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William’s Year In Books

William’s 2025 Year in Books

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Joel

532 books | 20 friends

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533 books | 535 friends

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William Dickerson

Goodreads Author

Born

New York, The United States

Website

http://www.williamdickersonfilmmaker.com

Twitter

@wdfilmmaker

Genre

Literature & Fiction, Art, Nonfiction

Member Since

April 2012

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William Dickerson is an award-winning filmmaker, author, musician, and professor. His debut feature film "Detour," which he wrote and directed, was hailed as an "Underground Hit" by The Village Voice, an "emotional and psychological roller-coaster ride" by The Examiner, and nothing short of "authentic" by The New York Times.

His first book, "No Alternative," was declared, "a sympathetic coming-of-age story deeply embedded in '90s music" by Kirkus Reviews. His book on filmmaking, "DETOUR: Hollywood - How To Direct a Microbudget Film (or any film, for that matter)," was called "candidly practical, thoroughly 'user friendly', and an essential instruction guide - especially for independent filmmakers working on shoestring budgets" by Midwest Bo William Dickerson is an award-winning filmmaker, author, musician, and professor. His debut feature film "Detour," which he wrote and directed, was hailed as an "Underground Hit" by The Village Voice, an "emotional and psychological roller-coaster ride" by The Examiner, and nothing short of "authentic" by The New York Times.

His first book, "No Alternative," was declared, "a sympathetic coming-of-age story deeply embedded in '90s music" by Kirkus Reviews. His book on filmmaking, "DETOUR: Hollywood - How To Direct a Microbudget Film (or any film, for that matter)," was called "candidly practical, thoroughly 'user friendly', and an essential instruction guide - especially for independent filmmakers working on shoestring budgets" by Midwest Book Review. William is a graduate of the American Film Institute Conservatory, served on their Alumni Executive Board, and was selected by The White House and AFI to serve as mentor to winners of the White House Student Film Festival under two Presidents of the United States.

His writing has been published by Indiewire, MovieMaker Magazine, Filmmaker Magazine, The Hollywood Reporter's The Wrap, Script Magazine, Talkhouse, and Save The Cat! He adapted and directed the film version of "No Alternative," which was released worldwide. The film stars Kathryn Erbe and Harry Hamlin and was selected as Dances With Films' "Opening Night Feature." The Los Angeles Times called the movie "a remarkably assured and deeply felt grunge-era coming-of-age picture," and Film Threat said it was "a rare indie gem that delivers solidly on all fronts with no missteps."

The movie, which was inspired by Dickerson's band from the 90s, won "Best Soundtrack" at the Paris Art and Movie Awards. His band, Saturday Saints (formerly Latterday Saints), is highlighted on the soundtrack alongside such musical luminaries as: Mudhoney, Lisa Loeb, Superdrag, Moby, sElf, Failure, Sebadoh, and others. The soundtrack was chosen as one of the official releases by Record Store Day 2019. Saturday Saints are signed to Rhyme & Reason Records on which they released their debut album entitled "Anhedonia."

William is also an experienced educator, having taught masters seminars and lectured on the subject of filmmaking at schools such as The American Film Institute, Boston University, Emerson College, California State University Los Angeles, and New York Film Academy. He is currently a faculty member at Hofstra University’s Lawrence Herbert School of Communication and AMDA College and Conservatory of the Performing Arts in New York City. ...more

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William Dickerson's Blog

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Published on September 14, 2025 11:35 • Tags: david-lynch, tao, twin-peaks

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Combine Editions
William Dickerson’s books

Average rating: 3.83 · 204 ratings · 91 reviews · 4 distinct works • Similar authors

	No Alternative 3.58 avg rating — 96 ratings — published 2012 — 4 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Detour: Hollywood: How To Direct a Microbudget Film - Or Any Film, For That Matter 4.29 avg rating — 59 ratings — published 2015 — 5 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Tao of Twin Peaks: The Meaning Behind David Lynch's Hit TV Series by William Dickerson (Goodreads Author), Gilbert Leiker (Illustrator) 4.12 avg rating — 25 ratings — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Dreamachine 3.42 avg rating — 24 ratings — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

* Note: these are all the books on Goodreads for this author. To add more, click here.

William is Currently Reading

William Dickerson is currently reading

Man and His Symbols

by C.G. Jung

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Jun 21, 2025 02:16PM

William Dickerson is currently reading

Meditations

by Marcus Aurelius

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Mar 23, 2025 07:30AM

William Dickerson is currently reading

Post Office

by Charles Bukowski

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Mar 23, 2025 07:29AM

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William’s Recent Updates

William Dickerson is now friends with Jamison Spencer
Jan 19, 2026 04:28PM · like
William Dickerson liked Craig Madey's review of The Tao of Twin Peaks: The Meaning Behind David Lynch's Hit TV Series: "Full Disclosure (two points): Aside from limited social media posts, I have not undertaken a “deep dive” into any previous critical analysis of Twin Peaks. Secondly, I was provided a copy of the book to read and potentially review. As a Twin Peaks fa" Read more of this review »
Oct 17, 2025 11:48AM · see review
William Dickerson rated a book really liked it Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art by James Nestor	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Sep 15, 2025 01:55PM · like
William Dickerson is now following Abner Rosenweig and Carlos Sandoval
Sep 14, 2025 11:59AM
William Dickerson finished reading Room to Dream by David Lynch	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Aug 20, 2025 09:26AM · like
William Dickerson is now following Garrett Zecker Author of The New Guard Volume IX
Aug 14, 2025 07:25AM · like
William Dickerson is now following Jemiah Jefferson Author of Voice Of The Blood (Voice of Blood, #1)
Aug 11, 2025 02:23PM · like
William Dickerson made a comment in the group Goodreads Librarians Group — This Book Is Mine But Listed Under A Different Author topic " Also, just to follow-up, how long does it take for these changes to be reflected? When I open my author dashboard, this book is not included with my b ...more "
Aug 03, 2025 03:27PM
William Dickerson joined the group Goodreads Librarians Group
Aug 01, 2025 05:05PM · like

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Quotes by William Dickerson (?)

“If you have ten grand, set a date and move forward. If Tom Hanks calls you on Sunday and tells you he wants to be in the film, if he’s not there Monday morning, you’re shooting without him.”
― William Dickerson, Detour: Hollywood: How To Direct a Microbudget Film - Or Any Film, For That Matter

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