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Article: Brain’s ‘gender’ may be quite flexible: Mechanism that plays key role in sexual differentiation of brain described

I’m trying to decide if this article should be filed under “horror” or “speculative.” We’ve all heard the adage that the same hammer that builds houses can also be used to kill. Well… this to me seems like a Science Hammer. Brain’s ‘gender’ may be quite flexible: Mechanism that plays key role in sexual differentiation of brain described During prenatal development, the brains of most animals, including humans, develop specifically male or female characteristics. In most species, some portions of male and female brains are a different size, and often have a different number of neurons and synapses. However, scientists … Read more

Announcement: Azimuth, by Arshad Ahsanuddin

Azimuth

QSFer Arshad Ahsanuddin has a new Sci Fi book out: Edward has one chance to save a man he forgot he ever loved. All he has to do is destroy the world. The disastrous events of the Zenith mission behind them, Marty and Edward lead very different lives at either end of time. Martin has been tapped to lead an elite military operation designed to curtail and ultimately eliminate the threat of time travelers. But Henry Bradford has other ideas, and seeks to entice him into taking up the role of captain of the rechristened starship Azimuth. Almost a quarter … Read more

Discussion: Worldbuilding Week Preview

Worldbuilding

In August, we’ll devote a whole week to worldbuilding – creating a realistic world in which to set your story/stories: –Languages –Alien/Magical Races –History/Timelines –Culture/Politics –Sex, Marriage, Reproduction –Tools and Techniques But we thought we’d preview it with a little discussion today. Are you a big fan of greatly detailed worlds in your LGBT Sci Fi fiction? Or do you prefer a sleek, stripped down approach that’s more character/romance driven? And what’s your favorite example, either way? And did we leave any important topics off the list above? Come join the discussion.

Article: How To Get Started (And Get Ahead) In Science Fiction Self-Publishing

My podcast co-host S.A.Collins just shared this, and it’s a good read for authors. Pay close attention to the comments after the article, some good discussion going on. How To Get Started (And Get Ahead) In Science Fiction Self-Publishing To self-publish or not to self-publish… That is the question more and more aspiring authors are asking themselves these days. And with good reason—self-publishing has come a long way in the decade since it really hit the market and many of the blatant scams of the past have been outed by an increasingly well-informed author community. With the popularity of ebooks … Read more

Announcement: Orion’s Circle, by Victoria Sue

Orion's Circle

QSFer Victoria Sue has a new paranormal book out: According to legend, when humankind is at its most desperate, the goddess Sirius will send three of the most powerful werewolf shifters ever created to save mankind. However, because they are so powerful, they will need a fourth to complete them, to calm them and help them reach their full potential. Buy Links Amazon: Click Here Author Bio Has loved books for as long as she can remember. Books were always what pocket money went on and what usually Father Christmas brought. When she ran out of her kids’ adventure stories, … Read more

Discussion: Zombies Among Us

gay zombie

Today’s topic comes from QSFer and admin Angel Martinez: “Zombie stories – can you have a successful zombie romance? How does this work without someone losing important pieces? Are there non-apocalyptic zombie stories out there?” I loved the zombies in the Xanth series, and there have been a couple marginally successful zombie love stories in film and TV. I’ll defer to Angel’s questions above. What do you think? Come join the conversation.

Article: Celebrate Marriage Equality with these 12 Beloved LGBT Characters from Geek Culture

Family and Reflection

Article: Celebrate Marriage Equality with these 12 Beloved LGBT Characters from Geek Culture Sci-fi tends to explore themes of identity, tolerance of differences, and true expression of the self, so many stories have served as allegories for the oppression of homosexuals in society, most notably X-Men. But in spite of this, geek culture hasn’t historically been the most diverse, with sci-fi TV and comics just recently taking some baby steps towards representation (there are no sci-fi movie franchises on this list). And the real world is catching up, as SCOTUS just ruled that gay marriage is legal in all 50 … Read more

Announcement: Danny, by Steven Harper Piziks

Danny

Steven Harper Piziks has a new mythological urban fantasy book out: Danny Marina’s new step-father takes him to the laser tag stadium, the movies, the go-kart track. He and his mother now have a new house and more money. Then Danny finds the cameras–in the living room, his bedroom, the shower. Which leads him to uncover the secret web site, the one devoted to him and his step-brother Eric. Danny’s Mom doesn’t believe him–doesn’t want to believe him. Faced with the unthinkable as his stepdad brings home strangers, Danny and Eric hop a bus for Florida. Frightened, and only with … Read more

Media Crossovers: Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell

I cannot wait to let my senses feast on this series for so many reasons – the responsibility of a magician during the re-emergence, the mechanics of magic as a sacrifice, the culpability of the characters, the gritty realism… You Should Know About: Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell Based on the novel by Susanna Clarke, Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell is part fantasy series, part historical drama. Set against the backdrop of the Napoleonic wars, the show presents an alternate version of history in which magic begins to resurface in Britain (having mysteriously disappeared years beforehand) thanks largely to the … Read more

“Black Dog Blues” by Rhys Ford

Genre: Urban Fantasy Length: Novel   Kai Gracen is an elven outcast in a post-apocalyptic world, where magic exploded into the present day. There are still McDonalds and shitty politicians, but now there are elves and other fantastical creatures (including dragons). Kai gets by as a bounty hunter, going where the humans wouldn’t dare and killing ferocious beasts (including dragons). He was pretty happy too, until the dawn court started to interfere with his affairs, and he got stuck on a run with one of their snotty nobles, as well as with a human girl, who’s possibly carrying the greatest … Read more