FOR READERS Today’s reader topic comes from QSFer Nathan Smith: “how to write a short but useful reveiwz?” It’s a great topic. So often, a review is nothing more than a summary with spoilers. So what should a useful review include? What should be left out? And what do you, as a reader, most like to see? 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
FOR READERS Today’s reader topic comes from QSFers Hank T Cannon and John Allenson: Have you every read a fantasy etc where food descriptions are a significant part of the story and then tried to make the dish or an approximation? For example: https://hobbitmeals.wordpress.com/2009/07/06/hobbit-recipes/ 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
FOR READERS Today’s reader topic comes from QSFer Ryane Chatman: “I know we have talked a lot about mpreg. Is there anything else you have found that is amazing in the way of procreation?” Interesting question. We have dealt a lot with mpreg, but that generally only appears in MM romance – what about the other colors of the queer rainbow? How does procreation work in a sci fi setting with an FF relationship?How about paranormal babies from a trans MTF character? There are many other paths to explore here. What have you read? Writers: This is a reader chat … Read more
Hi all and Happy Friday! This week is Transgender Awareness Week, November 14-20. Instead of me talking about this, I want to signal boost The Trans Fiction Week blog project that Matthew Metzger spearheaded. The blogs this week focused on inclusion, on non-binary issues as writers, and on getting writers past that “can’t” mentality one often hears from cis-gendered writers. Some of the wonderful and informative blogs include: Beyond Punctuation: Editing Diverse Content Safe Spaces, and Safety Writing from the Closet (a non-binary writer’s view) Gun Control (a cis-gender writer’s view on the importance of inclusion) If it’s Cis, It … Read more
FOR READERS Today’s reader topic comes from QSFer Kari Trenten: “Also, I’d love to have conversations about specific authors, whether it’s Plato or J.R.R. Tolkien, their particular works.” Today – James Tiptree Jr. For those who don’t know about her (from Wikipedia): Alice Bradley Sheldon (August 24, 1915 – May 19, 1987) was an American science fiction author better known as James Tiptree Jr., a pen name she used from 1967 to her death. She was most notable for breaking down the barriers between writing perceived as inherently “male” or “female”—it was not publicly known until 1977 that James Tiptree … Read more
Author’s Note: I had planned to run a review in this monthly space, but recent events seemed to call for something else. The review is saved for next time, and Happy Thanksgiving!—-Jeff. Armageddon or Not by Jeff Baker I’ve been a political observer for much of my adult life, and actually a performing political satirist (think Mark Russell) for a little of it and so I think I can speak with a little authority on the recent and not entirely unjustified anxiety over the results of the recent election. We don’t know yet what the world will be … Read more
Well. This has just been a dreadful year and the past week wasn’t any improvement. Usually, I’d write a Friday thing about some aspect of publishing or marketing. It just doesn’t seem appropriate. Everyone I know is angry or frightened or depressed. Or all three. So. Let’s talk about what to do. The best way to combat the evil out there is to get involved, right? But how do we get involved? Donate. This is both the easiest way to get involved if you have the funds and the hardest if you don’t. Of course, it’s not always about money … Read more
FOR READERS Today’s reader topic comes from QSFer Ryane Chatman: I love them. The older and violenter the better. How do you feel about them? Is there something more or less that you would like to see? 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
