One of the serendipitous things that’s happened to me in Second Life is the chance to get involved with a writers’ showcase at a virtual university, where I’ve gotten to know a lot of other writers and participated in many kinds of projects for creative writers.
I’ve never seen anything in the physical world quite like either the TLE Educational Network — the sponsoring organization — or its Creative Showcase for Writers. But then, that’s one of the delights of Second Life: it offers all kinds of opportunities not possible in “real life.”
A front view of the TLE Creative Showcase for Writers, where the Speakeasy Party & Poetry Slam will be held Saturday, May 23, at 7 p.m. Pacific time
The TLE Creative Showcase for Writers started out as a little booth set up by Kitviel Silberberg when he first launched his free virtual university and educational space now called the TLE Educational Network. Kitviel is himself a published author and wanted to create a place where writers could showcase their creative work for free.
This SL writers’ showcase is now a massive four-story building with a “writer’s retreat” on the main floor where you can just hangout on the comfy couches and chairs by the fireplace, or play games like the Second Life version of Scrabble, Monopoly, backgammon, checkers, and so on. That “retreat” is also the place where I have the great pleasure of facilitating two weekly “Writers’ Symposiums.” These are open events; anyone can attend. And their purpose is to give creative writers in Second Life a time to read their work aloud to other writers and readers, and to get helpful feedback, if they want it.
A few of the displays at the Creative Showcase for Writers in SL, where authors can promote their work for free.
The top three floors of the showcase consist of displays of all kinds of writing done by real writers who hang out in the virtual world of SL. You’ll see images of novels and nonfiction books that you’ll also find in a physical world bookstore, books that have been published only in Second Life, e-books, books of poetry and individual poems, links to short stories in literary magazines and online journals, graphic novels, and just about every genre — a true representation of the variety of creative works written by authors in SL. It’s quite an amazing display!
Speakeasy Cocktail Party on May 23
But it’s not just your average cocktail party. It celebrates the legacy of The Jazz Age and the speakeasy, which has become synonymous with creative writers. And it just so happens that May 23 is the 75th anniversary of the final shootout between the cops and two of the legendary gangsters of the Roaring ’20s and early ’30s: Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow.
To celebrate the growth of the Creative Showcase for Writers, as well as to introduce it to more folks in-world, TLE is hosting a party there this weekend, starting at 7 p.m. Second Life Time (Pacific time) on Saturday, May 23.
Thus, the theme of the party: “An Offer You Can’t Refuse.” What’s the offer that cannot be refused? For writers, the opportunity to promote their work for free at the Creative Showcase for Writers. For everyone else, a speakeasy-Roaring ’20s-Jazz Age party with live music and dancing, virtual cocktails, a poetry slam between two excellent poets, and the chance to network with others in the Second Life literary scene.
Flash Fiction Contest Open through May 27
Plus!! – if you’re a writer — the chance to win a little cash and publication in a SL anthology, thanks to the “An Offer You Can’t Refuse” Flash Fiction Contest. (Don’t be alarmed — the deadline for entries isn’t until May 27.) The theme of the contest is the same as the party, and all details about the contest can be found on the TLE blog here.
What’s the catch, you ask? There is no catch! That’s one of the great things about Second Life — and also the TLE Educational Network — so many exciting, free opportunities are available to anyone who comes into SL.
In the flapper outfit I plan to wear to Saturday's Speakeasy, I'm standing by the dropoff for entries in the flash fiction contest that ends at midnight (Pacific time), May 27, with three winners to get win cash prizes, and all entries to be published in an anthology in SL.
So, on Saturday, I’m going to dress up my avatar Alas Zerbino in her vintage flapper outfit and go have a blast at the “Speakeasy Cocktail Party & Poetry Slam” at the TLE Creative Showcase for Writers — one of my favorite haunts in Second Life.
Just The Facts
What: Speakeasy Cocktail Party, Poetry Slam, Dance & Open House
When: 7 to 9 p.m. SLT (Pacific time) Saturday, May 23
Cost: Absolutely free!
Where: Creative Showcase for Writers at the TLE Educational Network in Second Life; here’s the SLURL you can use to teleport there directly: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Kimokeo%20Cove/86/42/22
I hope you can join me and Alas at the party on Saturday!
