As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

RETRO NEWS: RIP Joanna Russ

Joanna Russ

This article from 2011 popped up in my feed today. I thought it was worth a re-run: The coolest woman in sci-fi since Alien’s Ellen Ripley, sci-fi writer and feminist critic Joanna Russ, died on her home planet this Friday. She would have wanted you to read her books (namely because they’re awesome), so here’s where to start: The famous 74-year-old author wrote The Female Man, a book about women fighting against misogyny in alternate universes and How to Suppress Women’s Writing, an examination of sexism in the art world. She also published The Adventures of Alyx a short-story collection … Read more

ANNOUNCEMENT: The Wolf and the King, by Tami Veldura

The Wolf And The King

QSFer Tami Veldura has a new MM fairy tale book out: Kaleb is under pressure from his closest adviser. Either choose a husband and take the throne of his people, the shifters of the world, or one will be chosen for him. But Kaleb doesn’t want just any husband. He wants to find his mate, the one man that the gods put in this world specifically for him. Richard thinks Kaleb is a fool to trust in myths, but Kaleb insists he’s looking for a forever love and he’s determined to find it. Parker is a lowborn wolf shifter and … Read more

FOR READERS: She Had Blue Eyes And Chest Hair

blue eye - pixabay

FOR READERS Today’s reader topic comes from QSFer Denise Dechene: I’ve read some books where MCs are only described vaguely (ht, wt, hair color) leaving the rest to our imagination. I’ve also read books that the MCs are described down to how many chest hairs. When you read how detailed do you want your characters? Writers: This is a reader chat – you are welcome to join it, but please do not reference your own works directly. Thanks! Join the chat

TECH: Robots Really Are After All of Our Jobs

Robot Priest

A Japanese company has introduced a new role for SoftBank’s humanoid robot “Pepper” – a Buddhist priest for hire at funerals. Chanting sutras in a computerized voice while tapping a drum, the robot was on display on Wednesday at a funeral industry fair – the Life Ending Industry Expo – in Tokyo. Nissei Eco Co., an unlisted plastic molding maker, wrote the chanting software for “Pepper”, which was introduced by SoftBank Group Corp. in 2014. With Japan’s population ageing and shrinking, many Buddhist priests receive less financial support from their communities, prompting some to find part-time work outside their temple … Read more