Topic: Arts & Literature

Strong Celtic women and video game influenced fantasy are a winning combination.

Oregon fantasy author and video game advocate Jayel Gibson is joining the entertainment trend that promotes a new era of fantasy from an uncompromisingly feminine point of view, and it seems to be working. The first two books of her "Ancient Mirrors" series, Dragon Queen and The Wrekening, have received USA Book News '2007 Best Books' Finalist Awards, and the third book, Damselflies, reached #1 and remained on Amazon's Top 100 Celtic Mythology Bestseller List for seven weeks.

A case is made that Huxley drew upon his knowledge of ancient India for some of his background in "Brave New World."

Aldous Huxley was a great story teller and author of the highly acclaimed novel, Brave New World. Widely read, it came as no surprise to analyse his novel and conclude that perhaps, he was influenced by some ideas and theories depicted in Hindu Mythology. In particular, there are two things that this novel, Brave New World and Hindu Mythology have in common - the caste system and soma.

Stan Lee is accustomed to writing comic books, but on this day at the Hollywood studios of Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic, he helped record one for students who struggle with reading.

Stan Lee, world-famous creator of Spider-Man, Iron Man, X-Men and The Incredible Hulk, is accustomed to writing comic books, but on this day at the Hollywood studios of Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic (RFB&D), he helped record one for students who struggle with reading because of a visual impairment or learning disability such as dyslexia.

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Stan Lee and Feedback together again.

"Arthur's ideas have sent silent engines into space to speak in tongues. His fabulous communications satellite ricocheted about in his head long before it leaped over the mountains and flatlands of the Earth," said Ray Bradbury of Clarke in 1992.

British expatriate science fiction author, futurist, and visionary Arthur C. Clarke died on Wednesday in a hospital in his adopted hometown of Colombo, Sri Lanka. He was 90 years old.

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Arthur C. Clarke, science fiction author, meeting with fans, at his home office in Colombo, Sri Lanka in 2005.

Author promotes “Sci-fi Chick Lit” in latest novel in adventure series.

Today, as more female writers enter the world of science fiction and fantasy, multi-faceted heroines and relationship-based storylines in novels are attracting a whole new audience to the genre. Women who have previously read historical fiction and romance are now flocking to science fiction, as evidenced by the highly successful futuristic In Death series by J.D. Robb, aka bestselling author Nora Roberts. Science fiction and gaming conventions, once famous for luring Dungeons and Dragons players out of their hobbit holes, are now playing host to female fans drawn in by their favorite leading ladies. These heroines are saving ancient universes, fighting off evil warlords and setting the standard for strength and femininity.

Women crucified in art, also comes to mind when this artist shares her life situation along with a popularity contest between her "Super Girl" painting and her painting of "Venus - Goddess of Love."

We question if Barbara Wurden is painting "women crucified in art" instead of "warrior angel art" with her passionately narrated canvases. She calls them "video diaries" and it's where she shares her current life situation as she summons the goddesses for assistance through this art form.

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"Venus - Goddess of Love"

Patricia Aufderheide, an expert on documentary film at American University’s School of Communication, says that the film documentary has come into its own.

Last year, the widely-distributed An Inconvenient Truth won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. This year, Michael Moore’s Sicko, another documentary that enjoyed mainstream success, is among the nominations for the same category. Patricia Aufderheide, an expert on documentary film at American University’s School of Communication, says this is a sign of the times.

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Compact disc release aimed at fighting malaria and increasing awareness about the fatal disease that kills more than one million people every year. For each album sold, the label will procure and distribute 2 insecticide treated mosquito nets in Africa. Bed nets are the most cost effective way to combat malaria.

Independent record label releases album Save My Soul -- Music To Prevent Malaria, a compilation of songs performed by children affected by malaria.

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Children of Chifwema village learn how to use their brand new insecticide treated mosquito nets

Antoinette Sarcinella's "Wolf & Owl Remember" is an entertaining read delivering profound wisdom that will not only be enjoyed by children, but adults reading it with them.

Author Antoinette Sarcinella reaches into her Native American Folklore history to create her new children's story presented as an ancient lesson of wisdom to help with today's world problems. Antoinette draws on her Hunkpapa, Lakota, and Assiniboineown heritage to bring her book, Wolf & Owl Remember, to a level that all cultures can identify with. Kumi, a young boy full of spirit and curiosity, comes across an injured bird. In a compassionate effort to help the bird, Kumi takes it home. The bird recognizes Kumi's innocent eagerness for knowledge and introduces him to a Wolf and Owl. The animals take Kumi on a mystical journey through space and time where they and other animals share their stories of life.

National publicity expands for Austin metaphysical artist Mickie Bellah. Bellah’s oil paintings and art can be found in four recent publications.

Metaphysical artist Mickie Bellah's oil paintings are continuing to gain national recognition. First, Mystic Pop Magazine featured her art in an extensive article in the November/December issue. Then Innerchange, a magazine about mindful living, selected "Purple-2" from Bellah's new Luminescence series for the cover of its December/January issue, on newsstands and online now.

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"Purple" by Mickie Bellah