Some of your Fellow Readers…
World News
- Yellen, caught between markets and US Congress, tweaks messageJanet Yellen is the face of US govt on the issue and her public comments have sent markets on a roller-coaster ride.
- Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 394As the Russia-Ukraine war enters its 394th day, we take a look at the main developments.
- China authorities raid US due diligence firm, detain staffRaid on the Mintz Group office in Beijing comes as China prepares to hold its annual economic forum.
- US says air strikes hit Syria targets after deadly drone attackPentagon said air strikes were carried out in retaliation for drone attack on US base that killed one and injured five.
- Zelenskyy calls on EU to give jets, missiles or expect a long warUkraine president's comments on need for weapons represents an unusually open display of frustration with EU leaders.
- Crypto founder Do Kwon indicted in US after Montenegro arrestCo-founder of Singapore-based Terraform Labs faces eight charges, including securities fraud and wire fraud.
- N Korea tests new underwater nuclear attack ‘drone’: State mediaDrone cruised underwater for 59 hours, then detonated in an exercise designed to deter S Korea and US forces: KCNA.
- US accuses top Paraguay politicians of corruption, spurring probeParaguay's ex-president and current vice president are under investigation for alleged corruption – charges they deny.
- Canada to roll back asylum access in reported agreement with USRefugee groups condemn anticipated decision to expand Canada's ability to reject asylum seekers at the US border.
- China’s huge quarantine camps standing months after ‘zero COVID’Satellite imagery shows facilities are still intact nearly four months after end of Beijing's draconian pandemic policy.
- Capitol riot: Woman accused of stealing Pelosi’s laptop sentencedUS prosecutors say Riley June Williams acted as an 'accelerant' who 'exacerbated the mayhem' on January 6, 2021.
Global Voices
- ‘Winnie the Pooh’ horror film pulled in Hong KongHK's censor approved the film, but it was later axed without explanation. Mainland Chinese censors regularly ban images of the cartoon bear as many compare it to Chinese President Xi Jinping.
- Argentine feminist movement continues to diversify its ranksIn 2023, feminist struggles in Argentina continue to diversify as the realities of all women are being taken into account both in their activities and in their identities.
- Global Voices seeks a Social Media Global Fellow for Sub-Saharan Francophone Africa Global Voices seeks a Social Media Global Fellow for Francophone Africa to engage with audiences and create attractive content.
- Global Voices seeks a Social Media Team Lead Global Voices is seeking a Social Media Team Lead who is responsible for managing all social media platforms for Global Voices and leading a team of colleagues.
- Central Asians fighting in Ukraine are both defending and attacking itThe authorities in Central Asia have issued stern warnings to their citizens not to fight in Ukraine, threatening lengthy prison sentences for participating in armed conflicts abroad as mercenaries.
- Weathering Russian xenophobia in everyday lifeIn recent months, there has been more talk about "Russophobia" — anti-Russian sentiment. What they face is nothing compared to what national minorities face in Russia.
- How young people around the world experience AI, in their own words“AI is more present in our daily lives than we think, and that policymakers should’ve acted to regulate the industry from very early on.”
- What is wrong with Azerbaijan’s mentality towards its womenRegardless of their age, profession, or status, a woman’s life is narrowed down to her body, its worth, and shape. Her dignity and privacy are disrespected and Azerbaijan’s patriarchal, macho mentality supports this.
- Yanomami children die of malnutrition and disease in tragedy for Brazil's Indigenous peopleIllegal mining and a lack of government action left the Yanomami people - who live in Brazil's largest Indigenous territory - in a humanitarian tragedy, facing hospitalizations and deaths from malnutrition and other diseases.
- Seven-year-old Coryn Anaya Clarke, a self-published author from Trinidad & Tobago, wants kids to know the joy of readingCan a seven-year-old encourage other children to read by writing and publishing her own stories? This young Trinidadian author is certainly trying.
- Coastal erosion redraws St. Vincent’s north-east coastOver the past several years, as climate change impacts like hurricanes, droughts, floods and rising sea levels have taken their toll, the tiny Caribbean nation has had to take action.
Bahá’í World News
- “A collaborative artistic effort”: Architect reflects on DRC temple project Architect Heinrich Wolff’s journey in designing the DRC temple emphasizes collaboration, unity, and inspiration from the Bahá’í principle of service to humanity.
- Bahai.org: New section on Bahá’í calendar added to siteNew Bahai.org section offers an overview of the Bahá’í calendar, significant dates, and a downloadable calendar with Bahá’í dates mapped on Gregorian ones.
- Maryland Bahá’í Chair: Marking 30 years of promoting dialogue and peaceThe 30th anniversary of the Bahá’í Chair at the University of Maryland provides an opportunity to reflect on long-standing efforts to foster a more harmonious world.
- Black History Month: House of Worship fosters onenessBahá’í temple in the United States hosts event during Black History Month promoting racial harmony and social cohesion.
- BIC New York: Women’s engagement in reimagining digital technologiesA new BIC statement explores the impact of digital technologies on women and the need for much greater inclusion of women in the processes of innovation.
- BIC Brussels: Policies alone not sufficient to address racial prejudiceThe Bahá’í International Community’s statement calls for a shift in how institutions view human capacity, suggesting grassroots participation in policymaking processes.
- Türkiye: Emergency desk created to coordinate relief effortsThe Bahá’í National Spiritual Assembly’s emergency desk coordinates relief efforts through informal networks formed among participants of community-building initiatives.
- Kazakhstan: The arts can foster social harmonyThe Bahá’ís of Kazakhstan explore how the arts can awaken noble sentiments and play an in important part in contributing to social progress.
- Brazil: Transcending divisions through a shared identityA public hearing organized by the Bahá’ís of Brazil explores overcoming divisions of “us” and “them” through a recognition of humanity’s spiritual nature.
Notes from An Alien 
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Alexander,
I wish I had been able to round up a few beta readers before publishing my novel, THE DREAM STAR. I would have very much appreciated honest, clear feedback on what readers felt the weak points of the novel were. So, that said, I’m going to offer you what was not given to me by my writers groups – truly honest feedback. Here it is:
Initially, I was very intrigued by your story premise and that kept me reading for quite a while, page 26 to be exact. But I found that there were no specific characters that I could ground with. Each time I felt I got a connection with a character, that character died suddenly. I am confused about who the protagonists are. Also, there is so much unexplained about the worlds and their respective cultures that I don’t feel a true connection with any of them. I need to feel some kind of connection with at least one of these characters and see that character grow or change in some way through the story. I want to read on and finish the story but I’m feeling so bogged down with so many characters that are not described clearly or at least in a way that I can get a feel for who they really are and what their motives truly are.
I still think you have an interesting premise here, though. I did get a sense of the Corporation planet and how it reflects our current culture. But I’m not completely sure that’s where you were meaning to go with it. The planet with the two major religious factions and then the sub-factions is confusing to me. Basically, I’m too confused by meeting so many characters so often (and then many of them abruptly die) that I just can’t get dug into the story.
I don’t know you so there’s no way of knowing how you’re going to take this feedback. I really do want to offer constructive criticism and not have my feedback be taken as negative. I think you are an interesting writer with good concepts. I just think that maybe you’re trying to give too much information along with whatever the actual story is. I feel that by page 26 I still am not sure what the story is, where it’s going or which character(s) I am supposed to feel sympathy for. If you could choose one main character or even a few main characters for the reader to connect with right away, I think you could work in all the over-arching back-story and still get across what you’re trying for. Right now, I’m not sure what that is.
I hope this was helpful. I’m terrified that you may receive it as hurtful. But if I had had this kind of feedback on my novel, I believe it would have really helped me to write a better book, so I’m sending this off with my fingers crossed and hoping you will receive it as it’s given. I also send you my very best wishes for your every success.
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Susan,
I’m grateful you’ve posted your review :-)
When I wrote Notes from An Alien, I knew that the structure would not suit certain readers—you appear to be one of them…
Since I’ve also gotten glowing reviews, the issue is, I think, reader’s “expectation”—I admit the book is not what most readers expect.
I knew this as I wrote it. I also knew I was going to write a collection of short stories that would be more what most readers expect…
Hoping you’ll be a beta reader for those :-)
One last thought:
If you’re able to continue past page 26, you may discover what the structure and plot of the story are attempting to “Say”…
BTW, having characters develop and die is part of the plot-arc—the results of massive war…
The end is worth the pain—in some reader’s opinions…
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