As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

scott

SPACE: Meet the Ploonets!

by
Ploonet - NASA

What do you call a runaway exomoon with delusions of planethood? You call it a “ploonet,” of course. Scientists had previously proposed the endearing term “moonmoons” to describe moons that may orbit other moons in distant solar systems. Now, another team of researchers has coined the melodious nickname “ploonet” for moons of giant planets orbiting hot stars; under certain circumstances, these moons abandon those orbits, becoming satellites of the host star. The former moon is then “unbound” and has an orbit like a planet’s — ergo, a ploonet. Ploonets — and all exomoons, for that matter — have yet to … Read more

ANNOUNCEMENT: A Man of Many Parts, by Edward Kendrick

by
A Man of Many Parts

QSFer Edward Kendrick has a new MM paranormal erotic romance out: “A Man of Many Parts.” To some who know him, Jax — under the name Jackson Martin — is a reputable restorer of antiquarian books. To others, in various guises, he’s a man who double-crosses thieves, relieving them of what wasn’t theirs to begin with … although he doesn’t return the stolen goods to their original owners. That isn’t his thing. When he’s hired by Donovan, a book collector, to restore a damaged atlas, Jax meets the young man who runs Donovan’s side interest, a no-kill animal shelter. Noel … Read more

CLIMATE CHANGE: We Need to Plant Trees

by

Want to help save the world from climate change? Then grab some seeds, or some seedlings, and start planting trees like there’s no tomorrow. At least 1 trillion of them, and fast. That may sound like a lot of trees, but the Earth has room for their gnarled bows and branches. In a new study that excluded cities and agricultural areas, researchers found that the planet has nearly 3.5 million square miles (9 million square kilometers) to spare for trees. Such newly planted trees could cut carbon (a part of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide) in the atmosphere by nearly … Read more

#OWNVOICES: Lesbian Authors

by
Ownvoices - lesbian

On Saturdays on the QSF Facebook group we’re now featuring #ownvoices. Each week, we’ll feature a different group of writers who don’t always get the attention they should. Today, we’re featuring authors who are lesbian and who write lesbian characters in speculative fiction. #ownvoices If you’re a lesbian author, tell us about yourself, your experiences author, and the spec fic books you write (especially those with lesbian characters – with links, please). If you’re not, you can still participate – share your favorite lesbian authors and their spec fic works that include lesbian characters. Note: This is NOT a chat … Read more

CLIMATE CHANGE: This Is the Most pressing Issue of Our Time

by
melting ice - pixabay

Think climate change is a far-off thing affecting only future generations? Think again. Check out these headlines from just the last TWO DAYS: Today’s Climate Change Is Worse Than Anything Earth Has Experienced in the Past 2,000 Years The global climate is changing faster now than it has at any point in the past 2,000 years. That’s the conclusion of a trio of papers published July 24 in the journals Nature and Nature Geoscience that examined the global climate over the past two millennia. The researchers showed that none of the past fluctuations — that is, not the Little Ice … Read more

ANNOUNCEMENT/GIVEAWAY: Here Comes the Son, by Dahlia Donovan

by
Here Comes the Son

Dahlia Donovan has a new MM urban fantasy romance book out: “Here Comes the Son.” When evil stirs in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains, heroes come in both ordinary and extraordinary packages. Ignatius Faber knows a few things for absolute certain. He’s half-demon, his father is the unequivocal prince of darkness, and demons want to destroy his city. And if he doesn’t make the first move on his crush, they’re never going to be anything more than a teenage fantasy that’s lasted into his thirties. Lalo Pavia grew up hard and fast, orphaned at a young age. As an … Read more

REVIEW: Call the Bluff, by O.E. Tearmann

by
Call the Bluff

Series: Aces High, Jokers Wild Book 2 Author: O. E. Tearmann Genre: Dystopian Sci Fi LGBTQ+ Category: Queer Publisher: Self Pages: 288 Reviewer: Melissa Brus, Paranormal Romance Guild Get It On Amazon About The Book It costs a lot to win. And even more to lose.  Seven Corporations rule the former United States with seven codes of conduct based on their ideas of morality. Comply with the code of the Corporation that holds your Citizen Contract, or suffer the economic consequences.  Or fight back.  For sixty years the Democratic State Force has been fighting to return representative democracy to the country. … Read more

ANNOUNCEMENT/GIVEAWAY: The Midspring Rebellion, by Doreen Heron

by
The Midspring Rebellion

Doreen Heron has a new MM fantasy book out: “The Midspring Rebellion.” And there’s a giveaway! Things are amiss in the fairy court, made worse one spring morning when King Oberon’s wife decides to leave him. His decision to gather his thoughts in the human realm lead him into the path, and arms, of workaholic human Nick Chandler. But when Oberon’s throne is threatened, will he be able to retain his kingship and his newfound love? NineStar Press | Amazon | Smashwords | Barnes & Noble | Kobo Giveaway One lucky winner will receive a $10.00 NineStar Press Gift Code! Enter via Rafflecopter: a … Read more

New Zealand Scientists Find a Vampire Tree

by
Vampire Tree - Live Science

In a forest in New Zealand, a vampire clings to life. Once a mighty kauri tree — a species of conifer that can grow up to 165 feet (50 meters) tall — the low, leafless stump looks like it should be long dead. But, as a new study published today (July 25) in the journal iScience reminds us, looks are only surface-deep. Below the soil, the study authors wrote, the stump is part of a forest “superorganism” — a network of intertwined roots sharing resources across a community that could include dozens or hundreds of trees. By grafting its roots … Read more