David Erik Nelson

David Erik Nelson is an American author and journalist known for writing both fiction and nonfiction works across multiple genres. His technical writing includes instructional books on maker projects and DIY technology, while his fiction spans speculative fiction and horror. Nelson's work has appeared in various publications including The Colored Lens, Asimov's Science Fiction, and Fantasy & Science Fiction Magazine. His novella "There Was a Crooked Man, He Flipped a Crooked House" received recognition as a finalist for both the Shirley Jackson Award and the Nebula Award. His maker-focused books include Snip, Burn, Solder, Shred and Junkyard Jam Band, which provide detailed guidance for DIY technology and musical instrument projects. These works reflect his background in both technical writing and hands-on creation. Nelson continues to write across genres while maintaining involvement in the maker community. His short fiction regularly appears in various science fiction and horror anthologies and magazines.

Readers praise Nelson's clarity in technical writing and creative world-building in fiction. His DIY project books receive high marks for detailed instructions and practical approaches. One Amazon reviewer noted that "Snip, Burn, Solder, Shred" offers "perfect balance between technical detail and accessibility." For fiction, readers highlight his ability to blend horror and sci-fi elements. A Goodreads reviewer described "There Was a Crooked Man, He Flipped a Crooked House" as "mind-bending yet grounded in human emotion." Common criticisms include: - Project costs higher than indicated in DIY books - Some technical explanations too complex for beginners - Fiction stories sometimes end abruptly Ratings across platforms: - Goodreads: Average 4.1/5 (across all works) - Amazon: "Snip, Burn, Solder, Shred" - 4.3/5 - Amazon: "Junkyard Jam Band" - 4.4/5 - Short fiction collections vary between 3.8-4.2/5 Note: Limited review data available due to smaller readership compared to mainstream authors.

Snip, Burn, Solder, Shred (2010) A project guide containing step-by-step instructions for 24 DIY projects including musical instruments, toys, and computer hardware.

Survival Guide: The Franklin Files (2007) A young adult novel following teenager Blake Thompson as he deals with supernatural occurrences in his hometown.

One Rainy Night in Iowa (2011) Short horror story about a truck driver who encounters strange phenomena at an isolated truck stop.

Tucker Teaches the T-Square (2010) Short science fiction story about an AI teaching assistant who becomes self-aware.

There Was a Crooked Man (2012) Horror novella featuring a small-town police officer investigating a series of unexplained disappearances.

Make: Getting Started with Raspberry Pi (2015) Technical guide explaining the basics of working with Raspberry Pi single-board computers.

Jeff VanderMeer writes ecological science fiction that blends biological horror with psychological suspense. His Southern Reach trilogy and Borne series explore themes of environmental transformation and human-creature relationships.

Paolo Bacigalupi focuses on near-future scenarios involving environmental collapse and societal adaptation. His works like The Windup Girl and Ship Breaker examine resource scarcity and technological solutions.

Nick Harkaway combines elements of science fiction with contemporary issues and complex technological concepts. His novels The Gone-Away World and Angelmaker feature intricate plots about scientific experimentation and its consequences.

Charles Yu creates metafictional narratives that play with time, reality, and identity. His work How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe explores parallel universes and father-son relationships through the lens of time travel.

Ted Chiang writes precise, concept-driven science fiction that examines scientific principles and their human impact. His short stories focus on linguistics, mathematics, and technology while maintaining focus on character relationships.