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Stealer of Souls (Sneak Peek 2)

Posted by Valjeanne Jeffers on June 27, 2009 at 1:30pm

Joseph and Karla awoke in a forest of towering redwoods, oaks and weeping willows. They were human again and dressed. Ripple was no where in sight.They got to their feet, gazing around them. It was impossible to say how long they‘d slept, since the tops of the trees eclipsed all light from above.Suddenly to their right, came the sound of approaching hoofs. Weaving easily between the trees, a creature came bearing down upon them. From the waist up, she was a fetching Bronze woman of twenty or so odd years with sepia skin. Yet her body ended in a burgundy mare’s hindquarters. Reddish brown hair curled about her shoulders and her pert breasts were covered by a silver bustier.The last time they’d seen a creature like this had been during the Time of Legend. Then the female centaur had been a Guardian -- a fierce alley who’d fought beside them. But they sensed that this was no elder. She brought with her an aura of malevolence. Karla drew closer to Joseph.The creature came abreast of them: “Hello!” she said, her lashes fluttering prettily above her green eyes. “I haven’t seen you here before. Are you lost?”Innocence and a lack of feeling -- or more precisely the inability to feel -- emanated from her. A strange recipe indeed, and even more deadly than menace alone.Joseph neatly sidestepped the question: “We uh…we’ve lost our friend.”“Oh?” her voice was light and airy, like an adolescent’s. “What does he look like?”“He’s a man in his seventies, with dark hair -- like mine.”The centaur laughed: a brittle akin to breaking glass. Karla felt the hair on the back of her neck stand up.“An old man is this place? That’s funny! No one ages here…! And no one goes home either.”“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” Karla blurted.The centaur smiled widely -- a grin that didn’t quite reach her sea green eyes.“I have to go…But I’ll see you later.” She clopped straight ahead into the forest and vanished.Karla held tightly to Joseph staring into the path where the creature had disappeared. “Joseph I’m scared -- really scared! Where are we?”Joseph looked grim. “I don’t know baby, but she scared the shit out of me too.”The dark woman looked up at him. “Do you think Ripple planned this -- to leave us like this?”He shook his head. “No. I think he was taken, and that thing knows where he is.”Copyright Valjeanne Jeffers 2009 all rights reservedI scare myself sometimes. And this passage, for some reason scared the shit out of me -:). But it's one of my favorites -:)

After flagellating myself for months, I revised a short-short story and submitted it. Gotta start somewhere.

Posted by MariesDaughter on June 26, 2009 at 11:34am

After flagellating myself for months, I revised a short-short story and submitted it. Gotta start somewhere.

ARRRGH!

Posted by Night Manager on June 22, 2009 at 1:59pm

Not getting ANY interest from Agents from my query letter. Any hints to help me improve it or should I just break down and rewrite the 1st chapter of my book?Query:I’ve been a fan of Sci-Fi and fantasy since before I could even read. For a young African American that meant watching and reading stories that didn’t include people who looked like me or who were from where I was from. Then as I got older it seemed as though the opposite began to happen with OVERLY Afro centric characters and settings. But these stories felt even more alien to me than those with the incredibly monochromatic heroes and places that I had already been accustomed to reading.So I when I got tired of just reading I started writing and eventually, after college (HU!), a bit of Air Force, and a long ugly stint in retail, I wrote THE SERPENT CULT, an Urban Fantasy story set in a fictional modern day East coast city. If you like action, suspense and mystery then you’re going to love visiting Mountairy Rock.As a matter of fact there’s so much action… maybe I should add “Action” to the description…Yea… it’s an Action Urban Fantasy that takes place in Mountairy Rock; an old city within a modern city where goliath trees dwarf the skyscrapers, hidden packs of werewolves roam the rooftops, modern day witches practice in secret… and a leviathan of a Demon secretly builds it’s own army of crazed worshipers. So there’s actually quite a bit of the occult mixed in too.I guess that makes it an Action Urban Occult Fantasy novel.Anyway, life had finally started to come together for Max Madigan. This was going to be the year that would see him finally get his Doctorate, start his career and hopefully kick his long dormant love life back into gear.But just as the New Year starts there’s a grisly massacre at Haley University Museum, where Max works as a researcher. Several employees were murdered when black leather clad cultists broke into the building apparently in a frantic search for some unknown item. As a Senior Researcher, Max was asked by the police to help them sort through the ransacked Museum in order to discover what the maniacs had been after. Max unknowingly stumbles across the StoneAt first glance the small engraved stone seemed to be nothing more than a bit of debris from the violence of the attack. So insignificant that he doesn’t notice that it pulses warmly with mystical power. Now, much to his distress, the path that his life had been traveling down has been irrevocably changed.Indeed everything seems different. Even his native city suddenly becomes very foreign to him. The Detective in charge of investigating the murders suspects Max of being involved. The cult responsible for the murders now knows that he is in possession of the Stone and begins launching attacks at him. Their members are crazed, maniacal and in some cases; serpent eyed and fang toothed.Fortunately the mysterious and powerful Stone seems to be tune with his peril and begins to fill him with its power granting him the incredible strength, speed, and heightened senses of a feral animal. It is a mystical power and it is just enough to keep Max half a step ahead of the cult and just out of arms reach of being cuffed and imprisoned by the law. But there are others who can sense and want the power that emanates from the Stone.Prya, a flame haired vixen from the isolated Downhills section of Mountairy Rock, has taken a keen interest in both the Stone and Max himself. That interest isn’t looked upon by lightly by her self proclaimed fiancé, Lotarre who, along with his brothers begin a relentless pursuit of Max all over Mountairy Rock.Beset on all sides by danger and a mounting foray of enemies, Max’s luck turns and he is given aid by a modern day witch, Rasheeda Landry. Rasheeda serves as a guide to the side of Mountairy Rock that he’s never seen. She warns him of the dangers of Mountairy Rock, of the wickedness of the Serpent Cult……and she warns him of the Demon.Though it’s the members of the Cult that will fight, kill, and die if necessary in their worship, Max must eventually deal with the Demon that is intent on possessing the Stone. After wave after wave of crazed maniacs and wicked serpent-men fail to capture it, the stage is set for the ultimate face-off between the Demon and an exhausted, beaten and spent Max in the back alleys of Mountairy Rock.So that’s my pitch. I’m looking for a bit of guidance and help navigating my publishing options. As I’ve said I’ve never been published but I have posted work to few web sites and have received very positive feedback. I also wrote a short story, Race War that will be featured in; Future Passage: The Black Science Fiction Society Anthology.The SERPENT CULT is complete and runs 144,000 words. It’s not the first book I’ve finished but it’s the first one I’m trying to get published and I’m hoping to make a SERIES out of it.…hence the word “chronicles” in the title…I know, I know; "Chronicles" has been SO run into the ground! But I had this title in my head long before everybody else jumped on the bandwagon and I'm gonna use it! I'm currently working on the second novel: The Mountairy Rock Chronicles: BLOOD CITY where Max battles both warring street gangs and a deranged serial killer. The third book will be based on a short story I wrote featuring Max called: The Ghost of P181. In Ghost a powerless Max must protect the woman he loves from an Urban Zombie in the basement of an abandoned project.…maybe Max is a superhero. Doesn’t that make it a Superhero Action Urban Occult Fantasy novel?…probably a bit redundant…THE MOUNTAIRY ROCK CITY CHRONICLES:THE SERPENT CULTPROLOGUE: SITE TWOWet soil sprayed a good ten feet when he landed. Barely… just barely… he managed to make it across the water and onto the other bank. Before he was even sure of his footing he turned, twisted and looked back across the narrow river into the dark shadows of the jungle on the other side. The bright full moon could not penetrate the dense canopy.Where were they?He sat there, down on one knee, as still and quiet as he could be. His lungs ached as he held his breath and strained his ears. Over the pounding of his heartbeat and the sound of the slow moving water he could hear nothing else.Had he lost them?Then came a bird’s angry warning cry. Just on the other side of the water but farther up the bank it, whatever bird it was, warbled twice; its nest was threatened.They were coming.He leapt up and ran on, delving into the dense jungle on his side of the river. Quickly he found an animal trail and followed it. It would be easier to run, easier to make good distance,…and easier for them to follow.Far too soon though he heard splashing behind him and knew they had reached the river. So he pumped his legs even harder, staying on the animal trail less the underbrush trip him.The moon seemed to run along side him, whenever it peaked through the trees. Though it was a clear night the heat and humidity made the air thick and heavy. It had rained earlier but that had done nothing to cool off the valley. Sweat poured out of his skin and soaked his clothes. That made running even harder but he pressed on.Another animal cried out. The call was one he did not recognize. Never the less whatever the beast was it was far off to his right now and behind him.He came to a stop. His pursuers had over shot him, perhaps thinking that he had followed the river. Again he held his breath and tried to listen past the blood beating in his ears.Another bird cry sounded this one even farther away. Slowly he let the breath go… exhaled and inhaled. He had lost them. They would follow the river all the way to the falls before they realized it. Only then would they would head back far too late to catch him.He cupped his hand over his wrist and pressed down on his watch face until it lit up with a faint indigo glow. It was almost four in the morning. They might reach the falls in fifteen minutes… turn back almost immediately… get back to base camp in an hour… search it for… ten minutes at the most before finding the invoices…After a second of calculation he figured that they could get to the airfield before six a.m. if it did not rain again. That meant they could stop the shipment.Quickly he looked about and found a thin, low hanging branch. Gripping it firmly he closed his eyes and took a deep, calming breath,then snapped it.Almost at once he heard the rallying cry followed by the warning cries of half a dozen different animals. They were getting sloppy now, and desperate. He could almost hear them crashing through the jungle. Maybe, if he was lucky, one of them would come across something dangerous… poisonous hopefully.Not that it would stop them. They were too determined… too close to let something so pedestrian stop them now.He turned on his heel and took off again. They would catch him he knew, but not for a good while longer.The path he was on had taken him uphill a bit until the foliage fell away. The dense jungle gave way to a small rocky outcropping that lead further down into the valley which lay spread out before him. The moonlight painted the tops of the trees with pale blue light for as far as he could see. The distant horizon was faint but he swore he could see the glow of the coming dawn. He heard a snarl and turned and looked back into the jungle behind him.It could not be them… it was too soon…it was…Without another thought he spun and leapt from the outcropping and down to the hard soil leading into the valley. His fears were confirmed by the sound of something crashing through the shrubbery behind him, hard steps on the rock of the ridge;… several somethings.They had split up he realized and almost cursed aloud his frustration. A couple of the smart bastards had followed the animal trail he had taken. Then they kept quiet when he let their friends know where he was until they could get right on top of them.Without time to search out and find another path he simply plunged forward into the jungle trying to stay near the big trees where the undergrowth was minimal.But he was slower now and they had much larger strides. The jungle here was still dense and he could see only a few meters about him in any direction. The crashing thumping, stomping footsteps of his pursuers were behind him and on both sides just beyond the dark leaves, tree trunks and crisscrossing vines. Now that they had him they snarled, clicked, and trilled their triumph.No longer trying to keep silent he took in deep breaths and let them out in hard rasping howls. Branches and vines whipped at his face, knurled roots and rocks tripped his feet. He thundered on.But then he heard the flapping of a great bird’s wings and the dark screen of jungle ahead of him shook and swayed.He skid to a stop and looked about. They had him surrounded. Clicks, snarls, growls, hissing, and trills sounded all about him. They were smarter this time; they were going to attack together. They would not give him the chance to escape again.He checked his watch again.It was just past Four now. He had to hold out; keep them from finding out he had tricked them for as long as he could.They stomped closer, together, from each side.He pulled the dagger from his belt and swore a silent vow to himself as they breached the dark foliage with their bright shining eyes. He would not fail. He would not fall.Not until the dawn arrived and the plane took the shipment all the way to America and out of their reach forever.Chapter one:NEW YEARS IN MOUNTAIRY ROCK"Happy NEW YEAR!!!" The raucous refrain was followed by the distant sound of firecrackers and the loud, off key, singing of the traditional New Years song over the car radio. Maximillion Madigan listened woefully as he drove on having been forced to leave the festivities at King square. That was because of a sudden and mysterious call from the Director and head curator of Haley Museum, Dr. Odom King. It was a call that ordered him to go immediately to the Museum that night.“Damn!” He muttered to the empty passenger seat. His date for the evening had “declined” to accompany him to the Museum. Not that he blamed her; the party at King square was going to be the best one Mountairy Rock city had ever seen. When he left it had been so crowded that he could not even see the huge stage set in front of City hall through the throngs of people standing shoulder to shoulder on New City Ave. Although that should not have mattered; with all the parties and other celebrations going on in center city, there was plenty to see and do. The huge snowdrifts lining the side streets from the past storm only packed the crowds tighter, but did nothing to stop them from growing. There were exhibitions, vendors selling just about anything, music coming from several open doors along the avenue, pop stars performing live, and women running around baring their chests for beads in this crazy weather.It was New Years’ Eve in Mountairy Rock City and every year it got better and better, crazier and crazier. The city had a strong and well represented culturally diversity. That meant that tonight there was nowhere you could go in Mountairy Rock and not find a grand celebration going on… except for the Museum that is. For the past three years Dr. King had ordered the Museum closed during New Years’, usually for inventory. Several key parties that had been held there had been forced to move, not without a little resentment, to other parts of the school or the city. Especially the huge Mountairy Rock countdown party which was both New Years celebration and the City’s founding day celebration.That was the real reason for the blow out. Mountairy Rock was an old city, officially two hundred and ninety-five years old, and as the city got closer to its official tri-centennial the huge end of year party had been getting bigger every year. Now that party was being held in King square, on the other side of the city and far out of site in Max's rear view mirror. Or rather it had been held in King Square; Max had already heard the count down and fireworks.So that meant that he was going to get there a little late this year if at all. Hopefully, he could return to his date before she found another escort.His cell had gone off about fifteen before midnight, and like a complete idiot, he answered even though he knew it was his boss and mentor, Dr. King. The only reason King would have to call him in the middle of New Years’ Eve would have to be something of such importance that it would definitely bring his evening to an end. It turned out that someone had broken into the Museum and the Doctor wanted Max to be there, as he himself could not arrive for some time.Probably at the party he was hosting, having a ball! He thought. King was the curator of Haley museum, one of the largest museums in America. He was also a Professor and a Dean at Mountairy Rock University, where Max was doing his graduate studies in...“DAMN!” The young man cursed his luck. Even with it being the holidays there was always a good number of staff and security at the museum, so much so that he should not have been called no matter what the emergency was. Unfortunately because many of his superiors had gone to a research project taking place in Africa recently, Max was made Dr. King’s new top aid. If something had happened in the labs or offices where they had been working then it was important that someone who was familiar with what was going on to be there.Dammit! He had only been trying to talk with Rosette for a month and when she finally agrees to go out with him this happens. Hell, he had rented a Benz.The police were already there when he pulled up and Max saw half a dozen squad cars parked outside among the huge piles of plowed snow as well as a few ambulances. The usual over kill response the Museum usually got for alarms and such. Money demands attention and the Museum and the University were the two biggest moneymakers the city had in the past century.The lot was so filled that Max had to park the rental a good distance away from the museum. All six feet three inches of him stepped out of the car. The long black over coat blew impressively as he walked down the row of police cars and snow banks. It was his good one, and also his only one as was the suit beneath it. His good hat had been lost so he complimented his wardrobe with a black baseball cap, the number 76 emblazed in white on it. It was as sharp a look as he could manage and he was going to be wasting it on cops and a stupid break-in. With any luck he would be able to get out of there soon, find Rosette and somehow salvage the night.There were only two officers just outside the big double doors of the Museum’s barbican; the huge medieval guardhouse, but he knew there would be more in the Museum itself. Careful of ice he ran up the steps, noticing that one of the policemen was bent over."Excuse me? I'm Max Madigan. Dr. King sent me over to see what happened." The officer who was bent over stood up and wiped his mouth, the mess on the ground was apparent. Max almost smiled. It looked like these cops took to the New Year’s festivities early, and hard."Go ahead inside.” said his partner, who did not even bother to look in Max's direction. “They're expecting you."Carefully he stepped past the officers, through the barbican, and across the causeway that sat over the empty basin of the moat. Why the cop couldn’t stop here to gag, instead of inside the barbican, Max did not know.This was Haley Museum’s main visitor entrance, still very much the old world castle for tourists. The moat was usually full and fed by an under ground waterway originating from and flowing back out to Cobbs river but in winter it was blocked off and kept empty. From the front of the Museum, which sat on Germantown Avenue, this was the only way to gain entrance. Students, Professors and employees entered through the “Dock” along the side. The fact that the police and Ambulance vehicles were sitting out in front must have meant that whatever had happened, must have happened either in the Gatehouse, maybe in the Outer Bailey beyond or worse, in the Main building of the Museum itself.In that case it could have been something that happened in the South tower where Dr. King’s offices and labs were, and where Max worked.As he passed through the Gatehouse door he spotted the broken glass on the floor. The glass front door that was cut out of the larger drawbridge, which had not been lowered since before the town was founded, had been broken open. Cold winter air blew into the Gatehouse behind him when he entered but that did not stop a strong acrid smell from making him wince as he took it in. What was it?It was almost as cold inside here as it was outside. The Museum was always a cold drafty place anyway and the heating system never seemed to be able to compensate, but now it was so cold he could see his breath. There was another officer just inside the vestibule standing there apparently waiting for the ill officer. The look on this officer’s face made Max feel an even greater chill."What happened?" He could already see that the Gatehouse was in shambles. “You guys had your New Year’s party here again?” He was joking, but the police man’s face only grew tauter."Thought it was just vandalism, until we found the bodies." The officer stated flatlyBodies?

The Museum of Uncut Funk is officially the shiznit people!

Posted by The Museum Of UnCut Funk on June 21, 2009 at 10:19pm

ghettoManga.com

comics.hipHop.news.art.cultureThe Museum of Uncut Funk is officially the shiznit people! they CONSISTANTLY educate me on the untold history of black comics. their feature on Black Music and Comics not only covered books i knew about (KRS ONE's Break the Chain), but they dropped dime on books about Public Enemy, Ice-T and 2 Live Crew that i never even HEARD of... and that's just the hip hop stuff! but the Museum always goes deep to break you off the knowledge, and sports a comicbook collection any comics nerd would covet! peep 'em here www.musuemofuncutfunk.com.holla!-samax

World of Hurt

Posted by The Museum Of UnCut Funk on June 21, 2009 at 10:16pm

“Funkemporium!” May 1st, 2009Gotta give some link love to The Museum of Uncut Funk!Described by curator Pamela Thomas, aka “Sister Tofunky,” as “The planet’s first virtual museum dedicated to the celebration and preservation of the FUNK!,” The Museum of Uncut Funk has more galleries than the Smithsonian Institution. Before you click the link, get yourself a two-day pass and pack a lunch, ’cause you’ll definitely be there a while and you’ll STILL have to come back for more.The Museum of Uncut Funk is split into approximately 7 different virtual “galleries.” The galleries spin off from the main collection. Each gallery focuses on a different aspect of 70’s Black pop culture, and most combine the blog format with permanent exhibits dedicated to that focus. My favorite gallery is sort of a hodge-podge, catch-all for Ms. Thomas, entitled “Can’t Get Enough…Of that Funky Stuff Blog,” however I also dug the “Jim Kelly Exhibit,” for its breezy, but informative, multi-media look at the man’s life and career . Each gallery boasts a wide array of funky memorabilia from Ms. Thomas’ personal collection, like Blaxploitation movie posters, Blaxploitation soundtrack album cover art, and Blaxploitation-themed comic books. One of the most interesting aspects of The Museum of Uncut Funk is that every exhibit contains at least one “Where The Hell Did She Get That?” entry. I thought I knew a little something about Blaxploitation culture, but Sister ToFunky humbles even the most jaded collector with unexpected treasures like the Egyptian poster for Sheba Baby or original production art from an aborted Hanna-Barbera cartoon called The Blackstones. (Think The Flintstones, but…y’know, Black.)Along with the fun, Ms. Thomas’ site includes sobering glimpses of how Blacks were depicted before we had the means and opportunities to control our images with an exhibit showcasing pre-Civil Rights era crate labels that included stereotypical images of bug-eyed mammies and barefoot pickaninnies toting baskets full of yams. The Museum is also building exhibits dedicated to Blacks on stamps and currencies from around the world.The only minor drawback to The Museum of Uncut Funk is that the main gallery pages are embedded with sound files that automatically load when you go to the page. The sound files are fantastic, tight cuts from groups like The Ohio Players and The Jimmy Castor Bunch, but if your computer loads slowly, it could be the equivalent of going to the museum and waiting in line behind an old lady with six screaming grandkids, trying to pay by check. You might be in line a while, but it’s definitely worth the wait.www.worldofhurtonline.com www.museumofuncutfunk.com- JEP

IN LIKE FLYNN TONIGHT 11PM CST!! COME JOIN THE DISCUSSION!!

Posted by Penelope on June 20, 2009 at 10:31pm

Penelope and Otto discuss all things social and sexual!

In the news this week: Elections in Iran: Should we be concerned with the outcome? Essence magazine has published its top 25 Slow jams - See which ones made Penelope and Otto's list! And tonight Errett Thomas discusses "Some times you have just have some fun. If you stay stressed it comes out. It could cause your attitude to appear negative and you may not even know it." and considering the JHoys of Less - can you live your life with less? Join us tonight at 11pm CST for these issues and more on this installment of In Like FlynnJoin us in the Chat room or call in and Speak with Penelope, Otto, and Errett Thomas, the author of How to Make One Million Dollars in One Year at 718/508-9683

SPECULATIVE LITERATURE FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES OLDER WRITERS GRANT WINNER

Posted by Malon Edwards on June 19, 2009 at 10:50am

Press Release #26SPECULATIVE LITERATURE FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES OLDER WRITERS GRANT WINNERSPECULATIVE LITERATURE FOUNDATION PO Box 1693, Dubuque, IA 52004-1693info@speculativeliterature.org - http://www.speculativeliterature.org/For Immediate Release: June 1, 2009SPECULATIVE LITERATURE FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES OLDER WRITERS GRANT WINNERKaren L. Simpson wins the Speculative Literature Foundation’s Older Writers GrantThe Speculative Literature Foundation (SLF) is delighted to announce that its sixth annual Older Writers Grant is to be awarded to Karen L. Simpson. The $750 grant is intended to assist writers who are fifty years of age or older at the time of grant application, and who are just starting to work at a professional level.A resident of Ann Arbor, Michigan with a master’s degree in Historic Preservation, much of Simpson’s speculative fiction contains elements of both her professional and personal her experiences. A historian by profession, Simpson has designed exhibits for museums and other historical institutions that address the issues of cultural diversity and racial reconciliation. She often finds inspiration for her speculative fiction with the discoveries she makes during her research.But Simpson’s inspiration is not limited to her professional life. The writing sample she submitted for the Older Writers Grant, an excerpt of her unpublished novel Act of Grace, is based on a violent incident that happened several years ago in her hometown during Klu Klux Klan rally. In the novel, the main character Grace Johnson, a bright, perceptive African American high school senior living in Vigilant, Michigan, takes two bullets to save the life of Klansman Jonathan Gilmore. Both black and white residents of Grace’s hometown struggle to understand her actions, but Grace, guided by ancestral spirits who come to her in visions, strives to lead the town towards reconciliation and redemption.Grant Administrator Malon Edwards said of Simpson’s entry, Act of Grace: “Grace’s intimate narration and folksy-but-modern-Southern-down-home voice immediately pulls the reader into the story. You can’t help but like her: she’s sassy, she’s smart, and when her Nana explains to her that she is to be a conduit for their ancestral spirits, you know immediately that the right girl was chosen for the task.”Honorable Mentions go to S.H. Gilbert, Phillip Kaldon, David Shifren, K.P. Graham and Ada Milenkovic Brown for their unique and thought-provoking submissions, which made the selection of the eventual winner a difficult but enjoyable process.----------------PR Contact: press@speculativeliterature.orgThe Speculative Literature Foundation is a volunteer-run, non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the interests of readers, writers, editors and publishers in the speculative literature community."Speculative literature" is a catch-all term meant to inclusively span the breadth of fantastic literature, encompassing literature ranging from hard and soft science fiction to epic fantasy to ghost stories to folk and fairy tales to slipstream to magical realism to modern mythmaking -- any literature containing a fabulist or speculative element.More information about the Speculative Literature Foundation is available from its web site (http://www.speculativeliterature.org/) or by writing to info@speculativeliterature.org.

SPACE: PART 1 (cross post)

Posted by Geoff Thorne on June 19, 2009 at 1:03am

I was asked to do this a little while ago- by a professional astronomer, no less- so, here it is.Well. Okay. It wasn't a little while ago; it was months. And she didn't so much ask me as she did inspire me to promise, proactively, that I would. She really is an astronomer, though, and that is the crux. She is one of those people who actually does the thing that scribblers like me only dream about. Such promises made to such people must be fulfilled or, y'know, woe betide.It took me too long to write this because, well, it just did, that's all, and I'm sorry. Can we just begin, please? Thank you.Anyway.What this is, as you can see from the heading, is something to do with space. That's right: all that twinkling black nothing that rotates overhead every night (if you're lucky enough to live somewhere where the sky is actually visible over the nocturnal urban haze.) SPACE.Except it's not empty, is it? No, it turns out "space" is chock full of all manner of exotic, even impossible stuff. Dark matter. Super Earth's. Ancient gamma ray spewing black holes. Just all sorts of wacky stuff. I'm surprised there's any room to move around at all. Turns out all that Empty isn't.I don't honestly remember when I first started thinking of Space as an actual place but it was fairly early. I'm slightly younger than NASA, I think- by about a decade. So you can say I grew up with space the way people in their 20s grew up with MTV. It was just there from the time I started thinking about it. As a place, I mean.

As a kid my dad and I would watch Star Trek reruns on our local station. On camping trips to the desert or the Pacific Northwest we would lie out and look up and he would talk about how far away this star was or how long light took to reach us from the Sun. I think I remember some of the early space walks being televised on CBS, narrated with appropriate gravitas by Walter Cronkite. I might even remember this:

Though that may be apocryphal.All I know is that I decided early on that I wanted something to do with Space. I wanted somehow to get there, to touch it, to see for myself what what really going on Out There.It was a decade before I realized that this was one of the most fundamental human desires, indeed, maybe one of the defining ones. Gods live in the sky, after all. It's where rain and lightning come from. Who wouldn't want to get up there and take a personal look around?Cyrano de Bergerac wrote about going there. Jules Verne, of course. Over the millennia a veritable army of fictioneers have put pen to paper or inky finger to cave wall to describe their weird compulsion for posterity. It's almost like we all know something is missing from our terrestrial lives, some piece of our collective soul, maybe, that can only be found Out There.So I went through the Astronomy phase, learning the placement and names of the constellations and the insane distances between and ages of the stars that made them up. I collected NASA emblems that could be stuck to school books or refrigerators or, God forbid, my mother's Camero door.I played Spaceman, building elaborate "lunar survival equipment" out of styrofoam packing and bits of broken radio parts. I was going there, you see, eventually I was going and I had to get ready. I had to make sure everything I was was focused on getting Out There.But it was all fantasy. Even with all the facts from parents and school to erode the false impression I'd got from the fictioneers, I just couldn't shake the idea that there was a whole vast civilization Out There, with evil dictators and heroic adventurers and smoking hot princesses of all shapes and hues just waiting to be rescued (what was to be done with them after the rescues was always muddy but I figured I'd noodle it when the time came). Bradbury and Herbert owned me at a frighteningly early age.And, of course it all got muddied further with the arrival of comic book superheroes and films like FORBIDDEN PLANET and ESCAPE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN. I just knew Space was like a massive theme park and I only had to wait long enough to grow up and get my own E ticket.And then this came along.

Excerpt of a work in progress. Ra's Test

Posted by Michael Herron on June 15, 2009 at 4:57am

This is an excerpt at one of my attempts to crank out a story that has been bouncing around in my head. This actual excerpt will be included in a book of short stories that is almost complete. I'd appreciate any critique anyone is willing to offer. I've noticed many people here tend to lean towards the supportive veiwpoints. Those are great, but I'm looking for something more substantial if possible. At the least I hope you enjoy this tidbit.Ra's testThe music blared from behind the closed door of the club. “Origami” was a very upscale nightspot for the well-off and the pretending. The music was so loud that Josh could hardly hear the person on the other end of his phone call. The small droplets of rain didn’t help his mood either.“Yeah! Yeah! Listen babe. I’m outside Origami’s right now….” Hollered Josh as he smashed the cell phone close to his ear. “I can’t promise that I’m stopping by tonight. Listen, I told you that I wasn’t looking for anything serious…. What?! …. I can’t hear you!” Josh said with an irritated tone.He looked around for some quiet spot to talk. All the surrounding stores were closed at this time of night. The only place he could find, remotely quiet, was the ally adjacent to the nightclub.“Listen babe, you are really blowing my night.” Josh said insensitively. “I’m a free spirit. I told you this when things started!”All of a sudden, the phone was pulled away from Josh’s ear. “Excuse me sweetheart, but lover boy, here, will have to call you back.” Said a guy, now holding Josh’s phone. With a click, the cell phone was closed and the conversation ended.“Hey!” screamed Josh. “What is your problem, douche bag?! Do you know who I am?”The man remained quiet as Josh yelled. He seemed more interested in the chic and expensive phone that Josh owned. Then he replied. “No I don’t have any idea who you are but that’s all in the works. Check ‘em out Sweets.”Suddenly Josh’s arms were harshly restrained by two other unseen men. He immediately began to fight and squirm to no avail. One of the men holding his arms reached down into his back pocket and pulled out his wallet. “His name is Joshua J. Pinbrook.1425 Masey Avenue. Apartment 3C.” Announced the restrainer.“Thanks Sweets” replied the stranger with the cell phone. “Well, Joshua J. Pinbrook, 1425 Masey Avenue. Apartment 3C. I’ve never heard of you. Should I know you, Joshua J. Pinbrook?”“Listen guys, what do you want?” asked Josh. “Money? I can get you money.”“Ha!, he’s got twenty in his wallet.” Laughed one of his restrainers. “Seems like a fraud to me, Tee.”“I agree.” Replied Tee. Things were quiet for what seemed like hours as Tee scrolled through the names in Josh’s cell phone. “You know what, Joshua Pinbrook? Every weekend the club is packed with guys pretending to be rich or important just to score some drunk spoiled rich girl ass. Now I figured that if you all had money to splurge on drinks in our neighborhood, you would also have some to give back to less fortunate.”“Hell yeah! That less fortunate is us, Bitch!” Laughed the other guys holding Josh’s arms.“Chris! Will you be quiet!” Interjected Tee with a sharp look of irritation. “I’m talking here. Class is in session!”“Why you gotta go and tell him my name?” replied Chris“Dog, It ain’t gonna matter in a minute. Will you just hold him and shut up!” Chris didn’t reply to Tee’s order. Instead he held Josh’s arm tighter with a sense of trepidation.“Please…” murmured Josh. He couldn’t free his arms. Josh could normally talk his way out of tight situations. His adult life solely revolved around talking dumb blondes out of their clothes and small business owners out of their savings. It probably wouldn’t be as bad if these guys were exacting revenge on behalf of someone he duped previously. No. This wasn’t revenge. He had become a victim himself and that hurt just as much as what he anticipated was to come.“ Now I’m a teacher of sort.” Said Tee, once again focusing his attention on Josh. “This neighborhood is my class. Now, Twenty dollars isn’t nearly enough to give you a passing grade, but it’s more than a enough for the lesson I’m about to give you.”Tee looked both ways down the dark alley for anyone that could witness his lesson. There was no one. He unzipped his coat to reveal a dirty lead pipe that was secure by his belt. Josh began to squirm vigorously. Regardless to how much he felt his life deserved this end, his heart just wasn’t ready to stop beating. Josh began fighting even more. Sweets’ massive arm choked him into position. It was futile. His face was now partially facing the dark sky. Cool beads of rain landed on Josh’s face. There was no way he could enjoy the wisp of coolness at these last moments.Josh finally gave into Sweets’ overwhelming grasp. He no longer fought for air. He just began to hope it would be over soon enough. That was when he saw it. It was death himself. A dark and ominous figure landed behind Tee. “Is this what all people see when they die?” Thought Josh.Tee raised the pipe high in the air and stared directly at Josh. Josh slowly closed his eyes. The last thing he saw before hid eyes were fully shut, was another hand grasp the pipe that Tee held high in the air. Josh heard what appeared to be a tussle, but he refused to open his eyes. A second later, air once again flooded his lungs. Sweets had release the choke hold from his throat. Josh fell to his hands and knees. The scuffle continued while josh fought off the urge to pass out.The sounds of fighting had, once again, receded. Slowly, Josh opened his eyes. The first thing he saw was Tee lying on the ground staring back at him. There was no emotion in his eyes. He was dead. Josh looked up to see the true face of death, but in death’s place stood Ra. Ra exerted a presence that towered over Josh. His entire outfit was black. He looked like the king of crime. Josh immediately disregarded his assumptions of his savior. He held something underneath his arm that Josh took no interest in, whatsoever. The man saving his life was the only thing that mattered.“Get up.” Instructed Ra in a voice that seemed out of place, considering the situation.Josh nodded his head again in an attempt to take in the whole incident. “Thank you.” He noticed that a large body lay motionless at Ra’s feet. “That must that, Chris bastard. Yeah, he got what he deserved!” Josh thought to himself.“Get up.” Ra repeated with the same calm and out of place voice.This time Josh gathered his composure and stood up. His balance was slightly off due to the stranglehold he recently been freed of.. “Thanks, mister.” Panted Josh. “I…I don’t have much to repay you with…”“You’ve got plenty.” Interjected Ra. Josh finally noticed what Ra held underneath his arm. It was Sweets, the third mugger that attacked josh. Ironically, Ra held Sweets in a stranglehold not much different than the one Josh had recently experienced. “You’ve got something that I am really interested in.”Josh didn’t understand. “Sure, man. Whatever you want.” Josh figured he couldn’t want anything worse than what these guys were going to give him.“I’ve got a few questions that I think you can help me answer.”“Anything.” Panted Josh.“Are you happy that I saved your life?” Asked Ra.“I would be dead if you hadn’t come along.”Ra dismissed Josh’s answer. “I need to know if that fight for life is still inside you.” Said Ra with a brash look of skepticism in his eye. Ra release Sweets from his choke hold. Sweets hit the ground with both hands. Instead of attacking Ra, he bolted, wholeheartedly, into the dark shadows of the alley.“There is no exit that way.” Uttered Ra. All the while, Ra looked at Josh with a vacant stare. “You should know these alleys, big guy. You live in this neighborhood.”After a moment of silence, Sweets reappeared from the darkness. “You proved your point, man.” Begged Sweets. Sweets was, at least, nine inches taller than Ra, but the strength that Ra displayed while holding him in that chokehold proved to Sweets that this wasn’t someone he wanted to tangle with. The fact that both of his partners in crime lay broken one the wet alley pavement didn’t make things too reassuring either. Sweets figured his best option, for now, was to keep a good distance between this man in all black and himself and wait.Ra stepped closer to Josh. He sized Josh up and then looked him deep into the eyes. “I need answers.” Said Ra. “ I need to know whether this city has what it takes to stand on it’s own. To stand without me.” Ra poked Josh in his chest as he continued to speak. “You are going to answer that question for me.”“I don’t under…”“Now, I’m going to leave this alley.” Ra interrupted. “I am going to be standing at the entrance. I’m only going to let one of you out of this alley. After that man leaves, I’m coming back in here to take care of whoever is left.”“This is crazy!” yelled Josh. Josh looked directly at Ra. Momentarily, Ra stared back, but then turned to look at Sweets. Josh turned to look at Sweets also. Vaguely, Josh could see the large framed man rummaging through the trash. Then Sweets stood erect with what appeared to be a large 2x4 plank. Josh turned back to talk things over with Ra. “Listen!” Josh cried. “I got a family.. I… I… got a wife…!”“You have about five seconds to decide on whether you live or die in the dirt.” Ra returned. “Now fellas, please don’t do anything ugly until I leave. I wouldn’t wont to be a witness to anything illegal.”Josh fell back against the wall. He could not believe the situation that stood before him. “This entire world is crazy.” He thought.Ra turned and exited the alley, as he said he would. He stood at the alley’s mouth for a few moments. A few screams could be heard from within its dark interiors. Ra was disappointed. “That wasn’t the best test, I guess.” Said Ra, to himself. He tried to determine whether or not this pitiful city deserved the direction he had to offer. His eagerness for answers got the best of him. This back alley slaughter wasn’t going to tell him anything. He would have to set up a more controlled environment in order to truly get answers.The chaos had subsided from within the alley. Ra stared back into the shadows. He figured Sweets had torn this young punk apart in attempts to assure he could get out alive. That notion made him feel a little better. It meant he didn’t have to go back into the alley to clean things up.“Hey!” announced an unfamiliar voice to Ra’s left side. Ra turned to see a partially drunk girl standing in the door to the club. “If she ain’t here by now, she ain’t comin.”Ra smirked at the girl’s absurd statement. “Maybe you’re right.”“Fuck her!” exclaimed the girl. “She doesn’t deserve a guy like you.” Ra walked over to the intoxicated women. “You know what would really piss here off?”“I don’t know, but you’re gonna tell me aren’t you?”“Damn straight, I’m gonna tell you.” Slurred the women. “You, buying me and my girl another round. I know that’d piss me off.”Ra grabbed the girls arm and helped her back into the club. Maybe this was a crazy sign. This may have been a sign that the night was over. No need to worry about anymore questions tonight. Answers would come soon enough. Ra, now focused on the last days he could get away with this balancing act between good and evil. “Sure, next round’s on me.”Ra abandoned the mouth of the alley along with any results from his experiment. Partially upset with his haphazard attempt to ask the questions. Partially scared of the answers.

LES TON TONS-- A work in progress: seeking funding for a "B" horror film.

Posted by george patton on June 13, 2009 at 3:15pm

"Les Ton Tons?""That used to be the name for the secret police. Taken from Voodoo Folklore; in mythology it was amischievous spirit that ate flesh." the nurse added authoritvely.A delayed flight. Two passengers with a dark secret. An emigree from an island mired inpoverty and superstition; combined with a disfunctional crew, struggling with problems oftheir own. A Voodoo curse and the promise of fantastic wealth. These are but parts of thebackstory of death and intrigue at thirty thousand feet torn from today's headlines.Desiree was emigrating to New York to begin a new life in the bosom of her extended family. The onlysurviving member, she was overjoyed to be leaving the haunting island of her birth; where she had knownonly hardship and misery. But, would it let her go?The famous Archeologist and his wife were ending their celebrated trip where they were the guests of arival faction of the ruling party. Men who had a dangerous agenda. Who had embarked upon a bold planwhich if successful, would make them and their associates fantastically wealthy. But, what of the curse?An overbearing captain and a crew drilled to excess. Each too wraped-up in their own dramas to takeresponsibility in the face of a crisis. Too afraid of losing choice positions to operate outside guidelines.Unbeknownst to anyone, was a stowaway of supernatural design. A 'piper' who must be paid.Follow the drama from dense tropical rainforests to the hard gritty streets of Brooklyn-- to the high-techsuburbs of Boston. Witness how an isolated event deep in the jungle grew to effect the course of a nation.

FIRST TWO IMARO NOVELS AVAILABLE AT HALF-PRICE!

Posted by Charles R. Saunders on June 8, 2009 at 7:07am

From now until June 17, you can get copies of my novels Imaro and Imaro2: The Quest for Cush at half-price from Night Shade Books (www.nightshadebooks.com). Use the coupon code 50NSB2009 at checkout. And remember, you can also get Imaro: The Trail of Bohu and Dossouye from Amazon.com or www.lulu.com. Here’s hoping you take advantage of Night Shade’s limited-time offer.

The Magic of Stephen King's - The Eyes of the Dragon

Posted by VD DeVau on June 7, 2009 at 6:03pm

I read my first Stephen King book when I was 9. I stayed up all night and nearly fell out of bed when I heard an errant car honk from outside because it was so creepy. I thought I had read all of the King stuff there was. Somehow I kept missing The Eyes of the Dragon. It's one of the rare out of print King books (although I just learned it will probably be re-released soon). It is not nearly as bone-chilling as his horror works but like the Dark Tower series, it is haunting and lovely. I picked it up for some paltry sum from alibris.com *In places the story is predictable, the themes done, the stock fantasy tropes glaring, but above all of that, for me, the prose is magical. What a wonderful gift, to be able to write with such magic. I tried to explain to a friend my attraction to most things written by King but to magical words (and worlds) and she did not get it.I'm writing this because I am doing something I have not ever done with a book before -- I am trying not to finish it! I have a few dozen pages left to go to the end. I know that the story does not have a sequel, so unlike the Dark Tower series 0that I was able to spread out with care over years certain that there would be more -- when this ends it is over and I don't want it to be over.I've decided to go on a treasure hunt for books like this - books that people find magical, that they do not want to end -- what's yours?*I am a bargain book shopper. Alibris.com is a great resource for out of print and hard to find sci-fi books. I usually just search for books that are 2.99 or less and that ship directly from alibris. Last time I ended up with 40 books for less tan 45 dollars and they were delivered in less than a week. I highly recommend them.

Don't You Hate It When You Have To Keep A Secret?

Posted by Diane on June 1, 2009 at 2:16pm

But I must. I found out this weekend at the BEA that there is a serious Sci fi/fantasy book series coming out next winter from a totally unexpected source. However, I was told that I had to keep the name of this Black writer under wraps.. . . AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!It's killin' me!I just can't wait to see the looks on all of your faces. This is going to be good.

Download Immortal 2nd edition at Scribd...

Posted by Valjeanne Jeffers on May 30, 2009 at 3:30pm

Immortal 2nd edition by Valjeanne Jeffers/full novel

Publish at Scribd or explore others: Fiction Books fantasy science fiction

On Our Way to the BEA (Book Expo America)!

Posted by Diane on May 28, 2009 at 3:00am

This will be the first year we are exhibiting. Booth 2142 - somebody play that number! It's been hectic, but I think we will get through. We will be introducing our initial catalog for 2009 - four books. We will be blogging, twittering (!?), and video interviewing all weekend. Check us out daily for fresh news. We will also be displaying the works and promotional materials of several members - so if you are in the tri-state area, come out and support your fellow members:Audrey Bell-Kearney, Sister Inc.Stafford Battle, author of AfroCyberspace and Insane MessiahJune Cross, author of Secret DaughterKevin M. Weeks, author of The Street Life SeriesSonji M. GantFollow Black Author Showcase and Diane Wms on Twitter @ http://twitter.com/blackauthors http://twitter.com/dweiumsHere's hoping this weekend in New York is fun and productive.

I'm one of two Guests of Honor for next year's Wiscon, :-D!!

Posted by Nnedi Okorafor on May 26, 2009 at 9:12pm

Now that Wiscon 33 is over, I'm now free to announce that next year, Mary Anne Mohanraj (a writer, editor, and spec-fic community activist) and I will be the Guests of Honor at Wiscon 34 (if you don't know what Wiscon is, it describes itself as the "World's Leading Feminist Science Fiction Convention"...and it IS! . Learn more here).

I’m both honored and ecstatic. When it was announced at the ceremony on Sunday, there was an enormous applause. That really warmed my heart and almost made me teary-eyed (and that is so unlike me...I don't do public tears). It was truly a beautiful thing.

I hope to see you all there next year.

Nnedi

Renfields: Best Laid Plans video

Posted by Penelope on May 25, 2009 at 11:19pm

I've uploaded my Renfields: Best Laid Plans video into the video section. I hope you'll take the opportunity to check it out and share it with your friends!

IN LIKE FLYNN TONIGHT 11PM CST!! COME JOIN THE DISCUSSION!!

Posted by Penelope on May 23, 2009 at 10:44pm

Penelope and Otto discuss all things social and sexual including...

Should judges be so concerned about what female attorneys wear? The new JFK tell-all by reputed paramour who gets near 7-figure book deal; Dick Cheney - More weapons of mass distraction; Terminator Salvation - Did you see it? What do you think? Errett Thomas discusses "Personal Responsibility". This and more on this installment of In Like Flynn.

Join us in the Chat room or call in and Speak with Penelope and Otto and Errett Thomas, the author of How to Make One Million Dollars in One Year at 718/508-9683

NUBIAN SPIRIT (DVD)

Posted by The Cushite on May 23, 2009 at 10:37pm

THE AFRICAN LEGACY OF THE NILE VALLEY

by Louis Buckley (Director, Producer, Editor and Narrator)

A Journey Through Ancient Africa's Golden Times

We know that the ancient Egyptians (Kamites) and Cushites
were indigenous to Africa and that they were Africans, but how did it all start?

"Nubian Spirit" is a beautifully shot documentary which unravels the fascinating and often magical legacy of Ancient Sudan. It shines light onto the Ancient African culture, history and spiritual mythology of the people from the Nile Valley.

www.FirstWorldBooks.com

The film digs deep into Ancient Africa's numerous contributions to modern civilization. It draws out the reality of such disciplines as astronomy, architecture, science and much more that the Ancient Africans used to make sense of their world.

The film features dynamic interviews with leading scholars Robin Walker, K.N Chimbiri, Anthony Browder, Ife Piankhi, Onyeka, Dr. Kimani Nehusi, Rashid El Shelkh, an archaeologist and ground breaking museum curators Stephen Quirke and Sally-Ann Ashton.

The revelations and information they contribute help the viewer to fully "over-stand" this important time period. These perspectives are seldom, if ever, taught in mainstream schools or universities.

It has been well recorded that the first humans on the planet emerged from the beautiful continent of Africa. However most people today know little about how these African cultures have influenced modern society. We understand the importance of sharing authentic African history in a balanced way and how under represented it is in the western world view. We wish to contribute to setting the balance straight by accurately representing the facts and the information we discover.

The natural resources of Africa and the thousands of years of developed African culture have played an important part in the development of human culture throughout the world. Together the land and its people have made their knowledge and expertise available on a universal scale in areas such as religion, medicine, agriculture, arts, technology, architecture, astrology, music, mathematics, science, dance, mining and the list goes on. Alongside all of this, it is clear that countless numbers of African lives, their strength, blood, sweat, tears and service have been used as a source of human labour to literally build, establish and protect the cities and wealth in the western world. This seems to still remain largely unknown and unacknowledged in main stream thought, education and media.

This is a wonderful educational tool for both children and adults alike who have a genuine thirst for knowledge about the amazing continent of Africa and the world's earliest civilizations that emerged from it.

"Nubian Spirit shows how history can speak to an audience of all ages and interests."
- International Black Welsh Film Festival

An epic love story, dynastic feuds, foreign invasion, and mythology. Sounds like the perfect ingredients for a Hollywood blockbuster, but Nubian Spirit tells the real and often untold story of Ancient Africa and the people that inhabited it. Filmed, produced and directed by Louis Buckley, this independent filmmaker manages to bolt together an award-winning documentary that brings to light the rich culture and history of the people from the Nile Valley.

Navigating through a map of Ancient Africa, Nubian Spirit reveals the journey of people across the continent, culminating in the creation of a diverse but powerful civilization. Meanwhile, bold, panoramic cinematography captures a time when men and woman ruled side by side. Highlighting many of captivating stories, Nubian Spirit delves into legends such as Osiris, the God of the after-life and his wife Isis, goddess of magic and life, revealing a history as fertile and long as the river in its title.

Buckley employs the help of several experts - all obviously passionate about the subject - to piece together the story of a golden era that gave birth to science, astrology, architecture, and much more. But it's not all about mythological figures straight out of a dusty history book. Nubian Spirit explores the connections between this forgotten time and the way we live today.

Let’s face it: history can make us all glaze over at the best of times but this legacy is told with such vigour that it leaves you with a thirst to know more. Of course it also helps that this snapshot of history comes in a digestible portion of just 1hr 15mins. Use Nubian Spirit to brush up on the history and significance of Ancient Africa...beyond pyramids and pharaohs.

- Corinne O'Sullivan

Louis Buckley is director, producer, editor and narrator of the amazing film, Nubian Spirit. Louis Buckley is of Jamaican and African descent born in London who had long dreamed of visiting the land from which his ancestors had come. In his documentary he traces the roots of African civilization.

Louis Buckley is founder of BlackNine Films in 2004 which is a team of individuals with a diverse range of skills and talents who are motivated to produce documentary films. Their aim is to promote a more rounded view of some of the world's accepted history by highlighting some of the forgotten stories from indigenous African cultures around the world. Through film, they bring to light the hidden and neglected contributions these cultures have made to help shape our world as it is today. Their plan is to introduce more real cultural understanding, whilst showing the impact African culture has had on modern society.

They are, generally, of the view that this information has either been distorted or remains largely unacknowledged in western societies through ignorance and unbelief and, therefore, the African contribution is not adequately understood, appreciated or represented. It is our desire to celebrate human culture and share the lessons of the past so we may gain greater understanding of our present.

World history informs us that Nations continually rise and fall, we think its important to observe these historical changes now so that the human family can move towards a mutually respectful and harmonious future.

Visit: www.FirstWorldBooks.com

What's really going on?

Posted by Demetrius Littlejohn on May 23, 2009 at 2:08pm

I guess i just feel like venting. I know when I was a kid in the 90's, the generation before us was probably befuddled and bewildered with our fashions and music, and probably our attitudes too. But for the life of me, I can't understand the the downward spiral that this generation depicts. These damn kids don't seem to gravitate towards anything positive or sensible. Damn, I mean we had NWA and a lot of so-called "negative" role models, but in actuality the entertainment icons of that time still presented the idea of being better black person and empowered. I go to a small college in Charlotte, NC and I am sad to say that if this is our future we can put our heads between our legs and kiss our black asses good-bye. These are smart kids with bright futures that think Nigga is word to be respected when they use it in mixed company and get mad when another race says only what they just heard. I am trying give them the benefit of the doubt but I can't it's bull-s--t. How can you get mad at a white kid that hears you call each other niggers all day then get mad because you heard through hearsay that the kid said the word nigga to his friends. You can't make a word that is part of the English language off limits to others unless you make it off limits to yourself. And understand I have no problem with the word depending on the context. But the people using the word don't even have the history of the word in tow. Now the definition, am told means "ignorant person" or a expression of love between blacks. Bull, the word nigga is short for negro and I need all my brothers and sisters to deny our kids from misusing the term. I know we say things with no malice intended, "Whats up nigga? Nigga please! etc", but is this what our people were tortured, maimed, and killed for? For the right to be a NIGGA? And this is the last caveat of my whole blog, these same kids that use the term loosely have the worst grades and none are even trying to making any academic advances. Damn they are niggas!!!And when they don't have their work done you know who they ask for help??? The white kids. Somebody tell me.... WHAT'S REALLY GOING ON?

BLOGS

All Posts (6509)

Stealer of Souls (Sneak Peek 2)

After flagellating myself for months, I revised a short-short story and submitted it. Gotta start somewhere.

ARRRGH!

The Museum of Uncut Funk is officially the shiznit people!

World of Hurt

IN LIKE FLYNN TONIGHT 11PM CST!! COME JOIN THE DISCUSSION!!

SPECULATIVE LITERATURE FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES OLDER WRITERS GRANT WINNER

SPACE: PART 1 (cross post)

Excerpt of a work in progress. Ra's Test

LES TON TONS-- A work in progress: seeking funding for a "B" horror film.

FIRST TWO IMARO NOVELS AVAILABLE AT HALF-PRICE!

The Magic of Stephen King's - The Eyes of the Dragon

Don't You Hate It When You Have To Keep A Secret?

Download Immortal 2nd edition at Scribd...

On Our Way to the BEA (Book Expo America)!

I'm one of two Guests of Honor for next year's Wiscon, :-D!!

Renfields: Best Laid Plans video

IN LIKE FLYNN TONIGHT 11PM CST!! COME JOIN THE DISCUSSION!!

NUBIAN SPIRIT (DVD)

What's really going on?

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