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Month: May 2016

For Writers: Going Backward

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Today’s writer topic comes from QSFer Richard Wood: Could western society return to persecution and declaring illegal sexual activities of sexual minorities? If so how and why? It’s an interesting question. We all take it as an article of faith that “the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” But looking at some of the recent political developments around the world, you sometimes have to wonder. Has anyone written sci fi where things get bad again? How could it happen? And what kinds of stories could we tell around this premise? Join the chat

Buses From The Futureeeeeeeee….

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future bus

Traffic is a huge problem in most urban areas but China’s is legendary. Now, a Beijing company has designed this futuristic bus which would take the place of up to 40 conventional buses, and glides over the top of traffic jams on rails. It’s still conceptual at this point. The Guardian reports: The “straddling bus”, which owes more to Blade Runner than China’s car-clogged highways, is supported by two legs that run along rails laid along the roadside. Those legs allow the TEB’s giant frame to glide high above the gridlock at speeds of up to 60km per hour. Equally, … Read more

Announcement: Through a Glass Darkly, by Pelaam

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Through a Glass Darkly

QSFer Pelaam has a new paranormal book out: Radley Middleton’s a down to earth kind of guy. His love life, though, is non-existent and lately, the dreams he’s had for years no longer seem to be just dreams. The day he found “the” mirror was the day that everything started to change; in it, he’s catching glimpses of other men from different eras. And his dreams are becoming stronger. Curious about all that’s going on, Rad investigates and learns of a terrible tragedy; a tragedy in which he learns he may play a part. But if Rad does manage to … Read more

Review: X-Men: Apocalypse

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X-Men: Apocalypse

Bryan Singer directed the first two movies based on Marvel Comics’ mutant superhero team the X-Men. Brett Ratner directed the third film, The Last Stand, which is loathed by fans and critics alike. The franchise was then rebooted with Matthew Vaughn’s First Class, and Bryan Singer returned for the second film in this cycle, Days of Future Past, arguably the best of all of the X-Men movies. And now there’s X-Men: Apocalypse, which opens May 27. About a third of the way through Apocalypse, which takes place in 1983, Jean Gray (Sophie Turner), Cyclops (Tye Sheridan), Nightcrawler (Kodi Smit-McPhee) and … Read more

Angel’s Bits: What the *#@$ is an Epigraph?

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We all actually know what these are. We just forget what they’re called, because really, how often does this come up in conversation? So while an epigraph can be the inscription on a monument, for writing purposes, an epigraph is a quote from another author that one finds at the beginning of a chapter, story section or work. You find them at the beginning of Frank Herbert chapters, at the beginning of T.S. Eliot poems, at the start of Stephen King novels. Depending on the author, they can serve different purposes. They can set tone. They can anticipate or illuminate … Read more

Announcement: The Better to Kiss You With, by Michelle Osgood

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The Better to Kiss You WIth

QSFer Michelle Osgood has a new paranormal book out: In the rare moments when Deanna Scott isn’t working as the moderator for Wolf’s Run, an online werewolf role-playing game, she wanders the local forest trails with her golden retriever, Arthur, and daydreams about Jaime, the attractive, enigmatic woman who lives upstairs. As Wolf Run’s “den mother,” Deanna is accustomed to petty online drama. But when threats from an antagonistic player escalate, Deanna wonders if her awesome online job could be riskier than she’d ever imagined—and if her new girlfriend knows more about this community than she had realized. Excerpt Gripping … Read more

For Writers: Choosing a Good Title

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Titles

Today’s writer topic came out of our flash fiction contest. Angel suggested we talk about this. Writing a book, novella, or short story is one thing. OK, it’s the main thing. But there are a lot of other factors that go into actually selling the damned thing. Like the blurb, the cover, the pricing, the release date, and the title. A good title can convey what the book’s about almost instantly to the reader. it can tease them or enchant them. It can help to sell your book. A bad title can make your book a laughingstock, or worse. So … Read more

New Torchwood Audio Adventure

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Torchwood

John Barrowman, Eve Myles and Gareth David Lloyd will reprise their roles. The stars of his sci-fi show Torchwood are set to reunite for the first time in almost seven years. John Barrowman, Gareth David-Lloyd and Eve Myles revealed yesterday that they are getting back together for a brand new story. Torchwood: Outbreak is a full-cast audio mini-series from Big Finish and will be released as a box-set in November 2016. By Joe Williams – Full Story at Pink News

Support QSF

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Red Bubble

Queer Sci Fi is, in many ways, a labor of love for us. But we do have some expenses, including conferences we attend under the QSF banner. There are a few ways to help support us, and they all get you something too! Red Bubble We’re partnering with a site called Red Bubble to offer Queer Sci Fi branded merchandise. You can now buy a shirt, mug, mousepad, and much more with the QSF brand – and every purchase helps support the site. :) Amazon Associates Many folks like to buy their books directly from independent publishers. And that’s fantastic! … Read more

Announcement: Fire Up My Heart, by Asta Idonea

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Fire Up My Heart

QSFer Asta Idonea has a new sci fi romance book out: London bartender Fane thinks he’s hit the jackpot when he finds a rare and expensive service Bot discarded in a dumpster, and he takes it home to get it working again. The Jo-E brings some much-needed companionship to Fane’s lonely life, but there’s something different about this Bot, as indicated by its odd behavior. Fane’s developing feelings toward Jo-E trouble him, and things go from bad to worse when a robotics engineer arrives on Fane’s doorstep, demanding the return of his property. Fane is forced to choose between a … Read more