Terri Luanna Mountainborne Robinson da Silva, 1974-2004
Terri Luanna Mountainborne Robinson da Silva, daughter of Spider and the late Jeanne Robinson, is now in The Undiscovered Country, occurring Friday, December 5th, 2014, at the age of 40 years, due to Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (which she described as "the most common form of breast cancer"). Waiting for their time to greet her again are her father Spider Robinson, her husband Heron da Silva, her daughter Marissa ("Miss M"), and a huge extended family of relatives and intimate friends, as well as many, many more distant friends around the world.

The announcement came from Laurie O'Neal ("Auntie L") on Terri's WordPress weblog about her life with cancer, "gracefulwomanwarrior" [ http :// gracefulwomanwarrior . com ], and on her Facebook page [ https :// www. facebook . com / pages / Gracefulwomanwarrior / 247095598695612 ] (remove spaces to access the links, of course).

With the name Luanna Mountainborne, she was depicted as dancing on Luna in 1/6 gravity in The Cat Who Walks Through Walls by Robert A. Heinlein.

A crowdfunding request for her medical expenses is at [ https :// www . youcaring . com / medical - fundraiser / terri - s - stage - 4 - cancer - fight / 269274 ]

A crowdfunding request for her memorial is at [ http :// www . gofundme . com / icqknk ]

(Again, remove spaces to access the links.)

This information comes from openly accessible web pages and public announcements, no confidences are being violated.

Current Mood: melancholy

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A Pair of Reviews
I'd like to call your attention to a highly favorable review of my novel Pirates of Mars. Second, over on my review blog POD People, I have a favorable review of the complex new SF novel SufferStone.

Current Mood: pleased

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Hi, I'm a member but this is my first post. I was wondering where I could find people to beta my work. I've done NanoWrimo two years in a row, but unfortunately, I've never been able to sort through it. As a result, I've never been able to post them or any of my works anywhere, not even this writing journal.

Current Mood: frustrated

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Webslinger Extraordinaire...
Well, I got the upgraded web site loaded, and a relatively few bugs have been ironed out.   There are still a few articles to finish, but the big issue is that this sets the stage for the downloads shopping cart.  

Another feature now available is a page where wannabe cover artists can post samples of their work in hopes of making connections with authors/publishers.  Anyone interested in that, please drop me a line.

Til next

Current Mood: happy

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The Klein Bottle...
One of the core parts of The Written Wyrd as to provide support to self- and small press published authors.  Having giving the matter much thought, I have posted materials to the web site concerning the Klein Bottle award.  This is a key part of this whole project, intended to provide feedback, recognition, distribution, and technical support to new authors and cover artists.  The whole things is still in the formative stages, but the time has come to start hammering it together, so I hope all of you who are concerned with developing new writing talent (whether you are an author or not) will check out the web site.  Please don't sluff this off as something for others to deal with.  Your ideas, suggestions, and active support are the key to this, and without you, it won't happen.  

the-written-wyrd.org

Thank you!

Bob


Current Mood: hopeful

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Making Book...
Something I saw at the library that holds promise as a new distribution outlet for authors: a new company called Playaway is offering small self contained audio book players the size of a Walkman to public libraries for checkout.   I understand they already have hundreds of titles available.   The works are performed by professional actors, so the quality should be better than some self made audio books.   Interesting!

Current Mood: impressed

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Change to Membership
Hello all!

I'm sure, like me, you have noticed the constant parade of Russian Spambots that have been selling their various goods, services, and women. I apologize for this. I've taken a step further and now moderate all new members. If you are a new member, send me a message and I will approve you. Spambots need not apply.

Hopefully this will make sfwriters a better experience for everyone involved!

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To everyone here
I am a 34 yr old mother of 4 (2 biological and 2 stepchildren) I love to write but would like someone thathas been there to critique my works. They are all original and just starting so be gentle ;) hope to hear from some of you and make some good friends along the way!

Charity

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Crossed Genres - Calls for submissions & announcement
Just a couple calls for submissions and an announcement to share.

#1 – Crossed Genres magazine is currently accepting submissions for the sci-fi and fantasy TRAGEDY issue.

#2 – The 'Science in My Fiction' blog is also seeking short story submissions. All stories must be inspired by actual science (with submissions, please include links to relevant articles).

#3 – Crossed Genres just released 'A Festival of Skeletons' by Rachel Astruc. It's a darkly fantastic comedy that still makes me chuckle, even though I've read it several times now. Sure, I'm the editor, but if you like sass and suspense, I think you'll enjoy reading 'A Festival of Skeletons'.

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Crossed Genres - Calls for submissions & announcement
Just a couple calls for submissions and an announcement to share.

#1 – Crossed Genres magazine is currently accepting submissions for the sci-fi and fantasy TRAGEDY issue.

#2 – The 'Science in My Fiction' blog is also seeking short story submissions. All stories must be inspired by actual science (with submissions, please include links to relevant articles).

#3 – Crossed Genres just released 'A Festival of Skeletons' by Rachel Astruc. It's a darkly fantastic comedy that still makes me chuckle, even though I've read it several times now. Sure, I'm the editor, but if you like sass and suspense, I think you'll enjoy reading 'A Festival of Skeletons'.

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Holiday Greetings...
Just a quick note to say howdy, and to wish everyone a happy holiday.

Bob

the-written-wyrd.org


Current Mood: contemplative

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Five Short Stories on Japan's Robot Future

Hey guys! 

I've written a suite of five science fiction stories for my creative honours  at the University of Technology Sydney
-- its the first online creative honours project to be submitted at UTS, and I'd love to invite you to be a part of it! 

The stories explore the experiences of five different kinds of robots in aged care, childcare, information service, the sex industry and traditional robots.All the five stories are blogs (five or six short posts each), accessible from the main page here:

http://cargocollective.com/humanrobotrelations

To get to the stories from the main page, click one of the five robots, then follow the link on the blurb page (Click "See My Story" at the bottom of each blurb).

I only have another two weeks before I submit, so it would be great if you guys could read these and leave some comments in the blogs!
The idea was that the readers would be able to interact directly with the characters.

Thanks guys! Hope to see your comments and contributions!

Chris

Current Mood: hopeful

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Party Time!...
I did some web crawling this evening, and found that my first three books are listed at Amazon, and Barnes and Noble.  (!)   They should also be available through Espresso Book Machine, although I'm not sure if they are listed yet.

Amazon.com
barnesandnoble.com

You'll need to do a search for my publishing imprint, 'The Written Wyrd'.

If someone decides to look into Espresso Book Machine, please let me know how that turns out.   I expect the fourth novel, 'MacKenna', should be up by the first of next month, since Lightning Source catalogs on a monthly basis, and 'Overland' will likely be available by the first of December.

It's been a long, frustrating journey, but it looks like we're finally reaching the goal line.   It feels darn good!

By best to all,


Current Mood: happy

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Market: All Access Pass Call for Submissions


I'm reading for a sequel to my anthology Backstage Passes: An Anthology of Rock and Roll Erotica from the Pages of Blue Blood. Backstage Passes features fiction from Poppy Z. Brite, Nancy A. Collins, Yon Von Faust, Amelia G, Sèphera Girón, Andrew Greenberg, Thomas S. Roche, William Spencer-Hale, John Shirley, Shariann Lewitt, Will Judy, Althea Morin, Cecilia Tan, and more. I'm hoping to get a similar mix of kickass emerging talent and established writers for the sequel.

Extended submission guidelines for writing for Blue Blood projects in general are available on the Blue Blood Books site. There is a submission form and submit email listed on the web site.

For this book in specific, music must play a central role in the story. Events could take place at a punk club or an outdoor festival, characters may be musicians, music may just really speak to a particular character, but it needs to be important. Science fiction, horror, fantasy, and similar elements are welcome. All Access Pass is a paying market. When submitting electronically, please make the subject of your email ALL ACCESS PASS SUBMISSION.

Final deadline for submissions to All Access Pass is January 5, 2011.

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Crossed Genres Seeking SFF + CHARACTERS OF COLOR Submissions!
( The Current Genre for Crossed Genres Issue #24 (to be released November 1, 2010) is Characters of ColorCollapse )

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An Insidious Plan...
Hello everyone.

I want to take a moment to update everyone about my writing efforts, and to enlist your aid in a major project.   Some time back, I realized that the chances of getting published were slim, and of making a lasting impression in this world even slimmer.   So I decided to change the playing field.

After a few false starts, I am well on my way to releasing my first five books in POD form through a major international outlet, Lightning Source.   To back this up, I am setting up a non-profit trust to hold my literary works.   The proceeds from sales will go to a non-profit 503 organization to promote genre literature and popular interest in spec fi, fantasy, horror, etc.

Things at my end are coming together, but I still need to establish a working relationship with a non-profit organization, of which I am sure there are several suitable ones.   I am open to groups on a nation wide basis.   If you are part of such a group, or know of such, please get ahold of me.

I am going to set high standards for the chosen group: with a decent track record, a well established organization capable of administering my works once I'm gone, and which does basic outreach such as putting books in school and public libraries, promoting literacy programs, etc.   One thing I am especially interested in is a group which can provide translations for my works in foreign language editions - something that is a natural for POD.

Please let me hear from you.   I expect my first five books to be available before the end of the year, so I hope to have this wrapped up by then.

All my best,

Bob Boyd

Current Mood: hopeful

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Seeking Enlightenment...
Hello everyone,

Is there anyone on this list who is a Hindu?  Or who knows Hindu names and customs?  Or knows someone who is/does?   My newest novel, 'MacKenna'. is complete except that I need some advice on Hindu names, phrases, and customs.  Sad to say, my source here in Tacoma wimped out on me.  Anyone?

All my best,

Bob   :-{>

Current Mood: frustrated

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B'gawd! Another Wannabe Writer...
Hello everyone,

Just signed up, so I thought I should introduce myself.   My name is Bob Boyd, and I live in Tacoma, Washington.   I've been developing my craft since the early 00's, and have recently published my first three novels on line at Smashwords.com.

My writing style has been described as 'realistic, humanistic stories of ordinary people in extraordinary situations'.   I have completed works in SF political thriller, horror, and humor, and I have a steampunk and a dramatic SF in the editing.   I especially enjoy examining how ordinary folks cope with crisis (being the sadistic barstid I am).

I am concerned with the state of the literature, in particular the sorry situation with the major print publishers, and I welcome any thoughts, suggestions, or dialogue on how we up-and-coming authors can cope in these difficult circumstances.   As a newly e-published author, I am also especially keen on marketing, something that we all need to work on.

BTW, I was just over to Smashwords.com, and they are having a Summer Reading promotion during July with discounts on e-book downloads.  I've done some snooping, and have come across a number of spec fi authors on that site, including yours truly (a-hem).  Drop by and check them out.

All my best for the holiday,

Bob

https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/RobertABoyd


Current Mood: optimistic

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What do you guys think of this story idea?

The year is 2103. Most of Earth has been destroyed and turned to wastelands that are now inhabited by an alien race known as the Droma.

In 2040 the Matai, another alien race and enemy of the Droma, were able to rescue several hundred people and take them back to their home planet Varuna.

The main character's name is Indira. In 2091 she was rescued from the Droma by the Mataian "Air Force". She was eight months pregnant when they found her. She could barely remember her name and still remembers little from her past. She is now pilot for the Starship NightRider(The name will change. I just needed to call it something for the time being).

Throughout the first book Indira learns about her past while helping the Matai fight the Droma.


Also, if you would like to help me write it just send me an email at meaganlee@writeme.com. If you would like to read the story as I write it you can also email me.

Current Mood: artistic

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The Science in My Fiction Contest!
There’s been a lot of talk recently about whether science fiction is obsolete, no longer the genre of ideas, and so on. Some people have claimed that there is no need to educate yourself in science in order to write science fiction.

We respectfully think that’s hooey, so we came up with the Science in My Fiction contest!

( Here’s how it works…Collapse )

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