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Laugh-Out-Loud Absurd Humor
Dancer on the Ceiling is a collection of humorous short stories featuring offbeat characters who dwell within unique storylines. What inspired you to write this anthology?
I’ve loved laugh-out-loud absurd humor ever since I was a teenager and read Woody Allen’s prose in the New Yorker. I wanted to create stories in that spirit. Inspiration was also provided by S. J. Perelman, Lewis Carroll, Roald Dahl, Douglas Adams, The Goons, and Monty Python.
Was there anything from your own life that you put into the characters in your collection?
Moths ate my cashmere sweater. Other than that, nothing was consciously drawn from my life. It’s likely the stories contain unconscious references from my life, but I’d rather not examine them too closely. I’m thinking specifically about the chimp story.
Do you have a favorite among the stories?
A character that stands out as the most fun to write for? I love Derek Organ, the private investigator. He’s in three stories.
What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available?
I’m writing a full-length novel, a comic caper story in the spirit of Donald Westlake’s Dortmunder stories. Look for it in 2024.
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Dancer on the Ceiling: More Darkly Humorous Tales
Dive into a whirlwind of imaginative absurdity with Dancer on the Ceiling, the third collection of short stories by the gifted Mark Nutter. This anthology promises readers a captivating journey through tales sprinkled with the most unexpected characters—from clowns and chimps to mysterious dwellers beneath tables. Each narrative unravels unpredictably, making it a thrilling expedition from start to finish.
Nutter’s dynamic writing style, both peculiar and fluid, ensures an engaging experience. Each story, whether focusing on a quirky case of mistaken identity, tales of forgotten war heroes better left unremembered, or crime escapades in the old West, is presented with a dash of the unpredictable. No topic is off-limits in this vibrant collection!
With the exception of a few recurring characters, most tales stand alone, perfect for those fleeting moments when you need an entertaining escape. The seamless narrative flow, coupled with the inherent intrigue of what Nutter might craft next, also makes it tempting to devour the entire collection in one indulgent sitting. Beyond the words, each story paints a vivid mental picture, as delightful to imagine as they are depicted on the pages. Mastering the art of writing the absurd is no mean feat, but Nutter accomplishes it with finesse and flair in this collection.
Dancer on the Ceiling stands out as a uniquely refreshing literary piece in its unabashed embrace of the eccentric. The stories seem to be born from Nutter’s audacious challenge to himself to envision the most outlandish scenarios—and he undoubtedly succeeds. Unpredictable, perfectly paced, and wittily penned, this collection establishes Mark Nutter as an author worth exploring further. If you’re seeking a literary adventure that dances between whimsical and weird, look no further.
Pages: 188 | ASIN : B0CJ47VC49
LITERARY TITAN 