Return to Book Island

As reported in early 2010,  Book Island was undergoing a revitalization.  During the first quarter, the Island has flourished and now the community of writers and publishers is even more vibrant and alive. The new area  is full! Nearly all of the Island's homes and shops have been rented. Each home has  an upstairs patio, 2 bedrooms, private jetty, some with sunset and waterfront location. An individual  texturing service is also available for both. 
Many exciting events are now scheduled weekly on the Island, including readings.  Often held in the Beach area is a monthly salon hosted by RL romance writers, Melissa Mahue (FaeWritr Brookmite) and Elaine Laveine (Vinnie Mimistrobell).  The have hosted RL literary figures.
The Podcasters group was organized by Emz Mazie, Insight Zadark and Imarad Breen.  In addition to podcasting the live readings,  frequent tapings of the Horrow Addicts podcast are held in front of a live audience.  This group also promotes Marketing and has fairly regular office hours if you want to go to learn and get advice about it.  As well,  Emz Mazie holds regular meetings at Quills, her shop on the island, where the audience can witness an actual podcast being made and broadcast. Recently, Imarad Breen, author of the novel, "The Fox,"  made a podcast of her short story, "The Nibblers."
A New Community Centre  provides a popular hang out on the first floor, while classes are held on the second floor.  The second floor is also available for RL writers' groups to meet, eliminating the need to commute.  Assistance is available for any newcomers who would like to use this area for their group.
Resident psychotherapist, Micca Hedrick, leads a free weekly  Relationship Support Group. This group discusses RL relationship issues.   
The Book Island Beach area continues to host many classes, some of which include/have included:

• Building with 10 Goosson (co-owner M&M Creations).  This was a 5-week building course which has now concluded. 
• SL Photography with Elsbeth Writer.  This was also a one-time course offering, but is another great example of what is being done and planned on Book Island.

Future planned events include:

• Sandor Zabelin's poetry readings read by Persephone Phoenix from Blue Angel Poets Dive, scheduled for 29 April at 7 pm
• Neal Herriat reading from his book "The Thistle"
• The very popular Sabreman Carter reading his poetry
• Jay B. Cox Harvey Lurra) reading his book, "Memoir of a Mind Toy" (Doesn't THAT sound interesting!)
• Nightmare Scribe and Magaere Swansong's  free lecture series and paid course: Henry and Hollie Snider, founders of the award-winning Colorado Springs Fiction Writers' Group will be offering lectures and classes on the writing process and covering aspects ranging from characterization and mechanics to scene development and storyline.

It is evident that Selina Greene and her crew have done some remarkable things on the Island to bring it back to life.  The place is alive with interesting and exciting things!  If you are a writer, want to be a writer, or just an avid lover of reading and books, this is the place to go!  Join the Book Island Events and Discussion Group to receive notices of their weekly and other special events.


By Shellie Sands

Book Island Revisited

In a previous article, I had discussed Book Island and the fact that the owner had seemingly disappeared and Book Island seemed to be dying out.  I spoke recently with Selina Greene, sim owner, who has set the record straight.  I had previously been unable to reach her for comment when I wrote the first article.
Selina explained this was due to the fact that her computer died, and the one she was using was unable to accommodate SL.  In addition, she was also going through a complicated pregnancy.  She and her new baby and doing quite well now.

A large extension  to the Cartland Court area of the island had been built, which would explain the many empty shops I saw when I was last there.  The island now has a 90% occupancy with many tenants remaining and new vendors coming in. 

In 2010, Selina, together with Arton Tripsa, are planning many things, including a redesign of the public areas,  as well as multiple events.  A google calendar has been installed in the main square for "Events on the Beach."   The addition of the calendar will provide residents with the opportunity to plan and scheduled their own events.  To date, 3 events are planned, including a Book Island party with DJ Grizzly Silversmith, one of the residents. 

The island has become home to quite a few new residents.  One of the groups includes Podcrafters, organized by Emz Mazie, Imarad Breen and Insight Zadark.  Members of the Written Word group will recognize Emz Mazie's name (aka Emerian Rich).  The group promotes Podcasting and Marketing.  In addition, they produce Podiobooks, serialized audio books.  These are available for free at http://podiobooks.com.  Examples of the podcasts will be shown on the TV screen in the main square.   As well, a trailer of Arlene Radasky's (Imarod Breen) book, "Mark of the Druid," will be shown on the TV screen.

 

RL romance writers, Melissa Mayhue (FaeWritr Bookmite) and Elaine Levine (Vinnie Mimistrobell) hold a month SL Salon on the Island,  held often at Books at the Beach. During the past year, they have hosted RL literary figures, Deidre Knight, Elissa Wilds, Deb Stover and Terri Brisbin. Another resident is Nightmare Scribe, a writer and co-founder of the award-winning Colorado Springs Fiction Writer's Group at http://www.csfwg.org.

Over the next couple of weeks, new homes are being built for  writers who would like to live in a literary community. 

With the many plans in place, the future of Book Island looks, indeed, very bright and I look forward to becoming a bit involved with events there.

Shellie Sands

What Happened to Book Island?

A visit to Book Island, adjacent to the now vanished Publishing Island, revealed a virtual ghost town, one that lent an eerie feeling of abandonment. 

Walking about, it was evident that quite a few empty booths were present, and not a soul in sight.   An information sign provided rental details and contact individuals.   Notes were sent to each of the two contacts listed, Selina Greene, the sim owner, and Ariadne Korda, "Cultural Manager."   A click on the blog link in an effort to obtain more information proved to be futile...the blog was no longer recognized.

Book Island was once an active sim, complete with its own blog and  various events focused on writers, as well as readers, offering live readings, etc. One author, Diana Allandale, once held writing seminars there.  She did not respond to a request for comments.   

Word on the street has it that the sim owner vanished, supposedly to pursue her RL publishing career, rarely communicating with only one other person on the Island.   According to Ariadne, Cultural Manager, she assumes that tier continues to be paid, but had no information to offer on the demise of Publishing Island.   I had a chat with Ariadne, who was kind enough to respond to the request for information.  The information she had to offer began to paint a very sad picure. 

AK:   "Hi Shellie - I would LOVE to know what is going on with Book Island myself - the owner has disappeared, not a word from her for over a year (to me at least). I can add people to the group (and still do), but can't even remove things with my name on them. The whole thing is frustrating and extremely disappointing to me - there is zero communication. Yes would be pleased to tell you what I know, but it's not much."

SS:  "Thanks for your response...If you can tell me the evolution of things, that would be sufficient I think."

AK:  "The owner just said she had some RL issues and then disappeared, basically...

she communicates rarely with another person at BI, who is also pretty frustrated. I would have dropped the group but I still answer requests to join it, and never say anything negative...but it's hard when people say 'it's not very dynamic, is it?' I can only presume the owner is still paying tier but I had no info about the sale of Publishing.  I am SORELY tempted to send out a group notice (I still have powers, I think) and ask what the hell is going on."

SS:  "Not a bad idea...have you made repeated attempts to contact her?  It seems she has left the place to rot, and it is also a portion empty."

AK:   "YES. I had her mail, and no answer, including some fairly blunt ones."

SS:  "Lost interest it seems."

AK:  "Yes... and people are still paying rent, which is sad.  I was hired as 'cultural manager' (I'm a published writer) to do events, but that was like bashing my head against a wall,

every idea was 'well, I'll give it some thought'."

SS:  "And then left to nothing?"

AK:  "I organised dozens at first, for which she OCCASIONALLY paid me (but only if I was there... which isn't possible on US times).  So I got the odd 200L, but not if I did the work but  wasn't actually present..then she disappeared so I wasn't going to just give and give. I rebuilt the beach area (I build on here) - to virtually no comment.  So yes, frustration all along the line, and it's SUCH a shame - the place has potential but not if it's just left to rot."

SS:  "Gosh, it could be a meeting place for writers and sharing of ideas and such, have readings and stuff."

AK:  " Yes I did that...at one point she mentioned wondering if to keep it - and a group of friends offered to buy her out and she said 'no' - this was before she disappeared.  So I'm afraid I more or less abandoned ship. I was getting nothing from it in terms of pleasure or appreciation."

SS:  "I understand that."

AK:  "The place really needs a rebuild and some WORK on it, but I can't see anyone doing that for free...I really AM sympathetic if the owner has problems."

SS:  "It seems such a shame the whole thing, how can someone just abandon an entire sim?"

AK:  " But how much effort would it take to answer my mails, IMs, notecards?"

SS:  "Exactly...well, I understand your plight Aridane, and I sympathize...please le me know if you find anything out further."

AK:  "I will... I would actually just like to LEAVE but as my name is on the notecards I feel I should still give people the group tag...although even then..."

SS:  "I understand...maybe the article will bring some attention to the situation."

AK:   "Maybe. It's just such a SHAME...But... getting it turned around would be a massive job."

SS:   "Yes, and would require time and dedication."

AK:  "At the time, I had that... But not when I have no leeway, and not least no income from it.  It's NOT my place, and no instructions, no nothing...such a shame..."

SS:  "Agreed Ariadne :(  I'm so sorry, but I am happy you gave me the info you have :)"

AK:  "You can quote me, particularly the 'such a shame'.  I'm sad rather than angry."

SS:  "Thanks so much for your time."

AK:  "You're welcome."

So, it seems  the future of Book Island is unknown at this time.  One can only hope that change will occur and bring new life to this worthwhile place.

By Shellie Sands