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Writers

FOR WRITERS: Using Instafreebie

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Instafreebie

FOR WRITERS One of our members is just getting started with instafreebie, the service for delivering/”selling” free books. She asked about how to use it and get the most out of it. I have limited experience with it, so I thought we’d throw this out to the group – I know many of you have used it. How do you use it? What do you use it for? How do you get the most from the site? And are there any downsides to be aware of? Join the chat

Asta’s Annotations: Epithets (Editing Tip for Authors)

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Today I am wearing my editor hat and talking to the QSF authors out there (although readers may also find the discussion of interest). The topic I would like to discuss is the issue of epithets. This is something I see from authors across genres; however, it tends to be prevalent in LGBT fiction, no doubt because authors are trying to accommodate for the fact that they often have two leads of the same gender, between whom they need to differentiate.

Perhaps some of you are thinking, “What’s an epithet?”

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FOR READERS: Trigger Warnings

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Warning

FOR READERS AND WRITERS Today’s reader topic comes from QSFer Wendy Rathbone: For readers and writers: If a book is sufficiently blurbed and tagged for explicit content and dark themes do you still need trigger warnings? Why? And trigger warnings that contain spoilers: yay or nay? 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

Jeff Baker: Boogieman In Lavender: “Oh, The Horror!”

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horror - pixabay

Call it dread, terror, fright or the heebie-jeebies, all beings know fear. The universality of this emotion may partly explain the popularity of the genre, a popularity that stretches back way before Stephen king or Clive Barker. Even before Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein” over 200 years ago. Back maybe to the days of caves and early Man huddled in groups around a fire listening to tales that thrill. LGBT readers (and viewers) are no strangers to the appeal of fear. One might immediately assume we have a special set of fears; being outed. Public stigma and discrimination from being out. The … Read more

FOR WRITERS: Off on a Tangent

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tangent - pixabay

FOR WRITERS Today’s writer topic comes from QSFer Kari Trenten: Going off on a tangent! :) Your imagination takes your writing in a new direction. How do you deal with it? Embrace it? Fight it? It’s irresistible, the urge to go with it. How do you balance that urge with the demands of your professional life and existing deadlines? Join the chat

FOR WRITERS: Chanelling Your Righteous Anger

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angry - pixabay

FOR WRITERS Today’s writer topic comes from QSFer Jerome Stueart: I’m angry. Furious over the Chechnya situation, but also angry over many injustices against people (LGBT, PoC, women, etc.) Is Anger a good place to work from? Does Revenge-Writing or Anger-Writing do anything positive—not in an essay but in FICTION? Is there a place for LGBT fiction writing that is violent and fictionally redresses wrongs that have been done to us? (I was raised as a Christian; I know the Jesus rules, but in this case I believe asserting even some fictional power would be helpful.) What say you, gang? … Read more