Knowing the history of your genre gives you insight into how it’s viewed in the larger world. Why do publishers eschew works that push the boundaries? Which archetypes touch something in readers? Do you know your history well enough to shape the future of Science Fiction? Click here for a primer on LGBT themes in speculative fiction
QSFer Anne Barwell has a new paranormal book out: For as long as Lucas Coate can remember, werewolves have been taught to mistrust vampires. Lucas is an exception—he has close friends who are vampires. The werewolf pack in Flint—and their leader, Jacob Coate—have made it clear that Lucas’s association with vampires is barely tolerated, and another transgression will be his last. When Lucas finds out about the plague of werewolf deaths in the area, he wants to help even though his own life may already be in danger. Declan has been away from Flint for ten years, but he isn’t … Read more
Penguin Random House announced Wednesday that the digital edition of the 1969 novel will be on sale July 15. Le Guin, 85, has written more than 20 books and last fall received an honorary National Book Award. “The Left Hand of Darkness,” a gender-defying tale set in the distant future on the planet Winter, has been widely praised for its insights about feminism and sociology. About The Left Hand of Darkness Winner of the Hugo and Nebula Awards A groundbreaking work of science fiction, The Left Hand of Darkness tells the story of a lone human emissary to Winter, an … Read more
Today’s topic comes from QSFer John Allenson: “When things changed. What stories do you like that rewrite an event in history? Examples: What if Napolean had decided to invade Scotland rather than Russia? What if Abraham Lincoln had lost the election to become POTUS?” I like this one. It’s an area of speculative fiction we don’t discuss all that often – the future as seen from the past. There are so many moments when history spun on a dime and went off in another direction because of a single event or series of events. So where would you change the … Read more
Torquere has a new Fantasy/Mythology book out: Mythology, whether classic or modern, has always taken readers on a magical ride. Mythologically Torqued, volume I, takes those tales from days of old, or more recent history, and places a unique spin on the beloved lore. The gods of Olympus make appearances, as do deities from Japanese, Norse, and other belief systems. With rampant sexual desires, these gods manage to slake their thirst for passions of the flesh in a rather untraditional manner…if the oral traditions passed down from generation-to-generation were at all accurate. These fifteen short stories are penned by both … Read more
Torquere Press author Angela Benedetti has a new fantasy collection out: There’s magic in the world, and its hiding in plain sight. Your friends, your neighbors, the guy who runs your favorite restaurant — any of them could be more than they seem. A man trick-or-treating with his son finds the courage to go after what he wants when he confiscates and eats some unwrapped candy. A park ranger who’s afraid of outing himself in public is reminded that his lover will — and can — protect him, no matter what. An apprentice mage learns that his master never forgets … Read more
QSFer Pelaam has a new sci fi fairy tale book out: Set on an alien world, Red is a re-telling of a classic fairy tale, and the first in the Once Upon a Future series. Ceron, known as “Red”, comes from the village neighbouring a Wolven pack. Storm, son of the Wolven Alpha, befriends Ceron who finds that friendship soon becomes something much deeper. For generations, Ceron’s people and the Wolven have lived in peace, but now, the Wolven are accused of attacking villagers. Ceron and Storm know they’ll face prejudice as their relationship deepens. But more dangerous and deadly … Read more
Genre: Gay Urban Paranormal Length: Novel Note: I’m going to come right out and say it. I’ve reviewed Lyn Gala before—because she’s absolutely phenomenal. So this review is going to be totally bias. You’ve been warned. (Okay, I’m sort of joking about this review being a complete fangirl moment. Sort of.) Detective Miguel Rassin, the precinct’s biggest troublemaker, knows he’s being punished when he gets paired with the precinct’s biggest asshole, Detective Rob Jackson. In an act of either complete brilliance or desperation (or both), the captain blesses the duo with the most sensitive case in this part of New … Read more
DSPP author Lyn Gala has a new Sci Fi book out: New ambassadors Temar Gazer and Shan Polli stopped one disaster on Livre, but the battle isn’t over. Temar is still struggling to work through the abuse he suffered. Livre, too, stands at a crossroads: it could ally with the breakaway planets—risking strange and dangerous beliefs—or the older alliance, which offers human rights protections but seeks to control the planet’s resources. With everyone keeping secrets, it’s impossible to know who to trust. Shan and Temar do their best to navigate cultures they don’t understand and avoid the dangers lurking around … Read more
Today’s topic comes from QSFer and QSF Reviewer BA Brock: “Hockety pockety wockety wack. Abracabra dabra nack! I wanna talk about wicked magik! What would happen if we discovered magic in this time and this Earth? What kind of magic would it be? How would it impact science including medicine and sociology? Higitus Figitus migitus mum, Pres-ti-dig-i-ton-i-um!” I love this question – fusing genres is one of my favorite things. Would it be faerie or elven magic rediscovered in the world? A small magic of healing shown to really exist? Would it be something we could name and measure with … Read more