Virtual Literature

For the last few weeks I have been using planes, trains, and automobiles to get myself to bookstores and theaters, in order to do readings and signings. It's been great, and I've especially loved meeting Huffers at readings, and having them identify themselves (this means you, Bedouina!) But those planes, trains, and automobiles are soon to become so last week! Next Friday, Mar. 23, I will be at Videoranch, doing a virtual reading, and you are all invited.

What, you might be asking yourself, is Videoranch?

Here is a description supplied by Victoria Kennedy, Videoranch inventor (along with her husband, Michael Nesmith):

"Videoranch 3D is a virtual environment on the internet that hosts live performances at various virtual venues inside the Ranch. It looks and feels very much like a videogame, but there is no game quest -- it is a purely social and cultural environment with various venues where live real time events are held. The events we hold in the virtual world include live concerts, lectures, and classes, real time movie screenings, live DJs dances, (and starting with me, Jane) live author's readings and book signings. We video the events real time in our studio in Monterey and stream the live video image real time into the virtual environment.

The audiences of these live events are represented in the virtual environment as avatars. The user controls the avatars with the arrow keys on the computer keyboard. This allows them to move around the virtual environment as they wish, explore, and meet other users' avatars.

The video performers are able to see the virtual audience of avatars and interact with them live in real time.

At present, due to technical limits, Videoranch 3D is a subscription-based, invitation-only, private club.

Also, Videoranch 3D will not work on a Mac, on dial-up, an out of date computer, or an out of date video card. Videoranch 3D only works on a good Windows PC with broadband connection to the Internet."

My event is the first booksigning ever at Videoranch, and will take place on Friday, March 23, at 6PM PT at Ed's October Cafe (a virtual outdoor cafe) This will be the first book signing, so it is a bit of a test, and visitors should be aware that they are now on the cutting edge. Videoranch will have my novel, 10 Days in the Hills, available for sale online now through the signing. Videoranch will hold all purchased books for me to sign on the 23rd.

Buy a book here.

After the reading, avatars will line up and request to have the books they've bought signed/personalized. I will interact with the avatars and sign the books real time, from Videoranch 3D. I will be able to talk to them, they will be able to respond with text chat. Videoranch will ship books out the following business day. In order for people to receive a day pass to my reading and book signing, you should email Videoranch at [e-mail], give Victoria your active email addresses, and daypasses. By response email, Victoria will send a link to download Videoranch software, plus a user name and password. You will receive the day pass a few days before the event so you have the opportunity to download the software and go into Videoranch to get your "ranch legs" -- learn how to move around, and how to chat via text - both are intuitively obvious and simple.

This is really an opportunity to try out a NEW THING on the internet, and I hope you will join us there. Also, because Videoranch is eighteen and over, the reading might conceivably be R rated!