IT’S BEEN A MINUTE
Happy New Year.
Welcome to my second Adventures in Performance Newsletter—where I attempt to make direct contact with other human beings in the world.
Much has happened since my last communique. Here’s the low down.
THE BEST LAID PLANS…
In June, I fell down and injured my legs. Yay! I spent many months living in an armchair, 24/7, with my legs elevated on pillows. It really sucked. I was both humbled and amazed when my community stepped in and raised money to help me out during the crisis.
It was a surreal experience, and one that I’d hoped to never repeat. Unbelievably, three weeks ago, just as I was really getting back on my feet, I slipped on the icy step with my still recovering weaker leg and broke my knee, messed up a vein and twisted the joint. I’m mortified. MORTIFIED. My recovery has been set back a few months, ugh. On the bright side—I still have all the equipment!
The patella should heal fine and I’m waiting to hear about the other stuff—I see the vascular specialist soon and will know more then. If you are so inclined, BBMC has re-opened the fundraising campaign to help with my new physio and recovery expenses.
As I was recuperating the first time, it was suggested that it might be a good idea to work on writing projects. It wasn’t. As it turns out, high level healing is a very mental game. Hardcore. But towards the end of my convalescence and before all the most recent injury ridiculousness, I was able to push through and get a few projects finished. So, here I am, after much delay, sending them out the door.
LAUNCH OF NATURE, HUMAN
Tada! Nature, Human launched, at last, on January 1, 2026.
Whoohoo!
This is the 2nd edition of my short fiction collection. It’s much the same as the first edition, but now contains four new stories and is sporting a fancy new cover. The four additions are older stories—there’s one that was published years ago in Room Magazine; one published in the House of Zolo’s Journal of Speculative Literature V2; and two never before seen pieces.
An interviewer once asked me why I started writing fiction. My answer: “Revenge.” This may be the only reason that I do anything—anger is and always has been my primary motivation. Incidentally, Revenge is the title of very first short story that I ever wrote, over thirty years ago—and it now opens the collection.
The best place to get the book is via the publisher, House of Zolo. Here’s a code for a 20% discount on either the E-Pub or the print book: REVENGE2026
HYSTERIA – THE ORIGIN STORY
As with many of my projects, Nature, Human has morphed into something larger. Using the stories as starting points, I’ve created a series of short videos, VR-based performances, and game interventions. This is all part of an ongoing project Storytelling From VR, funded by the Canada Council for the Arts.
I’m about to release the short video: Hysteria – The Origin Story, adapted from a piece in the collection. Here’s a link to a preview version of the video, along with a short blurb:
Hysteria – The Origin Story is an animated short that blends magical realism with real-life experience to explore the medical gas-lighting of women in Western healthcare. When Mabel’s treatment is abruptly taken away, her search for relief spirals into the surreal. What begins as a fight for survival turns into an uncanny transformation as Mabel discovers unexpected superpowers. This video is a pointed critique of how women’s bodies are controlled and misunderstood. Length: 07:48
POP-UP READINGS IN MMORPGS
Despite my ongoing withdrawal from toxic digital spaces (see my first newsletter), I continue to use virtual worlds as creation tools and I intervene inside of certain video games. These activities serve as both inquiries and acts of resistance; they are also part of the Storytelling From VR project. Currently, I’m delivering pop-up fiction readings around Azeroth (in the MMORPG World of Warcraft). Response from players has been great, lots of people stopping to sit around the fire and listen to my stories. For more on my WoW Peace activism, visit this page.
FROM THE ARCHIVES
Liz Solo and the Ocarina of Time – 2006
Once, a rumour went around St. John’s that I had gotten a big arts grant to play video games. This enraged people and I had to dodge attacks every time I went outside. It went on for years.
The root of the rumour was actually related to a fundraiser I did for Eastern Edge Contemporary Art Gallery. The piece was called Liz Solo and the Ocarina of Time, and it was a durational performance piece where I challenged myself to beat the Legend of Zelda – Ocarina of Time video game in under 24 hours. I made it just under the wire at 23 hours and 57 minutes.
I projected the game large (12’ X 8.5’) on the wall. Audience members brought items to help sustain me through the gruelling performance—food, drinks, money, smokables. Many offerings were made during the premiere. One visitor brought drinks in the evening and then returned the next morning with coffee and breakfast.
Fellow artists came and played music, danced, and DJed. I had other video game systems set up in the space. The playing of the game became a social event, the large scale projection created a sense of immersion. We raised a few hundred dollars for Eastern Edge’s (now defunct) Inter-Media branch.
Despite the fallout, Liz Solo and the Ocarina of Time is an installation/performance experience that I cherish, and one that I’ll hopefully remount again someday… maybe as a networked streaming thing… hmmm…
OFFERINGS
As I’m healing, I’m working on new projects and announcements for when I’m fully up to speed (next Newsletter!), but in the meantime, here are items and services that I have on offer.
JE SOLO BOOKS
JE SOLO MUSIC
TAROT READINGS & SPECIAL SERVICES
I’ve been giving readings for many years, but since moving to Toronto, I’ve unlocked new skills and my private Tarot readings have taken off. I’ve worked with hundreds of clients and branched into unexpected areas.
I still use the same Thoth Tarot deck that I’ve worked with for decades—a deck that was gifted to me by a very powerful artist and witch.
Readings are 100% confidential and there’s no question or issue that’s out of bounds—you can ask me anything. I do all my readings over the phone or WhatsApp. Here’s a link to my booking page:
LIZ SOLO TAROT AND SPECIAL SERVICES
EDITING SERVICES
I provide professional manuscript evaluation, and creative editing services for short story and fiction writers with a special interest in speculative literature and science fiction; I offer dramaturgy and script development services for playwrights, live performers, and theatre artists; I also offer sensitivity editing services for all writers. Here’s a link to more information: JE SOLO EDITING SERVICES
THE PALESTINE CHRONICLES
My work as a fiction editor and dramaturg has introduced me to talented people from all over the world. I’ve learned that there are just so many incredibly skilled writers out there. I’m forever struck by the power of words to connect us across cultures and across borders, and how stories can transport us to anywhere in the universe.
Most recently, I’ve edited a set of nine short stories by an exceptional young Palestinian writer, Mohammed Al-Bardiwili. Working with Mohammed has been an absolute pleasure, but has brought home, in vivid living colour, the terrible realities for those living in Palestine right now.
From the back of the book:
“The Palestine Chronicles is a searing collection of short stories drawn from lived reality in Gaza during one of the most devastating humanitarian catastrophes of our time. Through the eyes of children, young lovers, siblings, and survivors, we watch as their once ordinary lives are thrown into a maelstrom of unrelenting bombardment, displacement, hunger, and loss.The characters move through the rubble of collapsed homes and overcrowded hospitals into ruined streets and makeshift tent cities. All the while, Al-Bardiwili deftly upholds their humanity—sharing moments of remarkable tenderness, bittersweet nostalgia, and extraordinarily stubborn love. Both a literary work and an act of witness, The Palestine Chronicles is a rallying cry for humanity.”
The Palestine Chronicles is being published by an independent, volunteer collective of artists and activists, overseen by Robin Grant. Please watch social media for news of this release and consider purchasing and reading the book. It’s an important document, beautifully written, with all proceeds going to Mohammed and the Al-Bardiwili family. This painting is the cover image for the book, created by artist and musician, Jenn Grant.
<3 HEARTS <3
Thanks for reading. I appreciate you <3 Until next time, here’s to keeping our humour high as we fight the good fight. <3
