Artist and playwright James L. Weaver has just finished writing a forty-thousand-word action-comedy novel, “Columbus’ Other Voyage”. He is currently waiting to hear from from publishing companies about the full play which have shown interest in possibly producing the story as an eBook. Below is the summary for “Columbus’ Other Voyage”.

Weaver is a retired, former college art instructor/artist/writer/musician/filmmaker. He has a BFA and an MFA from the San Francisco Art Institute and has produced and exhibited his art for 30+ years in the United States and abroad. A list of published credits can be found at this end of this article that are in addition to his work on five screenplays and a novella titled “How To Weigh The Earth”.

SYNOPSIS: Columbus’ Other Voyage

Combining fiction with factual bits of knowledge, this book is gleaned from actual logs kept by Columbus. This action-comedy, “R” rated, e-book is an ongoing account of the exploits of Christopher Columbus and crew, during their fictitious fourth voyage in 1502.

The premise of this story centers around Queen Isabella’s rage upon looking out her tower window one morning, and seeing that an overnight invasion of a dozen manned-rickshaws had been off-loaded in the town square sometime during the night while Cadiz slept.

Watching in horror, as her loyal subjects formed long lines to hand over their money to “Asian foreigners”, to taxi them all around Cadiz “joy riding”, Isabella realizes the economic devastation this trend could have on not only Spain’s economy, but on all other European sea ports as well.

Immediately forming a co-operative with four other Kingdoms, Isabella designs a fail-proof plan to reverse this potential trade imbalance with Asia; beginning with a new, massive, state-of-the art, three-masted ship, The Clarissa.

The plan calls for Columbus and his motley officers and crew to load The Clarissa  with silks, pottery, steel blades and beads…lotsa’ beads!

Plus every other type of merchandise the four kingdoms can produce. Then, upon arriving in The New World, (Isabella has that part figured out too), Sell every item for gold and cash. Also, get signed contracts from the buyers for even more overpriced merchandise to be delivered at a later date.

One problem- Spain’s once most renown and  celebrated explorer, Christopher Columbus, was just released from jail after serving a six-month stretch (courtesy of Isabella). This was for crimes against natives, as well as his own crew. Columbus’ twenty years of service ends in two weeks, and he’s invested his entire savings to become co-owner of a local fishing and touring boat operation. He will not miss Isabella’s domineering manner.

This story provides a very funny misadventure at every turn.

From the chief scout mistaking camels! “Captain, bandits riding dogs… really big dogs!” To the Officer of the Watch teaching a tribe of hunter-gatherer natives how to “moon walk”! To one of the passengers designing the world’s first pair of roller skates! There’s also sex, drugs and rock ‘n roll! The last part is courtesy of a typhoon at sea. Oh yeah, And biscuits… lotsa’ biscuits!

Published credits of James L. Weaver since 2008:

Gold Panning in Jamestown, CA
A “first-timer’s” gold mining experience.
travelMaharishi.com

How to spot a tourist in a cappuccino bakery
How Venice Italy’s well-heeled start their day.
imitationfruit.com reprinted: awordwithyoupress.com

The Chelsea Hotel
A week stay in Artdom’s most “in” inn.
imitationfruit.com reprinted: modernmask.org

Friends don’t let friends drink…absinthe.
A regrettable gift for the friends back in California.
imitationfruit.com

Celebrating vision, and questioning mediocrity
My personal rage against CNN as Art Critics.
newyorkherald.com

On the greening of America
Sarcastic evaluation of America’s newest non-religious addiction
newyorkherald.com

Yisrael K. Feldsott
Review of his exhibition at Mahder Gallery – San Francisco
sanfranciscoartmagazine.com

Art Of Democracy: War & Empire
Commentary about the art exhibition.
sanfranciscoartmagazine.com

New Definition For Art
My prediction about future of Art.
artsjournal.com