Gaia: Self-Published Authors Association

metafiction 2nd draft 1st part

http://libramoon.gaia.com — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 01:32:22 GMT

I'm getting started on my second (improved and untypo'd [I hope]) draft of my metafiction, working title: Something Sacred. I will be posting the rewrite on its Blogger page: http://caelastory.blogspot.com
Please comment! Let me know what does or does not make sense/work for you. Please. I can only figure out what works for me; and I know the whole story.
libramoon42@mindspring.com

Peace,
Laurie

Something Sacred - Prologue

In the time of antiquity, back before our written records, we are told that humans and gods freely played together and created a beautiful city in the heart of an exquisite landscape where all were free yet happy to cooperate so all might share a common bounty and all might know the joy of engaging each in their true work, respecting the best in all. It was a peaceful time, a happy time, with energy displayed in healthful work and joyous art. Every day was celebrated and every contribution honored.
But then the gods, who are immortal and powerful, grew away from their human playmates. The games they played became more sophisticated, less easily joined in. They developed concerns with a longer view and devised complicated scenarios, complex barriers which humans could rarely overcome to play in the fields of eternity. We became confused and frightened. Some of us would develop feelings of superiority believing we were the arbiters of rights and wrongs, that we deserved and needed power over others, to make our dictates law and punish those who did not properly honor and obey. Others developed feelings of inferiority and great fear of insecurity. We started to believe that there could not possibly be enough bounty for all, that we must hoard and fight off those who might take what we thought of as ours. Instead of happily joining our efforts to assure common good, to find equitable and practical solutions to problems, to enjoy and honor our individual abilities, we broke off into groups that underscored and denigrated our differences. We expended our energy inventing weapons, teaching and learning war. We praised our warriors, poisoned our lands and our minds with the detritus of hatred, passed on violence, discord, deep pain within our families and against our neighbors. We despoiled the gifts the gods had freely given us, repurposing them as game pieces against each other, even against our own best interests, even against the peace-loving, hopeful and ecstatic parts of ourselves. We dishonored the gods and all they had given us. We dishonored our own beautiful potential.
The gods were horrified and disgusted when they saw what we had done. Being ancient and wise, they did understand that they had a part in the blame. They tried to tell us where we had gone wrong, tried to enter our hearts and minds to lead us back to our true paths. But humans, for the most part, had gotten too caught up in our own dramas, feuds, thirst for vengeance or wealth, power, fame. The newer generations had been raised with these values rather than valuing themselves and their collective talents. They had never developed an interest in working and growing together at a high level of prosperity for all. They had learned, instead, to be bitter and angry and depressed, impatient for wealth that even when attained never provided the peace they unknowingly yearned for.
The gods held council and discussed the tragedy that the humans had made of their lives. Taking the long, immortal, view, they decided upon an experimental course of action. They would plant songs, ideas, legends, methods of discovering sacred knowledge. They would at whim walk among us and whisper or sing, act out, prophesize for any who were strong enough or weak enough or somehow developed the space in their minds to understand. They would plant the seeds of salvation in a variety of environments, then watch to see if any sprouts took hold. In this way they hoped to slowly encourage us to find our way back to our true nature as vibrant beings, to help us relearn, become the glorious people we were meant to be.
That is the story we tell. But, of course, we humans had become entrenched in our unhappy ways. A promise of something better was not sufficient motivation to change. The gods devised crises of various kinds and durations to shake up our misaligned order and give us new configurations to deal with, in the hope that in being forced to learn new ways we would eventually turn to the abandoned way that had given us so much. And, despite their horror, disgust and sadness, the gods found joy in their efforts made into games for their own amusement. Some of these games, their stories, are passed down as legends or even made up spontaneously by our storytellers for celebrations or teaching.
I am an old woman. I have lived a blessed life, with so many wonderful and terrible memories to keep me company. I have gone on a marvelous journey and won the greatest prize. Well, actually, there were several journeys. There were long, dangerous roads and dramatic adventures. There was love; there was loss. There was dedication to an underlying truth that carried me along even when all hope and reason strayed. I have grown and learned from experience, into a deeper wisdom, a luminous joy that is all I could ever be, till it flows out from me into all I perceive and into the hearts of my people to go on into those who will come.

Diaspora
I was born in the City, the only city on my world. It is a huge and sprawling center of culture, seat of government, depository of knowledge. There are marvelous tall buildings and street and underground transportation systems, concourses of commerce, magnificent museums, libraries, concert halls, theaters. There are public ceremonies of much pomp and circumstance. There are great universities, industrial complexes, sports arenas, and all manner of commercial enterprises. It is an efficiently run city where public servants take pride in their work and everything is kept clean and gleaming. I only have vague memories, but this is what I have been told, and have seen in elders’ memories. The military trains in camps on the outskirts of the City, not too far from the prison camps, from which many of the troops are recruited. Nothing is left to chance; little is wasted. There is freedom for the citizens in their private lives, but only insofar as they obey the public rules.
My name is Caela, and I am of the witchfolk. That is what we were called on our home world, Earth, centuries ago. Where shall I begin? There was that ancient era when a craze for genetic solutions came with advances in genetic research, as the histories tell us. Fashionable parents of that age reveled in their ability to choose special gifts for their offspring through the miracle of gene manipulation. It was thought by someone with the clout for the research dollars that there was a crying need in their society for people with enhanced empathy, minds that could probe the minds of others -- maybe as clinicians, maybe as spies, maybe as weapons. We were used for all of those purposes, and not to our benefit. We became vilified, feared and hated by those who did not share our gift. Naturally, we tended to band together, to marry and live within communities of our own, of those who neither feared nor revered us but simply knew us as we were, as people much like themselves. Bonding together in enclaves within which we felt accepted and protected, we left the others to develop their fears and resentments. We had natural advantages in myriad social situations, able to know what others felt, to enhance those feelings or divert them to our purpose. Of course, some of us had used those advantages unscrupulously -- although that very empathy in some ways puts a damper on the advantages of manipulation over time. Thus, there was actually much less abuse of our abilities than was expected by the general population.
Over time many of us learned to keep our abilities to ourselves and blend in more with the mainstream. By the time of the big wave of colonization, most of us were quietly assimilated, not particularly noteworthy. Still, many of us hoped for less constrained lives on a brand new world. Those who came to this planet, Eden, so named because of its bountiful natural resources, did so as common recruits like anyone else, looking for the possibility of paradise. Genetic engineering technologies did not ultimately solve Earth's problems of over-population, pollution, depletion of resources. The solution came from the science of space travel, the brave new adventure of colonization. As star travel and planetary exploration permeated the media and popular imagination, the idea of leaving the troubles of Earth behind to start over on other worlds became a common dream. People from all walks of life became enamored of their own fantasies of what they could become given such a new start. People from all walks of life ultimately made the journeys, took the chance, found themselves vastly far from home, and, perforce, created new homes which they were privileged to build from scratch, in league with the others who had made the journey with them.

Check out my book on healing and coping with challenges

http://iloveyou.gaia.com — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 20:03:27 GMT

http://www.lulu.com/content/paperback-book/experiencing-divinity-sharing-awakening/5993930

The tools and ideas in my book will change your life forever!

Dating coaches and marriage counselors have reccommended my books to their clients.

So many women say all men should read my book.

Other women say all women should read my book.

So many men say all women should read my book.

Other men say all men should read my book.

It is THAT good! :)

Tell me your love stories.

http://iloveyou.gaia.com — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 19:49:26 GMT

I would like you all to read my latest blog:

http://iloveyou.gaia.com/blog/2009/8/the-souls-dream-for-us-an-unsual-love-story

and then tell me your own stories of unusual relationship experiences or those of your friends.

Thank you so much.

I am collecting them and maybe some day I will make a movie, tv series or a book.

Aliens have invaded and started marketing

http://inkensoul.gaia.com — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 01:52:46 GMT

Hi! My new book, “The McAllister Code” is about aliens who infiltrate Sarasota and turn it into a marketing mecca. I’m releasing it in a very peculiar way at www.themcallistercode.com. Check it out.

Re: New Self Published Book

http://inkensoul.gaia.com — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 01:50:55 GMT

Wow, it sounds like our books might touch on a lot of the same themes. Hi! My new book, “The McAllister Code” is was outlined based on a variety of ideological hierarchies . I’m releasing it in a very peculiar way at www.themcallistercode.com. Check it out.

I have a Dream

http://soundspeaceful.gaia.com — Thu, 28 May 2009 03:18:06 GMT

Hi fellow self-published authors. Greetings from Aotearoa.

I have a dream. I have a dream of our world made whole again through the collective intentions and actions of us all. I have a dream of peace. Will you help me fulfil this dream?

Every time I present a talk in this area I sell a bunch of books. Sales of In Search of Simplicity in stores in New Zealand are strong and feedback, comments and reviews are excellent. But sales on Amazon.com have been slow to build. In some ways this is not surprising. With 400,000 new titles released each year why would someone risk buying a book from a relatively unknown author like me?

Research shows that multiple positive reviews on Amazon.com help build consumer confidence and sales. I would truly appreciate it if you could give a few minutes of your valuable time to write a brief review of In Search of Simplicity on Amazon.com and in so doing help me to get some worthy and positive messages out to the world. You don’t need to have read the entire book to write a review. Not at all. But, if you like, here’s a link to the first 50 pages in a readable, user-friendly format:
http://www.freado.com/book/1075/In-Search-of-Simplicity

If you would like you can read more here including some of my amazing adventures in the Hunza:
http://insearchofsimplicity.com/sample-chapters/

Here’s a link to a five minute radio interview I did for a local book launch in New Zealand’s Far North:
http://insearchofsimplicity.com/press-kit/interviews/

And, finally, here’s the link that takes you directly to the page on Amazon.com where you can write a brief positive review. Even a line or two is enough.
http://www.Amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/write-a-review.html?asin=1439207313

It is challenging for a first time author to build sales and credibility in the wider community. Thank you so much for your help.

Peace in ourselves, in our families, in our schools and communities, in our countries and in the world is not just a dream, it is inevitable. The timing is up to us. Will you share in the dream?

John Haines

“In Search of Simplicity is a truly amazing true story travel/adventure book by a loving and thoughtful man. I LOVED [this] book. I found it fascinating …inspiring, hilarious, moving.”
Amanda McBroom, actress, singer/songwriter and composer of the 1979 worldwide hit, The Rose. www.amcbroom.com

“In Search of Simplicity is nothing short of captivating. It's an incredible travelogue of the spirit, with a plot composed by the universe itself and an author who takes as much delight in language as he does in life. Whether you pick it up for inspiration or for escape, you'll discover that the entire book is evidence for how the whole world conspires to support and delight those who follow their hearts.”
Siona van Dijk, Director of Gaia Communitywww.gaia.com

“As you read the many colorful accounts of John Haines’ true story you find that he has all the color and verve and life experience of an Indiana Jones.”
Elan Sun Star, Photographer-Writer-Teacher, Hawaiiwww.sunstarphoto.com

“Like an innocent child, John Haines lures us to join him in awesome wonder at life’s beauty, magic and mystery. His enlightened temperament oozes on every page into a simple philosophy that life has good, everywhere.”
Roselyn DeGaris, Adelaide, Australia

“As modern society takes us further away from simple living, the message in this book brings us back to what matters most, by reminding us that ‘simplicity’ is available at any time when we are prepared to open our hearts and minds and engage fully with the world around us. In this way, being present to each moment reconnects us with the preciousness of life.”
Suzanne Stewart, Wellington

“…interesting, captivating and thought provoking …a great read and a great author. You won’t and can’t put it down!”
Jenny Hamberger, New Zealand

“This book, a partial-life autobiography, deserves to be read by every individual not yet committed to an 8-5 job, marriage, child rearing and a mortgage. If you happen to be past those decisions in life, you should still read it to discover where you, personally, may have ‘gone wrong’. John Haines, like you, had choices and those he made will serve as pungent examples; it is never too late to change your direction in life.”
Robert B. Cooper, author, technology evangelist, and ‘the father of satellite TV’

“It was an inspiration to read of how [the author] 'let go' so often and allowed the synchronistic energy to step in and let it do its work. It has been a timely reminder for me to let go and allow the same! I have come away from reading [the book] feeling enthused about life’s journey and with the realisation that I had let my enthusiasm become a little faded and hidden by the 'trappings' of our day to day life!”
Leanne Lonergan, NSW, Australia

Every now and then a book comes along with the power to transform the lives of its readers. In Search of Simplicity has the ability to do just that. It is an autobiographical travel adventure story that reads like a novel. Over the years, when the author has told some of the stories of coincidences that are now contained within the book, listeners began to have (or at least to notice) magical happenings in their own lives.

The timely themes woven through the easy to read narrative include the power of coincidence; ecological, social and economic responsibility; and personal awakening. In today’s uncertain world of financial disarray, global warming and seemingly endless war, many feel powerless in their ability to create positive change personally, nationally and globally. In Search of Simplicity provides answers to this dilemma of uncertainty. It points the way for each reader to find the life of their deepest longing, a life of simplicity and self assurance, while enjoying a rollicking good read.

In Search of Simplicity is the author’s true, exciting and serendipitous journey through the wilds of Papua New Guinea, the Himalayas, around the planet and into the heart of life guaranteed to change the way you see the world and so-called coincidences.

Greetings to everyone!

http://TLM11.gaia.com — Sat, 23 May 2009 03:10:27 GMT

I just joined this group and looking to make friends with other self-publishers to share and learn. I am a self-published author. Mostly my work is paranormal romance/fiction/suspense. I just want to say to anyone who is interested in self-publishing or traditional publishing DON'T GIVE UP! There are so many avenues out there to help you become successful!

We'd Like To Sell Your Books

http://decenthill.gaia.com — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 23:26:18 GMT

Hi folks,

We are Decent Hill Publishers, a full-service publisher dedicated mostly to self-published authors. We recently added a new retail service and are looking for self-published authors who have already published their books and are looking to reach a wider audience.

You have the opportunity to list your books in our bookstore for free and enjoy a 50/50 revenue sharing arrangement on all sales through our bookstore and through our other retail channels.

If you have yet to get published, consider letting us publish your work. We believe our fees are very competitive.

You can get full details about all our services by clicking the links below:

Home page:
http://www.DecentHill.com

Bookstore
http://shop.decenthill.com

Email
Support@DecentHill.com

We'd Like To Sell Your Books

http://decenthill.gaia.com — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 23:23:06 GMT

We'd Like To Sell Your Books

http://decenthill.gaia.com — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 22:36:13 GMT

Hi folks,

We are Decent Hill Publishers, a full-service
publisher dedicated mostly to self-published authors. We recently added
a new retail service and are looking for self-published authors who
have already published their books and are looking to reach a wider
audience.

You have the opportunity to list your books in our
bookstore for free and enjoy a 50/50 revenue sharing arrangement on all
sales through our bookstore and through our other retail channels.

If you have yet to get published, consider letting us publish your work. We believe our fees are very competitive.

You can get full details about all our services by clicking the links below:

Home page:
http://www.DecentHill.com

Bookstore
http://shop.decenthill.com

Email
Support@DecentHill.com

Let us sell your books

http://decenthill.gaia.com — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 22:23:26 GMT

Re: POD Recommendations

http://sophianature.gaia.com — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 00:04:49 GMT

Anybody have experience with Amazon's self publishing, but BookSurge and and CreateSpace? Lightningsource looks great except I need some help with formatting and design. I'm in a quandry because with finances, I'm strapped. Thanks, Burl

Re: I need more books.

http://jilljj.gaia.com — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 22:44:29 GMT

I would love to add your book, and like anything else in this world we have to go through a little red tape, but not too much: please email me so I don't miss the posts. The red tape agreement can be gotten at http://www.jilljj.com/ZenCart/author-agreement.pdf
The book storefront would be within www.jilljj.com/ZenCart
to see the bookstore I now have: go to www.jilljj.com/ZenCart/ebooks

my main site for your perusal is at www.jilljj.com and that is from whence I sell my art, and I bet by now you are all glad I'm not a writer either because It's really too good or really not

Jill

Re: I need more books.

http://soundspeaceful.gaia.com — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 20:42:58 GMT

Hi Jill,
I could very well be interested in this. Keep me posted. I have my book, In Search of Simplicity, on PDF. Is that enough?

Success with your venture.
John

I need more books.

http://jilljj.gaia.com — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 20:59:26 GMT

this might sound a little wacky at first, but I think it makes for a good way to market your books. I have been wanting to have a bookstore online because i am a voracious reader interested in the topics on Gaia. I have a fledgling website from which I now sell artwork, and I want to add books, but have not the time to write. The book storefront would be at www.jilljj.com/ZenCart
in it would be your ebooks: descriptions, titles, pics, prices, etc......The site now is sad, no books, but don't worry, I am great a web design and that will change soon as I get authors..........
Now, I worked for a while as a cost estimator at a college text book company and I know what a tiny pittance goes for author fees. Instead of 6 to 10%, what I propose here is that you get to keep is 60%. I personally have had a hard time finding a central location for books of this subject matter, which means we could have a niche! The benefit for me would also be increased traffic to my site and hopefully you authors let me read your works while we are at it. Of course this is something to which we both need to agree, and I will have paper works to sign to get us through all the red tape.
Please email me if you'd like to jump in or have ideas.
Jill

Getting Published

http://21stcenturyministries.gaia.com — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 16:52:40 GMT

This is not for everyone, but I am in a joint venture (POD) with Eloquent Books, New York, New York. Everything is on schedule for a March 2009 release. I have a new website: www.thecryofthecuckoos.com Hope you get a chance to stop by. I haven't put a Buy Book on it yet, since I am waiting for the marketing department to give me an okay. It will be a hard back selling for $26.50 plus shipping and halndling. Getting good reviews and hope to see a bunch. Marketing is now the key to getting it out in front of the public. Hopefully, you will be one o

Re: My Latest Interviews

http://soundspeaceful.gaia.com — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 05:10:39 GMT

The last line is supposed to say, '...please let me know.' The photo cut off part of the text.

Cheers and success with your writing and marketing.
John

My Latest Interviews

http://soundspeaceful.gaia.com — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 05:07:33 GMT

Hi folks,

I just thought I'd let you know that there are two half hour interviews I did last week with Philip Davis of Authors on the Net now available to hear. One's about my book, In Search of Simplicity and the other is of my experiences and challenges with marketing the book so far. Just visit www.authorsonthenet and click on the author blasts on the right. Phil is a good and helpful man.

If anyone has any leads for podcast or radio interviews, please

Fellow Authors

http://seladyne.gaia.com — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 19:04:59 GMT

Hello everyone, I'm excited about finding GaiaCommunity and groups like this on the network.

Having only joined the community last week, I am still very green here and I'm hoping to use communities and pods like this to build a viable network of colleagues and friends that will hopefully last a lifetime.

I am an author. I write fiction of a pagan and fantasy tangent usually dealing with fairly fundamental issues of personal growth and spiritual development. I published my first book in June of 2006 through PublishAmerica and have since decided to self publish most of my work.

I am a practicing pagan. And I have many goals for 2009 that include being more healthy, earth-friendly, and creative. I'm about to undertake the workshop of The Artist's Way as a kick-start. If anyone cares to join me in this effort they are welcome to friend and discuss.

Anyway, not to take up too much of board space and be a bore, but I wanted to at least get an introduction in and try to see about some new friends here.

Blessings,
Samantha

Shadna and Mindful Publishing...

http://shadna108.gaia.com — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 18:54:28 GMT

Hi Authors of the New World...

I'm Shadna and I work with MindfulPublishing.com! We're working on a series of new co-Authored books about applying conscious and spritual practices into the business world. This is a great opportunity to share your insights and to be a part of a book that is going to change the way we do business. Visit us online (see link above) or contact me for more information.

Good luck transforming the world and creating great works of literature.

Cheers,

Shadna