Harlequin Presents gets a Second Life!
15 Comments September 10th, 2008 in social media Posted by Amyby Jenny B., Harlequin Digital Content Team
Second Life is an online virtual world where people interact with each other via 3D representations of themselves called “avatars”, and chat via live-text chat (like IM) or voice chat (like a CB radio). We’ve held several successful book launches in Second Life, and this month Harlequin’s Second Life Island is featuring Harlequin Presents! We have interactive displays of the covers of all 12 October Presents titles, complete with sample chapters that can be downloaded to your PC or read in-world. Take a look at the snapshots below to see how it works:
On Sept. 14th we’re holding an International Ball and inviting Second Life “citizens†to attend wearing their favorite formal wear! There will be live music followed by a DJ and dancing courtesy of free animation programs that move your avatar to the music played through your PC’s speakers, plus ongoing live chat with readers and fans, and coupons for Presents books given out as door prizes!
If you have any questions about this special events or how to use Second Life, just ask in the comments!
Jenny,
This is super cool! For those you who may not know, Jenny is Harlequin’s 2nd Life guru. She knows all and has planned several fantastic events. The Presents International Ball should be pretty glam as well.
It’s an odd experience creating an avatar and being in 2nd Life but well worth it. If you have a twenty-something in the house get them to help you participate!
Hi Jenny
How on earth does this work, I’m baffled. Is this like I saw on TV last year, when people create characters and live in this other-world?
xx Karen
Hi Karen,
Yep, that’s pretty much exactly it! If you’ve ever seen one of those newer types of high-end video games with lots of graphics and realistic-looking animated human characters, that’s kind of what it looks like.
Second Life is free to join and there’s an easy-to-follow registration process at http://www.secondlife.com. You do have to download the software, but it’s free. Then you choose your avatar’s name and pick your avatar from a set list of default choices, then log in and explore! You can choose to leave your avatar as-is or you can customize it by adding a new “skin” (for skin tone and makeup variations) or hair (for color and ‘do), plus new clothes and shoes (like paper dolls for grownups — frankly, my favorite part!).
It all sounds a little weird, I know, but it is tons of fun!
Jenny
Jenny, this is amazing. How often does Harlequin run an event like this? Where is it? Is there a link from the site? (I don’t spend enough time trawling there to see what’s new).
Annie
This is sooo cool. I’m downloading the program as I type. I can’t wait to go to the ball. How do I get there? OOOOh. I’m stepping out on the 14th. LOL. Sounds like so much fun. I assume we are using fake names since it asked to create a name and then gave us a list of last names. If this is the case, how will we find people we know from the boards? I’ve never done this before, but it sounds like sooo much fun.
Ok I guess I got too excited. I’ve downloaded second life. Made my avatar. Now, she’s standing in the middle of basicaly nowhere in a funky skirt that I can’t take off and only a bra. I can’t seem to get her dressed properly. LOL. Yikes!
Hi Tamelia,
Good for you for jumping in! Don’t fret, that’s how we ALL start out! It took me a week to figure out how to change my avatar’s shirt, and another week before I could remove the mullet-style hair she’d been “assigned” as a default.
My avatar’s name is Chloe Barbosa. Search for that name in Second Life, click on it, and then click the “add friend” bubble — that will allow me to see when you’re in Second Life, teleport to you, and help you out.
Jenny
Hi Annie,
Good questions! Harlequin has been holding these events more or less monthly since May. The tricky part is that you can only go if you’re in Second Life — and there’s no link from eHarlequin. If you (or anyone!) wants to attend just click on my avatar’s name in Second Life — Chloe Barbosa — she can get you in.
Jenny
Thanks Jenny. I’ll do that! I finally mangaged to shed the funky skirt. LOL.
Hi Jenny,
Thanks so much for that information. Unfortunately I’m not in Second Life. I’m intrigued. Will have to check it out later.
Cheers,
Annie
Hey Jenny,
I added you as a friend on 2nd life. I’m Jaci Lannock, just so you’ll know.
What time is the party? I can’t find it on the events. Can you give me the title?
Thanks Jenny for the teleport. I think I’ve got my settings right now so I will automatically get in. If not, I may need another teleport.
I had to leave quickly because we were under a tornado warning. Terrified, my son and I jumped into the closet for twenty minutes until it passed over. I’m pretty sure we heard it. If not it was some awfully loud thunder. I didn’t look to see which it was. LOL. When I came back my computer was froze up. 
Now, as I type, I’m jumping at every noise. It’s going to be a long night while Ike moves out of my area. I won’t dare go to bed until the threat for tornados is over. Anyway, I can’t wait for the ball tomorrow. Second Life is sooo cool.
Oh no, I missed the party! I signed up and promptly got naked and couldn’t find any clothes! Finally found some freebies that looked like a teeny boppers cast offs, but at least I wasn’t flying around in my underwear! Then I couldn’t figure out how to get to the site! Sniff, I wanted to attend the ball! Gotta have lesson on how to use this site!
Scarlet
After all the hype, I missed the ball too. I had to go out of town and didn’t get back in time as expected. I’m sooo disappointed. I wanted to go too. Kinda feels like Cinderella, only my fairy Godmother didn’t rescue me. (Sniff, sniff).