Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Flash Fiction deadline approachs, 10,000 L prize at stake.

Ms. Capalini sits in her office in the back of the workshop, her leather apron and goggles hung near the door. Frowning, she spreads the five manuscripts out on the desk, each one still folded and sealed.

"No peeking." a voice says calmly. Canolli startles as she looks around, then relaxes as Mr. Tenk points to the folded papers. "No peeking, there could still be some submissions tomorrow."

"Evening, Big Man." She slides the manuscript she'd been fingering the edges of across the desk. Huffing, she gets out of the chair and crosses the room to the window, her frustration apparent. "Do you realize we had 17 submissions last year? Illustrations.. It was.. so.. oh I don't know.. encouraging." Her voice trailed off as she leaned her forehead against the dirty glass, her breath making the window pane fog a little.

"You gotta have patience. Could be last minute entries.."

Canolli stared out the window for a few minutes, watching the plumes of smoke from neighboring factories rise over the skyline. Sighing, she began to turn from the window. "I just feel like no .. one... cares....." her voice trailed off as she realized she was standing in the room alone.



Reminder: The 3rd annual flash fiction contest concludes midnight tomorrow.. Read guidelines for it here http://cityofnewbabbage.com/reader/node/1085

reprinted from Miss Capalini's blog

Friday, November 19, 2010

3rd Annual Flash Fiction Contest : Transformations.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is closing upon that time again, where once a year, the R.F. Burton library implores you to reach with your creative genius.. your spark.. and create. Beginning November 1st, through December 15th, the R.F. Burton Library will be accepting submissions for it's 3rd Annual Flash Fiction Contest.

To clarify for any newcomers.. Flash fiction is a genre of writing that challenges the author to be brief. Complete a story, a moment in time, in 600 or less words. You might think that impossible, but please pick up a copy of the last two compilations "Dialogues" at the library. You can see that the published submissions are quite entertaining and brilliant.

This years theme is going to be Transformations. That can be any sort of transformation; biological, chemical, robotic, emotional, etc. It just needs to be set in a steampunk manner. There is no right or wrong here.. just go with it.

Here are some rules:

1. All entries must be submitted with RFB3 and the author's name in the title of the notecard. Any otherwise will be summarily discarded.

2. All entries must have the Title of the piece, the author's name and the WORD COUNT listed at the top of the notecard.

3. Illustrations are accepted and must be submitted full perm (that's right, you can illustrate your magnificent Opus).

4. The winner of the Contest will be the first story featured in the published version and will receive 5000 lindens. Subsequent runner-up will also be mentioned in the forward and will receive 2000 lindens. (There are no losers here, people, this is just for extra incentive).

5. Just to be clear, the winner of the contest is chosen by me, Canolli Capalini. There is no questioning it, there is no rhyme or reason, and it is entirely on my whim.

All stories that are submitted to the contest remain the author's property, but will be for use of the library in any way it sees fit. That means I can reprint your story, publish your story in connection with the R. F. Burton, distribute it and publish it online as part of the R.F. Burton collection.

This contest is open to ALL. You do NOT have to be a Babbagite to participate.. You can be from anywhere in SL. If you are not from New Babbage, it would be helpful if you note that you're from Steelhead, Caledon, etc. It makes absolutely no difference in the judging, I am not biased in favor of the cobblestoned city.

Beginning November 1st, there will be a mailbox posted just inside the doors of the library. You may drop notecards there, or submit them direct to Canolli Capalini. I will not accept any submissions prior to November 1st and none AFTER December 15th. Normally I run this contest Mid November to the end of December, but my vacation time (when I put the book together) has shifted slightly this year. Instead of being off RL work the week between Christmas and New Years, I'm off the week prior to the imminent holiday.

If you have any questions, please contact Canolli Capalini or Serafina Puchkina, the established librarian for the R.F. Burton.

P.S.- Miss Capalini is very eager to have a full mailbox to keep her in reading material over the holidays. The current purse is 5000 L for 1st place and 2000 L for second place. Mr. Tenk has also offered to turn selected pieces into audio productions for Radio Riel.

Monday, May 31, 2010

One for Mr. Tenk



Come home soon, my friend. I'll take you here if we go to Dragoncon.

Friday, April 9, 2010

Yellow Pollen time


No one believes the stories of yellow pollen season unless you have to live in it. I caught this photo this morning while taking advantage of "texture weather." The yellow blotch on the water is the pollen run off after last night's rain.

Monday, April 5, 2010

New Machinima from New Babbage

Blakopal Galacia joins the increasing rolls of Babbage machinimists with her offering of the weekend the Carnivale D'Arcane came to town. The only trouble is trying to tell the carnies from the townies, Babbagés are a colorful lot.

Seraph City Landfall

Seraph City landed in the wee hours of the night. Congratulations to boss Pumpkin Tripsa. Your second life will never be the same again.

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Seraph%20City/180/176/106

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Seraph City first look

The most difficult estates to build in Second Life are cohesive, believable cities.

Seraph City - mock up platform

Seraph City, a new diesel era sim, is showing a lot of potential. Set in the 1920's to 1940's, between the World Wars if the early 20th century, an era also shared with New Toulouse and Miskatonic Valley. The demo platform in Rafail already looks ready for gangster plots and pulp adventures, do go take a look. If you like what you see, contact Pumpkin Tripsa and reserve a lot right now.

Seraph City - main street mock up

Pumpkin & Tesla Tripsa and Kaylee Frye, lead builders.
Vehicles by Pumpkin Tripsa and Jenne Dibou.
Supporting prefabs by Four Winds.

Seraph City - city hall

Don't forget to jump into the power lines.

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Rafail/119/115/1704

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Gaslight Emporium closes

After nearly 3 years in New Babbage, Gaslight Emporium has closed its doors. Its commanding presence in Port Babbage with its air mast, docked airship, and viewing platform is sorely missed.

On the other hand, this does bring a rare opportunity for an up and coming merchant. The vacant lot is one of the most visible pieces of commercial real estate in all the Steamlands. Aspiring merchants are advised to contact Mayor Mosseveno Tenk immediately.

Gaslight Emporium vacant lot