Sunday October 21st marks BOOFest! a gathering for vocal artists from across the grid, meeting at  Bran. Here they invite all of us to come sit around a blazing fire and hear tales in keeping with this haunting time of All Hallows Eve, Hallowe’en…

There will be tales of dark deeds, ghostly goings-on and more throughout the day, with the event kicking-off with a short welcome and introduction by hosts Caledonia Hightower and Dubhna Rhiadra.

Stories will be presented in Voice, so be sure to have a place where you can sit and listen-in in peace. After the introduction, the first story kicks-off at 09:45 SLT.

Schedule of Events

All times SLT. Please refer to Storyfest SL’s blog for any updates / changes to the programme.

09:30 – Welcome and introduction from Caledonia and Dubhna.

09:45 – Reaper Man by Terry Pratchett: When Death develops signs of individuality, The Auditors appeal to Azrael to banish him and appoint a replacement. And so Death becomes subject to his own death and must, along with Binky, his ever-faithful horse, come and live as a mortal, a timer counting down his lifespan… A selected reading by  Caledonia Skytower and Dubhna Rhiadra.

11:00 – The Water Ghost of Harrowby Hall by John Kendrick Bang: Queen Bluestar presents a short story of one man’s attempts to relieve his family of the legacy of ghostly visitations with an aquatic edge, only to find the visitor from beyond is quite tenacious in her determination to make her presence felt.

11:30 – The Monkey’s Paw by William Wymark Jacobs: This classic tale from 1902 tells of a talisman in the form of a monkey’s paw which can grant the possessor three wishes – but at a price. For as a sergeant-major warns within the story, “It had a spell put on it by an old fakir, a very holy man. He wanted to show that fate ruled people’s lives, and that those who interfered with it did so to their sorrow.” Presented by Kayden Oconnell.

12:00 midday – The Good, the Bad and the Freaky in 100 Words: The Prim Reaper takes up the story chair at the fire. Crap Mariner, who swore an oath to write a 100 word story every day until he died, brings his own irreverent style and wit, together with his eye and mind for a good, tight yarn, to bear on events.

12:30 – Nightmares: Hakeber Haber presents three of her own works, Night, Night, Yes, Master and Memory of the Sun as she reveals just what nightmares are made of …

13:30 – The Case of Lady Sannox by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle: No, not a mystery for The Great Detective to solve, but a sinister short story from 1893 of how revenge is sought as a result of a notorious affair between a famed surgeon and the Lady of the story’s title. Present by Corwyn Allen.

14:00 – Tales with Lycanthia:  Lycanthia Wolfhunter sits down to tell four of her own short stories, each of which is gruesome, sensual, and possessed of a righteous sense of justice that is delightfully unique: Zombies Can Scream, You Always Kill the One You Love, Get A Head, and Trick or Treat.

15:00 – Microfiction with Brokali: “It is a chance to reach inside your day, their day, and everyone’s night. The coldest, warmest, darkest night without the over use of adjectives and never an adverb. The best part is when we paint with microfiction what we see is obvious and real. Let’s splatter it across our hearts and then share more. And more. More.”

15:30 – Monday Jinx: please refer to the StoryFest SL blog for updates

16:00 – Unwind by Neal Shusterman: BigRedCoyote tells the tale of a world where medical science can replace any part of the human body by transplanting the part from a donor, and a society wherein parents can “retroactively abort” any child between the ages of 13 and 18. Written in 2007, Shusterman’s novel has been critically acclaimed and a film based on it, with a screenplay by Schusterman, is in early pre-production. It has also been the subject of a critically acclaimed fan-made trailer:

16:30 – Ghosts of a Bumboat with Singh Albatross: Musician, poet and writer Singh Albatross  presents a selection from his Singapore novel. When Ralph Drummond steps on a curbside Hungry Ghost Month offering he collapses into a coma. Will he survive the psychic battle when the Gates of Hell open? Can his wife Winnie and their new Singapore friends Alvin and Fay save him? What is the Water Clan and who is the Geomancer?

This year’s BOOFest benefits War Child North America, and is produced in partnership between Stories Unlimited! and Branwen Arts.

Related Links

• Storyfest SL blog
• Bran SLurl for BOOFest!

The year is passing swiftly. Already we’re in September, and October is peeking over the horizon, watching us.

October. The month of All Hallows, and a time of ghostly goings-on and hideous hauntings. To mark the time of year, StoryFest SL will be holding the 2nd annual BOOFest on Sunday October 21st, at Bran, and are seeking those willing to participate and recite tales of terror in a 30 or 60 minute time slot.

Presenters can tell original tales of their own, or opt to read seasonal favourites and classics, or share those dark tales by authors perhaps not so well-known. The only requirements are that presentations fit the requested time slot and are given live (no pre-recordings).

If you would like to participate, forward a notecard to either Caledonia Skytower or Dubhna Rhiadra with the following information:

• Your name
• The length of the time slot you’ll like (30 or 60 minutes)
• Whether you are performing solo or with others (please include their names),
• The piece you intend to present if you know it (not vital, as long as the organisers know by October).
• Time of day preference or any time constraints that need to be considered when scheduling you.

Note that there will be limited rezzing during the event, and there will be no streaming – it’s just a blazing fire, an audience – and your voice! Submissions are open now, and will remain open until September 30th.

Already scheduled to appear are:

• Crap Mariner
• Singh Albatros
• Freda Frostbite
• Corwyn Allen

So if you have a favourite ghostly tale or wicked recital you’d like to give, be sure to drop Caledonia or Dubhna a line. For those that enjoy a good spooky tale, why not make a date in your diary and pop along to Bran?

All tips and gratuities from BOOFest  will benefit War Child North America, and Branwen Arts.

Related Links

• StoryFests SL