Sold “The Honeymoon’s over to
Dirk Quigby’s Guide to the Afterlife Review
Written by Morgue Anne
Dirk Quigby’s Guide to the Afterlife by E.E. King is not for people who believe that their religion is ‘the one true faith’. It’s not for people who think that books about religion can’t be funny, and it’s certainly not for people who can’t laugh about something and still take it seriously. If you are one of the few remaining people in the world who has a funny bone remaining in your body, or if your favorite South Park episodes are the ones that tell you the history of Scientology or Mormons than I can’t recommend this book enough.
Dirk Quigby is an average guy. So average, in fact, that it’s almost boring. He has an office job, no girlfriend, no real religious affiliation. He just sort of…is. That is until he accepts an offer from the Devil to travel to all the different afterlives and write a travel guide (Think ‘Handbook for the Recently Deceased’ meets ‘Not for Tourists’). Given a “Press Pass” of sorts implanted into his retinas, Dirk is taken through each of the hundreds of thousands of afterlives – heavens, hells, purgatorys, and worlds that can only be described as “other” – and gives a 5-star rating system for things such as Perks, Food, Drink, Music, Accommodations, and Entry Requirements to each. This is about when his life starts to turn around – being magically sucked into hoses, beer bottles, and hair dryers, Dirk gains a little self confidence, an angel of a girlfriend, and a whole lot of all-expense paid vacations to exotic locals.
It’s clear that E.E. King did a fair bit of research for his novel, and it may trick you into learning a thing or two about other religions. I found it really interesting that Rastafari condemns the drinking of milk, coffee, alcohol, and soft drinks, and will reach no end of amusement telling that to the next crowd of teenagers of obvious Irish decent who proudly wear their red, yellow, and black hats on their heads and carry a starbucks cup in their hand. There’s a lot of other amusing and useful information, and unless you’re a serious scholar you are bound to learn something.
There are moments reading ‘Guide to the Afterlife’ when you wish it was just that – a humorous guide to various afterlives without this whole Dirk Quigby character. But then he grows on you, and you find yourself wondering what he’s going to do next, what will happen with his girlfriend and his boss (who really is the Devil) when he ends up in the next life after death. I still wish the guide entries were longer, but it didn’t take long for me to enjoy the story. By the end (which I won’t give away), everything fell together like a big karmic puzzle from God.
This is a great book for anyone who wants a crash-course in world religions but doesn’t want to be bored about it. E.E. King does a fantastic job making the reader laugh as well as learn, and gives us a guide I think everyone should read in order to help find out what afterlife is right for you.
Ojai Writers’ Conference features Distinguished Master Writing Teachers from Los Angeles and Elsewhere
E.E. King – Thursday, June 28 “Tweet Your Poems” – Using Social Media to Broadcast Your Poems Across the Planet
When a day, a weekend or even a week just wasn’t enough time to showcase its roster of distinguished writing experts or the wealth of literary talent in the Ojai area, the Annual Ojai Writers’ Conference decided to devote an entire month to offering writing workshops.
Ojai Summer Writers Workshops kicks off Friday June 1 and runs through Saturday June 30. Ojai will host Master Writing Teachers from some of the nation’s most esteemed writing programs as well as shine the spotlight on local literary talent.
Prize-winning Los Angeles author and teacher, E.E. King (Dirk Quigby’s Guide to the Afterlife, Real Conversations with Imaginary Friends) Improvisation teacher, Comedian, Biologist and Artist, E.E King will teach you how to look for the extra in the ordinary using improvisation techniques. She will help you distill the unique into tweetable poems to draw readers to you.
“We’re thrilled to host some of the best writing teachers on the planet” says Sequoia Hamilton, founder and Ojai resident, “Our uncompromising commitment to showcasing quality teachers is what makes our writing conference and workshops distinct.”
“The locations all over the valley, the select writing experts and the varied festivities were intentionally chosen to provide a quaint, unhurried and rich experience for local and visiting writers,” says Hamilton “and the attendance will be limited to keep the workshops intimate and engaging.”
Workshops range from $99 – $499 or attendees can purchase an all-access month pass for $1,499. Topics offered ranged from Memoir to Screenwriting to Business aspects of Writing. Authors and writers of all skill level are invited to attend.
“June in Ojai will be 30 days of cultural decadence,” adds Hamilton, “We’ll offer professional writing workshops and an eclectic mix of literary events such as Open Mic Poetry Jams, Well Red – a ‘Writers & Wine’ pairing, and a ‘Book Tea’ benefiting the Ojai Library. Writers can also enjoy The Music Festival, The Wine Festival, The Lavender Festival and other vibrant community events. There’s no other place on earth I’d rather be in June than in my own hometown of Ojai.”
For further details, call (805) 669-7373 or visit www.OjaiWritersWorkshops.com
a $50 off coupon for anyone who wants to Enroll in Poetry Bootcamp
Visit here:http://ojaiwritersconference.wordpress.com/instructors/evie-king/
WRITE.E.E. King
Hear E.E. King on
AUTHORS FOR JUNE 2012 ON LACITYVIEW-CH 35
“CONNIE MARTINSON TALKS BOOKS” AIRS AND STREAMS
3:00 PM AND 11:30 PM MON – SAT WWW.LACITYVIEW.ORG
6/5 E.E.KING “REAL CONVERSATIONS WITH IMAGINARY FRIENDS”
Live at the ANNUAL AUTHORS FORUM with CONNIE MARTINSON Guest Authors:
E.E. King
Ann Redisch-Stamper
Susan Sherman
Fred Weintraub
Sunday, June 10, 2012
2:00 pm
Kaufman Brentwood Branch Library
11820 San Vicente Boulevard
In a late celebration of National Library Week, the Friends of the Library will host the annual Authors Forum with Connie Martinson, well-known TV and columnist book critic.
Connie will interview and discuss with the authors their books:
Real Conversations with Imaginary Friends
by
E.E. King,
Where It Began by Ann Redisch-Stampler,
The Little Russian by Susan Sherman, and
Bruce Lee, Woodstock and Me by Fred Weintraub.
Please join us! Admission is free. Copies of the books will be available for purchase and signing by the authors.
For more information, call 310-472-0163 .
“Book Tea” to Benefit Ojai City Library and Recognize
Outstanding Volunteerism in Literary Arts, Saturday June 23
(Ojai, CA – May 21, 2012) Anyone who loves books and believes in libraries is invited to attend a festive Tea to benefit the Ojai Library on Saturday, June 23 from 10 to 11:30 am. “Book Tea” will raise funds for the library and honor four writers whose passion for the written word has spurred them on to incredible acts of volunteerism. The Tea will take place at The Well, 214 W. Aliso St. in Ojai.
“The Ojai Library is grateful for the support,” said Mary Lynch, city librarian. “Our book budget was cut by 65% this fiscal year so any donations will go to buy new books.”
During the Tea, awards for “Outstanding Volunteerism in Literary Arts” will be presented to Connie Martinson of the cable television show “Talks Books”; Kate Sexton president of Ventura Country Writers Club; and Doc and Zoe Murdock volunteer writing teachers.
Los Angeles-based Connie Martinson will be honored for her 30+ years of dedication to promoting public libraries and for interviewing authors about their books on her cable television “Talks Books.” She recently gifted the Claremont Graduate University nearly 3,000 videos amassed since the show debuted in 1979. Interviews and exchanges include George Plimpton, Norman Mailer, Joyce Carol Oates, Rosa Parks, Walter Mosley, Al Gore and many more. Known for her eye for up-and-comers, more than a decade ago she chatted up a young Chicagoan named Barack Obama about his memoir “Dreams From My Father.”
“These individuals are literary gems,” stated Sequoia Hamilton, founder of the Ojai Writers Conference, which hosts the awards. “They give passionately and tirelessly in support of literary arts in Southern California and libraries. It’s our privilege to recognize these distinguished writers and support our local Library.”
Tickets are $30 each and include a buffet of lavender-infused scones, organic fruit, honey and jams from local Ojai growers and Zhena’s Gypsy Teas. Organization and businesses are encouraged to sponsor a table, which seats six. Sponsored tables are $250.
The event will be followed by an afternoon of literary lectures, panel discussions and writing sessions. Cost to attend all of the events during the 1-day Ojai Writers Conference, 10 am-6 pm, is $149. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit: www.OjaiWritersConference.com/booktea
Ojai Writers Conference 1-Day Event, Saturday June 23:
Morning: Book Tea benefiting Ojai Library
4-5 “Crafting Short Stories – Lessons Learned from Ray Bradbury and My Father’s Weekly Writing Group” with E.E. King
ANNUAL AUTHORS FORUM with CONNIE MARTINSON and Guest Authors:
E.E. King
Ann Redisch-Stamper
Susan Sherman
Fred Weintraub
Sunday, June 10, 2012
2:00 pm
Kaufman Brentwood Branch Library
11820 San Vicente Boulevard
In a late celebration of National Library Week, the Friends of the Library will host the annual Authors Forum with Connie Martinson, well-known TV and columnist book critic.
Connie will interview and discuss with the authors their books:
Real Conversations with Imaginary Friends
by
E.E. King,
Where It Began by Ann Redisch-Stampler,
The Little Russian by Susan Sherman, and
Bruce Lee, Woodstock and Me by Fred Weintraub.
Please join us! Admission is free. Copies of the books will be available for purchase and signing by the authors.
For more information, call 310-472-0163.
BIO: E.E. King’s has published many short stories. Ray Bradbury calls her tales “marvelously inventive, wildly funny and deeply thought provoking. I can not recommend them highly enough.”When I published my first story in 2005 for Biscuit press I got to lecture on “The American Short story.” (I was the keynote speaker… because I was the only Yank there…I actually lectured on MY American short story, since every one’s is different. Hemingway’s would have a lot of dead animal and whiskey…mine not so much… (well…maybe some whiskey )…
The funny part (not funny ha ha funny hum hum) is that I will be lecturing as part of the Distinguished authors series the 28th (OK maybe that is funny ha ha) on…. guess what You’re right… The (My) American short story and how to use fact in fiction (maybe how to become totally obsessed with non-relevant facts would be a more accurate, if less catchy title)
http://ojaiwritersconference.wordpress.com/instructors/evie-king/
–
E.E. King
Elizabeth Eve King
http://www.elizabetheveking.com
