Jason Pargin: Difference between revisions

Jason Pargin
Jason Pargin
Born	Jason Keith Pargin; January 10, 1975 (age 49); Lawrenceville, Illinois, U.S.
Pen name	David Wong
Occupation	Humor writer; novelist;
Alma mater	Southern Illinois University
Period	2007–present
Genre	Satire, science fiction, horror, dark comedy;
Subject	Pop culture; news media; internet culture; Americana;
Notable works	John Dies at the End
Signature
	TikTok information
Page	Jason Pargin, author;
Followers	576.2K
Likes	54.8 million
	Last updated: 16 November 2024
Website
	johndiesattheend.com

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Jason Keith Pargin (born January 10, 1975) is an American humor writer and novelist who formerly wrote under the name David Wong. He is the former executive editor of humor website Cracked.com.

Pargin is best known for his 2007 novel John Dies at the End, which was adapted into a 2012 film of the same name. Alongside John Dies at the End and its three sequels, Pargin has also authored three books in the Zoey Ashe series and one standalone novel, I'm Starting to Worry About This Black Box of Doom.

Early life

Jason Keith Pargin was born in Lawrenceville, Illinois, on January 10, 1975.^[1] He and fellow Internet writer John Cheese (real name Mack Leighty) attended high school together and met during an art class they shared.^[2] Pargin then attended the Southern Illinois University (SIU) radio-television program, graduating in 1997.^[3] While at SIU, he was part of a student-run TV show on Alt.news 26:46 called Consumer Advocate. A number of episodes were produced.^[4]

Pointless Waste of Time and Cracked.com

In 1999, Pargin started the humor site Pointless Waste of Time (PWOT), which would eventually be absorbed into Cracked.com.^[5] While working as a copy editor at a law firm, Pargin would spend his days copy editing insurance claims and nights posting humor articles on PWOT. Every Halloween on the site he wrote a new chapter of an online story that he published as a webserial.^[6] An estimated 70,000 people read the free online versions before they were removed in September 2008. Pargin used the feedback from people reading each episode of the webserial to tweak what would eventually become the book, John Dies at the End.^[5]

Demand Media hired Pargin to be the head editor for their revamped online magazine, Cracked.com, although Demand was not aware of Pargin's book deal.^[6] As part of the deal, he merged PWOT into the Cracked forums. Pargin has described a disconnection between the old Cracked print magazine and the humor site Cracked.com due to multiple relaunches and almost entirely new staff.^[7] As a child, he read Cracked magazine's biggest competitor, Mad magazine.^[7]

In a popular article published at Cracked.com, Pargin coined the neologism "monkeysphere" which introduces the concept of Dunbar's number in a humorous manner.^[8] Pargin referred to Dunbar's number again in his second novel, This Book Is Full of Spiders.^[9]

David Wong pseudonym

When Pargin started PWOT, he took on the pseudonym of David Wong to keep his real and online lives separate. Since much of his writing involved situations similar to his real life, he did not want co-workers and his employers to think that his rants about fictional characters were inspired by real people. The origin of the name was a character from one of his first short stories:^[10]

It's not a very interesting story, 'David Wong' was the villain in a story I had written way back in the day, so when I was signing up for my first online accounts in 1998 I started using it. Then when hate mail started coming in with a bunch of racist anti-Chinese insults, I realized I had either gone badly wrong or badly right.

After his book and movie deal, his real name became common knowledge, but Pargin accepted it, saying, "It's not like I'm under the Witness Protection program or anything. I was just trying to keep things simple in my personal life."^[7]

In late 2020, Pargin announced that he was retiring the pseudonym, with future editions of his works being published under his real name instead.^[11]

Published works

Pargin's first novel John Dies at the End was at first rejected by publishers, and he considered withdrawing it from consideration until indie horror publisher Permuted Press agreed to publish it in 2007.^[12] A second edition by Thomas Dunne Books was published with additional material as a hardcover on September 29, 2009.^[13]^[14] Three further novels in the series have been published: This Book Is Full of Spiders (2012), What the Hell Did I Just Read (2017) and If This Book Exists, You're in the Wrong Universe (2022).^[15]

Pargin published the first book of the Zoey Ashe series in 2015, Futuristic Violence and Fancy Suits. He has since published two further novels in the series: Zoey Punches the Future in the Dick (2020) and Zoey is Too Drunk for This Dystopia (2023).^[16]

Pargin published his first standalone novel in 2024, I'm Starting to Worry About This Black Box of Doom.^[17]

Adaptations

After enjoying some success John Dies at the End came to the attention of Don Coscarelli, who decided to adapt it as a film.^[12] In 2007, Coscarelli optioned the film rights.^[18] Filming took place from late 2010 until January 2011 at locations in Southern California.^[19] The film, starring Chase Williamson, Rob Mayes, Clancy Brown, and Paul Giamatti, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 23, 2012. It also played on March 12, 2012, at South by Southwest, in Austin, Texas.^[20]^[21]^[22]

Personal life

Pargin is married and has a dog.^[23] He lived in Marion, Illinois,^[24]^[25] until 2014, when he moved to Nashville.^{[citation needed]}

Bibliography

References

^ "Wong, David, 1975 January 10-". Library of Congress. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
^ Cheese, John (2012). "Is there an origins story to your pseudonym"John Cheese"?". johncheesecracked.tumblr.com. Archived from the original on October 22, 2013. Retrieved May 12, 2012.
^ Mileur, Eli (February 22, 2012). "SIU grad makes it big with comedy website". The Daily Egyptian. Archived from the original on September 11, 2014. Retrieved May 22, 2012.
^ Consumer Advocate (1996). "alt.news – Consumer Advocate – etch (1996 season one)". Alt.news cable TV. Archived from the original on January 29, 2014. Retrieved May 22, 2012.
^ ^a ^b Lee, Jodi (November 7, 2010). "Inter-review Sunday: David Wong & JDatE". Archived from the original on December 28, 2014. Retrieved May 12, 2012.
^ ^a ^b Mileur, Eli (February 22, 2012). "SIU grad makes it big with comedy website". The Daily Egyptian. Archived from the original on September 11, 2014. Retrieved May 22, 2012.
^ ^a ^b ^c Adhominem (2012). "The many dimensions of David Wong". Adhominem. Archived from the original on April 16, 2012. Retrieved May 12, 2012.
^ Pargin, Jason (September 30, 2007). "Inside the Monkeysphere". Archived from the original on May 11, 2021. Retrieved December 25, 2007.
^ Roseman, Josh (February 19, 2013). "Book Review: This Book is Full of Spiders: Seriously, Dude, Don't Touch It by David Wong". Escape Pod. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
^ "r/BestofCracked - Comment by u/JasonDavidWongPargin on "I am Cracked Executive Editor David Wong aka Jason Pargin, I just wrote an article about the true meaning of Christmas, Ask Me Anything"". reddit. December 22, 2014. Archived from the original on October 30, 2016. Retrieved October 30, 2016.
^ "Update: As I mentioned back in December, I'm retiring the David Wong pseudonym as of the next release (the paperback of Zoey this October), we're also re-releasing all of my other books under my real name, I don't have the exact dates yet for those". Jason "David Wong" Pargin. Twitter. February 23, 2021. Archived from the original on February 23, 2021. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
^ ^a ^b Wong, David (September 25, 2011). "John Dies at the End Teaser Trailer". Cracked. Archived from the original on May 12, 2015. Retrieved May 12, 2012.
^ Publishers Weekly (July 13, 2009). "Fiction review". Publishers Weekly. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved May 12, 2012.
^ Wong, David (September 29, 2009). "September 29, 2009". johndiesattheend.com. Archived from the original on September 7, 2012. Retrieved May 12, 2012.
^ "John Dies at the End". Macmillan Publishers. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
^ "Zoey Ashe". Macmillan Publishers.
^ "I'm Starting to Worry About This Black Box of Doom: A Novel". Macmillan Publishers. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
^ Quint (October 21, 2010). "Quint knows what Don Coscarelli's new movie is! And more importantly he knows Paul Giamatti and The Kurgan are in it!". Ain't It Cool News. Archived from the original on December 5, 2010. Retrieved January 12, 2011.
^ "11 Filming locations for John Dies at the End". Things On TV. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
^ Labrecque, Jeff (January 24, 2012). "Sundance: 'Bubba Ho-Tep' director back with a vengeance – VIDEO". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on January 12, 2015. Retrieved May 12, 2012.
^ Sundance Film Festival (December 19, 2011). "Four Additional Films Selected for 2012 Sundance Film Festival". Sundance Film Festival. Archived from the original on September 28, 2014. Retrieved May 12, 2012.
^ South by Southwest (2012). "John Dies At The End". South by Southwest. Archived from the original on May 17, 2012. Retrieved May 12, 2012.
^ Pargin, Jason. "About Jason Pargin AKA David Wong". Retrieved September 20, 2024.
^ McCormick, Luke (November 30, 2009). "Wong writes way into Hollywood". The Daily Egyptian. Archived from the original on January 18, 2013. Retrieved May 22, 2012.
^ Testa, Adam (January 16, 2011). "'Cracked' Up: Local author finds niche in humor market". The Southern Illinoisan. Archived from the original on December 15, 2018. Retrieved May 21, 2012.

External links

[LCNAF-1] "Wong, David, 1975 January 10-". Library of Congress. Retrieved September 20, 2024.

[johncheesecracked.tumblr.com-2] Cheese, John (2012). "Is there an origins story to your pseudonym"John Cheese"?". johncheesecracked.tumblr.com. Archived from the original on October 22, 2013. Retrieved May 12, 2012.

[Mileur_DE_20122-3] Mileur, Eli (February 22, 2012). "SIU grad makes it big with comedy website". The Daily Egyptian. Archived from the original on September 11, 2014. Retrieved May 22, 2012.

[Consumer_Advocate-4] Consumer Advocate (1996). "alt.news – Consumer Advocate – etch (1996 season one)". Alt.news cable TV. Archived from the original on January 29, 2014. Retrieved May 22, 2012.

[sacredtriskele-5] Lee, Jodi (November 7, 2010). "Inter-review Sunday: David Wong & JDatE". Archived from the original on December 28, 2014. Retrieved May 12, 2012.

[Mileur_DE_2012-6] Mileur, Eli (February 22, 2012). "SIU grad makes it big with comedy website". The Daily Egyptian. Archived from the original on September 11, 2014. Retrieved May 22, 2012.

[adhominem-7] Adhominem (2012). "The many dimensions of David Wong". Adhominem. Archived from the original on April 16, 2012. Retrieved May 12, 2012.

[8] Pargin, Jason (September 30, 2007). "Inside the Monkeysphere". Archived from the original on May 11, 2021. Retrieved December 25, 2007.

[9] Roseman, Josh (February 19, 2013). "Book Review: This Book is Full of Spiders: Seriously, Dude, Don't Touch It by David Wong". Escape Pod. Retrieved September 20, 2024.

[:0-10] "r/BestofCracked - Comment by u/JasonDavidWongPargin on "I am Cracked Executive Editor David Wong aka Jason Pargin, I just wrote an article about the true meaning of Christmas, Ask Me Anything"". reddit. December 22, 2014. Archived from the original on October 30, 2016. Retrieved October 30, 2016.

[11] "Update: As I mentioned back in December, I'm retiring the David Wong pseudonym as of the next release (the paperback of Zoey this October), we're also re-releasing all of my other books under my real name, I don't have the exact dates yet for those". Jason "David Wong" Pargin. Twitter. February 23, 2021. Archived from the original on February 23, 2021. Retrieved February 25, 2021.

[Cracked.Version-12] Wong, David (September 25, 2011). "John Dies at the End Teaser Trailer". Cracked. Archived from the original on May 12, 2015. Retrieved May 12, 2012.

[Publishers_Weekly-13] Publishers Weekly (July 13, 2009). "Fiction review". Publishers Weekly. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved May 12, 2012.

[Publishing-14] Wong, David (September 29, 2009). "September 29, 2009". johndiesattheend.com. Archived from the original on September 7, 2012. Retrieved May 12, 2012.

[15] "John Dies at the End". Macmillan Publishers. Retrieved September 20, 2024.

[16] "Zoey Ashe". Macmillan Publishers.

[17] "I'm Starting to Worry About This Black Box of Doom: A Novel". Macmillan Publishers. Retrieved September 20, 2024.

[aintitcoolnews1-18] Quint (October 21, 2010). "Quint knows what Don Coscarelli's new movie is! And more importantly he knows Paul Giamatti and The Kurgan are in it!". Ain't It Cool News. Archived from the original on December 5, 2010. Retrieved January 12, 2011.

[19] "11 Filming locations for John Dies at the End". Things On TV. Retrieved September 20, 2024.

[Sundance-20] Labrecque, Jeff (January 24, 2012). "Sundance: 'Bubba Ho-Tep' director back with a vengeance – VIDEO". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on January 12, 2015. Retrieved May 12, 2012.

[Sundance_Film_Festival-21] Sundance Film Festival (December 19, 2011). "Four Additional Films Selected for 2012 Sundance Film Festival". Sundance Film Festival. Archived from the original on September 28, 2014. Retrieved May 12, 2012.

[South_by_Southwest-22] South by Southwest (2012). "John Dies At The End". South by Southwest. Archived from the original on May 17, 2012. Retrieved May 12, 2012.

[23] Pargin, Jason. "About Jason Pargin AKA David Wong". Retrieved September 20, 2024.

[DE_2009-24] McCormick, Luke (November 30, 2009). "Wong writes way into Hollywood". The Daily Egyptian. Archived from the original on January 18, 2013. Retrieved May 22, 2012.

[thesouthern2011-25] Testa, Adam (January 16, 2011). "'Cracked' Up: Local author finds niche in humor market". The Southern Illinoisan. Archived from the original on December 15, 2018. Retrieved May 21, 2012.

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{short description|American humorist and novelist (born 1975)}}
+{{short description|American humor writer and novelist (born 1975)}}
 {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2012}}
+{{Infobox writer
-{{Infobox writer <!-- for more information see [[:Template:Infobox writer/doc]] -->
 | name             = Jason Pargin
 | pseudonym        = David Wong
-| birth_name       =
+| birth_name       = Jason Keith Pargin
 | birth_date       = {{Birth date and age|1975|01|10}}
 | birth_place      = [[Lawrenceville, Illinois]], U.S.
-| occupation       = {{Cslist|Humorist|novelist}}
+| occupation       = {{Cslist|Humor writer|novelist}}
 | alma_mater       = [[Southern Illinois University]]
-| period           = Contemporary
+| period           = 2007–present
-| genre            = Satire
+| genre            = {{Cslist|[[Satire]], [[science fiction]], [[Horror fiction|horror]], [[dark comedy]]}}
-| subject          = [[popular culture|Pop culture]], [[news media]], [[Americana (culture)|Americana]], [[science fiction]]
+| subject          = {{Cslist|[[Popular culture|Pop culture]]|[[news media]]|[[internet culture]]|[[Americana (culture)|Americana]]}}
 | notableworks     = ''[[John Dies at the End]]''
-| awards           =
+| signature        = Jason Pargin signature.svg
-| signature        =
-| signature_alt    =
 | website          = {{URL|johndiesattheend.com}}
 | image            =
+| signature_size   = 50px
+| module            = {{Infobox TikTok personality |embed = yes
+| page              = jasonkpargin
+| page_display_name = Jason Pargin, author
+| followers         = 576.2K
+| likes             = 54.8 million
+| stats_update      = 16 November 2024
 }}
+}}
-'''Jason Pargin''' (born January 10, 1975)<ref>{{Cite tweet |number=1612849638553563139 |user=JasonKPargin |title=Two things: I'm 48 years old today, somehow, and within the next week or so we'll be unveiling the cover and pre-order begging for the third Zoey book. Will the cover live up to this one I drew for the manuscript while I was writing it? That is in the eye of the beholder |first=Jason |last=Pargin |date=2023-01-10 |access-date=2024-05-17}}</ref> is an American humorist and novelist who formerly wrote under the name '''David Wong'''.'''<ref name="LCNAF" />''' He is the former executive editor of humor website [[Cracked.com]], a recurring guest on ''The Cracked Podcast'', and has written seven novels: ''[[John Dies at the End]]'' (2007), ''[[This Book Is Full of Spiders]]'' (2012), ''[[Futuristic Violence and Fancy Suits]]'' (2015), ''[[What the Hell Did I Just Read]]'' (2017),<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.earwolf.com/person/jason-pargin/|title=Jason Pargin on Earwolf|website=www.earwolf.com|access-date=2016-11-18|archive-date=November 24, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161124071352/http://www.earwolf.com/person/jason-pargin/|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[Zoey Punches the Future in the Dick]]'' (2020), ''[[If This Book Exists, You're in the Wrong Universe]]'' (2022), ''[[Zoey Is Too Drunk for This Dystopia]]'' (2023), and ''I'm Starting to Worry About This Black Box of Doom'' (2024). ''John Dies at the End'' was adapted into a [[John Dies at the End (film)|film of the same name]] in 2012.
+'''Jason Keith Pargin''' (born January 10, 1975) is an American humor writer and novelist who formerly wrote under the name '''David Wong'''. He is the former executive editor of humor website [[Cracked.com]].
+Pargin is best known for his 2007 novel ''[[John Dies at the End]]'', which was adapted into a 2012 film of the [[John Dies at the End (film)|same name]]. Alongside ''John Dies at the End'' and its three sequels, Pargin has also authored three books in the ''Zoey Ashe'' series and one standalone novel, ''[[I'm Starting to Worry About This Black Box of Doom]]''.
 ==Early life==
-Jason Pargin was born in [[Lawrenceville, Illinois]].<ref name=LCNAF/> He and fellow Internet writer John Cheese (real name Mack Leighty) attended high school together and met during an art class they shared.<ref name="johncheesecracked.tumblr.com">{{cite web|year=2012 |url=http://johncheesecracked.tumblr.com/post/14361454593/is-there-an-origins-story-to-your-pseudonym-john |title=Is there an origins story to your pseudonym"John Cheese"? |publisher=johncheesecracked.tumblr.com |access-date=May 12, 2012 |last=Cheese |first=John |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131022094128/http://johncheesecracked.tumblr.com/post/14361454593/is-there-an-origins-story-to-your-pseudonym-john |archive-date=October 22, 2013 |df=mdy }}</ref> Pargin then attended the [[Southern Illinois University]] (SIU) radio-television program, graduating in 1997.<ref name="Mileur_DE_20122">{{cite web |last=Mileur |first=Eli |date=February 22, 2012 |title=SIU grad makes it big with comedy website |url=http://dailyegyptian.com/siu-grad-makes-it-big-with-comedy-website/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140911161741/http://dailyegyptian.com/siu-grad-makes-it-big-with-comedy-website/ |archive-date=September 11, 2014 |access-date=May 22, 2012 |publisher=[[Southern Illinois University Carbondale#The Daily Egyptian|The Daily Egyptian]]}}</ref> While at SIU, he was part of a TV show on [[Alt.news 26:46|Alt.news cable TV]] called ''Consumer Advocate''. A number of episodes were produced.<ref name="Consumer Advocate">{{cite web|year = 1996|url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzhEHqCaCsA|title = alt.news – Consumer Advocate – etch (1996 season one)|publisher = [[Alt.news 26:46|Alt.news cable TV]]|access-date = May 22, 2012|last = Consumer Advocate|archive-date = January 29, 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140129191120/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzhEHqCaCsA|url-status = live}}</ref> He lived in [[Marion, Illinois]],<ref name="DE_2009">{{cite web|date=November 30, 2009 |url=http://www.browndailyherald.com/mobile/se/daily-egyptian/a-e/wong-writes-way-into-hollywood-1.2108497 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130118125129/http://www.browndailyherald.com/mobile/se/daily-egyptian/a-e/wong-writes-way-into-hollywood-1.2108497 |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 18, 2013 |title=Wong writes way into Hollywood |publisher=[[Southern Illinois University Carbondale#The Daily Egyptian|The Daily Egyptian]] |access-date=May 22, 2012 |last=McCormick |first=Luke }}</ref><ref name="thesouthern2011">{{cite web|date = January 16, 2011|url = http://thesouthern.com/entertainment/books-and-literature/article_6fa3274a-212d-11e0-896c-001cc4c002e0.html|title = 'Cracked' Up: Local author finds niche in humor market|publisher = [[The Southern Illinoisan]]|access-date = May 21, 2012|last = Testa|first = Adam|archive-date = December 15, 2018|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181215174655/https://thesouthern.com/entertainment/books-and-literature/article_6fa3274a-212d-11e0-896c-001cc4c002e0.html|url-status = live}}</ref> until 2014, when he moved to [[Nashville]].{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}}
+Jason Keith Pargin was born in [[Lawrenceville, Illinois]], on January 10, 1975.<ref name="LCNAF">{{Cite web |title=Wong, David, 1975 January 10- |url=https://lccn.loc.gov/n2009026991 |access-date=2024-09-20 |website=[[Library of Congress]]}}</ref> He and fellow Internet writer John Cheese (real name Mack Leighty) attended high school together and met during an art class they shared.<ref name="johncheesecracked.tumblr.com">{{cite web|year=2012 |url=http://johncheesecracked.tumblr.com/post/14361454593/is-there-an-origins-story-to-your-pseudonym-john |title=Is there an origins story to your pseudonym"John Cheese"? |publisher=johncheesecracked.tumblr.com |access-date=May 12, 2012 |last=Cheese |first=John |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131022094128/http://johncheesecracked.tumblr.com/post/14361454593/is-there-an-origins-story-to-your-pseudonym-john |archive-date=October 22, 2013 |df=mdy }}</ref> Pargin then attended the [[Southern Illinois University]] (SIU) radio-television program, graduating in 1997.<ref name="Mileur_DE_20122">{{cite web |last=Mileur |first=Eli |date=February 22, 2012 |title=SIU grad makes it big with comedy website |url=http://dailyegyptian.com/siu-grad-makes-it-big-with-comedy-website/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140911161741/http://dailyegyptian.com/siu-grad-makes-it-big-with-comedy-website/ |archive-date=September 11, 2014 |access-date=May 22, 2012 |publisher=[[Southern Illinois University Carbondale#The Daily Egyptian|The Daily Egyptian]]}}</ref> While at SIU, he was part of a student-run TV show on ''[[Alt.news 26:46]]'' called ''Consumer Advocate''. A number of episodes were produced.<ref name="Consumer Advocate">{{cite web|year = 1996|url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzhEHqCaCsA|title = alt.news – Consumer Advocate – etch (1996 season one)|publisher = [[Alt.news 26:46|Alt.news cable TV]]|access-date = May 22, 2012|last = Consumer Advocate|archive-date = January 29, 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140129191120/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzhEHqCaCsA|url-status = live}}</ref>
 == Pointless Waste of Time and Cracked.com ==
-In 1999, Pargin started his own humor site, Pointless Waste of Time (PWOT), which would eventually be absorbed into [[Cracked.com]].<ref name="sacredtriskele">{{cite web|date = November 7, 2010|url = http://jodilee.sacredtriskele.net/?p=1198|title = Inter-review Sunday: David Wong & JDatE|access-date = May 12, 2012|last = Lee|first = Jodi|archive-date = December 28, 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141228131437/http://jodilee.sacredtriskele.net/?p=1198|url-status = live}}</ref>
+In 1999, Pargin started the humor site Pointless Waste of Time (PWOT), which would eventually be absorbed into [[Cracked.com]].<ref name="sacredtriskele">{{cite web|date = November 7, 2010|url = http://jodilee.sacredtriskele.net/?p=1198|title = Inter-review Sunday: David Wong & JDatE|access-date = May 12, 2012|last = Lee|first = Jodi|archive-date = December 28, 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141228131437/http://jodilee.sacredtriskele.net/?p=1198|url-status = live}}</ref> While working as a copy editor at a law firm, Pargin would spend his days copy editing insurance claims and nights posting humor articles on PWOT. Every Halloween on the site he wrote a new chapter of an online story that he published as a [[webserial]].<ref name="Mileur_DE_2012">{{cite web|date = February 22, 2012|url = http://dailyegyptian.com/siu-grad-makes-it-big-with-comedy-website/|title = SIU grad makes it big with comedy website|publisher = [[Southern Illinois University Carbondale#The Daily Egyptian|The Daily Egyptian]]|access-date = May 22, 2012|last = Mileur|first = Eli|archive-date = September 11, 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140911161741/http://dailyegyptian.com/siu-grad-makes-it-big-with-comedy-website/|url-status = live}}</ref> An estimated 70,000 people read the free online versions before they were removed in September 2008. Pargin used the feedback from people reading each episode of the webserial to tweak what would eventually become the book, ''[[John Dies at the End]]''.<ref name="sacredtriskele" />
-While working as a copy editor at a law firm, Pargin would spend his days copy editing insurance claims and nights posting humor articles on PWOT. Every Halloween on the site he wrote a new chapter of an online story that he published as a [[webserial]].<ref name="Mileur_DE_2012">{{cite web|date = February 22, 2012|url = http://dailyegyptian.com/siu-grad-makes-it-big-with-comedy-website/|title = SIU grad makes it big with comedy website|publisher = [[Southern Illinois University Carbondale#The Daily Egyptian|The Daily Egyptian]]|access-date = May 22, 2012|last = Mileur|first = Eli|archive-date = September 11, 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140911161741/http://dailyegyptian.com/siu-grad-makes-it-big-with-comedy-website/|url-status = live}}</ref> An estimated 70,000 people read the free online versions before they were removed in September 2008. Pargin used the feedback from people reading each episode of the webserial to tweak what would eventually become the book, ''[[John Dies at the End]]''.<ref name="sacredtriskele"/>
 [[Demand Media]] hired Pargin to be the head editor for their revamped online magazine, Cracked.com, although Demand was not aware of Pargin's book deal.<ref name="Mileur_DE_2012"/> As part of the deal, he merged PWOT into the Cracked forums. Pargin has described a disconnection between the old ''[[Cracked (magazine)|Cracked]]'' print magazine and the humor site Cracked.com due to multiple relaunches and almost entirely new staff.<ref name="adhominem" /> As a child, he read ''Cracked'' magazine's biggest competitor, [[Mad (magazine)|''Mad'' magazine]].<ref name="adhominem">{{cite web|date = 2012|url = http://adhominem.weebly.com/01182011.html|title = The many dimensions of David Wong|publisher = Adhominem|access-date = May 12, 2012|last = Adhominem|archive-date = April 16, 2012|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120416025405/http://adhominem.weebly.com/01182011.html|url-status = live}}</ref>
-In a popular article published at Cracked.com, Pargin coined the neologism "monkeysphere" which introduces the concept of [[Dunbar's number]] in a humorous manner.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cracked.com/article_14990_what-monkeysphere.html |title=Inside the Monkeysphere |author=David Wong |date=September 30, 2007 |access-date=2007-12-25 |archive-date=May 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511035235/https://www.cracked.com/article_14990_what-monkeysphere.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Pargin referred to Dunbar's number again in his novel, ''This Book Is Full of Spiders''.
+In a popular article published at Cracked.com, Pargin coined the neologism "monkeysphere" which introduces the concept of [[Dunbar's number]] in a humorous manner.<ref>{{cite web |author=Pargin |first=Jason |date=September 30, 2007 |title=Inside the Monkeysphere |url=http://www.cracked.com/article_14990_what-monkeysphere.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511035235/https://www.cracked.com/article_14990_what-monkeysphere.html |archive-date=May 11, 2021 |access-date=2007-12-25}}</ref> Pargin referred to Dunbar's number again in his second novel, ''[[This Book Is Full of Spiders]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Roseman |first=Josh |date=2013-02-19 |title=Book Review: This Book is Full of Spiders: Seriously, Dude, Don’t Touch It by David Wong |url=https://escapepod.org/2013/02/19/book-review-this-book-is-full-of-spiders-seriously-dude-dont-touch-it-by-david-wong/ |access-date=2024-09-20 |website=Escape Pod |language=en-US}}</ref>
+== David Wong pseudonym ==
 When Pargin started PWOT, he took on the pseudonym of David Wong to keep his real and online lives separate. Since much of his writing involved situations similar to his real life, he did not want co-workers and his employers to think that his rants about fictional characters were inspired by real people. The origin of the name was a character from one of his first short stories:<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=December 22, 2014 |title=r/BestofCracked - Comment by u/JasonDavidWongPargin on "I am Cracked Executive Editor David Wong aka Jason Pargin, I just wrote an article about the true meaning of Christmas, Ask Me Anything" |url=https://m.reddit.com/r/BestofCracked/comments/2q2rck/comment/cn2a2y8 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161030202028/https://m.reddit.com/r/BestofCracked/comments/2q2rck/comment/cn2a2y8 |archive-date=October 30, 2016 |access-date=October 30, 2016 |website=reddit}}</ref>
@@ Line 39: / Line 46: @@
 After his book and movie deal, his real name became common knowledge, but Pargin accepted it, saying, "It's not like I'm under the Witness Protection program or anything. I was just trying to keep things simple in my personal life."<ref name="adhominem"/>
-In late 2020, Pargin announced that he was retiring the "David Wong" pseudonym, with future editions of his works being published under his real name instead.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/JohnDiesattheEn/status/1364279878405795843|title=Update: As I mentioned back in December, I'm retiring the David Wong pseudonym as of the next release (the paperback of Zoey this October), we're also re-releasing all of my other books under my real name, I don't have the exact dates yet for those.|date=February 23, 2021|work=Jason "David Wong" Pargin|publisher=Twitter|access-date=February 25, 2021|archive-date=February 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210223182523/https://twitter.com/JohnDiesattheEn/status/1364279878405795843|url-status=live}}</ref>
+In late 2020, Pargin announced that he was retiring the pseudonym, with future editions of his works being published under his real name instead.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/JohnDiesattheEn/status/1364279878405795843|title=Update: As I mentioned back in December, I'm retiring the David Wong pseudonym as of the next release (the paperback of Zoey this October), we're also re-releasing all of my other books under my real name, I don't have the exact dates yet for those.|date=February 23, 2021|work=Jason "David Wong" Pargin|publisher=Twitter|access-date=February 25, 2021|archive-date=February 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210223182523/https://twitter.com/JohnDiesattheEn/status/1364279878405795843|url-status=live}}</ref>
 ==Published works==
-Pargin's first novel ''[[John Dies at the End]]'' was at first rejected by publishers, and he considered withdrawing it from consideration until indie horror publisher Permuted Press agreed to publish the novel in 2007.<ref name="Cracked.Version">{{cite web|date = September 25, 2011|url = http://www.cracked.com/article_19477_john-dies-at-end-teaser-trailer.html|title = John Dies at the End Teaser Trailer|publisher = [[Cracked.com|Cracked]]|access-date = May 12, 2012|last = Wong|first = David|archive-date = May 12, 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150512003425/http://www.cracked.com/article_19477_john-dies-at-end-teaser-trailer.html|url-status = live}}</ref> A second edition by [[Thomas Dunne Books]] was published with additional material as a hardcover on September 29, 2009.<ref name="Publishers Weekly">{{cite magazine|date = July 13, 2009|url = http://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-312-55513-9|title = Fiction review|magazine = [[Publishers Weekly]]|access-date = May 12, 2012|last = Publishers Weekly|archive-date = September 24, 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150924120349/http://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-312-55513-9|url-status = live}}</ref><ref name="Publishing">{{cite web|date = September 29, 2009|url = http://www.johndiesattheend.com/updates/?p=471|title = September 29, 2009|publisher = johndiesattheend.com|access-date = May 12, 2012|last = Wong|first = David|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://archive.today/20120907184030/http://www.johndiesattheend.com/updates/?p=471|archive-date = September 7, 2012|df = mdy-all}}</ref> After enjoying some success, it came to the attention of [[Don Coscarelli]], who decided to adapt it as a film.<ref name="Cracked.Version"/> In 2007, Coscarelli optioned the film rights to ''John Dies at the End''.<ref name="aintitcoolnews1">{{cite web|url=http://www.aintitcool.com/node/47146|title=Quint knows what Don Coscarelli's new movie is! And more importantly he knows Paul Giamatti and The Kurgan are in it!|last=Quint|date=October 21, 2010|work=[[Ain't It Cool News]]|access-date=January 12, 2011|archive-date=December 5, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101205101119/http://www.aintitcool.com/node/47146|url-status=live}}</ref> Filming took place from late 2010 until January 2011 at locations in [[Southern California]].{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}}
+Pargin's first novel ''John Dies at the End'' was at first rejected by publishers, and he considered withdrawing it from consideration until indie horror publisher Permuted Press agreed to publish it in 2007.<ref name="Cracked.Version">{{cite web|date = September 25, 2011|url = http://www.cracked.com/article_19477_john-dies-at-end-teaser-trailer.html|title = John Dies at the End Teaser Trailer|publisher = [[Cracked.com|Cracked]]|access-date = May 12, 2012|last = Wong|first = David|archive-date = May 12, 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150512003425/http://www.cracked.com/article_19477_john-dies-at-end-teaser-trailer.html|url-status = live}}</ref> A second edition by [[Thomas Dunne Books]] was published with additional material as a hardcover on September 29, 2009.<ref name="Publishers Weekly">{{cite magazine|date = July 13, 2009|url = http://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-312-55513-9|title = Fiction review|magazine = [[Publishers Weekly]]|access-date = May 12, 2012|last = Publishers Weekly|archive-date = September 24, 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150924120349/http://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-312-55513-9|url-status = live}}</ref><ref name="Publishing">{{cite web|date = September 29, 2009|url = http://www.johndiesattheend.com/updates/?p=471|title = September 29, 2009|publisher = johndiesattheend.com|access-date = May 12, 2012|last = Wong|first = David|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://archive.today/20120907184030/http://www.johndiesattheend.com/updates/?p=471|archive-date = September 7, 2012|df = mdy-all}}</ref> Three further novels in the series have been published: ''This Book Is Full of Spiders'' (2012), ''[[What the Hell Did I Just Read]]'' (2017) and ''[[If This Book Exists, You're in the Wrong Universe]]'' (2022).<ref>{{Cite web |title=John Dies at the End |url=https://us.macmillan.com/series/johndiesattheend |access-date=2024-09-20 |website=[[Macmillan Publishers]]}}</ref>
+Pargin published the first book of the ''Zoey Ashe'' series in 2015, ''[[Futuristic Violence and Fancy Suits]]''. He has since published two further novels in the series: ''[[Zoey Punches the Future in the Dick]]'' (2020) and ''Zoey is Too Drunk for This Dystopia'' (2023).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Zoey Ashe |url=https://us.macmillan.com/series/zoeyashe |website=[[Macmillan Publishers]]}}</ref>
-The [[John Dies at the End (film)|film]], starring [[Chase Williamson]], [[Rob Mayes]], [[Clancy Brown]], and [[Paul Giamatti]], premiered at the [[Sundance Film Festival]] on January 23, 2012. It also played on March 12, 2012, at [[South by Southwest]], in [[Austin, Texas]].<ref name="Sundance">{{cite magazine|date = January 24, 2012|url = http://insidemovies.ew.com/2012/01/24/sundance-john-dies-at-the-end/|title = Sundance: 'Bubba Ho-Tep' director back with a vengeance – VIDEO|magazine = [[Entertainment Weekly]]|access-date = May 12, 2012|last = Labrecque|first = Jeff|archive-date = January 12, 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150112032418/http://insidemovies.ew.com/2012/01/24/sundance-john-dies-at-the-end/|url-status = live}}</ref><ref name="Sundance Film Festival">{{cite web|date = December 19, 2011|url = http://www.sundance.org/press-center/release/four-additional-films-selected-for-2012-sundance-film-festival/|title = Four Additional Films Selected for 2012 Sundance Film Festival|publisher = [[Sundance Film Festival]]|access-date = May 12, 2012|last = Sundance Film Festival|author-link = Sundance Film Festival|archive-date = September 28, 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140928041716/http://www.sundance.org/press-center/release/four-additional-films-selected-for-2012-sundance-film-festival/|url-status = live}}</ref><ref name="South by Southwest">{{cite web|year = 2012|url = http://schedule.sxsw.com/2012/events/event_FS12646|title = John Dies At The End|publisher = [[South by Southwest]]|access-date = May 12, 2012|last = South by Southwest|author-link = South by Southwest|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120517165348/http://schedule.sxsw.com/2012/events/event_FS12646|archive-date = May 17, 2012|url-status = dead}}</ref>
+Pargin published his first standalone novel in 2024, ''[[I'm Starting to Worry About This Black Box of Doom]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=I'm Starting to Worry About This Black Box of Doom: A Novel |url=https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250285959/imstartingtoworryaboutthisblackboxofdoom |access-date=2024-09-20 |website=[[Macmillan Publishers]]}}</ref>
-The author stated in January 2018 that ''[[Zoey Punches the Future in the Dick]]'',<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.goodreads.com/author_blog_posts/17885033-update-on-suits-2|title=David Wong's Blog - Update on Suits 2 - January 28, 2019 07:57|website=www.goodreads.com|access-date=2019-11-30|archive-date=August 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200820062543/https://www.goodreads.com/author_blog_posts/17885033-update-on-suits-2|url-status=live}}</ref> the sequel to ''[[Futuristic Violence and Fancy Suits]]'',<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20501606-futuristic-violence-and-fancy-suits|title= Futuristic Violence and Fancy Suits (Zoey Ashe, #1)}}</ref> nearing completion and scheduled for release in late 2020.{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}}
+=== Adaptations ===
-The fourth book in the ''John Dies at the End'' series, ''[[If This Book Exists, You're in the Wrong Universe]]'' was released in October 2022.{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}}
+After enjoying some success ''John Dies at the End'' came to the attention of [[Don Coscarelli]], who decided to adapt it as a film.<ref name="Cracked.Version" /> In 2007, Coscarelli optioned the film rights.<ref name="aintitcoolnews1">{{cite web |last=Quint |date=October 21, 2010 |title=Quint knows what Don Coscarelli's new movie is! And more importantly he knows Paul Giamatti and The Kurgan are in it! |url=http://www.aintitcool.com/node/47146 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101205101119/http://www.aintitcool.com/node/47146 |archive-date=December 5, 2010 |access-date=January 12, 2011 |work=[[Ain't It Cool News]]}}</ref> Filming took place from late 2010 until January 2011 at locations in [[Southern California]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=11 Filming locations for John Dies at the End |url=https://www.thingson.tv/movie/john-dies-at-the-end/locations |access-date=2024-09-20 |website=Things On TV |language=en}}</ref> The [[John Dies at the End (film)|film]], starring [[Chase Williamson]], [[Rob Mayes]], [[Clancy Brown]], and [[Paul Giamatti]], premiered at the [[Sundance Film Festival]] on January 23, 2012. It also played on March 12, 2012, at [[South by Southwest]], in [[Austin, Texas]].<ref name="Sundance">{{cite magazine |last=Labrecque |first=Jeff |date=January 24, 2012 |title=Sundance: 'Bubba Ho-Tep' director back with a vengeance – VIDEO |url=http://insidemovies.ew.com/2012/01/24/sundance-john-dies-at-the-end/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150112032418/http://insidemovies.ew.com/2012/01/24/sundance-john-dies-at-the-end/ |archive-date=January 12, 2015 |access-date=May 12, 2012 |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]}}</ref><ref name="Sundance Film Festival">{{cite web |last=Sundance Film Festival |author-link=Sundance Film Festival |date=December 19, 2011 |title=Four Additional Films Selected for 2012 Sundance Film Festival |url=http://www.sundance.org/press-center/release/four-additional-films-selected-for-2012-sundance-film-festival/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140928041716/http://www.sundance.org/press-center/release/four-additional-films-selected-for-2012-sundance-film-festival/ |archive-date=September 28, 2014 |access-date=May 12, 2012 |publisher=[[Sundance Film Festival]]}}</ref><ref name="South by Southwest">{{cite web |last=South by Southwest |author-link=South by Southwest |year=2012 |title=John Dies At The End |url=http://schedule.sxsw.com/2012/events/event_FS12646 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120517165348/http://schedule.sxsw.com/2012/events/event_FS12646 |archive-date=May 17, 2012 |access-date=May 12, 2012 |publisher=[[South by Southwest]]}}</ref>
+== Personal life ==
+Pargin is married and has a dog.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pargin |first=Jason |title=About Jason Pargin AKA David Wong |url=https://johndiesattheend.com/about-me/ |access-date=2024-09-20 |language=en-US}}</ref> He lived in [[Marion, Illinois]],<ref name="DE_2009">{{cite web |last=McCormick |first=Luke |date=November 30, 2009 |title=Wong writes way into Hollywood |url=http://www.browndailyherald.com/mobile/se/daily-egyptian/a-e/wong-writes-way-into-hollywood-1.2108497 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130118125129/http://www.browndailyherald.com/mobile/se/daily-egyptian/a-e/wong-writes-way-into-hollywood-1.2108497 |archive-date=January 18, 2013 |access-date=May 22, 2012 |publisher=[[Southern Illinois University Carbondale#The Daily Egyptian|The Daily Egyptian]]}}</ref><ref name="thesouthern2011">{{cite web |last=Testa |first=Adam |date=January 16, 2011 |title='Cracked' Up: Local author finds niche in humor market |url=http://thesouthern.com/entertainment/books-and-literature/article_6fa3274a-212d-11e0-896c-001cc4c002e0.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215174655/https://thesouthern.com/entertainment/books-and-literature/article_6fa3274a-212d-11e0-896c-001cc4c002e0.html |archive-date=December 15, 2018 |access-date=May 21, 2012 |publisher=[[The Southern Illinoisan]]}}</ref> until 2014, when he moved to [[Nashville]].{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}}
 ==Bibliography==
-=== ''John and Dave'' series ===
+=== ''John Dies at the End'' series (also known as the ''John and Dave'' series) ===
 *{{cite book | last = Wong|first= David | title = John Dies at the End|year= 2007| publisher = [[St. Martin's Press]]| isbn= 9780312659141 |title-link= John Dies at the End }}
 *{{cite book | last = Wong|first= David | title = This Book Is Full of Spiders: Seriously, Dude, Don't Touch It|year= 2012| publisher = [[St. Martin's Press]]| isbn= 9780312546342 |title-link= This Book Is Full of Spiders }}
@@ Line 58: / Line 69: @@
 *{{cite book | last = Pargin|first= Jason | title = If This Book Exists, You're in the Wrong Universe|year= 2022| publisher = [[St. Martin's Press]]| isbn= 9781250195821 |title-link= If This Book Exists, You're in the Wrong Universe}}
-=== Zoey Ashe series ===
+=== ''Zoey Ashe'' series ===
 *{{cite book | last = Wong|first= David | title = Futuristic Violence and Fancy Suits | year= 2015 | publisher = [[Thomas Dunne Books]]| isbn= 9781250040190 |title-link= Futuristic Violence and Fancy Suits}}
 *{{cite book | last = Wong|first= David | title = Zoey Punches the Future in the Dick | year= 2020 | publisher = [[St. Martin's Press]]| isbn= 9781250195791 |title-link= Zoey Punches the Future in the Dick}}
@@ Line 64: / Line 75: @@
 === Standalone ===
-*{{cite book | last= Pargin|first = Jason| title = I'm Starting to Worry About This Black Box of Doom | year= 2024 | publisher = [[St. Martin's Press]]| isbn= 9781250285959 }}
+*{{cite book |last=Pargin |first=Jason |title=[[I'm Starting to Worry About This Black Box of Doom]] |year=2024 |publisher=[[St. Martin's Press]] |isbn=9781250285959}}
 ==See also==
@@ Line 72: / Line 83: @@
 ==References==
-{{Reflist|25em |refs=
+{{Reflist}}
-<ref name=LCNAF>[http://lccn.loc.gov/n2009026991 "Wong, David, 1975 January 10–"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215174949/https://lccn.loc.gov/n2009026991 |date=December 15, 2018 }}. Library of Congress Authorities. Retrieved 2014-07-27.</ref>
-}}
 ==External links==
+{{Wikiquote}}
 * {{official website |johndiesattheend.com }}
 * {{IMDb name|4200139}}
+* {{TikTok|id=jasonkpargin}}
-* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoYVGkv9LpY David Wong at film premiere]
 * {{isfdb name|153308|David Wong}}
+* [https://jasonpargin.substack.com/ Jason Pargin's newsletter]
+* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoYVGkv9LpY David Wong at film premiere]
 {{Authority control}}
@@ Line 93: / Line 105: @@
 [[Category:American columnists]]
 [[Category:American comedy writers]]
-[[Category:American humorists]]
+[[Category:American horror novelists]]
 [[Category:American male non-fiction writers]]
 [[Category:American male novelists]]
+[[Category:American science fiction writers]]
 [[Category:Internet humor]]
 [[Category:Journalists from Illinois]]
@@ Line 102: / Line 115: @@
 [[Category:People from Marion, Illinois]]
 [[Category:Southern Illinois University alumni]]
+[[Category:American satirists]]
+[[Category:21st-century American essayists]]
+[[Category:American satirical novelists]]

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