OCTOBER ARTICLES ONLINE AT SCI FI - ARIZONA
Michael McCollum
October, 1998
We offer this report as a public service for our regular visitors and for
everyone who is interested in science fiction and writing. You can now reach
us by typing http://scifi-az.com , or the usual http://www.scifi-az.com .
WRITER'S WORKSHOP
The October articles are now in the Writer's Workshop. This month we have:
The Art of Writing Series: The Psychology of Writers
A writer's personality is something of a paradox. We tend to be introverts,
people who aren't really comfortable interacting with others; yet, we are also
egotists. We see nothing wrong with asking others to pay for the privilege
of reading our opinions and they actually do! Perhaps there is method to our
madness... The article reviews the personality of writers and the effect that
personality has on our work. It also reviews the causes and cures for
writer's block. (6000 words)
http://www.scifi-az.com/sfaz-05.htm
Next Month: "The Psychology of Writing"
The Art of Science Fiction Series: Spacesuit Design, Part II
We continue our explorations of spacesuit designs with a tour of the Space
Shuttle Extravehicular Maneuvering Unit (EMU). We also review a number of
very advanced concepts for future spacesuits. (8000 words and several
illustrations)
http://www.scifi-az.com/sfaz-05.htm
Next Month: "Galactic Empires and Interstellar Federations"
NEW NOVEL ONLINE
We are adding a new novel this month. The Sails of Tau Ceti is a first
contact novel with a difference. What would you do if you discovered 22,000
giant alien ships filled with refugees were inbound for the solar system, and
no one but you knows anything about it? Think you know the answer? Think
again. The situation may be much more complicated than you think.
http://www.scifi-az.com/sfaz-05.htm
AWARDS
Sci Fi - Arizona has won two awards (unsolicited). We are honored to receive
them and will display them proudly on our home page .
The first is from Brad Richardson's Speculative Visions. The Visionary Award
is for excellence in Science Fiction and Fantasy on the web, and is given for
Sci-fi Arizona's commitment to both entertainment and help for writers.
The second award is from Links2Go. The Key Award is given to approximately
one website in one thousand, and is awarded for web page organization and ease
of navigation.
MAJOR CHANGES
Active Graphics Section
We've added the Active Graphics Section. The content is the same, but the
graphics have been significantly improved. If you have a fast computer and a
modern browser (Netscape Communicator or Internet Explorer 4.0), you might
want to check it out. Best viewed at 600 x 800 and Java must be activated!
http://www.scifi-az.com/sfaz2-01.htm
Web Services Division
People often email me to ask me about my experiences as a web entrepreneur.
If you are interested in the business of online publishing as well as the
content, then you may want to visit our new web services division, SFAZ
Technologies. I have written a 15,000 word article (1/4 the size of a
paperback novel) on my adventures going online: "A Small Entrepreneur's Guide
To Building A Web Site." The article comes in both HTML and PDF formats and
is a free download.
http://www.scifi-az.com/web/free0.htm
RE-EDITED ELECTRONIC BOOKS
All electronic books have been reedited and reformatted using Adobe Acrobat
3.0. This new software has much better typography than the previous version.
http://www.scifi-az.com/sfaz-04.htm
HARDBACK BOOKS
We have now added HARDBACK BOOKS to our repertoire. Thunderstrike! is online
in a library quality, hard cover edition that you would be proud to add to any
bookshelf. Go to the Thunderstrike Page
http://www.scifi-az.com/sfaz-04h.htm
ART OF WRITING BOOKS
We have collected the first 16 articles in both of our series into two full
length books. If you came in late or otherwise missed some of the articles,
here is your opportunity to get them all in one handy package!
http://www.scifi-az.com/sfaz-05d.htm
ARTICLES ARCHIVE
We now have all our articles online in the archive page. If you are
interested in any past article, you can obtain it for the low cost of $1.00
through the I-Micros electronic payment system. Please visit and observe what
commerce is going to be like all over the Internet in the future!
http://www.scifi-az.com/archive1.htm
ART GALLERY
Since it went online in one year ago, the art gallery has proven to be our
most successful feature. Don Dixon's paintings of other worlds, both real and
imagined, have made it possible for many people to experience the beauty of
the universe. His spacescapes have graced over 60 book covers, scores of
magazines, and are in the collections of Ray Bradbury and Larry Niven. We are
extremely proud that he has chosen to exhibit his work in the Sci Fi - Arizona
Art Gallery. You can download images and use them for wallpaper, or else
purchase a high quality print signed by the artist.
http://www.scifi-az.com/gallery.htm
WE NOW HAVE REAL BOOKS!
We have something new and unique at our virtual bookstore -- REAL BOOKS! As a
result of numerous requests, Sci Fi - Arizona is now offering hard copy books
of the novels you have been downloading as electronic files for the past six
months. The books are similar to large format trade paperbacks in size, but
much closer to hard cover books in quality. If you find that you have trouble
reading your PC in bed, then we have the solution for you - a new miracle
material for pixel display called PAPER!!!