<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[RSS Feed]]></title><description><![CDATA[RSS Feed]]></description><link>http://direct.ecency.com</link><image><url>http://direct.ecency.com/logo512.png</url><title>RSS Feed</title><link>http://direct.ecency.com</link></image><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Sun, 17 May 2026 06:23:16 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="http://direct.ecency.com/@gportman/rss" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[6 Nihilistic Works of Fiction]]></title><description><![CDATA[Nihilism Definition: A philosophical doctrine that suggests the lack of belief in one or more reputedly meaningful aspects of life. Most commonly, nihilism is presented in the form of existential]]></description><link>http://direct.ecency.com/writing/@gportman/6-nihilistic-works-of-fiction</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://direct.ecency.com/writing/@gportman/6-nihilistic-works-of-fiction</guid><category><![CDATA[writing]]></category><dc:creator><![CDATA[gportman]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 12 Jul 2017 13:14:48 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://i.ecency.com/p/6C2W1azD1rBs8i715pX3pAHYgtGre4Fnbhma4eVeKLae4G989dNdwbk?format=match&amp;mode=fit" length="0" type="false"/></item><item><title><![CDATA[The 9 Books I've Read in 2017]]></title><description><![CDATA[We are half way through 2017 already. Time flies. As is my habit at the half-way point, I am dedicating this blog post to the books that I have read so far this year. The following 9 books are presented]]></description><link>http://direct.ecency.com/reading/@gportman/the-9-books-i-ve-read-in-2017</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://direct.ecency.com/reading/@gportman/the-9-books-i-ve-read-in-2017</guid><category><![CDATA[reading]]></category><dc:creator><![CDATA[gportman]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 30 Jun 2017 12:08:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://i.ecency.com/p/o1AJ9qDyyJNSg3j52kokyfvD831NZXqcdKGg4ToLkWpRB1Tka?format=match&amp;mode=fit" length="0" type="false"/></item><item><title><![CDATA[6 Works of Dark Fiction]]></title><description><![CDATA[Dark fiction is concerned with the sinister side of human nature. It is often distinguished from the mainstream horror genre in that it tends not to be fantasy-orientated. Dark fiction may contain]]></description><link>http://direct.ecency.com/books/@gportman/6-works-of-dark-fiction</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://direct.ecency.com/books/@gportman/6-works-of-dark-fiction</guid><category><![CDATA[books]]></category><dc:creator><![CDATA[gportman]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 28 Jun 2017 19:15:54 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://i.ecency.com/p/o1AJ9qDyyJNSg3j52kokyfvD831NZXpaub4x58WouszHRsB2v?format=match&amp;mode=fit" length="0" type="false"/></item><item><title><![CDATA[7 Works of Dark Fiction]]></title><description><![CDATA[Dark fiction is concerned with the sinister side of human nature. It is often distinguished from the mainstream horror genre in that it tends not to be fantasy-orientated. Dark fiction may contain]]></description><link>http://direct.ecency.com/writing/@gportman/7-works-of-dark-fiction</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://direct.ecency.com/writing/@gportman/7-works-of-dark-fiction</guid><category><![CDATA[writing]]></category><dc:creator><![CDATA[gportman]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 27 Jun 2017 16:37:33 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://i.ecency.com/p/o1AJ9qDyyJNSg3j52kokyfvD831NZXp9jnrdWonWY7yw3gyen?format=match&amp;mode=fit" length="0" type="false"/></item><item><title><![CDATA[20 of Literature’s Funniest Quotes II]]></title><description><![CDATA[Here are 20 more quotes from books that I think are amusing, and I hope you will too. If you’re going to read this, dont bother. After a couple pages, you won’t want to be here. — Choke (opening line)]]></description><link>http://direct.ecency.com/books/@gportman/20-of-literature-s-funniest-quotes-ii</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://direct.ecency.com/books/@gportman/20-of-literature-s-funniest-quotes-ii</guid><category><![CDATA[books]]></category><dc:creator><![CDATA[gportman]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 09 Jun 2017 18:33:33 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://i.ecency.com/p/o1AJ9qDyyJNSg3j52kokyfvD831NZY7Vf5ieLQu9ELxqAgHnE?format=match&amp;mode=fit" length="0" type="false"/></item><item><title><![CDATA[20 of Literature’s Funniest Quotes]]></title><description><![CDATA[Previously I have dedicated posts to quotes about reading, writing and publishing. This week it is the turn of quotes from literature. Here are 20 quotes from books that I think are amusing, and I hope]]></description><link>http://direct.ecency.com/writing/@gportman/20-of-literature-s-funniest-quotes</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://direct.ecency.com/writing/@gportman/20-of-literature-s-funniest-quotes</guid><category><![CDATA[writing]]></category><dc:creator><![CDATA[gportman]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 29 May 2017 15:53:21 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://i.ecency.com/p/8SzwQc8j2KJb4ARrxQxCjX4jizub4U5CAK3WwB89ni8oyuFJ8EGwSspXmLgkKXg9dAx7aLmgZ3c55FCbh7LwZpy4p3i59qR2iDDQT7nBVxKZL77Ufup?format=match&amp;mode=fit" length="0" type="false"/></item><item><title><![CDATA[Check Out these 10 Ludicrous Religious Books]]></title><description><![CDATA[Here are 10 ludicrous religious-themed books. I have added pithy/fictitious comments below each. ]]></description><link>http://direct.ecency.com/humour/@gportman/check-out-these-10-ludicrous-religious-books</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://direct.ecency.com/humour/@gportman/check-out-these-10-ludicrous-religious-books</guid><category><![CDATA[humour]]></category><dc:creator><![CDATA[gportman]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 03 May 2017 18:10:57 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://i.ecency.com/p/o1AJ9qDyyJNSg3j52kokyfvD831NZY7RKoETdqCLRAcfSbuKc?format=match&amp;mode=fit" length="0" type="false"/></item><item><title><![CDATA[7 Famous Drug-Addicted Authors]]></title><description><![CDATA[Hi fellow Steemit members. I hope you find this post interesting. Here are 7 famous drug addicted authors:]]></description><link>http://direct.ecency.com/authors/@gportman/7-famous-drug-addicted-authors</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://direct.ecency.com/authors/@gportman/7-famous-drug-addicted-authors</guid><category><![CDATA[authors]]></category><dc:creator><![CDATA[gportman]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 08 Mar 2017 16:12:12 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://i.ecency.com/p/o1AJ9qDyyJNSg3j52kokyfvD831NZXoQcA5PvkoqWegSJSzRU?format=match&amp;mode=fit" length="0" type="false"/></item><item><title><![CDATA[10 Famous Banned Books]]></title><description><![CDATA[I am devoting this post to a subject that never ceases to fascinate us. In chronological order here are 10 famous books that have been banned:]]></description><link>http://direct.ecency.com/writing/@gportman/10-famous-banned-books</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://direct.ecency.com/writing/@gportman/10-famous-banned-books</guid><category><![CDATA[writing]]></category><dc:creator><![CDATA[gportman]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 06 Mar 2017 19:27:27 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://i.ecency.com/p/o1AJ9qDyyJNSg3j52kokyfvD831NZY8bNbaEkny2mGW8B1bXL?format=match&amp;mode=fit" length="0" type="false"/></item><item><title><![CDATA[15 Curious Literary Terms]]></title><description><![CDATA[The following literary terms might be of interest to my fellow authors and readers. They are presented in alphabetical order. Bibliognost — a person who has a comprehensive knowledge of books and bibliography.]]></description><link>http://direct.ecency.com/writing/@gportman/4zjcan-15-curious-literary-terms</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://direct.ecency.com/writing/@gportman/4zjcan-15-curious-literary-terms</guid><category><![CDATA[writing]]></category><dc:creator><![CDATA[gportman]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 03 Mar 2017 15:09:45 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://i.ecency.com/p/o1AJ9qDyyJNSg3j52kokyfvD831NZXrizoKRzh5HeVAtVD7bU?format=match&amp;mode=fit" length="0" type="false"/></item><item><title><![CDATA[26 Quotes about Books, Reading and Writing]]></title><description><![CDATA[Here are 26 memorable author quotes. I hope they will be of interest to my fellow authors and readers.  Never judge a book by its movie. – J.W. Eagan Few things in life seem more sexy than a banned]]></description><link>http://direct.ecency.com/writing/@gportman/26-quotes-about-books-reading-and-writing</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://direct.ecency.com/writing/@gportman/26-quotes-about-books-reading-and-writing</guid><category><![CDATA[writing]]></category><dc:creator><![CDATA[gportman]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 01 Mar 2017 10:25:24 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://i.ecency.com/p/o1AJ9qDyyJNSg3j52kokyfvD831NZXqd8PjNaAn6TdTDLFyAW?format=match&amp;mode=fit" length="0" type="false"/></item><item><title><![CDATA[If Authors Were Desserts]]></title><link>http://direct.ecency.com/authors/@gportman/8-authors-as-desserts</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://direct.ecency.com/authors/@gportman/8-authors-as-desserts</guid><category><![CDATA[authors]]></category><dc:creator><![CDATA[gportman]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 27 Feb 2017 21:24:45 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://i.ecency.com/p/o1AJ9qDyyJNSg3j52kokyfvD831NZXqFPTeRERo6wBypEwoUr?format=match&amp;mode=fit" length="0" type="false"/></item><item><title><![CDATA[6 Recent and Contemporary Satires]]></title><description><![CDATA[Last week’s post was devoted to historical satires. This week we turn our attention to more recent and contemporary satires.  Click on the links to read my reviews.  ]]></description><link>http://direct.ecency.com/books/@gportman/6-recent-and-contemporary-satirical-novels</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://direct.ecency.com/books/@gportman/6-recent-and-contemporary-satirical-novels</guid><category><![CDATA[books]]></category><dc:creator><![CDATA[gportman]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sat, 25 Feb 2017 22:10:03 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://i.ecency.com/p/o1AJ9qDyyJNSg3j52kokyfvD831NZXorFEjLPYNwxs9HX9t5t?format=match&amp;mode=fit" length="0" type="false"/></item><item><title><![CDATA[6 Historical Satires]]></title><description><![CDATA[This week’s post is dedicated to six of history’s most famous literary satires. There will be a second instalment featuring more recent and contemporary satires next week. Click on the links to read my]]></description><link>http://direct.ecency.com/reading/@gportman/6-historical-satires</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://direct.ecency.com/reading/@gportman/6-historical-satires</guid><category><![CDATA[reading]]></category><dc:creator><![CDATA[gportman]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 20 Feb 2017 10:19:30 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://i.ecency.com/p/o1AJ9qDyyJNSg3j52kokyfvD831NZXrMXFUpFYvUJKrUuz6Bg?format=match&amp;mode=fit" length="0" type="false"/></item><item><title><![CDATA[Check Out these 10 Very Bizarre Books]]></title><description><![CDATA[I always knew there were some bizarre books out there, but I was not aware quite how bizarre until researching this post. Here are 10 books that I consider to be bizarre. I have added pithy comments/fictitious]]></description><link>http://direct.ecency.com/books/@gportman/10-very-bizarre-books</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://direct.ecency.com/books/@gportman/10-very-bizarre-books</guid><category><![CDATA[books]]></category><dc:creator><![CDATA[gportman]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 15 Feb 2017 20:54:48 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://i.ecency.com/p/o1AJ9qDyyJNSg3j52kokyfvD831NZXpwu25UEbebAzwc9dpDL?format=match&amp;mode=fit" length="0" type="false"/></item><item><title><![CDATA[Technical Test]]></title><description><![CDATA[Just testing. Been getting websocket issue messages all day when I try and post. ]]></description><link>http://direct.ecency.com/test/@gportman/technical-test</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://direct.ecency.com/test/@gportman/technical-test</guid><category><![CDATA[test]]></category><dc:creator><![CDATA[gportman]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 15 Feb 2017 20:42:21 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Test]]></title><description><![CDATA[Hello, I am just testing. Been getting this websocket error message every time I try and post today.]]></description><link>http://direct.ecency.com/null/@gportman/test</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://direct.ecency.com/null/@gportman/test</guid><category><![CDATA[null]]></category><dc:creator><![CDATA[gportman]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 15 Feb 2017 20:29:48 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[10 Famous Alcoholic Authors and Their Favourite Drinks]]></title><description><![CDATA[Here are 10 famous alcoholic authors and their favourite beverages:]]></description><link>http://direct.ecency.com/authors/@gportman/10-famous-alcoholic-authors-and-their-favourite-drinks</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://direct.ecency.com/authors/@gportman/10-famous-alcoholic-authors-and-their-favourite-drinks</guid><category><![CDATA[authors]]></category><dc:creator><![CDATA[gportman]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 13 Feb 2017 21:07:21 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://i.ecency.com/p/o1AJ9qDyyJNSg3j52kokyfvD831NZXp9AmTfWi4JHhafr25tJ?format=match&amp;mode=fit" length="0" type="false"/></item><item><title><![CDATA[21 Famous Authors’ Last Words]]></title><description><![CDATA[Here are 21 famous authors’ purported last words. They are presented in chronological order. Voltaire (1694–1778) ­– On his deathbed when asked by the priest to renounce Satan, Voltaire allegedly said,]]></description><link>http://direct.ecency.com/authors/@gportman/21-famous-authors-last-words</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://direct.ecency.com/authors/@gportman/21-famous-authors-last-words</guid><category><![CDATA[authors]]></category><dc:creator><![CDATA[gportman]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sat, 11 Feb 2017 10:03:18 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://i.ecency.com/p/o1AJ9qDyyJNSg3j52kokyfvD831NZY8xwoymcN1TdtErW7GYe?format=match&amp;mode=fit" length="0" type="false"/></item><item><title><![CDATA[7 Famous Writers Who Died Poor]]></title><description><![CDATA[This post is devoted to some of the famous writers who died poor. I hope it will be of interest to my fellow authors and readers alike. Here are 7 famous writers who died poor:]]></description><link>http://direct.ecency.com/authors/@gportman/7-famous-writers-who-died-poor</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://direct.ecency.com/authors/@gportman/7-famous-writers-who-died-poor</guid><category><![CDATA[authors]]></category><dc:creator><![CDATA[gportman]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 09 Feb 2017 22:36:12 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://i.ecency.com/p/4W3i2hyrJTVfeKM2gnkMP78mrW3reAcNumvYk64HGU5Y3umHiNa?format=match&amp;mode=fit" length="0" type="false"/></item></channel></rss>