Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

The Wordsmith

Rate this book

Walt Erickson is a famous author whose books are read by millions of adoring fans, but he has never written a word of his own novels. The secret behind his novels is the stuff of nightmares.

With his agent, an associate, and a particularly unique typewriter by his side, Walt’s creative process is much more sinister and merciless than the average writer’s. The lengths to which one man will go to achieve fame and notoriety give a chilling glimpse into what humans are capable of, regardless of the moral consequences.

The Wordsmith is a thrilling and darkly innovative story of suspense, one that will force you to wonder if we can ever truly know the whole story behind the people we love. Is it possible to unearth the darkest details of ourselves and still come out alive?

As Walt’s hunger for fame continues to grow, and his girlfriend begins to suspect the unsettling truth behind his words, the tenuous threads holding Walt’s life together begin to fray.


From the astoundingly imaginative mind of Alan Ayer, The Wordsmith is a gripping narrative that dares to peer into the shadows of the darkest aspects of humanity. Our story—our fate in life—is often written against our will.

334 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 21, 2017

70 people are currently reading
137 people want to read

About the author

Alan Ayer

2 books5 followers

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
73 (30%)
4 stars
72 (30%)
3 stars
60 (25%)
2 stars
26 (10%)
1 star
8 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
Profile Image for Bandit.
4,952 reviews580 followers
May 14, 2018
Some typewriters are hungrier than others, the eponymous machine is positively starving. It’ll kill for a great story, but not without some assistance. Not all stories are created equally, some require a sacrifice, quite literally. Not all writing processes are the same, some require a murder. This book was a random find on Netgalley that sounded intriguing as stories about writers and writing tend to do and the supernatural angle was an added bonus. I liked the concept, the execution was interesting in that it was peculiarly flat. Some Scandinavian fiction can be like that, but this was extreme, like flat ironed Nordic. So basically narration went like this…short plain sentences, very descriptive, slightly repetitive, very straight forward, very matter of fact. Let’s see…like this. I read this book in just about one day. The story engaged me almost despite itself. It went by quickly. It might make a reader wary of typewriters. Analog technology can be creepy in the right light. Technology can be creepy in the right light. Fire’s Alexa emotes more animation that this. And…done. OK, so you get the idea, right? And yet still the book worked, irrespective of its style of almost uniform lack of likeable characters, although Marie is a peculiar and compelling creature. There’s a distinct possibility this book was a metaphor for the writing process, what it takes to bring a great story into the world, the toll creativity exacts and so on or maybe even a dark satire of the writing and publishing trade…but it comes across pretty literally as a spooky thriller with a high body count and serous graphic amount of body waste matter. It’s the sort of thing a genre fan would enjoy, a not too discriminate connoisseur of all things scary and murderous, because it read pretty fun and entertaining for what it was. Never heard of the author, but one sincerely hopes no vagrants were killed in the making of this book. Thanks Netgalley.
Profile Image for Dot.
25 reviews
September 28, 2017
Strangely Addictive

An odd book, yet one I couldn't put down, although I found it quite disturbing. Entertaining, yes, but still disturbing. How do I review this book sans a spoiler, other than to say "Be careful when buying storage lockers and pay attention to items within which have a note attached...a note saying DO NOT USE!"

This book will stay with me for a long time! Delightfully creepy!
Profile Image for Literary Redhead.
2,708 reviews693 followers
July 16, 2019
May the Force be with you as you read this — you will need it! One whoa-I-did-not-see-that-coming horror/thriller with some awesome twists. Set aside the time to dig in and not get out ‘til you’re done, as that’s the only way to do The Wordsmith justice. 5/5

My thanks to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for the ARC. Opinions are mine.

#TheWordsmith #NetGalley
Profile Image for Angela Maher.
Author 20 books32 followers
July 10, 2018
The story is interesting but this book isn't at publishable standard. It's a shame because there are decent ideas to build on here. I hope this gets a solid reworking in the future, to do the author and his book justice, but as it is, I struggled to finish it.
The style is abrupt and choppy, perhaps from being too conscientious in removing all 'unnecessary' words, but there is still a lot of excess that could have been cut completely - repetition, and scenes that did nothing to move the story forward. The characters feel flat and there are some annoying plot holes. Contractions are noticeable in their absence in places, and too many characters have names starting with M which creates some confusion.
The latter parts, written from Marie's point of view are handled better, but I came within a whisker of giving up on the book long before that.
I received my copy through NetGalley.
Profile Image for Debbie.
1,751 reviews108 followers
May 31, 2018
How has this book been published for over 3 months and there are less than a hundred ratings on Goodreads? This is one you definitely should not miss. Yes, it is a horror book and there are some graphic details in here. However, the concept and the way that concept was used was very imaginary and unlike anything I've read yet.

I raced through this book. At one point, my Kindle told me I had 4 1/2 hours left to read. The next time I looked, I had a little over an hour. It had not been three hours!

I was addicted! It was crazy! There was nothing great or outstanding about any of the characters, but the plot . . . It was just so twisted with strong Stephen King or Michael Koryta vibes.

Man, oh man, this is definitely a book I will not be forgetting about. Ever!

Some of the writing near the end was just like bullet points, but I didn't care. I was held spellbound. I wanted to read it faster - I didn't need any fluff or extra words. I wanted, needed, had to know how it ended.

An excellent read that I would recommend to any King or Koryta fans.

Huge thanks to BooksGoSocial and Net Galley for providing me with a free e-galley in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
Profile Image for Adelia.
48 reviews8 followers
June 12, 2018
I thought this book had an interesting storyline. I find the possessed typewriter an intriguing idea and this story was very original. It was a pretty quick read, though I did struggle with the writing style. The sentences were short and stilted, which I thought blocked the flow of the story. The formatting errors made it seem even more choppy. There was a lot of extraneous info and repetition that just felt like filler.

While the story did keep me interested and turning the pages, there were a few thing with the story that I struggled with. The characters seemed somewhat inconsistent and unrealistic. The plot had a few holes in it that I had trouble getting past.

I received this book free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Bagman.
246 reviews
June 15, 2017
Started strong, finished very weak. Mommy told me that if I didn't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all.
" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ."

Get the idea?
Profile Image for Dy.
253 reviews14 followers
August 3, 2017
More novella than novel. Could have been edited into a good short story instead of a bloated novella.
253 reviews7 followers
September 24, 2018
An author who isn’t, the typewriter that can, and an enigmatic premise – all great raw material for a good spooky horror read.
Read More Book Reviews on my blog It's Good To Read

Summary:
An other-worldly typewriter generates un-put-downable books, and the possessor of the typewriter gets to enjoy a lavish lifestyle – but at what cost?

Main Characters:
Walt Erickson: The main character, an ordinary guy hustling with his brother to get a business up and running.

Marie: Walt’s eventual girlfriend, way out of his league.

Ian: Ex-military, no-nonsense character who has been there, seen it all, and killed most of it.

Minor Characters:
Mitch: Walt’s agent, road companion, who launched the author’s career.

Paul: The finder of the typewriter, he becomes its first recorded victim (as noted by Walt), and gets put into an asylum and permanent coma.

Plot:
Walt’s brother Paul had the initial idea of bidding, sight-unseen, on items in abandoned storage lockers, with a view to selling on individual items at a profit. The two brothers build up a nice little business, until they come across a typewriter.

Paul disappears off the radar shortly afterwards, and when Walt calls to his apartment, he finds his brother feverishly, maniacally typing, producing a draft of a book that Walt (not a reader himself - in fact, he despises books) cannot put down. Unfortunately, the typewriter has possessed Paul, who needs to be taken away and kept sedated, otherwise he would literally keep typing until he dies.

Walt sees the potential in this idea, and tests out ideas on how to produce a book, without himself becoming entrapped. He eventually succeeds, and ultimately attains a lifestyle befitting an internationally-renowned multiple-title best-selling author. However, there is a dark side to this life,

As the novel progresses, we see Walt descend into an amoral, self-absorbed character, with little or no empathy for anyone, even his comatose brother. Completely uninterested in books, even in those he “writes” himself, he leads a double life, and is always concerned about being exposed, and how he will get the next novel done.

We spiral downwards with Walt, and just when he seems to have found happiness, his life begins to fall apart, with a suspicious girlfriend trying the reconcile the public image with the private man, Walt's increasingly love of cognac, and rather dissolute personal life - the book has a twist or two that keeps you intrigued to the end.

What I Liked:
- Great premise.
- A very quick and compelling read.
- There is a great twist at the end, even though I thought I'd spotted the ending!

What I Didn’t Like:
- Characters a little too wooden, and somehow uninvolved in their own lives, given the risks that were being run.
- The style and writing did not flow as smoothly as expected, though it is a debut novel.

Overall:
This is a good read, and if you like the genre you will enjoy this. Some graphic scenes, but nothing too outlandish. You will definitely look at prolific authors in a new light! There are areas that need to be tightened up, characters could need a little filling out, but it will be a good holiday or downtime read. A 3.5 star rating.

Acknowledgements:
Thanks due to NetGalley and the author for giving me a free copy of the book, in return for an honest and objective review.
Profile Image for Kaycee.
6 reviews
April 15, 2023
Ayer's Wordsmith is a haunting, genre-defying novel that left me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. Walt Erickson, a successful yet morally dubious writer, embarks on a twisted journey fueled by his insatiable hunger for fame and recognition. With a unique typewriter by his side, Walt's creative process takes a dark turn, delving into the depths of humanity's darkest aspects.

The writing is astoundingly imaginative, weaving a chilling narrative that blurs the lines between horror, mystery, and the supernatural. As Walt's girlfriend begins to unravel the unsettling truth behind his words, the tension and suspense intensify, leaving me questioning just how far one would go for success.

The characters are well-drawn, with complex motivations and actions that kept me guessing until the very end. The plot is gripping, with unexpected twists and turns that kept me hooked, even as I was haunted by the eerie atmosphere and the sense of impending doom.

While the supernatural element may not be everyone's cup of tea, Ayer skillfully blends it into the story, adding an element of the unknown and heightening the stakes. The detailed descriptions paint a vivid picture of the characters and settings, drawing me deeper into the story.

The Wordsmith is a thought-provoking, dark, and thrilling read that challenges the boundaries of traditional genres. Ayer's writing is masterful, and I eagerly anticipate more of his works in the future. If you're a fan of horror, mystery, and psychological suspense, this book is a must-read. But be prepared to question what you thought you knew about the human psyche, as Ayer's story unearths the darkest secrets that lurk within us all.
1,331 reviews10 followers
December 23, 2017
Wow this novel was truly amazing! This is so well-written and thought out. This story is told with excellent writing skills by Alan Ayer. Alan has a wonderful way with words that make the story flow.
This is Walt’s story. Now Walt has a deep dark secret he is keeping, but it takes reading well into the book before you find out what it is. Now I am not going to tell you as that would ruin the story, so you will just have to read and be just as shocked as me when you read it. The book was a little frightening, as well as graphic. And it makes you wonder how far people are willing to go to get what they really want. As the story goes, you see that it is far more complex than you first expected. By the end, I was extremely surprised and really shocked by all the events that had taken place. But I have to say this book was far from predictable. Which was great, as I like to try and solve the mystery too. But this one kept me guessing till the end.
Now before I ruin this for you I will leave off here. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did. If you do like this book, please consider leaving a review. The Authors really like it when you do; they value your opinions too
Profile Image for Amanda.
329 reviews
December 3, 2017
Wordsmith is absolutely dazzling in the most ominous fashion. The story is reminiscent of a Stephen King novel in terms of a unique and unconventional storyline. Unless you are a clandestine, evil genius, even when some of the mystery is seemingly revealed, don't assume you know where it is headed because you don't. Alan Ayer is a gifted storyteller whom we are bound to read more from in the future based on this, his first novel.

Walt is an acclaimed author who has made a fortune on several brilliant works of fiction that, as it turns out, he has nothing to do with creating. Living a lie and benefitting immensely from it has taken a toll on his conscience. His relationship is suffering and the fragile framework surrounding the deceit is crumbling around him. What ensues is a fascinating tale of the lengths a man will go to for fame and fortune. I want to give nothing away, every reveal is worth the wait.
Profile Image for Danielle.
265 reviews30 followers
June 9, 2018
*I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley*

The Wordsmith was a really fast read for me. Like the readers of writer and main character, Walt Erickson, I couldn't put the book down until I finished the story.

Alan Ayer has a unique writing style that takes a little getting used to. He writes in short, straight forward sentences. He also has paragraphs where a scene can be in one setting and the very next sentence, it could be somewhere else. That can be a little jarring but it is something I got used to.

It is a little hard to say much about the story because it might spoil the plot but it was definitely creepy. I liked the idea of a typewriter having a life of its own and what it makes a person do. I also liked the twist ending.

If you like creepy books, definitely give this one a try.
Profile Image for Irene.
972 reviews12 followers
Read
December 3, 2018
Keep away from this particular typewriter because it has a mind of its own! A gruesome tale with a gruesome main character, although none of the others were particularly likeable either. Would have really loved this story if there had been a different style of writing. Great idea though, but ultimately disappointing simply because of the clunky, stilted way it was written. Could’ve been brilliant, but turned out to be mediocre. I was given this ARC by the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Jeni Wilson.
297 reviews2 followers
February 22, 2018
I went in expecting a campy, boring read and I was pleasantly surprised. This book had a storyline that felt like a mix between Stephen King and R.L. Stine. I won't lie and say it was all great, there were some parts that dragged a bit but it all had a bit of meaning in the end. The ending was a letdown because "what happened!?!" There were a couple twists so that was nice, I would recommend this book to anyone needing a quick read.
3,334 reviews37 followers
October 1, 2020
OMG! I had forgotten how much fun horror stories could be! Nearly as good as King's were back in the day! A possessed typewriter is just too, too much fun!Lots of interesting characters, love Walt and his main squeeze, Marie. Just a whole lot of great reading. It's really hard top put down once started. And this is the perfect month for a frightening read, too!

I received a Kindle arc from Netgalley in exchange for a fair review.
Profile Image for Tom.
90 reviews
June 11, 2023
Finally a great new story line !!!

At least I think that it’s new. I’ve read a lot of books in my seventy five and I’ve never read anything just like this one. And I think that it was so well done. I’ve never read this author but I will definitely be trying to find any other books that he has written. I can’t imagine anyone with an imagination not liking this book. Thank you Alan Ayer.
Profile Image for Peter Earle.
Author 7 books18 followers
July 1, 2017
A horror story, really, which, if you have not read the blurb, takes you by surprise. I started off, innocently, liking Walt the author, even though it was clear from the outset that he was a fraud. There was sure to be a good reason, after all...
Read the rest of our review on www.bookpostmortem.wordpress.com
Profile Image for Dani.
334 reviews62 followers
June 2, 2018
4.5 Stars for Alan Ayer's debut novel The Wordsmith. I'm blown away that this is a debut novel Mr. Ayer is mad talented, this is a must for your to read list if you enjoy the likes of Stephen King. This is a well-written faced- paced strangely odd but oh so good book. I received a free copy of The Wordsmith in exchange for an honest review.
272 reviews3 followers
March 26, 2019
I really enjoyed this book. The story was a thriller, with a paranormal feel, it was a little different. The story flowed from beginning to end. I would have given the book five stars but, the actions of the two secondary characters towards the end of the story was just a little unrealistic to me. Also, though I was surprised with the twist towards the end of the book, the ending left me flat.
Profile Image for Judy Stambaugh.
174 reviews2 followers
August 11, 2017
Great story!

Wow! That was my first thought at the end of this book! What a great story ! And the ending?? A total surprise! I will definitely look for my by this author! Great job Mr. Ayer!!
2 reviews
August 16, 2017
Unique Concept

It really makes you wonder what you would do given this opportunity under such duress. Speaks volumes to the human psyche and what we are capable of when unlimited wealth is in the balance.
Profile Image for Trina.
828 reviews9 followers
June 1, 2018
I received this arc from Netgalley.

This got off to a strong start and I enjoyed it for the most part. There is a bit of lagging as the book goes on. The ending really surprised me, didn't see that one coming. An interesting read.
12 reviews1 follower
September 17, 2018
It was a decent read.

The story is slow to start and as you continue reading it's a little bit drawn out there's not a lot of detail. it's kind of here's a story. If you need a book to pass the time, This Is It.
Profile Image for Joy Rayle.
140 reviews1 follower
February 28, 2019
Gripping, scary and disgustingly good!

I was captured easily, I had to know what happened next and I detested the heroine! The concept is horrifying but then I realized it takes a vivid imagination to present a good novel! Alan Ayer has a very vivid imagination.
51 reviews1 follower
May 28, 2021
Fast, but choppy.

A quick read, but written so choppily I felt seasick by the end.

Marie got out of the car. She could smell the pines.

Um.... Sentence combining? Too many choppy sentences made it feel like reading Dick and Jane books.
1,847 reviews16 followers
May 13, 2017
Twilight Zone type story very good
Profile Image for Tanya Blossom.
2 reviews1 follower
June 6, 2017
Must read

Good character development. Solid story. Well written. I will be looking for more books from this author. That's all folks.
5 reviews
August 5, 2017
It is about possession

Interesting story. Very non-poetic writing style. Does not always flow, but it will you keep reading and trying to guess the ending.
Profile Image for Marcia.
15 reviews1 follower
August 9, 2017
A famous author whose books are read by millions of adoring fans, but he has never written a word of his own novels. This is a story of a man that has no conscious and kills for fame and fortune.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.