Ahoy there! Come over now, closer – that’s right, up against the bars . . .
In these cold, miserable times, with grim portends on every horizon, please, let me extend this trembling hand of mine and – quiet now, don’t let the guards see - offer you this here bundle of tropical adventure, tales of curses and demons, skeletons and ship battles and sea monsters . . . Pirates, my friends, pirates!
——————
I've published the fourth book in my India Bones series just in time for Christmas – as well as new editions of the previous three, professionally edited by our resident u/RebeccaBapaye, and now complete with chapter titles, afterwords, and ship’s glossaries. In the spirit of giving, they are currently free on Kindle (at least in the US and UK; send me a message if you’re elsewhere and I’ll try and sort you out).
The books are set in their own fantasy world, loosely based on our Golden Age of Piracy. Geography, characters, histories, cultures – these are all inspired by real life but have been twisted and mashed into new forms. The story stars India Bones, who begins the series as a thirteen-year-old kid, and by the fourth book is seventeen. It is my intention for almost all ages to enjoy these books -- the first book is the most accessible for younger readers -- but the maturity of the themes and story age up alongside the protagonist; there is a fair jump by the second book, and by the fourth book I would not consider the series suitable for young readers. Colonialism, slavery, mortality, genocide – these aren’t things shied away from in the series; slavery in particular was something I did not feel appropriate to treat with kid gloves.
That said, the series offers a beautiful, exciting, entrancing world to explore alongside the protagonist. Sharing in India's high-seas adventures was always my priority, so the books rarely wallow, not when they could be showing you new islands, new alien depths of the sea, new monsters and villains to fight.
The first book is the least fantastical -- although only if you don't count the animated skeletons. I don’t want to spoil the later books, but expect a lot more fantasy as things move forward, especially that drawn from real world myths. And as the weird and magical is ramped up, the series moves away from its colonial genre trappings and incorporates a lot more indigenous (and Mesoamerican) influences.
You might wonder why I’m giving away all four books for free. That's easy -- I love r/fantasy! It's the o
... keep reading on reddit ➡Hey guys! So I'm currently in the US, im interested in moving outside the country as soon as my life is in order. Because of my career in music, i spent the last decade becoming familiar with the artistic/musical/hip/"new agey" hubs around the US, but im at a complete loss when it comes to similar communities outside the United States.
Usually (90% of time) these artsy/hip communities overlap with college/university towns. I prefer smaller towns than cities, but i want to hear all of them! My only prerequisite is that it be tropical! Haha... I've spent alot of time investigating a list from the political stability, marijuana laws and taxes perspective, but this time id like to compile a list based on the cultural/musical/artsy aspects.
Things im looking for (i hate using these cringey words so i apologize in advance)
- artsy
- colorful
- live music/djs
- higher education/universities
- hippyish
- new age type vibe
- holistic
I'm a trained photographer and career musician, so these are the kind of communities that im looking for. So many interesting places in this world and so many good reasons to live anywhere, but this one is for the cultural aspects first and foremost. Thanks! 😇 😁
##Caribbean Community Development Act
June 2030, Department of State, Secretary Steele
###Introduction
President DeSantis is getting ready to pen his own doctrine regarding foreign policy in the Caribbean. In recent history, including his own party, the United States has tended to ignore the issues and development faced by nations in their own frontyard, nations they have long decided are within its sphere of influence. If the United States wishes to keep these nations in its sphere- or better yet, as its closest confidants and allies- it would be best to treat them like equals. It goes without saying that the United States has neglected even its own territories, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands, to the point where there have been more murmurs in Washington about Puerto Rican independence. President DeSantis, who has been quite involved in Caribbean politics- especially on Cuba during his Floridian Governorship, is ready to use his position as President to get more involved in an area of personal interest. The Caribbean Community Development Act, largely written by the President and his advisors before passing it to Congress for review, is one of his crowning achievements, and the first step into an American-driven era in the Caribbean.
###Special Provisions for Overseas Territories and Constituents
Both Aruba, Curaçao, and Sint Maarten are Dutch Caribbean Islands. These islands are both under Dutch jurisdiction, and therefore the US will need to request permission from the Netherlands before getting too involved in their affairs. Of course, America could just speak directly with the islands at the islands' request, but it would undermine Dutch sovereignty. To respect the wishes of the islands, America will first speak with the islands about their preferences. This will also remain true for the British Overseas Territories including Bermuda, and the French Overseas Departments. Typically these places would not be eligible for American aid, but given the proximity to the US from their parent nations, they might prefer to work with us directly.
###The Development Initiative
| Eligible Invitees |
|---|
| Antigua and Barbuda |
| The Bahamas |
| Barbados |
| Dominica |
| Dominican Republic |
| Haiti |
| Puerto Rico (Accepted by Default) |
| US Virgin Islands (Accepted by Default) |
| Guadeloupe (France) |
| Martinique (France) |
| Saint Barthélemy (France) |
| Collectivity of Saint Martin (France) |
| Grenada |
| Jamaica |
| Aruba (Dutch) |
| Curaçao (Dutch) |
Sint Ma
... keep reading on reddit ➡From an RSS feed
Bellevue Reporter - Your local homepage.
Owners Theo and Gaelyn Martin turn to Kickstarter to crowdfund their restaurant Arleana’s in Kirkland
Source: Bellevue Reporter http://www.bellevuereporter.com/news/owners-of-seattles-island-soul-rally-community-to-help-open-caribbean-soul-restaurant-on-the-eastside/
Hi all, I know it's tough these days. Wanted to share the link to Counselling Connect, a free counselling service for Ottawa and the surrounding area. From Renfrew to Cornwall and the places in between.
Phone and video counselling in English and French. Quick access to a session at the date and time you choose. There is no waiting list.
Support for anxiety, depression, addiction, gaming, families, relationships and more.
New in the past few months is counsellors specifically from the LGBT2SQ+ and African, Caribbean and Black communities.
https://www.counsellingconnect.org/
EDIT to add: More than twenty well known community organizations got together to offer this service. Centretown Community Health Centre, Youth Services Bureau, Wabano, Somerset West Community Health Centre, Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization and more.
Just over 18 square kilometres in size, the paradise island of Bequia (pronounced ‘Bekway’) is off-grid when it comes to most visitors to the Caribbean, except for celebrities and the odd member of the British royal family.
But attention is set to be firmly focused on the second-largest island of the Grenadines archipelago as it becomes home to the world's first fully Bitcoin-enabled community.
The One Bequia development, where 39 luxury villas are set to be built, will be the first of its kind in the Caribbean to accept Bitcoin as payment for the properties.
Bitcoin will also be accepted as payment for everyday essentials at the development's grocery store as well as at its restaurant, café, and cinema.
Hey guys! So I'm currently in the US, im interested in moving outside the country as soon as my life is in order. Because of my career in music, i spent the last decade becoming familiar with the artistic/musical/hip/"new agey" hubs around the US, but im at a complete loss when it comes to similar communities outside the United States.
Usually (90% of time) these artsy/hip communities overlap with college/university towns. I prefer smaller towns than cities, but i want to hear all of them! My only prerequisite is that it be tropical! Haha... I've spent alot of time investigating a list from the political stability, marijuana laws and taxes perspective, but this time id like to compile a list based on the cultural/musical/artsy aspects.
Things im looking for (i hate using some of these cringey words so i apologize in advance)
- artsy
- colorful
- live music/djs
- higher education/universities
- hippyish
- new age type vibe
- holistic
I'm a trained photographer and career musician, so these are the kind of communities that im looking for. So many interesting places in this world and so many good reasons to live anywhere, but this one is for the cultural aspects first and foremost. Thanks! 😇 😁
