As always, we started with a few discussion items:
– Jaime says that the next Reading Series nights will be Feb 24 (with Wayne Allen Sallee) and Mar 23, and there will not be one in April
– Ida wrote, “AI and Musical Holograms – OMG”
– As the article says: “This dilemma centres on the question: is it ethical to “resurrect” artists for performances they never consented to?”
– “On the one hand, these technological marvels allow fans to relive the magic of legendary performers, creating new experiences with historical figures. On the other, it raises concerns about consent, authenticity and the moral rights of those who are no longer here to voice their opinions.”
– https://theconversation.com/four-ways-ai-will-impact-music-from-elvis-holograms-to-interactive-soundscapes-221260?mc_cid=d4fa8fae3d&mc_eid=2d6bbbf5bb
– Ida also sent in an interesting piece about AI-generated art, done in the form of sequential art: https://hyperallergic.com/802165/ai-wtf-do-you-know-about-pain/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=D011924&utm_content=D011924+CID_e99d872602057d026726aa5ac27fe845&utm_source=hn&utm_term=AI+WTF+Do+You+Know+About+Pain
– I found this article interesting. “The Creative Friend Problem” is about Review Anxiety: https://www.blackgate.com/2024/01/30/the-creative-friends-problem/
– I read this article about how not to promote a book: “Author J.D. Barker is apologizing for a January 23 email pitch inviting a number of high-profile BookTok influencers—nearly all of them young women—to make “racy” sponsored content promoting Barker’s forthcoming novel.” As you may well imagine, it didn’t end well. https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/94199-author-j-d-barker-dropped-by-agent-after-creepy-booktok-request.html
– I also found another “how not to” post on Facebook from an author (and I don’t think the author is delusional):
– Yesterday, I was invited to be interviewed for a podcast. Buried deep in the details of what they do and who they have hosted previously was the mention that they charge $30 for the interview.
– I wrote back: “Rule number one for a writer: money flows to the writer. While being on your series is flattering, it is not worth paying for. If you wish to proceed, let me know.”
– This morning, I was informed. “Even if I want to proceed, I wouldn’t because of your insult. Saying my show isn’t worth paying for is extremely insulting. Plus, it’s so delusional of you to think this way.”
Other events:
– The Berwyn Library Writers Group will next meet over zoom on Feb 25. Details at https://berwynlibrary.libcal.com/event/11795750?hs=a
We then discussed everyone’s current reading list:
– Robert said that he plans to read the prophecies of Nostradamus because apparently there are some specific predictions for 2024
– Ida said that she was reading Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri, but she’s also really liking the TV series Person of Interest. She said that she passed on it when it was first broadcast but now finds it fascinating.
– Gary is enjoying The Sea Wolf by Jack London, and is also reading Washington Square by Henry James
– Paul decided to read some romance and is surprised to be enjoying Penelope in Retrograde by Brooke Abrams and Kit McBride Gets a Wife by Quan Barry
– Ben has been reading some Bible studies as recommended by a friend
– Jen is taking on what’s a hot topic right now by reading Creators Take Control: How NFTs Revolutionize Art, Business, and Entertainment by Edward Jr. Lee
– Matt B read (on audiobook from the Classic Tales podcast) The Intrusion of Jimmy and Carry On, Jeeves by P.G. Wodehouse
The rest of the meeting was taken up with the usual writing discussions and critiques. We only had three pieces to discuss so we were able to spend a good amount of time on each. There was some interesting discussion about how difficult it sometimes is to get the writer’s ideas across to the reader. If you’ve been to one of our recent meetings, you know that everyone in the group gets a chance to comment on the piece before the writer can respond. It seemed to me that all the pieces this month had some concepts that were discussed by the group but when the writer was able to comment, it turned out that the group was a little off on understanding what was written. These were not major items, but it pointed out to me that I need to make my ideas clear in the written word, because I will not always be there to explain the meaning as I intended.
Thanks again to everyone for joining me this month. Here’s the schedule for the next few weeks:
– The next Tamale Hut Café Reading Series event will be on February 24, with Wayne Allen Sallee as featured reader.
– around February 25, I will send a reminder to everyone to submit some of their work for critique during our next meeting.
– as I get the pieces, I will send them out as quickly as I can
– our next THC Writers Group meeting will be Saturday, March 9 at 2pm, at the Tamale Hut Café
Thanks for your interest in the THC Writers Group. I hope to see you at an upcoming Writers Group meeting or at a future Reading Series night.
Keep Writing!
Matt B
Tamale Hut Café Writers Group 