Pharis : Ok, so where am I?
Anatali : Universe is home to an innovative science fiction project, previously offering stort stories and exclusive online content. The reboot of new content is coming during autumn/winter 2011.
Set in and around 4128 A.D. it's an era where humanity has recently reached nearby stars, corporations compete with federations and kingdoms, and a paranormal curse threatens catastrophe from within a new science. Standard science fiction? Nope. The genre-bending stories are told from the hearts of a dozen teens and twenty-somethings as confused, courageous, deranged, and defiant as anyone you've ever met. From premise to voice, it's hard to put in a box.
Learn more about the setting and characters in the Anatali Primer and other links on the left.
Pharis : What else ya got?
Not what you're used to from a writer's bio-and-exceprts website. Not only does A:U include deep backstory, historical timeline, glossary, author, and character information, but depending on demand, it can also be updated regularly with all-new content such as a run of free short stories, deleted scenes, bonus goodies and new blogging. I may even twitter if I think I can promise regular updates. Check the “New Content!” window on A:U's homepage to find recent updates.
Pharis : So what about forums and social media? I might like to talk to other science fiction fans.
The forums are closed. Things might pick up eventually, unless the concept of forums are really dead, in which case we'll stick with modern social media, like my facebook, and Blog I don't have a twitter yet, not sure if I want one. It depends on demand. I'll make links availible to facebook/twitter/google+ as necessary or desired.
Pharis : What made you decide to self-publish on Amazon?
Just a few years ago, 'self-publish' was a dirty word among 'serious' writers. They called it vanity publishing for a reason, not to mention printing by yourself was very cost-prohibitive. Now, however, it's completely ok to share one's work digitally rather than 'shoeboxing' it, never to see a reader's eyes. There's really no reason not to get it out there. Not to pronounce the death of print publishers, but it's a very different dynamic now.
Pharis : No luck with traditional publishers/agents?
Never tried to submit to an actual publisher (they mostly don't accept manuscripts without an agent). Agents said the writing was fine, but that my stuff was too hard to market. I completely agree. "The future hasn't changed that much in 2000 years except for the stuff that changed very much, and zombies, and super-powers... wait, what?" It's better this way.
Pharis : Got it. Still, about the website, what's a Goodie?
Goodies are bits of content lumped into a behind-the-scenes part of the site. It'll have sketches, behind-the-scenes articles, press reviews and whatever else I want to share—general Anatali goodness. This site was born for random entertainment.
Pharis : And the gallery?
I figured I'd put my "hot-shit" (old as hell) camera to use and pretty up the place. I'm a photographer, not an illustrator. It'll be a collection of all the art and fan-art found here.
Pharis : "Aarin's Desk, a webcomic satire, updated twice a week"? What were you, high?
Drunk. Big difference. The misadventures of my anthropomorphic helpers is truly a beautiful insanity to behold. It's spin-off, Debasement, showcases the evils of the internet and the subcultures that have developed within it.
Pharis : Might be cool...Here's another one. How do I pronounce Anatali? It's not an English word, is it?
No, it's a made-up word like Canadia. Phonetically it goes, "ah nat al ee." Then say it fast.
Pharis : Whatever, last question for now. What's up with this web design? It looks like some shit my grandma could pull off, and she's been dead 140 years.
You should have seen version 1.0.
Pharis : I can imagine.
/me nods emphatically.
Pharis : Why is it websites ran by artists always have combative, asinine FAQ's?
Because artists have short tempers and think they're clever. Luckily I'm no artist--I'm an arteest /o/
Pharis : Fine. We're done here. How do I contact you if I want to flame you again?
aarinedwards@gmail.com, and my facebook, enjoy.