As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Readers

Angel’s Bits: Plagiarism

by

It’s a nasty, ugly word, isn’t it? Plagiarism. It rears up with shocking regularity in every writing circle – academia, journalism, fiction, biography. Every time I see a new case pop up in the romance or SFF writing communities, far too many people wail about their particular genre being plagued with it. It’s not true, of course. It’s everywhere. But there are some odd misconceptions about it and some predictable reasons why authors do it. According to USLegal.com, “Plagiarism is taking the writings or literary ideas of another and selling and/or publishing them as one’s own writing. Brief quotes or … Read more

Rabid Reader Recommendations – R3 Wednesdays!

by

WELCOME to Rabid Reader Recommendations, or R3 WEDNESDAYS! Scott, Angel, and I wanted to make a day devoted to QSF recommendations! This is a great opportunity to recommend and discuss works you have enjoyed in the queer science fiction genre. We’ll host this discussion the first Wednesday of every month, unless it explodes. Then we can always host more days! For the first R3, the theme is: Furry Fiction! (Anthropomorphic creatures–think Redwall, but queerer.) HOW IT WORKS: –This is a reader discussion. Don’t recommend your own works–get someone else to do it for you! –The works have to be related … Read more

For Readers: Warnings and Triggers

by
Warning

FOR READERS Today’s reader topic comes from QSFer Denise Dechene: This came up in a group: A lot of books have warnings or listings of possible triggers. Do you think that books today have too many of these and do you think too many warnings affect sales? 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

Angel’s Bits – ‘Tis The Season for Paranormal

by

Paranormal – those stories that fall outside what can be explained using what is known about the universe. Ghosts. Vampires. Werewolves and so on and… What’s that? All queer paranormal fiction is the same? All tropey and stuff so you don’t want to read it? There’s nothing wrong with tropey fiction of course. We all have our favorite comfort tropes and types of stories we enjoy reading. But what I’d like to do today is take a look at some examples of queer paranormal fic that doesn’t adhere so closely to the tropetastic side of things. Please note that these … Read more

For Readers: Talk About Tolkien

by
Tolkien

FOR WRITERS Today’s writer topic comes from QSFer Kari Trenten: Kari says: “Also, I’d love to have conversations about specific authors, whether it’s Plato or J.R.R. Tolkien, their particular works.” Sounds like a great idea to me. Let’s kick it off with a look at J.R.R. Tolkien. How did he achieve such in-depth worldbuilding? What are your favorite works of his? Do you like his work? Hate it? Why? Why did he have three initials? Join the chat

For Readers: I Found You on Facebook

by
Social Media

FOR READERS Today’s reader topic comes from QSFer Andrew Kelley: How much does an author’s social media presence and interaction with readers encourage you to read their books? Are there any authors whose books you have read only after reading their social media posts? 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: What’s In A Review?

by
Books

FOR READERS Today’s reader topic comes from QSFer Denise Dechene: Reviews are supposed to be for the readers. As such, what do you like to see in a review, and what don’t you 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

Asta’s Annotations: The Path to LGBT Fiction

by

Today I thought it might be interesting to discuss how we all came to LGBT fiction, whether as readers or writers.   For me, it all started with the film Van Helsing in 2004. Meeting fellow fans through the LiveJournal account I had at the time led me to discover fan fiction, and slash in particular. One of my earliest serious attempts at writing was a fan fiction with a Dracula/Van Helsing back story. I’ve written the occasional piece since—Rimmer/Lister (Red Dwarf), Hannibal/Will (Hannibal), Ragnar/Athelstan (Vikings), Sherlock/John (Sherlock), Steve/Loki (Avengers) etc.—and I still read a story or two when a … Read more

For Readers: That’s Just Not Right

by
circle-slash-symbol

FOR READERS Today’s reader topic comes from QSFer John Allenson: “For writers and readers, is there an area where you have some expertise where mistakes drive you bonkers? ie. One of my friends is an entomologist who hates it when people call arachnids ‘bugs’.” Yeah, we all have those things, whether it has to do with our own identity (no, gay guys don’t all call people “Sweetie!”) or our work (sorry, but ostriches don’t have fur!). What are some of your “get it wrong” pet peeves? Writers: This is a reader chat – you are welcome to join it, but … Read more