The Headache Factory: True Tales of Online Obsession and Madness

by Jim Goad

If Andy Warhol could have anticipated the Internet, he would have said it’s where everyone will be stalked for at least 15 minutes. Notorious underground author Jim Goad describes himself as “a lowly neutrino in the vast universe of celebrity,” yet he attracts a certain breed of demented fan that treats him as if he’s the second coming of Christ—that is, until they feel he’s somehow snubbed them, at which point he transforms into Satan. The Headache Factory documents Jim’s extensive experiences fending off fans who morphed into stalkers. By turns terrifying and amusing, the book demonstrates how social media enables the antisocial to reach out and touch anyone they want—even if their target doesn’t want to be touched.

Genres: Nonfiction, Audiobook

92 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 20, 2014

About the author

Goad started his writing career with the magazine "ANSWER Me!" Which got connected with a triple suicide by British gothics and of the white house shooting of Francisco Martin Duran.

In 1998 he was convicted of abusing his girlfriend and was released in 2000. In prison he wrote his autobiography "Shit Magnet."

Reviews

[John · Rating 1 out of 5]

Self-absorbed, uninteresting, and written in the douchiest way possible.

[Ryan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Troll gives accounts of obsessed behavior of other online trolls. Nothing whatsoever of value in this -- no novelty, not particularly well written, not even minimally entertaining.

[Mark Dunn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Years ago some fans wrote Florence King, they wanted to start a fan club, she wrote back a said; 'Get a life.' Smart woman I suppose she knew it could end badly. Companion to "So You've Been Publicly Shamed."

[James Uscroft · Rating 1 out of 5]

A misogynist asshole whines about how he's the 'Real' victim while women only 'Play The Victim' and how Feminists are out to get him while more than half of all women who are murdered are murdered by a current or former male partner. Thus destroying any sympathy I felt for the great wrongs, stalking and false accusations that he's endured.

Seriously, just listen to a 'Manosphere' podcast if you want to wallow in misogynistic resentment.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beef Squad!

[Bob McBobbersan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I disagree with a lot of what he has to say about in a social commentary way.

But will admit he has a way with words. And is a good writer.

[Bobby Daugherty · Rating 2 out of 5]

A book about the unwanted attention the author has received. Nothing against Jim Goad but there is little appeal in reading about another's problems.

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5 I love Goad. After the beginning intro I though this would involving stalking tales out in the world, I didn't realize it would be focused on Goad exclusively. I still enjoyed it. Funny read!