In the first few months of 2011 many parts of the world were struck by devastation; my home country New Zealand, and then Japan. Both of these places are hotspots of seismic activity, and both nations have sent support to the other.

The images on the news have tapered off, but there are still thousands of people dealing with the after-effects of the devastation. Often such huge events can leave us, scattered all over the world, feeling helpless. But if we all did just a few small things it would make a huge difference.

In the community of writers there are people who have decided to step up and do something.

First of all is the Tales for Canterbury. An anthology of short stories by national and international authors. The complete list is available here and is a veritable embarrassment of riches. There will even be a short story by me in there. This is a never before seen story, and the only non genre short I have ever written. It’s called the Straw Garden and is a bit like Weather Child, intensely personal.

Pre-orders are available now, with ebook and paper versions available.

The second effort is Genre for Japan. There are some ridiculously cool offerings on the site. My contribution is not up yet, but I’ll let you know when it is. Here’s a sample of what you can bid on right now, for all those George RR Martin fans out there…

Don’t forget to check the complete list, there are offerings for both writers and readers to bid on.

Remember it feels good to do good and together we can do incredible things.

One of the other great pieces of news to come out of Balticon was the news of an emerging paying market- and one buried in podosphere goodness. I had a chance to chat with Scott Roche about Flagship the new ezine.  Scott and the team have great plans and I am looking forward to seeing how they proceed into the future.

But for now, this is a paying market that gives you a chance to not only have your words in print, but also in audio.

Here’s the official word.

Beginning July 4th, science fiction and fantasy fans will be given a new place where they can discover authors and stories they’ll be able to enjoy wherever they go.  Flagship, the new e-zine by publisher Flying Island Press, will soon be releasing short stories every other month in formats for the Kindle, the iPad and iPhone, and other electronic readers.

Issues will be available starting July 4th, 2010 at http://flyingislandpress.com/flagship

Most of my readers will know by now that this year began very badly for Tee Morris. He is now facing raising his daughter, affecitonately known as SonicBoom by himself after the death of her mother.

Many donated to the ChipIn fund which helped with the immediate expenses surrounding Natalie’s death, and even left a portion over to begin a trust fund. However, as those of you with kids know, raising them is not cheap – let alone sending them to college!

So I thought ‘hey maybe I’ll auction off a few things I have here’ (Mainly the Weather Child original manuscript) – and it kinda snowballed from there. The Boom Effect auction is now hitting 70 auction lots, and I know there are more to come.

People have done some amazing craft projects, donated rare and beautiful things, and been very creative with what services they are offering.

I just want to highlight a couple of things for writers and podcasters since I presume that is who reads this blog most.

Writers

• Our agent Laurie MacLean is offering two wonderful options- a three chapters package and a full reading of your manuscript and critique. This is your chance to take full advantage of Laurie’s skills and experience.
• Our editor from DragonMoon Press Gabrielle Harbowy is offering a professional edit of a short story up to 7,000 words. An opportunity to polish up that story for submitting.
• Alex White is offering to make a logo for your website. He made me the one for this very site you are on- and I’m blown away by his skills.

Podcasters

• Kimi Alexandre is offering to produce your very own promo. Nothing will help your marketing efforts more than a sparkling promo!
• James Durham will make your own theme song. Not all of us have musical skills, but having your own theme made for you would be just amazing.

And those are just a tiny sample of the amazing things people are donating to help Sonic Boom into the future. Check out the lots here.

The auction will be hosted by Podcasting’s Rich Sigfrit at 10am EST 27th February 2010 live on ustream.

If you’re a podcaster- the promo for the event is here.

You can also find us on Facebook as an event, follow us on twitter or subscribe to the RSS feed as more auctions are still being added.

This is a great way for us to come together as a community. We’re going to give a little girl options, and one day she’s going to look back and be amazed at what the podcasting/social media community did.

And how much fun we had doing it.

If that is how Twitter makes you feel, then I have the solution.

Yes, All A Twitter is now available for purchase. My collaborator on many things, Tee Morris has written this great book on the hot social media application. Tee has written many technical books, including Podcasting for Dummies and his style is laid back and very palatable to even the most technologically challenged.

For me, Twitter is about staying connected to friends, family and fans all over the world. But I have to admit, when I first signed up I didn’t ‘get it’. A book like this would have really helped me through those awkard months of learning.

I also tech edited All A Twitter- using my librarian skills to make sure Tee was giving you the good oil. It’s a book that covers everything from setting up, building a network, proper ettiquette and everything in between. It is also funny- which is a nice thing to have in a tech book.

So pick up a copy. Or do what I am- suggest your local library purchase it.

Tee Morris got to speak on Radio New Zealand- and I believe this is what is called karma. When I was in the States in 2006 I might have crowed about the coverage I got over there… and this is payback.

Tee put together this cool video of the interview. Part 2 to follow

Phil Rossi writes great stuff- creepy, sexy and gritty. I’ve been a fan of his novel Crescent for a long time, so to have him part of the DragonMoon Press family is exciting.

Anyway this video was too cute not to share. The man himself unboxing his books. *sigh* I remember my first unboxing. The lesson is keep pushing, keep your eye on the goal- it can happen.

And don’t forget to join Phil’s Amazon rush on 9th of July. Let’s get him up where he deserves to be!

Tee Morris, the Social Media guru is heading to New Zealand. This is your chance to catch him and listen to his expertise. And here’s where and how to do it.

May 29-June 1
Conscription in Auckland, New Zealand

June 2
ANTI-Social Media, presented for LIANZA, 12pm-2pm
Room 420 Kate Edgar Information Commons Building #315
2 Alfred Street, University of Auckland
Auckland, New Zealand

All a Twitter, presented for LIANZA, 3pm-5pm
Room 420 Kate Edgar Information Commons Building #315
2 Alfred Street, University of Auckland
Auckland, New Zealand

June 3
Social Media Mainline Workshop for LIANZA, 9am-5pm
Computer Lab Room 433, Kate Edgar Information Commons Building #315
2 Alfred Street, University of Auckland
Auckland, New Zealand

June 15
ANTI-Social Media, presented for LIANZA, 12pm-2pm
Seminar Room, Reserve Bank of NZ
2 The Terrace
Report at ground floor reception no later than 11.45am
Wellington, New Zealand

All a Twitter, presented for LIANZA, 5pm-7pm
Conference Room, Department of Conservation
18-32 Manners Street
Report at ground floor reception no later than 4.45pm
Wellington, New Zealand

June 16
Social Media Mainline Workshop for LIANZA, 9am-5pm
SOLD OUT (Waiting List available)
Computer lab 510, Level 5, WelTec Wellington Campus
11-17 Church Street (off Boulcott Street)
Wellington, New Zealand

June 17

Speak Geek to Me, for Te Papa Tongarewa: The Museum of New Zealand, 10am-12pm
Location: TBA
Wellington, NZ