links of interest
Mar. 8th, 2013 10:47 pm![[personal profile]](http://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
pretty_panther'the moment I realised I was asexual' is an article published by the telegraph several months ago. It makes for an interesting read, raising many good points, and personally I think it is another big step to see asexuality get another look in with a broadsheet such as this :)
Asexy Valentines Fest
Feb. 7th, 2013 01:56 amysabetwordsmith
We invite everyone to the 2013 Asexy Valentines Fest! Valentine's Day is about affection, not sex; asexual and/or aromantic folks can enjoy the holiday too. This is an opportunity to celebrate love and romance for their own sake, outside the expectation of sexual consummation. All types of material are welcome -- fiction, nonfiction, poetry, artwork, music, etc. All fandoms (along with original content or crossovers) are welcome.
Posting is open from February 7-February 21 on
![[community profile]](http://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
asexual_fandom. Read full details here. Visit the Asexy Valentines collection on AO3; there are subcollections for fanworks from 2012 and 2013. Special thanks to verity for the banner, collection, and Tumblr post. 
ysabetwordsmithNominations are currently OPEN for the 2013 Rose & Bay Awards. This award recognizes excellence in crowdfunded material.
Art:ysabetwordsmith Nominate art! (0 nominees)
Fiction:ysabetwordsmith Nominate fiction! (4 nominees)
Poetry:kajones_writing Nominate poetry! (2 nominees)
Webcomic:ysabetwordsmith Nominate webcomics! (5 nominees)
Other Project:ysabetwordsmith Nominate other projects! (0 nominees)
Patron:kajones_writing Nominate patrons! (4 nominees)
Eligibility period: January 1, 2012-December 31, 2012
Nomination period: January 1, 2013-January 31, 2013
Voting period: February 1, 2013-February 28, 2013
One of the awesome things about the crowdfunding business model is that it breaks the stranglehold of mainstream publishing. This encourages people to create and sponsor material about under-represented identities. What stories, poems, webcomics, etc. about asexual characters did you enjoy last year? Who posted prompt calls where you could ask for some aces? If you're a creator yourself, which of your patrons did the most to support your portrayals of asexuality?
Please drop by to nominate your favorite crowdfunded projects from 2013. Post about the award in any relevant venue to help alert more people.
Art:
ysabetwordsmith Nominate art! (0 nominees)Fiction:
ysabetwordsmith Nominate fiction! (4 nominees)Poetry:
kajones_writing Nominate poetry! (2 nominees)Webcomic:
ysabetwordsmith Nominate webcomics! (5 nominees)Other Project:
ysabetwordsmith Nominate other projects! (0 nominees)Patron:
kajones_writing Nominate patrons! (4 nominees)Eligibility period: January 1, 2012-December 31, 2012
Nomination period: January 1, 2013-January 31, 2013
Voting period: February 1, 2013-February 28, 2013
One of the awesome things about the crowdfunding business model is that it breaks the stranglehold of mainstream publishing. This encourages people to create and sponsor material about under-represented identities. What stories, poems, webcomics, etc. about asexual characters did you enjoy last year? Who posted prompt calls where you could ask for some aces? If you're a creator yourself, which of your patrons did the most to support your portrayals of asexuality?
Please drop by to nominate your favorite crowdfunded projects from 2013. Post about the award in any relevant venue to help alert more people.
Photography project on asexuality
Nov. 11th, 2012 06:22 pmpulchritudeHi everyone! I was recently contacted by a photographer who is interested in doing a project on asexuality in the UK. I've included the original message below, so if you are interested, please contact Laia Abril at hello at laiaabril dot com! Thank you!
( Read more... )
( Read more... )
Seeking Asexual Flash Fiction
Oct. 2nd, 2012 02:17 amysabetwordsmithPlunge Magazine is doing a flash fiction contest with an asexual prompt. If you like to write about asexual characters, please send something!
Jack, Asexual Vampire
Jul. 30th, 2012 12:05 amysabetwordsmithkajones_writing has internet connection again and is posting a bunch of new stories. Fans are encouraged to give prompts when there's a prompt call, and request continuations of favorite stories. Some things are written and shared backchannel, like if you adopt a character and get extra stories about them, and those can be sponsored for release to the public. Jack is an asexual vampire in the Donor House series. I asked for one because for these vampires, there's a sexual component to feeding, and I figured this would make for really interesting dynamics. It has. The first story about him is "Jack - An Asexual Vampire," already posted. There's a second part that hasn't been posted yet and is available for sponsorship. The new story is "Jack - Searching for Someone." Jack watches the sexual people kissing and wishes that he could find someone compatible with his own preferences. He's has a lot of disappointments but he keeps looking. I want to see how this develops, because he's in a high-traffic place with a good chance of finding the right person sooner or later. There's an echo post on the author's personal website where you can click a button to request a continuation of the story.
If you want to see more stories about asexual characters, this is a terrific project.
kajones_writing has over a dozen series, mostly fantasy but some science fiction and horror. There are lots of opportunities to interact including prompt calls and character adoption. You can even name and describe new characters, if you take part in the credit system which is one of the perks for participation.Plunge in Progress
Jul. 1st, 2012 02:39 amysabetwordsmithPlunge Magazine is now OPEN for submissions! Issue 1 will feature queer women in mythology. All flavors of queer (lesbian, bisexual, asexual, genderqueer, etc.) are welcome. Send us fiction, poetry, or nonfiction. Please read the submission guidelines for details. Share the news with anyone you think might be interested.
While asexual characters rarely appear in contemporary stories, they are quite a bit more common in mythology. So if you'd like to explore these ideas in writing, please keep Plunge in mind. It would be nice to see more aces and discussion of asexuality.
While asexual characters rarely appear in contemporary stories, they are quite a bit more common in mythology. So if you'd like to explore these ideas in writing, please keep Plunge in mind. It would be nice to see more aces and discussion of asexuality.
QUILTBAG Pride
Jun. 26th, 2012 09:05 pmysabetwordsmithpoetree is doing a multi-hosted QUILTBAG Pride week in honor of the anniversary of the Stonewall riots. Asexuality is the A in QUILTBAG. Everyone should be able to love whom they want, as they want, if they want; and not be persecuted for those choices. Today was my day to host. You can read my posts featuring "Queer Poetry" and "Some of My QUILTBAG Characters." It's a good way to find my ace characters, along with other flavors of queer.
Do you write or read poems about asexual characters, or other QUILTBAG options? Drop by
poetree and comment on the posts. We love discussions. The Movie "Brave"
Jun. 25th, 2012 06:16 pmysabetwordsmith We watched the movie "Brave" today, which I enjoyed. I was pleased to note that, despite the presence of a "win the hand of the princess" routine, the core plot is not about romance. It's about personal identity and (somewhat rocky) family dynamics. It's nice to see a princess who looks at the proffered suitors, is utterly unimpressed by all of them, and goes after something totally different instead.
I think there's a lot of potential for ace fanfic here.
I think there's a lot of potential for ace fanfic here.
Aether Dancer Steampunk show
Jun. 24th, 2012 01:04 amysabetwordsmithIs anyone here a fan of steampunk and/or independent film?
There is a project on IndieGoGo, "Aether Dancer," fundraising for a steampunk webseries. This is an open source project, as I've described in a post on my blog, which means that folks are welcome to create characters and write or film things that will become part of the overall setting. The teaser trailer gives a glimpse of a world that's rebuilding civilization after a catastrophic meteor shower. I'm particularly intrigued by the clockwork constructs, one of whom is a crewmember on the airship Aether Dancer. If you have a little extra spending money, consider chipping in toward entertainment that's off the beaten path.
Are you tired of movies, TV shows, books, etc. where there are no asexual characters, or they're done wrong, or they're only there to die horribly or Discover That Sex Is Really Great? It's even worse with science fiction, which shows us different glimpses of the future, but often a future where many kinds of people aren't represented at all. So fix it. Create an asexual character in the Aether Dancer setting. In addition to humans, there are the clockwork people, who could quite plausibly be asexual. Then write a script or a story or a poem or whatever you do best. Shoot a scene, if you're into independent film. Even just dress up as your steampunk character -- it would be nice to see some characters who don't dress like centerfolds -- and take still pictures to share. Make a difference.
There is a project on IndieGoGo, "Aether Dancer," fundraising for a steampunk webseries. This is an open source project, as I've described in a post on my blog, which means that folks are welcome to create characters and write or film things that will become part of the overall setting. The teaser trailer gives a glimpse of a world that's rebuilding civilization after a catastrophic meteor shower. I'm particularly intrigued by the clockwork constructs, one of whom is a crewmember on the airship Aether Dancer. If you have a little extra spending money, consider chipping in toward entertainment that's off the beaten path.
Are you tired of movies, TV shows, books, etc. where there are no asexual characters, or they're done wrong, or they're only there to die horribly or Discover That Sex Is Really Great? It's even worse with science fiction, which shows us different glimpses of the future, but often a future where many kinds of people aren't represented at all. So fix it. Create an asexual character in the Aether Dancer setting. In addition to humans, there are the clockwork people, who could quite plausibly be asexual. Then write a script or a story or a poem or whatever you do best. Shoot a scene, if you're into independent film. Even just dress up as your steampunk character -- it would be nice to see some characters who don't dress like centerfolds -- and take still pictures to share. Make a difference.
Ace Poetry
Jun. 23rd, 2012 10:38 pmysabetwordsmithI've posted the followup report for the June 19, 2012 Poetry Fishbowl featuring the series Hart's Farm. So far there are four complete poems posted, and a fifth in microfunding where people can make donations to reveal new verses. The asexual character Rowen appears in "Comforters" (about caring for sick people) and "Behind the Red Robe" (about gender identity and conflict resolution). The poems already posted focus on community life and how people get along together. One of the unsold poems, "Who Stands Beside Me," also features the other asexual character Solvig as she helps a friend deal with his father's death. That one has a lot of nonsexual physical contact.
There is currently a poll open to distribute the general donations. Everyone is welcome to vote on what poetry should get sponsored.
New Crowdfunding Project: "Bareback Ink"
Jun. 23rd, 2012 09:09 pmysabetwordsmithI found "Bareback Ink" through a post over on LJ-asexuality which really excites me because it means folks are talking about crowdfunding in other venues, and more importantly, they are catching on to how crowdfunding can help creative people connect with niche markets serving topics that the mainstream ignores.
This play is about the relationship that develops between an asexual tattoo artist and a client. I don't know if it's any good or not. I do know that I like encouraging folks to write about fresh ideas and about characters who don't get much representation. So I'm boosting the signal for this project in hopes that it will succeed.
This play is about the relationship that develops between an asexual tattoo artist and a client. I don't know if it's any good or not. I do know that I like encouraging folks to write about fresh ideas and about characters who don't get much representation. So I'm boosting the signal for this project in hopes that it will succeed.
Poetry Fishbowl Open!
Jun. 19th, 2012 12:17 pmysabetwordsmithThe bonus Poetry Fishbowl featuring Hart's Farm is now open in my LiveJournal. (This is historic fantasy set in Sweden circa 1850, featuring rural family life, community, and diverse sexualities. You can read the other poems in this series on my Serial Poetry page.) Come give me prompts, talk with other audience members, and watch for the poems to start appearing.
So far there are two aces in the cast: Rowen is biromantic asexual genderqueer and Solvig is aromantic asexual. What kind of things would you like to see in portrayals of asexual characters that you're not seeing enough of? Cuddles, positive relationships, sexual friends who are understanding ...? Would you like stuff about sexual characters that's about something other than sex? Come ask for it. I'll do my best.
So far there are two aces in the cast: Rowen is biromantic asexual genderqueer and Solvig is aromantic asexual. What kind of things would you like to see in portrayals of asexual characters that you're not seeing enough of? Cuddles, positive relationships, sexual friends who are understanding ...? Would you like stuff about sexual characters that's about something other than sex? Come ask for it. I'll do my best.
Asexuality in Sherlock
Jun. 16th, 2012 09:14 pmysabetwordsmithThere's a discussion about the portrayal of asexuality in BBC Sherlock, based on a recent interview that tends to undermine said portrayal. My commentary is here.
Thoughts?
Thoughts?
Ace Poetry
Jun. 8th, 2012 05:49 pmysabetwordsmithMy June 5, 2012 Poetry Fishbowl sold out, so all the poems have been posted. Three of them from this batch feature asexual protagonists, and two of those are explicitly about asexuality:
"Hearts of Stone" (Schrodinger's Heroes)
"The Myth of Amethystos"
"The Ceiling of Her Sky" (Path of the Paladins)
Update: Hart's Farm won the audience poll -- some of my ace friends voted for it -- as the series to be featured in the bonus fishbowl on June 19, 2012. If you would like more poetry about ace characters, nonsexual relationships, healthy family dynamics, etc. then please drop by my blog and leave prompts or just browse the action.
These are the asexual characters previously established in the poetic series Hart's Farm:
Rowen (Norse: little red one, rowan tree) has fair skin and curly hair of rich red, about shoulderblade length and often pinned up under a cap. Born male, Rowen prefers a feminine role and usually dresses as a woman. Farmborn: great-grandchild of Ronan, grandchild of Ola, child of Soren, older sibling of Lia, auntie of Astrid.
Rowen comes from a prompt by LJ user Rickybuchanan: I am imagining a very affectionate biromantic asexual genderqueer character who has a passion for gardening, especially growing edible herbs and plants, and loves getting the children involved in the garden too.
Introduced in "Rosehips and Honey," reappearing in "Julbord" and "Alone in the Bee-Loud Glade."
Solvig (Old Norse: strong house) is a woman scholar with curly black hair pinned atop her head. She usually dresses in black, dark gray, or dark blue. Solvig is quiet and rather solitary for Hart's Farm, but she is very close friends with her housemates Hrafn and Gróa. Outsider. Aromantic asexual. Introduced in "Welcome to Hart's Farm," reappearing in "After Dark," "Julbord," and "Alone in the Bee-Loud Glade."
"Hearts of Stone" (Schrodinger's Heroes)
"The Myth of Amethystos"
"The Ceiling of Her Sky" (Path of the Paladins)
Update: Hart's Farm won the audience poll -- some of my ace friends voted for it -- as the series to be featured in the bonus fishbowl on June 19, 2012. If you would like more poetry about ace characters, nonsexual relationships, healthy family dynamics, etc. then please drop by my blog and leave prompts or just browse the action.
These are the asexual characters previously established in the poetic series Hart's Farm:
Rowen (Norse: little red one, rowan tree) has fair skin and curly hair of rich red, about shoulderblade length and often pinned up under a cap. Born male, Rowen prefers a feminine role and usually dresses as a woman. Farmborn: great-grandchild of Ronan, grandchild of Ola, child of Soren, older sibling of Lia, auntie of Astrid.
Rowen comes from a prompt by LJ user Rickybuchanan: I am imagining a very affectionate biromantic asexual genderqueer character who has a passion for gardening, especially growing edible herbs and plants, and loves getting the children involved in the garden too.
Introduced in "Rosehips and Honey," reappearing in "Julbord" and "Alone in the Bee-Loud Glade."
Solvig (Old Norse: strong house) is a woman scholar with curly black hair pinned atop her head. She usually dresses in black, dark gray, or dark blue. Solvig is quiet and rather solitary for Hart's Farm, but she is very close friends with her housemates Hrafn and Gróa. Outsider. Aromantic asexual. Introduced in "Welcome to Hart's Farm," reappearing in "After Dark," "Julbord," and "Alone in the Bee-Loud Glade."
bristrek So as some will know it's World Pride in London this year and there's going to be an asexual group again this year. It's mostly AVEN but not entirely, I'm mostly a tumblr person for example.
One of the the things we're doing is placards with slogans on them which will be translated. We're thinking two slogans and there's an AVEN post on that here, and that those slogans should be translated into other languages the post on which is here.
One of the problems is that though we have people willing to translate for EU and European in general languages, we don't have anybody who can translate into Arabic or Punjabi or so on. We'd also like someone who speaks one of the other languages native to the British Isles, so far it looks like it'll be Welsh, but nobody has stepped up who can.
So I thought I'd ask here (and I'm gonna head over to LiveJournal too) in case any of you can. Or if you have friends/family who'd be willing.
Thanks for any help, even if you aren't coming, and any who want to come are welcome but I know not everybody is comfortable at these things or can travel to London.
ETA: We have a volunteer from LJ now who is an Arabic speaker. Still, anybody know Punjabi or Welsh?
One of the the things we're doing is placards with slogans on them which will be translated. We're thinking two slogans and there's an AVEN post on that here, and that those slogans should be translated into other languages the post on which is here.
One of the problems is that though we have people willing to translate for EU and European in general languages, we don't have anybody who can translate into Arabic or Punjabi or so on. We'd also like someone who speaks one of the other languages native to the British Isles, so far it looks like it'll be Welsh, but nobody has stepped up who can.
So I thought I'd ask here (and I'm gonna head over to LiveJournal too) in case any of you can. Or if you have friends/family who'd be willing.
Thanks for any help, even if you aren't coming, and any who want to come are welcome but I know not everybody is comfortable at these things or can travel to London.
ETA: We have a volunteer from LJ now who is an Arabic speaker. Still, anybody know Punjabi or Welsh?
Something a Little Bit Different
May. 12th, 2012 11:50 pmbubbleblowerThis has sort of an outsider's view of human sexuality:
http://www.plergb.com/RobotMusicians/Ro
and here's the broader background:
http://www.plergb.com/RobotMusicians/Ro
You may need a rather strange sense of humor to really appreciate it.
http://www.plergb.com/RobotMusicians/Ro
and here's the broader background:
http://www.plergb.com/RobotMusicians/Ro
You may need a rather strange sense of humor to really appreciate it.
Asexual Poetry
May. 5th, 2012 01:17 amysabetwordsmithI just did my Poetry Fishbowl this week, and there's a poll up now to choose a free epic poem, as one of the perks. Everyone is welcome to vote. Two of the three options are poems that feature asexual characters. "The Odd Trio" is explicit about that; it's part of the plot in which three very different people form an adventuring party and eventually a family. You can meet the ace, Hope, in "Hope of the Future." "Alone in the Bee-Loud Glade" is more subtle; Rowen was originally introduced in "Rosehips and Honey" and is, per the prompt, "a very affectionate biromantic genderqueer character." So if you'd like to see more poetry about asexual characters, you can go vote for that.
