read. So, I’ve become very picky. Especially when it comes to self-published books, as they can be of varying quality. It’s hard to tell, sometimes. Anyway, I’m glad to say: I got it right with this one!”

“I loved how Justin, at 14, was portrayed as an insecure boy who is brave enough to do the things he needs to do to keep going. Public speaking, getting a very early morning job, phoning his girlfriend when he thought they might be breaking up, getting in touch with his mother. An understated hero.”

“This was a very good read and there is no way you could distinguish it from a traditionally published book. Why it was self-published? I have no idea. It ticks all my boxes for a good book, so if it’s been to several publishers first, they were crazy not to accept this. There!”

And there it is. The first review.