by Steven-Elliot Altman (SG Member: Steven_Altman)

Our Fiction Friday serialized novel, The Killswitch Review, is a futuristic murder mystery with killer sociopolitical commentary (and some of the best sex scenes we’ve ever read!). Written by bestselling sci-fi author Steven-Elliot Altman (with Diane DeKelb-Rittenhouse), it offers a terrifying postmodern vision in the tradition of Blade Runner and Brave New World…

By the year 2156, stem cell therapy has triumphed over aging and disease, extending the human lifespan indefinitely. But only for those who have achieved Conscientious Citizen Status. To combat overpopulation, the U.S. has sealed its borders, instituted compulsory contraception and a strict one child per couple policy for those who are permitted to breed, and made technology-assisted suicide readily available. But in a world where the old can remain vital forever, America’s youth have little hope of prosperity.

Jason Haggerty is an investigator for Black Buttons Inc, the government agency responsible for dispensing personal handheld Kevorkian devices, which afford the only legal form of suicide. An armed “Killswitch” monitors and records a citizen’s final moments — up to the point where they press a button and peacefully die. Post-press review agents — “button collectors” — are dispatched to review and judge these final recordings to rule out foul play.

When three teens stage an illegal public suicide, Haggerty suspects their deaths may have been murders. Now his race is on to uncover proof and prevent a nationwide epidemic of copycat suicides. Trouble is, for the first time in history, an entire generation might just decide they’re better off dead.

(Catch up with the previous installments of Killswitch – see links below – then continue reading after the jump…)

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by Steven-Elliot Altman (SG Member: Steven_Altman)

Our Fiction Friday serialized novel, The Killswitch Review, is a futuristic murder mystery with killer sociopolitical commentary (and some of the best sex scenes we’ve ever read!). Written by bestselling sci-fi author Steven-Elliot Altman (with Diane DeKelb-Rittenhouse), it offers a terrifying postmodern vision in the tradition of Blade Runner and Brave New World…

By the year 2156, stem cell therapy has triumphed over aging and disease, extending the human lifespan indefinitely. But only for those who have achieved Conscientious Citizen Status. To combat overpopulation, the U.S. has sealed its borders, instituted compulsory contraception and a strict one child per couple policy for those who are permitted to breed, and made technology-assisted suicide readily available. But in a world where the old can remain vital forever, America’s youth have little hope of prosperity.

Jason Haggerty is an investigator for Black Buttons Inc, the government agency responsible for dispensing personal handheld Kevorkian devices, which afford the only legal form of suicide. An armed “Killswitch” monitors and records a citizen’s final moments — up to the point where they press a button and peacefully die. Post-press review agents — “button collectors” — are dispatched to review and judge these final recordings to rule out foul play.

When three teens stage an illegal public suicide, Haggerty suspects their deaths may have been murders. Now his race is on to uncover proof and prevent a nationwide epidemic of copycat suicides. Trouble is, for the first time in history, an entire generation might just decide they’re better off dead.

(Catch up with the previous installments of Killswitch – see links below – then continue reading after the jump…)

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by Blogbot

Our friends over at Slake marked the publication of the fourth Dirt-themed issue of their Los Angeles-centric literary book/magazine hybrid with an evening of dance, music, art, free beer, and pie – served by “Pie Girls” Moxi and Vivid Suicide. The event was held on Friday May 4 at Atwater Crossing, a multi-purpose eat, drink, performance, gallery, and work space in Hipsterville, LA.

Slake founders Joe Donnelly and Laurie Ochoa were joined by former Guided By Voices member James Greer (who hosted a station where attendees could make original album art for his new Detective project), and many of the local writers and artists who had contributed to the new issue. SG’s Red, White & Femme post-feminist sex & sensuality columnist Darrah de jour was also in attendance, as was OG LA occupier Gia Trimble (who was a guest on SG Radio’s OccupyLA-themed show this past Sunday) and photographer Ted Soqui (who took the iconic “Protester” image which was used by Time Magazine for the cover of their “Person of The Year” issue).

With two Suicide Girls girls on hand to celebrate the release of Slake’s Dirt, things naturally got a little naughty (see NSFW pic). The evening came to a climax with one lucky lady getting cream pie in her face – though we’re not exactly sure why 😉

*UPDATE*

If you’d like to get down and Dirt-y with the folks from Slake, they’re having another soirée later this week at the rather civilized Stories Books & Cafe in Echo Park (which boasts a great book selection and to-die-for Mac & Cheese!). In keeping with the new issue theme, the event will feature scribes Jack Lander, Antonia Crane, Lucy Engelman, Dave White, Christopher Byars, and Vanessa Carlisle reading sordid stories in the store’s back patio – the night promising to be as debauched as it is divine.

Where: Stories Books & Cafe, 1716 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90026.
When: Thursday, May 10 at 7:30 PM
Info: slake.la/events/slake-stories-books

Related Posts:
Slake Explores The Concept of Dirt And Larry Fondation Tells Us About His Dirty Girl

by Steven-Elliot Altman (SG Member: Steven_Altman)

Our Fiction Friday serialized novel, The Killswitch Review, is a futuristic murder mystery with killer sociopolitical commentary (and some of the best sex scenes we’ve ever read!). Written by bestselling sci-fi author Steven-Elliot Altman (with Diane DeKelb-Rittenhouse), it offers a terrifying postmodern vision in the tradition of Blade Runner and Brave New World…

By the year 2156, stem cell therapy has triumphed over aging and disease, extending the human lifespan indefinitely. But only for those who have achieved Conscientious Citizen Status. To combat overpopulation, the U.S. has sealed its borders, instituted compulsory contraception and a strict one child per couple policy for those who are permitted to breed, and made technology-assisted suicide readily available. But in a world where the old can remain vital forever, America’s youth have little hope of prosperity.

Jason Haggerty is an investigator for Black Buttons Inc, the government agency responsible for dispensing personal handheld Kevorkian devices, which afford the only legal form of suicide. An armed “Killswitch” monitors and records a citizen’s final moments — up to the point where they press a button and peacefully die. Post-press review agents — “button collectors” — are dispatched to review and judge these final recordings to rule out foul play.

When three teens stage an illegal public suicide, Haggerty suspects their deaths may have been murders. Now his race is on to uncover proof and prevent a nationwide epidemic of copycat suicides. Trouble is, for the first time in history, an entire generation might just decide they’re better off dead.

(Catch up with the previous installments of Killswitch – see links below – then continue reading after the jump…)

[..]

by David Seaman

Iconic painting ‘The Scream’ sold in New York at Sotheby’s last night for nearly $120 million. Money Well spent? SG’s political correspondent thinks not.

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by Steven-Elliot Altman (SG Member: Steven_Altman)

Our Fiction Friday serialized novel, The Killswitch Review, is a futuristic murder mystery with killer sociopolitical commentary (and some of the best sex scenes we’ve ever read!). Written by bestselling sci-fi author Steven-Elliot Altman (with Diane DeKelb-Rittenhouse), it offers a terrifying postmodern vision in the tradition of Blade Runner and Brave New World…

By the year 2156, stem cell therapy has triumphed over aging and disease, extending the human lifespan indefinitely. But only for those who have achieved Conscientious Citizen Status. To combat overpopulation, the U.S. has sealed its borders, instituted compulsory contraception and a strict one child per couple policy for those who are permitted to breed, and made technology-assisted suicide readily available. But in a world where the old can remain vital forever, America’s youth have little hope of prosperity.

Jason Haggerty is an investigator for Black Buttons Inc, the government agency responsible for dispensing personal handheld Kevorkian devices, which afford the only legal form of suicide. An armed “Killswitch” monitors and records a citizen’s final moments — up to the point where they press a button and peacefully die. Post-press review agents — “button collectors” — are dispatched to review and judge these final recordings to rule out foul play.

When three teens stage an illegal public suicide, Haggerty suspects their deaths may have been murders. Now his race is on to uncover proof and prevent a nationwide epidemic of copycat suicides. Trouble is, for the first time in history, an entire generation might just decide they’re better off dead.

(Catch up with the previous installments of Killswitch – see links below – then continue reading after the jump…)

[..]

by Nahp Suicide

Shazzy is from Montreal. She currently splits her time between Montreal, Toronto and Tokyo. She has been an SG photographer since 2005 and has shot more than 200 sets.

How did you first get involved with SuicideGirls?

I had a couple friends (Tao and Raquel) who were interested in modeling for the site. This was February 2005. It was a total coincidence that I ended up shooting their sets a day apart. SG was just starting to blow up in Montreal back then.



What’s your background photography-wise?

I have a degree in photography from Dawson College. I graduated just in time – the following year they destroyed the darkrooms and switched 100% to digital photography.



What was the first photo you had published?

I think it was a shot of Ritchie Hawtin in the Montreal Mirror. 



How would you describe your style?

Minimal. DIY.

What gear do you use?

Canon 5D Mark II

How important is Photoshop in your final images?

It used to be really important but in the last few years I’ve really toned it back. These days I usually clear up some blemishes and that’s it. Less is more.



What gives you ideas and inspires you to create such amazing sets?

LOLCATS.



What is your favorite image?

This one (NSFW) of Silvia from Stay On The Line.

Tell us why it’s your fave and how you achieved it?

I’m a huge fan of natural light and I like how the silhouette really accentuates her curves. I achieved it by underexposing a couple stops.



Is there anybody or anything you would love to photograph that you haven’t?

A sunset in Nebraska. Or Mick Jagger! He’s fuckin ballin.

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