I attend events in various venues in the United States (mostly in Michigan), but I also appear at events in the virtual world of Second Life, where I go by my avatar’s name, Ceejay Writer. Second Life Time Zone (SLT) is the same as Pacific Time Zone.
Information about my Regular Literary Events in Second Life
If you are a Second Lifer and are interested in learning more about my regularly scheduled events, I suggest joining my in-world group “Ceejaytopia” to receive a variety of literary event announcements and reminders. Most events are held at the R.F. Burton Library in Babbage Canals, in the steampunk city of New Babbage. Second Life events I run are:
Tall Tales and Outright Lies! a writer support and critique group normally held every other Saturday morning at 7:00-8:30am SLT
The Aether Salon is a monthly lecture/discussion series with a different topic and speaker on the third Sunday of each month at 2pm SLT. These series chatlogs are permanently archived at the salon’s website, and can be read by anyone. The salon has its own Discord server and in-world group. Information on joining those is on the website’s front page.
There’s also a monthly book club discussion group that meets at the R.F. Burton Library. I send announcements about it via my Ceejaytopia group.
Upcoming Events
Second Life Book Club with Bernhard Drax, aka “Draxtor”
September 4th, 2024
For my second visit with Drax, we will talk about my new cookbook, Shredding It: A Cabbage Cookbook and whatever else comes to mind! Update: Drax decided to bring his show to my book shop. Join us at The Inkwell in Babbage Square 12pm – 1:30pm SLT
Past Events Archived Below
A Rally of Writers
April 13, 2023 – 8:00am – 4:30pm EST
Lansing, Michigan
Annual writer’s conference.
Writing Workshop with Ceejay Writer: Getting Down To It – The Reality of Fiction Writing
April 22, 2024 – 3:00pm-4:00pm SLT
Second Life – Fantasy Faire’s Literary Festival (to benefit Relay for Life)
Sometimes the hardest part of writing is just getting started. If you’re feeling overwhelmed about how to start turning your concepts into manuscripts, we’ll get you going by breaking it down into manageable tasks.
Writing Workshop with Ceejay Writer: The AI-lephant in the Room – Is ChatGPT our Friend or Enemy?
April 29, 2024 – 3:00pm-4:00pm SLT
Second Life – Fantasy Faire’s Literary Festival (to benefit Relay for Life)
There’s no denying that AI is here, probably to stay. How can a writer ethically make use of this technology to get tasks done, and still sleep well at night? My co-host for this workshop will be ChatGPT itself!
Blurb’s the Word! Writing Workshop with Ceejay Writer
April 30, 2023 – 8:00am-9:00am SLT
Second Life – Fantasy Faire’s Literary Festival (to benefit Relay for Life)
If that back-cover description isn’t compelling, your potential audience could be passing you by. Learn how to hook a casual browser and turn them into your next avid reader.
Continuity: Solid Worlds, Believable Characters
May 2, 2023 – 3:00pm-4:00pm SLT
Second Life – Fantasy Faire’s Literary Festival (to benefit Relay for Life)
Writing Workshop with Ceejay Writer
Ever have a character change their hair color, accent, or even gender in mid-story? And it’s not part of the plot? Oops. If your Loki-wannabe isn’t a shapeshifter or a trickster, it’s up to you to give them stability. We’ll talk about continuity in your worldbuilding, too!
Tall Tales and Outright Lies!
April 22, 2023 – 7:00-8:30am SLT
and
May 6, 2023 – 7:00-8:30am SLT
Second Life – Fantasy Faire’s Literary Festival (to benefit Relay for Life)
This New Babbage-based writer support group has been going strong for well over a decade. If you’re a writer with new work and want feedback, or if you like to listen to fresh new stories, come on by. Stories are shared in local chat, NOT voice.
A Rally of Writers
April 15, 2023 – 8:00am – 4:30pm EST
Lansing, Michigan
Annual writer’s conference.
Made In Michigan Festival
September 25, 2022 – 1pm-3pm
Allen Rd. between Southfield and Roosevelt, Allen Park MI
“Fussy Novels and How to Finish Them”
April 28, 2022 – 3pm-4pm SLT
Second Life – Fantasy Faire’s Literary Festival (to benefit Relay for Life)
Ceejay Writer hosts a workshop for writers with novels in progress who need help getting to the finish line. We’ll brainstorm to find you the tools, motivation, and inspiration you need to get ‘er done. Writers at any stage of the novel-writing process are welcome. Every attendee will leave with a Writer’s Toolbox, packed with resources!
35th Annual “A Rally of Writers“
April 9, 2022 – 8:30am – 4:30pm
Lansing Community College West Campus
Writing conference
Second Life Book Club
March 3, 2021 – 12:00pm – 1:00pm SLT
Second Life
Meet authors that are living in and/or writing about Second Life. We will talk SL as inspiration, backdrop and avatar identity as author and protagonist. Is SL a viable promotional tool for “out of world” authors or only folks who are living and breathing the grid?
Second Life Spotlight Feature
SandPapers – Desert Punk in Literature with Ceejay Writer
May 2, 2020 – 2:00pm – 3:00pm SLT
Second Life
Is “Dune” desertpunk? What about “Treasure Island”? Let’s explore the possibilities while looking for an oasis in which to read and write desertpunk. This will be a discussion, not a lecture. Audience participation will be encouraged. Discussion will take place in open chat, not Voice, so that we may have a record of all the resources that will surely be mentioned. Join us at the Place of Stories at Khawr Maksar on Drifts of Anamnesis.
Michigan Steam Expo
June 26-28, 2020
Pontiac, Michigan
Alas, the Expo has been canceled due to COVID-19.
Michigan Steam Expo
Sunday, May 26, 2019
Pontiac, Michigan
I’ll be reading whatever stories people want to hear, and my books will be available for signing and purchase.
Fantasy Faire Literary Festival 2019
April 23, 2019
Second Life
Ceejay Writer presents “The Steamkettle Kids and The Lucky Tentacles” 4:00pm – 4:30pm slt. A short story by Lori Alden Holuta, inspired by International Octopus Day – October 8th, 2016. And also a gift for those who struggled with Hurricane Matthew.
The First Annual Doll Fest-For-All
March 3, 2019
Second Life
Second Life authors will be on-hand to sell copies of their books for use in Second Life. In addition, two panel discussions are planned. From 6:00 to 6:30 pm, Ceejay Writer will discuss her works and the world of Industralia. From 7:00 pm to 7:30 pm, individuals who take part in Second Life’s doll culture will discuss what being a doll means to them and how to get involved in being a doll.
Fantasy Faire Literary Festival
April 20-21, 2018
Second Life
I’ll be involved in three different events during the festival. Details about these are in this blog post.
Motor City Steam Con
July 14-16, 2017
Dearborn, Michigan
I’ll be reading from The Flight To Brassbright, selling and signing books, and participating in the Writer’s Block Slumber Party with many amazing authors.
Fantasy Faire 2017
A Benefit for the American Cancer Society
April 23, 2017
Second Life
I will be speaking at Fantasy Faire from 7pm – 8pm SLT
Motor City Steam Con
July 22-24, 2016
Livonia, Michigan
Panel Discussions, Writer’s Block Slumber Party, Book Readings and Signings
Fantasy Faire
Saturday, April 23, 2016
6:30pm slt – 8:00pm slt
Tall Tales with Ceejay Writer. The pirates of the Scoundrel Fleet come ashore at the literary festival to share stories round a campfire. If these magical realms don’t have kegs of rum, there might be a dear price to pay for the pleasure of their company.
Fantasy Faire
Sunday, April 24, 2016
11:00am slt – 12:00am slt
Going Down The Tubes with Lori Alden Holuta (Ceejay Writer). Ceejay will be sharing a chapter from Down The Tubes, the 2nd novel in the Brassbright Chronicles. When Brassbright City’s pneumatic mail tubes malfunction, four mis-delivered letters change the lives of their senders—and their unintended recipients.
AnomalyCon 2016
March 25-27 2016
Hyatt Regency Denver Tech Center
Denver, Colorado
Presenting “The Mad Science of Victorian Cooking” panel. Cooking is science, the Victorians obsessed with alchemy—and here the two combine, perhaps with dangerous results!
Timekiller Festival II 2016
January 15–24, 2016
Second Life
The Flight To Brassbright will have a bit read by Seanchai Library, Caledonia on Sunday, January 24th at 3pm slt (slt equals Pacific time).
Aether Salon: Publishing!
January 17, 2016
Second Life
I’ll be speaking and taking questions on the topic of Publishing: Self Publishing, Traditional Agent/Publisher relationships, and even, heaven forfend, Vanity Presses.
(Update: A transcript of the Salon has been archived for reading at your leisure.)
Victorian Christmas Party
December 18, 2015
Lansing, Michigan
A Victorian Christmas party at a local senior/disabled apartment complex. There will be displays of vintage dolls, and hopefully an old toy train will choo-choo its way into our hearts. Stories will be read, and I’ll have my book available for anyone needing a gift, perhaps, for a grandchild. I’m designing a special Christmas Steampunk Mrs. Clause outfit just for this event.
The Literary World Of New Babbage
Designing Worlds Television
June 8, 2015
Second Life
“We talk to Ceejay Writer who – under her real world name of Lori Alden Holuta – is writing and publishing a series of books – The Brassbright Chronicles – inspired by the city of New Babbage. Ceejay explains how the Brassbright concept came to life through a character bio that got well out of hand!”
Gear Up For Summer Reading
June 17, 2015
Barnes and Noble, Lakeview Square
Battle Creek, Michigan
I’ll be reading The Steamkettle Kids Save The Day. “Younger children will be treated to Storytimes featuring some very special steampunk related books. Everyone will have a chance to make steampunk crafts and interact with the cast. This event is free and open to everyone.”
Fantasy Faire 2015
April 26 2015
Second Life
‘Meet The Author’ event to benefit Relay For Life from 8:00am to 10:00am SLT
Book Discussion at the R.F. Burton Library
Sunday, March 22nd, 2015, 1:00 pm SLT
Second Life
This month’s book is The Flight To Brassbright, and I shall be participating with anticipation/trepidation in a discussion of my first volume of the Brassbright Chronicles.