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Month: March 2015

Created vs. Evolved

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werewolf evolution

QSFer Hank T. Cannon has an interesting question for us today: Do you prefer “evolved” creatures and races, or creatures that are expressly created by other beings, these “creators” being either on the page or off the page? If both created and evolved exist, is there a conflict between them? What about those who are created, and then evolve? It could apply equally to paranormal, Fantasy or sci fi stories. In paranormal, for instance, we can have werewolves who “evolved” from a natural process, or those who were “created” by a man-made virus. In Fantasy, again maybe elves and dwarves … Read more

Interview: S.A. Collins – HO’M,O

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HO'M,O

Today we have a great new exclusive interview with QSFer S.A. Collins on his book HO’M,O – released a couple months ago. The sequel, A Quarrel of Sparrows, comes out on 4/15. Watch this space. QSF: Tell me about HO’M,O – what’s it about, and what’s with the name? SA: HO’M,O came about for a friend of mine, actually the first person to ever read my stuff (beyond my husband) and liked what I wrote. I proclaimed him my first fan. He was cool with that. He lives in a fairly remote part of Michigan with very little going for … Read more

Where Are All the Wise, Older Protagonists?

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Today’s topic comes from QSFer Paula Wyant – “Topic suggestion for the group: Ageism. Inspired by this article: http://io9.com/the-worst-taboo-in-urban-fantasy-1692481622 – The Worst Taboo In Urban Fantasy. I’d like to broaden this out a bit to cover sci fi and fantasy. I’s kid of understandable why we don’t see a lot of senior protagonists in MM romance – or in romance in general. Readers want to read about young, pretty people falling in love. But that excuse falls apart when you’re talking about speculative fiction that’s not romance-based. And yet, the same rules seem to apply. Old, wise characters (or even … Read more

Announcement: Grizzly Discovery, by A.J. Marcus

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Grizzly Discovery

DSPP author A.J. Marcus has a new mystery book out – Mountain Spirit Mysteries Book 2: Landon Weir and Brock Summers are happily settling into their life as a couple, easily balancing Landon’s work as an animal rehabber with Brock’s career as a Colorado Parks and Wildlife Officer. When they find a bear shot and skinned, they set out to discover who’s behind the heinous act. Events force Brock to come out to his boss, causing him and Landon to rethink how public they want to make their relationship. As more bear sightings – and more carcasses – show up … Read more

Today’s Cranks Are Tomorrow’s Movements

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Bronies

Today’s topic comes from QSFer John Allenson – “Bill and Ted’s Excellent Future. Virtually every religious or social movement of the past started off as a small group who’d be considered cranks by their general society. Which modern fringe/crank group would you like to write about as a major group in the future?” This one sounds like fun. Will Bronies grow up to rule the world? Will the Westboro Baptist Church become a nationwide movement of hate spewing protesters? Or maybe Queer Sci Fi buys Random House in 2031. :) Let your imaginations run wild!

“Ash and Echoes” by August Li

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Ash and Echoes is a Romantic Fantasy Epic. I don’t have the opportunity to read many of those, and I don’t think I’ve read anything quite like this work, but if I had to pick something similar, the closest I can think to compare it to is Deckard’s Baal’s Heart trilogy or The Devil’s Fire by Sara Bell. Baal’s Heart is probably the most similar since it was also a trilogy and menage. The power of three! Our main character, Yarroway L’Estrella, is a bit of an odd ball (my favorite). Not only is he a magic user–something I interpreted … Read more

Mercedes Unveils New Robo Car Concept

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Mercedes Concept Car

Before letting any press within a few miles of the F 015, Mercedes stressed that it’s only a prototype, without the fit, finish and finesse you might expect from a Mercedes. Smart move, because this thing runs like a 70’s-era Jaguar with dodgy electrics. The touch screens are unresponsive. The buttons that open the door don’t always work. It can’t handle the heat of a pleasant Bay Area day, in part because much of the car is made of plastic that changes shape in hot weather. The trunk is stuffed with computers that don’t like the heat either, so when … Read more

Announcement: Submerging Inferno, by Brandon Witt

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QSFer and DSPP Author Brandon Witt has a new Fantasy / Paranormal book out: Brett Wright and Finn de Morisco come from vastly different worlds. Disowned by his family for being gay, Brett builds both a life on his own terms and walls around his emotions. But nothing can prepare him for the evil that stalks him in the night or from discovering the dark secrets of his heritage. The youngest of a doting family, Finn lives a sheltered life that allows him to trust easily and makes him quick to jump to the rescue. While using his knowledge of … Read more

Writing Aliens

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Alien

Today’s topic comes from QSFer Michael Barnette. “Do you write aliens? How do you use them in your books? How alien are they?” There are many variations – possibly an almost infinite number – when it comes to writing aliens. In MM romance, we tend to see human-like aliens, so they can interact romantically with our human protagonists. Although certain non-human accessories (tentacles, anyone?) are not unheard of. But aliens can also take on much different forms, from the title one in the Alien or Predator movies, to much more benign but still different forms. So my questions to you … Read more

Announcement: Adverse Effects, by Alicia Nordwell

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Adverse Effects

QSFer Alicia Nordwell has a new sci fi book out: Dade, human-Caeorleian hybrid and ex-military grunt, doesn’t fit in—not with humans, not with aliens, not anywhere. He’s always on the outskirts, angry, and people aren’t sure they can trust him. When he encounters a compatible tziu named Yaseke, secrets, misunderstandings, and attacks nearly prevent the two from making a connection Dade sorely needs. Even after they unite, Dade and Yaseke face challenges that two newly joined males should never have to endure. From traitorous council members, to sadistic aliens who plan to sell them as slaves, to meeting a mysterious … Read more