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

 

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

Writers' Meeting At Caledon

 

 

 Yesterday, I dropped in at the Writers' Meeting in the Caledon Night Readings Room. This is a place for people to talk about what they've been writing, listen in on others talking about what they've been writing, get a little help and inspiration on writing, and more.

 
Meeting for writers to talk about writing. Sit near the virtual fireplace and discuss about what one is writing, planning to write and maybe tell about their writing process. ... And somewhat random writings prompts are provided later, in case they might give inspiration. Use them whatever way you wish.  There is no demand to write anything based on the prompt for the next meeting. Come talk about writing or bring your questions about writing, editing, and publishing in a friendly atmosphere.

 

I dropped in a bit late on this particular meeting, which had one dracanic-looking avatar among the human ones. An earlier meeting I was at had a mix of humans, furries and tinies. One was talking about elves in his story universe, saying they had originally left the land the story takes place on, but were being forced to return, and most weren't able to use magic. One of those present commented that appealed to him, "more interesting when they have to use the grey matter between their ears."

The Writers' Meeting takes place every Thursday at 11 AM. The discussion is in chat and not voice.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Caledon%20Oxbridge%20Village/223/189/4002

 

Bixyl Shuftan

 

SL Fandom Con Starts Today

 

It's a busy weekend here in Second Life with a number of events going on. Besides the Wootstock, there is the SL Fandom Con, which is described as being for "all comic lovers and fans from our Trekkies, Whovians, Bronies, True Believers, the Warsies, and Ghostheads, Moonies, and everyone in between."

 

The event takes place over eight sims, with numerous exhibits, booths, stores, and stages for music events.

 

 

On day one, there was a music event with sixty avatars present. So expect lag.

The SL Fandom con is "a mega-event for the Relay for Life," raising money for the American Cancer Society. It runs from today, Friday July 21 to Monday July 31.

 

For more information, check out the website at  https://sl-fandom-con.org/

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/American%20Cancer%20Society2/127/220/66

Bixyl Shuftan

SL Video: "Comics Made in Second Life - Diavkha"

 

 (Click here if the video does not play)

 

 By Draxtor Despres for Linden Lab on May 9, "Meet Diavkha, a set designer and storyteller who has taken their passion for world-building to the next level by creating a unique and immersive series of comics using Second Life."

 

 Read more on the Linden blog (here).

Clumsy Cooper's Halloween Tale

 

We interrupt our news reporting with a Halloween story. Clumsy Cooper is back. Somehow, he ended up in Montecity Bay after his trip to the Deathlands. Life is better, with food every day and a soft bed every night. But he still wishes for more, such as cute girls. With rumors floating around, someone asks him for a favor, right on Halloween night. Will our ex-burglar get himself a decent amount of cash? Will he finally find love? The only thing one can be sure of on Halloween is to expect the unexpected.

Read our Halloween SL fiction in Extra.

 

Sci-Fi Expo Opens

 

 On Friday October 14, the Sci-Fi Expo officially started. This event supporting Making Strides Against Breast Cancer had it's opening ceremony at 10 AM SL time. Benjamin Brougham, the Lead Cordinator, greeted the crowd that was a mix of humans, furs, tinies, robots, and other avatars.

"Greetings everyone, and welcome to the 2022 SciFi Expo! I’d like to firstly thank our entire team of volunteers who have worked tirelessly, and constantly to make sure that we give you the best event we can each and every year. ... a massive thank you to all of our sponsors, without them the event would simply not be able to be put on at the same level, so thank you for your support. ...

"We are all here to fight back against cancer, specifically Breast Cancer. All of the proceeds raised during the Expo will continue to go to funding Breast Cancer treatment and research. Cancer is one of the most prevalent diseases in the world, it has likely had an impact on nearly every person alive. Whether it be you, a parent, a sibling, a child, a neighbor, a co-worker, cancer has no bounds, and it won’t stop until we are able to stop it. 

 

"This year, the American Cancer Society estimates that there will be 1.9 million new cancer cases diagnosed, and over 600,000 thousand cancer related deaths in the United States alone. This is why we fight, why we celebrate all those who have survived, honor those who have sadly lost theirs, and continue to fight back against this faceless killer. If you are interested in learning more about the services the American Cancer Society has to offer, there is an information center along with the Memory crystal garden in Aperture with posters with information and links to resources. We are also connected directly to the American Cancer Society region, which has additional resources and contacts on hand.

"Are you or a loved one battling cancer? Find out how many ways the American Cancer Society is there to help. Visit cancer.org or call (US) 800-ACS-2345. 

"Before we officially declare the 2022 SciFi Expo open, I would please ask that everyone join me in taking a brief moment of silence so that we may honor all those we may know who have survived, or sadly lost their battles.

"Thank you, I truly hope that you all will enjoy this year’s Expo. Without any further ado, I do hereby officially declare the 2022 SciFi Expo open!"

The event goes on to Sunday October 23. There will be music events, movie showings, shopping, discussion of things sci-fi, and the quest.

For more information on the Expo, check out the blog at: https://scifiexpo.org/

 

 http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Nexus/158/98/4001

 

Bixyl Shuftan

Announcement: SL Sci-Fi Expo: Voyage Through The Stars

 

From October 14 to October 23, the Second Life Sci-Fi Expo will be taking place in Second Life. This event to benefit Making Strides Against Breast Cancer will have numerous music and dance parties, discussions, exhibits by various sci-fi & fantasy roleplay and fan groups and others, and more. 

The SciFi Expo is an event in Second Life held to benefit Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, a campaign sponsored by the American Cancer Society. SciFi Expo’s mission is to help unite the residents and community together against a common cause. This great cause is to help bring awareness and donations to support finding a cure for Breast Cancer. The mission also strives to help the American Cancer Society fund breakthrough research about breast cancer, provide free information and to support people in reducing the risk of breast cancer and finding methods early to prevent complicated treatments.
 
For more information, check : https://scifiexpo.org/
 

Announcement: "Celebrate Ascendant Base's Grand Opening" in Star Wars Sim

 

You are cordially invited to come party among the stars at the grand opening of the Ascendant Base (a science fiction sim in the Star Wars Roleplay universe). We will have music with DJs and live music from Spiral Sands, Gypsy Witch, Kyizl and more from 6 PM to 9 PM SLT on Saturday January 22nd, 2022.

Ascendant Base is a science fiction sim in the Star Wars Roleplay universe that is open to all players and science fiction fans. It is a full and maxed-out sci-fi sim made by fans large enough to have room for multiple role-play events to co-occur.

There will be tours of a 6 level 300-meter-tall space station and the planet it orbits.

Whether you are a Star Wars Role-Player on Second Life or just a fan, come out and join us for this grand opening and bring your sci-fan friends.


The landmark will be live 24 hours before the event: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Ascendent%20Base/118/128/4004

Hat tip: Brandi Streusel
 

Vampire Bat Spotted At Deathlands

 

As a post-apocalyptic wasteland slowly recovering from the collapse of civilization, the Deathlands have seen a number of scary beings and scary tales of such over time. But this October, something new has appeared, or at least that's what some claim. Lately there have been a number of sightings and tales of a human-sized vampire bat.

In a place where mutant monsters and raiders are threats, a vampire might not seem quite so scary. And indeed with a few of the sightings, the bat is described as helpful. In one case, a band traveling at night found themselves under attack by raiders when they saw a shape of some kind from above dropping an object. Then a magnesium flare lit up in the middle of the attacking raiders. Blinded, they could only stumble while the travelers got away. When they returned in the day to recover some lost items, they found the bodies of a few of the raiders, drained of blood.

In another case, a tavern owner late at night had a knock at the door, and answering found only a crudely written note, saying someone was hurt near the intersection of two nearby roads. Concerned, he and a few others in town went over, and found the bodies of two mutants, drained of blood, and an injured man with a crudely-made neck brace. When the man recovered, he claimed the mutants had broken his neck, then were attacked by some dark shape before he passed out. When they got the man to a doctor to examine his neck, the physician wondered if whomever had set it had access to x-rays, or sonar.

Not all of the stories involve tales of rescue. One was from someone whom checking on his sister found she needed supplies, notably food. When he returned, he found someone else had delivered a few fruits and meat of some kind. Curiously, she had what looked like two half-healed puncture marks on her neck. When he asked who was here, where the food came from, and how did she get the marks, she just smiled whistfully. 

The Baron, Rebel Wolf, could neither confirm of deny the existence of the vampire bat, saying stranger mutations have happened. But even in the Deathlands, people tend to tell tall tales around Halloween.

Note: the preceeding was a tale of fiction for this time of year.

Bixyl Shuftan
 

Registrations For Two Cancer Fundraisers This Fall

 

While the main Relay season is over, there are still other events coming up this fall to raise money for the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer fundraiser. One of them that's sure to be fun to fans of things Medieval is the Second Annual SL Renaissance Festival. It takes place from Friday September 23 to Sunday October 3. The organizers are looking for merchants to register, as well as those wanting to take part in special events.

One can look for information to register, and other info about the event at https://slrenaissancefestival.com/

The other large event taking place is the 2021 Sci-Fi Expo. The sister event of the Sci-Fi Con that takes place in the spring, the Expo lasts from Friday October 8 to Sunday October 17.

This year’s journey takes us to the old frontier world of ‘New Eden’, a major trading hub on an ancient terraformed forest world. Come and help to unlock the secrets and mysteries of the world’s deep ancient past!

The organizers are looking for sponsors, and exhibitors. People can read more information at https://www.scifiexpo.org/. There's also a Discord server at https://discord.gg/sqsWbVq .
 

Creative Fiction: Second Life’s TV Commercial (2010)

  

Yesterday, we wrote about the Second Life commercial done by Linden Lab, in cooperation with Levitate Media. While the commercial's been in development for months, no doubt the idea of one has been floated about among the residents for years. In the days of M Linden in early 2010, for amusement I came up with a couple ideas that were part of a "creative fiction" story I did for JamesT Juno and Dana Vanmoer's Second Life Newspaper then. 

The fictional story can be found in Extra. 

So how do these two fictional commercials compare to the one that was made for real? Feel free to leave comments below. 
  

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

Last Weekend For The Scifi Con

After having been up for about a week, the Scifi Con in Second Life is almost over. Today and tomorrow, Saturday May 23 and Sunday May 24 are the last days people will get the check out the sims near the American Cancer Society island, and the events there.

Feel free to check out the exhibits and music parties. On Monday, the sims will close, and the area around the ACS sim will be changed into the Relay Weekend track, made up of a few dozen sims.

For more on the Scifi Con, click here: https://scificonventionsl.wordpress.com/

Relaystock This Weekend, Scifi Con Begins

On Friday May 15, the Relaystock started in the Relaystock2020 sim, north of the American Cancer Society sim. Many teams, including the Sunbeamers, have camps there. There are also numerous DJs having events on stage, plus two live musicians.

Saturday May 16th

12:00 - 1:30pm slt  - DJ Angel Blossom - Seekers Of Hope
1:30 - 3:00pm slt   -  DJ Gem Sunkiller - Team Shadow
3:00 - 4:00pm slt   -  Max Kleene - Live Singer - Relay Rockers
4:00 - 5:00pm slt   -  Todd Rumsford - Life Singer - Cure Chasers
5:00 - 6:30pm slt   -   DJ Scott - Harmony Of Hope
6:30 - 8:00pm slt  -    The A Team - Friends For A Cure

Sunday May 17th

9:00 - 10:30am - Tommy James and The Shondells - Tribute Band - Rocking Sands
10:30am - 12:00pm - DJ Holocluck Henley - Aether Chrononauts Tiny Steps
12:00 - 1:00pm slt - Turner Harborough - Live Singer - Relay Rockers
1:00 - 2:00pm  slt - DJ Nuala Maracas - Relay Rockers
2:00 - 3:00pm  slt - CRFB Top DJ Finalist - DJ Baggie
3:00 - 4:00pm  slt - CRFB Top DJ Finalist - DJ Kayla
4:00 - 5:00pm  slt - DJ's Nikki, Sting, MamaP, Trader - Cancer Gets Stung
5:00 - 7:30pm  slt - DJ Trader Whiplash - The Time Machine Show - Relay Rockers
7:30 - 9:00pm  slt - DJ Kayla - Roos With A Dream

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/RelayStock2020/128/10/24

The Relaystock isn't the only Relay event going on right now. A few sims away is the 2020 Scifi Con.

With eight sims of science-fiction fun, from tributes to campy shows of the past, roleplay group exhibits, music events, and more, there's plenty to see.

To learn more, check the event website: https://scificonventionsl.wordpress.com/

https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/RelayStock2020/128/10/24

The Crown of Leaves: An Interview With Lins And Grimm

Cyfir (Cyfiremmerich Resident) recently interviewed the two people behind "The Crown of Leaves," an interactive adventure story. In the tale, a writer of "scientific magic articles" has to leave behind the place he's lived for ten years and returns to his homeland to start life anew. He ends up getting a job that promises good money, but then things take a turn for the unexpected.

Read Cyfir's interview in Other Grids, MMOs, and Games.

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

Linden Lab Still In Talks With Djehan Kidd Over Hangars Liquides

Last Friday, the Newser reported on the five region Hangars Liquides urban sci-fi sims in danger of being shut down at the end of the month. This weekend, I had a few words with the builder and owner Djehan Kidd about the area, and it's situation.

Djehan told me it's looking unlikely Linden Lab will allow Hangars to rent out apartments and still remain a nonprofit. She felt it's not because they don't want to, but in her opinion they're "monitored" by the US Government more today than in the past. She's also gotten numerous offers of help to keep the sims afloat. But she feels their best chance lies with the Lab's sim preservation program, "So far I didn't get a no or a yes. All I know is that a commitee will visit (the sims) and decide."

Meanwhile, others are spreading the word about the sims. A concerned resident created a thread on the official forums about Hangars Liquides, and it quickly grew to numerous pages, some people posting pictures of the area. There were numerous pleas for the sims to be given a break and allowed to stay on. One commented, "I don't think I have been there before or if I had I didn't spend long there because the scale of it whilst immersive is also bewildering. Spent 30 minutes exploring it again and it is undoubtedly a work of art. Despite all its complexity it is well optimised, I had none of my usual problems with textures and objects not bothering to load. It is a fine example of what is possible to do here."

There's also a Flickr page full of screenshots of the sims (caution, not all safe for work).

The full interview with Djehan will appear later this week in the Newser.

Image Credit: Lawrence Celestalis

Bixyl Shuftan