SL Video: PBC Literary Event :"The Corsean Encounter" by Murray M Lee/Bixyl Shuftan

 

Readers likely remember the "Corsean Encounter" book event at the Premier Business Center on August 30.   Tara (ArtemisFlidais) would work on a video of the event. As I was speaking in text, which is hard to see in the video, she used a computer-generated voice, one that sounds better than I actually do (click here if the image doesn't play). 

 

The "Corsean Encounter" Book Event

 

A few weeks ago, Jarden Alexis' Premier Business Center held a "Meet The Author" event. But this wasn't just any writer.  This was the editor and main writer of the SL Newser, yours truly, about the recently published exciting new science-fiction tale: "The Corsean Encounter." So what went on, and what did yours truly have to say?

 

Read the story in Events.  

 

A Reminder: Book Event Today

 

 Just a reminder that there's an event today to promote the book Bixyl Shuftan published in real life a few months ago. It starts at Noon SL time, and takes place at the Premier Business Center. It is scheduled to go on to about 2PM. Being a few minutes early is recommended. 

 

PBC (79,98,2504) 

Announcement: Bixyl Shuftan To Appear At The PBC To Discuss His RL Book "The Corsean Encounter"

 

You're invited: Saturday August 30th at 12 PM Noon SL time
"The Corsean Encounter"
Meet the real-life author Murray M. Lee aka Bixyl Shuftan

At the PBC Botanical Gardens, Auditorium
SURL : PBC (79,98,2504)
Attire: Dressy

If you like sci-fi, you will love the Corsean Encounter!
After-party entertainment will be provided by DJ Naughty Nydia

 

Cartoon of The Day: What's On Your Mind?

 

 Taken at WVEC Eduverse. Valibrarian Gregg's look comes with an open book with flying pages on her avatar. It certainly looks like she has some heavy reading on her mind.

 

By Bixyl Shuftan

 

Update: "The Corsean Encounter" Now on Paperback

 

 

It was a few days ago that yours truly announced his novel "The Corsean Encounter" was finally published and up on Kindle. The paperback wasn't available then. But as of a couple days ago, it now is. So now you can get the sci-fi tale done by the editor of the Newser on both Kindle and paperback on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DRT58H37/ 

So what's next? Yours truly has been working on a sequel: "The Corsean Encounter: Prelude to War." I've also been working on a fantasy tale, "Tales of a Metamorph." 

But writing those won't stop me from doing stories for the Newser, and as always will continue to write about the people, places, and events of this virtual world.

Bixyl Shuftan

"The Corsean Encounter" Up On Kindle

 

 

I don't normally post about my activities outside Second Life, but this has been a project decades in the making, and is finally up.

 

Those who know me well recall that besides having a longtime interest in current events, I've also been reading science-fiction and history. Most science-fiction stories involve aliens with either advanced or tribal technology. Technology in a Medieval or Colonial Age state? Not so much. 

So introducing my first published story: The Corsean Encounter.

Theadore Smith, sentenced to a Soviet gulag, gets a second chance when the train he's on has a wreck in Central Asia. Making his way south with his companion Leonid Kakanov, they're ambushed by Muslim tribesmen, and have to seek shelter in a cave they stumble upon. Finding a strange machine, it teleports them to another cave. They emerge not on Earth, but another world. Running into some of its not quite human inhabitants, whom live under Medieval conditions, the initially friendly encounter turns hostile when they're captured by a local lord, whom turns them over to his superior.

After a period of time in which Theadore learns the local language, the overlord takes the two humans to his Emperor as a gift. At the Imperial Palace, they learn more about the land and it's people. They get attention from some people who see value in their knowledge. They also run into the ambassador of a nearby land which is somewhat more advanced and not an empire but a republic, Gideon. But some consider the humans little more than monsters, whose lives are of no real value. Can Theadore and Leonid convince enough people of importance that they deserve more than a lifetime in a dungeon, or worse? And what can they do for the Gideon Republic, which many in the Empire want to settle old scores with?

For now, the story is available only on the kindle version, though kindle apps can be used on computers, tablets, and some smartphones. The paperback version will be available soon. 

You can find the story on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DRDZSTHC

And stay tuned for the sequel: "Prelude to War."

Update: "The Corsean Encounter" is now available on both Kindle and paperback.

Bixyl Shuftan

Cartoon of The Day: Helmet Head

 

 

 Taken while shopping. I saw a guy with a book out, with a helmet that covered his whole head, including over his eyes. Now how could this happen?

By Bixyl Shuftan

Announcement: This Saturday at The Science Circle - "Panel: Ministry for the Future"

"Panel: Ministry for the Future"

Saturday March 27

10 AM to 11 AM SL time

The recent state-wide cold snap that left many Texans without electricity and water seems like a good time to consider Kim Stanley Robinson’s book The Ministry for the Future. 

This book is disaster novel wrapped loosely around a series of essays, stories, metaphors, reports and commentaries about economics, politics and social inequality. The story line follows two characters: Frank, the sole survivor of a lethal heat wave, and Mary, the director of the Ministry for the Future, an agency established by the U.N. Their relationship is complicated by an incident that results in Frank’s arrest. The book is not an easy read, dealing as it does with a serious effort to alter human behavior enough to ward off the dire consequences of ignoring our own contributions to climate change. Robinson recognizes both the difficulty of making such changes and the necessity to do so and argues convincingly for some possible solutions.

By Mathew Burr

For more information, Click Here. 

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Science%20Circle/67/129/32

Book Island Book Reading

 

On Tuesday January 19 at 2PM, Selina Greene had a book reading at Book Island, reading an excerpt from the dystopian classic "Fahrenheit 451" by Ray Bradbury. In the novel, "firemen" do not put out fires but are tasks with burning books as the government has outlawed them. The main character is a fireman who comes to question what he has been doing. 

Book Island (209,214,38)

"Princess Bride" at The Seanchai Library

Thursday night, was at the Seanchai Library. The reading at 7PM was by special request an excerpt of "The Princess Bride."

TONIGHT: It begins with an Announcement, that turns into a Kidnapping and (if we are very lucky) a series of Trials. Join Caledonia Skytower as she presents the best, best bits of this charming tale of Buttercup, Westley, Inigo and all over the course of two evenings, live on stream.

The reading was entertaining and amusing, as "The Princess Bride" had been, with characters acting over the top, and the way the story was told.

The Seanchai Library has book readings and other events every week. For the schedule, join the group or check the website at www.seanchailibrary.com.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Nowhereville/194/131/21

Bixyl Shuftan

Book Island Reading

On Wednesday May 27 at 2PM, there was a reading at Book Island. Selina Grene had been reading George Orwell's "Animal Farm" for some weeks, and this was the reading of the last part.

2pm Book Island - Selina Greene reads the final part of Animal Farm by George Orwell. Next week we will begin another dystopian classic... Do join us.

For those who don't know, the story was a cautionary tale by George Orwell about how revolutions can all too easily end up the same old oppression under a new set of masters. In the story, a farm is run by a farmer uncaring of his animals, and the creatures rise up to throw him out. But the animals are betrayed by their leaders, the pigs, whom end up using the revolution for their own selfish ends.

To keep up with  the readings at Book Island, check out the group here.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Book%20Island/211/214/38

Newser Reporter Writes Children's Book

Marcel Mosswood is known in Second Life as an artist, as well as an accomplished reporter for the Second Life Newser. But one can now add real-life author as part of her accomplishments. On Facebook yesterday, she announced she had finished writing, and illustrating, a children's story, "Jrappa The Giraffe And His Chicken Soup." The book was written under her real-life name.

It's done! My children book in RL! YAY!!

Written and illustrated by me. It's a story about a giraffe who would like to cook chicken soup, but it is not only a story, I put math learning between the story.

I hope children will be more like to learn math with this book.

Two other writers for the Newser, Grease Coakes and Nydia Tungsten, have also written books in real life, and went on to publish them.

Press Release: The Ian's Realm Saga Audiobook

Amehana Ishtari (Teresa Garcia) Second Life Fantasy Author and Trotsdale Library Narrator has Narration on Audible.com

Somewhere around two years ago Amehana Ishtari (Arashi) AKA in real-life Teresa Garcia began narrating and recording "The Ian's Realm Saga Trilogy: Book 1" for fantasy author, artist, & screen writer D.L. Gardner. Books One through Three released on August 27 2019 on Gumroad for direct purchase and download. They had been available for pre-order and released shortly after each audiobook sub-project was ready and approved. Once all three parts were finished and ready they there then ported to other retailers via FindAWay Voices by D.L. Gardner herself.

The pair, both female fantasy authors and artists, met via Facebook through author circles. Amehana does not remember exactly how nor which of the various groups. Teresa noticed that Mrs. Gardner needed a narrator and offered her services, as at the time fellow narrator and Trotsdale Librarian Illya Leonov was too busy to mention the project to... and she needed the work herself to help support her family.

The trilogy book follows the story of Ian Wilson, a teenager who becomes sucked into a world of magic and danger with his father through a portal within their computer. The tale blends science fiction and fantasy genres seamlessly. Prophecy has foretold the pair arriving through a window to forever rid The Realm of the evil dragon and its sorcery. The overall tale continues beyond the first three books to cover various side stories that together will tell the full fate of a land and a lad.

The Ian's Realm Saga is the winner of the Book Excellence Award for a series 2019. The book has also been turned into a proof of concept short film with FireRing Productions that has been circulating various film festivals around the world and won several awards and nominations. The intent is to have the book series become a movie.

Mrs. Gardner will continue working on the Ian's Realm books and prospective movie. Amehana (Teresa) plans to continue with the Trotsdale Library as well as return to working on the second book of her "Selkies' Skins" and the "Mythical Minstrelsy" series (and other books) along with running her Flash Fiction Fridays podcast and any illustration or narration that comes to her via her publishing company or freelancing channels.

Pick up your copy of the Audiobook at-
Gumroad Storefront: http://www.gumroad.com/dlgardner
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Ians-Realm-Saga-Trilogy-Book/dp/B07TSLC4M9

Film Info: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8421702/

-Follow Author D.L. Gardner-
Website: https://www.gardnersart.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DianneLynnGardner/
Ian's Realm Saga FB: https://www.facebook.com/IansRealm/
Amazon Author: https://www.amazon.com/D.L.-Gardner/e/B01G7AKQ28

-Follow Narrator Teresa Garcia (Amehana Ishtari/Arashi)-
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Teresa.L.H.Garcia/
Amazon Page: https://www.amazon.com/Teresa-Garcia/e/B009Q938VE
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Amehana
Deviant Art: http://www.deviantart.com/amehanarainstardrago

Free Book Offer Extended!

The Kindle mystery novel, “Femme Fatale Online,”whose unknown villain appears only as a sexy avatar, will continue to be offered free to SL participants through Sunday, September 9.

To get your complimentary of the enovel by Eugene Rodgers, email a request to  rodgersmystery@gmail.com (your SL anonymity is safe since you don’t have to disclose your avatar or RL names). Include the word “Newser” in the email.

You will receive a PDF copy, the same as we send to professional reviewers. (Amazon doesn’t allow authors to give out free copies in the same form as books ordered from them). You can read the book on Kindles, tablets, computers, and phones.

The book captivates readers with its story of an avatar who blackmails the hero, Rick, into industrial espionage and threatens the lives of him and his family. Detailed information on the book and author can be found on the book’s Amazon page (go to Amazon.com, search for “Femme Fatale Online,” and click on the title when it comes up) and on the book’s Facebook page (facebook.com/rodgersmystery).

Enjoy the challenge of following the clues, identifying the red herrings, and trying to figure out the real person behind the terrifying “Joan” avatar. As an anonymous reviewer posted on Amazon, “Who is the Femme Fatale Online? Read the book to find out. You may never use the internet again!” Have fun reading a story that’s part thriller and a subplot that has elements of romances, where a suspect tries to seduce the hero. Anyone who has ever wondered about the real person behind an SL friend, or suspected they weren’t who they pretended to be, will find the novel particularly engaging.
“Femme Fatale Online” was featured on the cable TV program, “America Trends.” Eugene Rodgers was named Virginia Author of the Year for an earlier book. He researched the background for the novel in SL, where his avatar is “Adolphe Menjou.”

Get your free copy if you appreciate mysteries and don’t object to some racy parts and raw language. And please post a review—even a one-sentence review—on Amazon.

The Trotsdale Library

Grease Coakes recently took a trip to the Trotsdale Library. One might expect libraries to be more than a little dull. That wasn't quite what Grease had the impression of. There's a schedule covering most of the days of the week, and the library itself boasts some book readings.

Read more in Places.

Story Reading at the Trotsdale Library

Remember Amehana Ishtari, the pony writer whom Grease Coakes interviewed earlier this year? On Sunday November 30, I came across her again after hearing she'd be doing a reading at the library in the Trotsdale sim. She was reading from "Rojuun" by John H Carroll.

From 4PM until then I'll be chilling in the library scratching away at my homework. The mic can be considered open if anyone wishes to bring anything to read, play live music, since, recite poetry, work on a story, pluck at writing poetry, and so forth. Don't worry, I'll spare you the articles that are on my docket to read for next week's class.

Amehana told a tale of two women visitng the spirit of winter, whom asked each for a few favors. One whom did what she asked was rewarded. The other ... well, you'll have to read the story yourself. Following the reading was Greg Colossus with some rounds of guitar music.

There was a schedule calendar, showing events at the library, and other places such as Luskwood's Retro Skunk Cafe, for the week. So Trotsdale's Library seems to be an active party of the local community.

The library is at Trotsdale Heights (22, 156, 24)

Bixyl Shuftan

Interview with Netera Landar

Grease Coakes recently had the chance to interview Netera Landar. In the recent past, she was know for her weekly interviews with writers and musicians at her coffee lounge here in Second Life. Today, she's been busy with books of her own. She talked a little about them and other things.

Read Grease's interview in People.

Desi Heet by Jackson Arthur

Grease Coakes recently went to Book Island to chat with a writer, Jackson Arthur, about his new book. In the book, Desi Heet, the title heroine is a contradiction. Her appearance is demonic, yet she is steadfastly religious and charitable. So what happens in the book? Jackson tells Grease a few things, including a question the story raises.

Read more in People.

Linden Lab Releases Versu, But Are They Going Too Fast?

By Bixyl Shuftan

Last week, Linden Labs introduced it's latest product, "Versu." Subtitled "Living Stories," Versu is an interactive fiction application. The press release described it as "an interactive storytelling platform that builds experiences around characters and social interaction." Versu differs a bit from other "choose your own adventure" platforms in that the applications artificial intelligence allows for characters to react differently based on the reader's choices. Characters react with emotions as well as actions.



The artificial intelligence was designed by Richard Evans and Emily Short. The two designers, Evans was noted for his work on "Black and White" and "Sims3," had founded "Little Text People," which was purchased by Linden Lab last year. There are plans for the platform to allow users to write their own interactive stories in the future, of which the writers can either make them available as free or for sale. In the latter, Linden Lab takes a percentage of the sale. Versu is available at Apple's iTunes App Store, and has four interactive stories available, including a short tale intended as a tutorial. 

In Gamasutra, Rod Humble had in mind what he saw as lacking in games, "when you go into a bookstore or look at an ebook reading list, the top sellers are almost invariably romance and drama. And then you look at what games make, and there's no romance, no drama. … Romance is going to be a mainstay in the games business. Someone is going to do it, and I'd sure love it to be us."

New World Notes' Iris Ophelia took a look at Versu. Describing herself as a fan of interactive fiction, the ability to act and react when she wanted to appealed to her, calling it "the choice to choose … it contributes to a much stronger sense of agency, which is the whole point of interactive fiction …" She thought it had the potential to be a great tool to use with children and teenagers, "as a teacher or parent. It's the sort of tool I would personally look for any excuse to work into a lesson or activity because it has a lot of potential to engage users with the content."

The problem, Iris felt, was considering that Linden Lab had released Versu so soon after Dio, which did many of the same things. She wrote, "it feels like one more clever and creative little thing that just isn't going to go anywhere, even though it absolutely could and should." While there was a market for interactive fiction, interest "probably higher now than its been a decade and a  half at least," there were already numerous devices and applications out there with devoted followings. And with Linden Lab seemingly "throwing things out to see what sticks," she felt Versu and Dio would not be able to attract sizable followings.

At the end, Iris wondered if Linden Lab might have been better off concentrating their efforts with Second Life, "If they're going to keep launching these indie-esque projects and just leaving them to rot without fostering any of the functionality or community endearment that makes all the other projects like these that came before actually work, they are probably wasting their time." 

Hamlet Au took a look at how much Versu, and Linden Lab's first of it's apps Creatorverse, had been downloaded. Versu's had a good start so far, but not many are buying the pay books yet. If the trends of Creatorverse are an indication, it may be in trouble. It began as among the top 5 downloaded apps, but "has since dwindled to ranks in the mid-hundreds."

Among those commenting on Iris's article was Shockwave Yareach, "The Lab wants to operate like Ford and give their dealers the job of interacting with the customers. Trouble is, the dealers don't have the powers they need to be able to do that. And quite frankly, Linden Lab sells Yugos instead of Fords." Also commenting was Ciaran Laval, whom thought it was too early to say where Versu was headed, "it's not unusual for a new player to enter an existing market and prosper."

Sources: Linden Lab, Gamasutra, New World Notes 

Bixyl Shuftan