QSFer Kelley York and Rowan Altwood have a new MM historical paranormal YA tale out: James Spencer is hardly the typical “troubled youth” who ends up at Whisperwood School for Boys. Instead of hating the strict schedules and tight oversight by staff, James blossoms, quickly making friends and indulging in his love of writing, while contemplating the merits of sneaking love poems to the elusive and aloof William Esher. The rumours about William’s sexuality and opium reliance are prime gossip material amongst the third years. Rumours that only further pique James’ curiosity to uncover what William is really like beneath … Read more
QSFer Maz Maddox has a new MM western fantasy book out: Like all centaur shifters, Sheriff Calhoun is the epitome of honor. He protects his small town of Stallion Ridge and its people from any threat large or small. When word comes in that the notorious Iron Bandits are making a play for a train in his territory he’s both livid and invigorated. If anyone can bring these thieves to justice it’s him and his crew. What he did not expect was having a charming, whiskey-eyed outlaw dumped in his lap that challenged everything he thought he knew. Stallion Ridge … Read more
QSFer Erin O’Quinn has a new MM historical fantasy book out: What happens when an innocent, natural soul is thrown together with a highly attractive but morally corrupt young man? STAG HEART tells the intertwined story of three men. ~A scholar-warrior seeking inner peace in an often brutal world. ~The bad boy son of a king who needs to learn to become a man. ~An innocent, a wilding whose soul stirs in rhythm with raw nature. These three are forced by circumstance to live and learn and finally survive together on Ireland’s sacred Hill of Tara, where mischief and mayhem … Read more
QSFer R.L. Merrill has a new MM paranormal book out: In 1860, Nathaniel Bane and his brothers dug deep into the earth on a mission from God, searching for a cache of silver to help fund their new religious civilization. What they found altered them forever and set off a chain of events that changed the course of Nevada’s history. Nearly twenty years later, the constant hunger and restlessness has made Nathaniel desperate for relief. A chance encounter in the desert and a meeting with an incredibly powerful holy man will set Nathaniel on a path to redemption—a journey filled … Read more
Bisexual icon Li Shang has seemingly been removed from Disney’s live-action remake of Mulan – and fans are outraged. Shang won over bi fans everywhere in the original 1998 film, with many adoring Disney’s apparently unintentional creation of a character who is clearly attracted to both Mulan and her male alter-ego, Ping. As one person has put it, “shang is giving mulan the exact same look even when he thought she was a man THIS BISEXUAL TEA”. But according to a casting call unearthed by Twitter account nerdyasians, Disney has engaged in literal bi-erasure, eliminating the subject of so many … Read more
QSFer Alex Acks has a new queer steampunk anthology book out: Captain Marta Ramos, the most notorious pirate in the Duchy of Denver, has her hands full between fascinating murder mysteries, the delectable and devious Delilah Nimowitz, Colonel Geoffrey Douglas (the Duke of Denver’s new head of security), a spot of airship engineering and her usual activities: piracy, banditry and burglary. Not to mention the horror of high society tea parties. In contrast, Simms, her second in command, longs only for a quiet life, filled with tasty sausages and fewer explosions. Or does he? Join Captain Ramos, Simms and their … Read more
QSFer Damian Serbu has a new MM historical vampire book out: As Paris devolves into chaos amidst the French Revolution, three lives intertwine. Xavier, a devout priest, struggles to hold on to his trust in humanity only to find his own faith threatened with the longing he finds for a mysterious American visitor. Thomas fights against the Catholic Church to win Xavier’s heart, but hiding his undead nature will threaten the love he longs to find with this abbé. Xavier’s sister, Catherine, works with Thomas to bring them together while protecting the family fortune but falls prey herself to evil … Read more
QSFer Eric Del Carlo has a new queer sci fi-alternative history book out: In an 1867 that never was, the American colonies are finally gearing up to revolt against oppressive British rule enforced by advanced technology. British airship captain Hamilton Arkwright is captured by the rebels when his vessel is commandeered. The insurgents are also aided—reluctantly—by young Jonny Callahan, a thief and ne’er-do-well who would rather carouse on the streets of New Orleans than fight for independence. When the two seemingly opposite men are thrown together on a harrowing journey across the war-torn colonies, they must grudgingly rely on each … Read more
I love historical fiction; however, I’ve encountered the occasional work in which it’s clear the author hasn’t done sufficient research before writing. Anachronisms are the biggest culprit in this regard, so today I thought I’d share four tips on conducting research for your historical novel.
The dawn of the 21st century brought massive changes to the publishing industry, fueled in part by a surge in epublishing. More efficient and portable e-readers enabled readers to access an increasing number of ebook publications, fueling ebook sales. Larger print publishers, many of which were unprepared for the shift, responded by consolidating or closing their doors. There were additional impacts to brick-and-mortar stores as well as to print distribution of books and magazines. Many authors responded to these changes by releasing their own books in a variety of formats, sometimes by starting their own small and medium-sized presses. Alongside … Read more