Well, welcome to Advent. First, let’s start with you Advent presents.
Advent Calendars
There are numerous online calendars out there but the one I’m attached to (as ever) is the TTA Press one. You can find the latest links from the website ([External Link]) and there is a forum thread for discussion ([External Link]).
Of course, you’ve guessed the reason why I’m attached to it: I have a story up on the 9th.
Also, if you want me to mention another Advent calendar or you feel my ignorance of them needs fixing, put something in the comments or get in touch!
UnSeasonal Videos
Those of you who’ve been before at this time of year know that I like to post videos during Advent. So, here’s two. Yes, two. I recently “re-found” the Moondial series on YouTube and thought I’d share. I’m going to be a bit odd in that I’m going to post two episodes (there’s a total of six) each weekend. This means that the Sunday before Christmas will have to be something else. I have no idea what, yet, but I will post something.
Moondial, Episdoe 1:
Moondial, Episode 2:
Right, now the presents are out the way, here’s the “business” stuff.
Last week, I was nominated by Bob Lock to take part in the “The Next Big Thing” blog roll (direct link to Bob’s version here: [External Link]). This goes up on Wednesday 5th December and I nominate a couple of people to carry on from me (I’m not publicly naming and shaming until Wednesday). There are also a selection of links to other friends and acquaintances who have already taken part.
The second thing I want to mention is Flattr [External Link]. It’s a new(ish) way to leave tips for websites that looks promising. Basically, you put some money on a Flattr account. You wander the internet and tip things. At the end of the month, the money you put on account gets split between all your tip notices. It doesn’t seem like a lot (a tip could end up being as little as a Euro cent) but if lots of people do it, it could add up to signifcant recognition and recompense for the people who put a lot of time and effort into their web content.
Anyway, I’ve signed up and intend to trial it for December. My main aim is to be able to give recognition to others without having to give a chunk of money (Paypal, etc, make it difficult to, say, give just 50p for a good story). This also means, as I’m self-serving this way, I’ve set up the buttons on my website, too. I only intend to have them active on the fiction I make available but, until I get on top of the plug-in, they can turn up on any post I haven’t disabled them on. Please have patience with this and please consider putting them on any content you offer in case someone feels like leaving a tip!
Finally, the Outlaw Bodies information:
- The blog carnival [External Link] can be found here. Nothing has gone up lately. Please let us know if you have a review up that isn’t mentioned or you’ve seen one.
- Some of the stories have been released as the latest The Future Fire issue (#25 is here: [External Link]). My story is one of the ones available as a webpage.
- If you look up the EPUB or mobi format copies of the anthology on Wizard Tower Books [External Link], my story (being the first in the book) is the taster.
- And if you want to talk about that story, there’s room in the comments on the background post.