New: Central Calendar for Writer-related Events in SL

[Alas Zerbino]

I'm spreading the word about this new Google calendar I started that I hope will become a great resource for writers in Second Life. Here's an excerpt from my blog post about it at WRITERS IN THE (virtual) SKY:
. . .

The one thing I haven't yet discovered in Second Life (if you know about it, please tell me!!) is a central information source for writer-related events. So I'm starting one right now! I've collected all of the ongoing events I know about and put them on this Google calendar, which is freely available to the public: (see it here)

The calendar will appear as a permanent sidebar on this blog, so you can always see it no matter what page of my blog you're viewing. You'll also find the calendar on the Internet at this link.

Now for the fine-print (but in regular-size font):

• This calendar is nowhere near complete!!! I'm extending an invitation to anyone who hosts or sponsors an event to add it to this calendar by emailing me or giving me a notecard inworld (my SL name is Alas Zerbino).
• If you host or sponsor regular writers' activities, write to me about getting direct access to the calendar so you can add your events yourself!
• This is a totally unofficial calendar unconnected with any of the people, organizations, or places listed. If something's incorrect, if you don't want your events to be included on it, etc., etc., just let me know! My goal is to serve the writing community in Second Life, not to piss anyone off!!
• This calendar is not connected in any way, shape, or form with Second Life© or Linden Lab, the company that owns SL.

Within a short time, I will also create a feed from this Google calendar into a display at my homebase in SL, Story Mountain Center for Writers, where anyone can view it inworld at any time.

I also invite all of those interested in writing resources and opportunities in Second Life to spread the word about this calendar and let me know of other resources like this!

. . .

For the whole story behind this calendar (including my disagreement with one of the major industry pubs for writers that initiated my blog), you can read the entire post on my blog.

[Alas Zerbino]

Thanks so much for your support, Sigmund!!

You're right about the mixed quality of writing in and around SL -- I guess that parallels real life! But it's good to read your position on payment. I hate it that there seems to be a downward trend on payment to writers, which is caused both by organizations unwilling to pay for services, as well as by desperate novice writers willing to work for free.

I totally understand about real-life requirements, so any support for the calendar is much appreciated!!!

[Sigmund Leominster]

Great idea! Count me in, Alas. And I read your blog about The Writer magazine's notion that your article on Second Life "didn’t meet their editorial needs." That is, of course, a crock! A "writer's magazine" is, by definition, about "writing" and not topic! If someone writes a most excellent article on the beauty and enchantment of a paper clip, which spellbinds and astounds the reader, then it "meets their editorial needs!"

There is some very good and very bad writing happening in and around Second Life. I'm just a jobbing freelancer who writes about anything so long as their is a paycheck involved! That doesn't mean I can be sloppy but it does mean I place a value on what I do - as should ALL writers in the Metaverse. I am wary of any Second Life publication that says, "We can't pay you but it is an opportunity to develop your talents." Yeah, right. If I don't want pay, I blog.

All the best with the calendar. I will try my best to contribute but forgive me if I slack off. Like everyone else in SL, I have a RL too, and sometimes that comes first ;