Today’s discussion topic comes from QSFer MK Mancos: Taking Fantasy into different directions like the Australian Outback or High Sierras. Fantasy (or at least High Fantasy) traditionally takes place in foresty settings in fantasy worlds. Then there’s urban fantasy, which is usually in a gritty city setting. But are we leaving out a whole host of other potential settings? Where would you set a non-traditional fantasy story, and why?
When the mutant superhero Iceman came out last month — thanks to a one-two punch of his prying telepathic teammate and a time-travel visit from his younger self — he immediately became the most prominent gay comic book character. But his revelation was far from the only story line involving gay, lesbian and transgender characters in the fast-evolving world of comic-book narratives. In October, Alysia Yeoh, a transgender friend of Batgirl, and her girlfriend Jo were married in a simple ceremony unmarred by super-villainy; Peter Parker, perhaps better known as Spider-Man, attended the wedding of Max Modell, his scientific mentor … Read more
MLR press’s Jackie Nacht has a new paranormal book out, and it looks adorable: Winslow and his twin are White Pine’s troublemakers, making a path of destruction wherever they go. What most don’t know is that Winslow has been secretly meeting up with a certain Nile croc who has been hinting at wanting more. Teegan, the owner of Chomp Shop, is ready to commit but Winslow isn’t ready…yet. When Winslow’s family comes to town, Teegan finds himself neck deep in chipmunk antics and certain that Winslow is ready to claim him. Can Teegan handle being thrust into Fieldstone world? White … Read more
Welcome to ME ME MONDAY at our FB discussion group – your chance to pop in and tell us about your latest success. Have a new book or short story coming out? Let us know. Just sell something? Let us know so we can cheer you on. HOW IT WORKS: I’ll pin this topic to the top of our FB discussion page for the day. –Please post your announcement as a separate post, so I can also share it over to our FB page (as opposed to this discussion group). –If you want, send me your book announcement info at … Read more
OK, so I’m a couple days late with this one. But Oooh… and eeeeeew: If you thought waking up on Christmas morning to above-average temperatures and no snow on the ground was scary, Boston Dynamics gives us a far more terrifying glimpse into a dystopian future where Santa’s reindeer have been replaced with (highly kickable) trotting robotic dogs. In this (what’s the opposite of heartwarming?) holiday video we see three of Boston Dynamic’s Spot bots, the younger sibling to the company’s BigDog, pulling a sleigh. From Towleroad
QSFer Mario Kai Lipinski has a new Sci Fi book out: Dr. Ake Jorgensson is a scientist from Sweden whose invention of almost instant travel to any part of the universe will revolutionize space flight. Khitain is a N’tari, a panther-like alien serving aboard a human space ship, and Ake’s boyfriend of three months. On Christmas, they visit Ake’s parents for the first time. As if meeting his in-laws weren’t stressful enough, feelings of inadequacy and fear haunt Khitain. His N’tari descent makes him a killing machine, and one wrong move could wipe out what is dearest to him. Ake, … Read more
Today’s discussion topic comes from QSFer Alicia Nordwell: Dynamic beginnings are important to hook readers, but if there’s too much to absorb it can be hard to visualize and relate to the setting and characters. Do you feel it is better to draw them in with a familiar setting and point of view at the beginning of a story, or do you prefer to drop them into an immediate fantastical world? Example: A human piloting a spaceship is recognizable as a pilot even with more advanced technology versus an alien species on an unknown planet viewing the human piloting the … Read more
Could the X-wing pilot be gay? Ever since the new Star Wars film came out the blogosphere has buzzed with fan theories about its characters and possible future plots. But one in particular might have some plot relevance. Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac) appears as the first hero of the film: A handsome hunky pilot reminiscent of Han Solo in the original trilogy. During the course of the plot, his role is eclipsed by John Boyega’s character, Finn. Some bloggers have opined the two have some scenes together suggesting something a romantic relationship. Full Story at Gay Star News
QSFer Angel Martinez has teamed up with QSFer Vance Bastian (yes, we’re everywhere) to release the first book of her Brimstone series in a great new audio version: Shax, the Demon Prince of Thieves, has reconciled himself to exile. He has a grand time careening around the galaxy as a high-end, intergalactic purloiner of pretties. Everything’s going just fine, thank you very much. All right, fine, the anti-gravity cows are a bit problematic and some of his buyers are bad for his health, but he manages until he comes across an injured angel in a psychedelic alien jungle. He only … Read more
