Informational Open House for New Book Club: Oct. 2 in SL

In a previous post, we announced an exciting new book club in Second Life that involves the authors' participation, as well as the writers.

Story Mountain Center for Writers on Athena Isle will be holding an informational open house on Thursday, Oct. 2, from 3 to 5 p.m. SLT to answer questions and get acquainted with anyone interested.

Join us at Story Mountain (SLURL) on Thursday -- stop by any time between 3 and 5 -- for refreshments, conversation, and information about the monthly book club.

All SL residents who enjoy reading fiction are encouraged to check it out. There is no cost, and you can participate in as many or as few discussions as you wish. The first book club meeting is on Thursday, Oct. 23, at 3:30 p.m. SLT, with Michelle Gagnon, author of October's book selection, BONEYARD.

New on Athena Isle for Writers & Readers: A Book Club that Includes the Author

Read a great book, and then discuss it with the book's author!

A new Second Life book club is launching at Story Mountain Center on Athena Isle with the first selection a literary thriller and page-turner, BONEYARD by Michelle Gagnon. Read the book this month (October) and join other readers and the author on October 23 to discuss it!

Michelle Gagnon made her first appearance in Second Life at a meeting of the Athena Isle Writers Club in August. She was fabulous! A warm and funny guest. (A transcript of that meeting is available on this blog at Bestselling Author Michelle Gagnon Shares Journey from Dancer to Crime Fiction Novelist.)

How does the Story Mountain Book Club work?

• Every month, we'll pick a book whose author is willing to come into Second Life for the discussion.
  
• To join the discussion, all you need to do is read the book before the meeting.
• At the appointed time, we'll all gather with the author for an informal round-table discussion. (You'll be able to ask the author anything you want about the book you just read!)
• Immediately after the discussion, we'll proceed to the Story Mountain Stage, where the author will give a live reading.
  

What are the details for October's reading?

• The book selection: BONEYARD by Michelle Gagnon. Released in just July of this year, Boneyard has been on both of the IMBA Bestsellers' lists since then.

About the novel: "On the trail of a serial killer, the path splits in two… FBI special agent Kelly Jones has worked on many disturbing cases in her career, but nothing like this. A mass grave site unearthed on the Appalachian Trail puts Kelly at the head of an investigation that crosses the line—from Massachusetts to Vermont, from wealthy vacationers to poor transients, from a serial killer to a copycat nemesis."

"Boneyard is a winner! A compelling page-turner that pays due attention to the human heart. It'll keep you up all night," says New York Times bestselling author Jeffery Deaver.

• Book club discussion with Michelle: 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. SLT on Thursday, Oct. 23, at Story Mountain Center for Writers in Second Life. (Here's the SLURL). Come with questions, comments, or just an interest in hearing more about this book.
  

• Live reading by Michelle: 4:30 p.m. SLT on Thursday, Oct. 23, at the Story Mountain Stage.

• For more information, send an IM to Alas Zerbino in Second Life, or email me at joankr@writersinthevirtualsky.com.
  

Who can participate?

Anyone in Second Life!

• Although it would be preferable to read the book before attending the discussion, at this point, there's no requirement to do so (though there will be spoilers!).
• The live author readings, however, are designed as much for those who haven't yet read the book, as for those who have read it. Everyone is invited to the live author reading!

For information on how to sign up for a free Second Life account, check out the Second Life website.

What does it cost?

There's no cost (other than buying your own copy of the book if you can't borrow it from the library or a friend), no commitment requirements, no discussion requirements. Come to as many or as few of the monthly discussions as you wish, discuss the book with the author -- or just sit back and listen.

Why are we doing this?

For several reasons:

• To offer book lovers in Second Life a regular time to gather with other book lovers
• By taking advantage of the virtual world's ability to eliminate travel, to bring readers and authors together who might otherwise never meet
  
• To give authors a way to easily and inexpensively expand contact with their audiences around the world

How do you find out about future book selections and events?

The best way to stay up to date with book titles, authors, and dates and times of the monthly meetings is to join either of these two Second Life groups: Story Mountain Writers Group or Athena Isle Writers Group.

Alternatively, send your email address to: joankr@writersinthevirtualsky.com, and I'll also send you email reminders. (Please use BOOK CLUB for the subject.)

How to get a copy of the book:

In addition to all your usual avenues for obtaining a book, you can also come to Story Mountain Center's Bookstore in Second Life, where you can "touch" the book for a direct link to the product page at amazon.com.