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Genres

Other Languages in Sci Fi / Fantasy

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Klingon

Thought we’d go back to a fun topic for me – the use of different languages in speculative fiction. These can go from the relatively mundane – sprinkle a little celtic into your Fantasy novel, throw in a little Italian into your sci fi, or maybe a little Russian with your werewolves from the old country? Or it can be more exotic – think Star Trek’s Klingon, or Tolkien’s dialects in Middle Earth. So writers, how do you handle other languages in your sci fi, fantasy or paranormal? Whether it’s an Earth Language or Alien? Readers, do you like a … Read more

Money Money Money

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Money

Today’s topic comes from QSFer Tam Ames – “Money. Gimme Gimme. How do you deal with that in sci-fi? Did Han Solo have a Visa card? Does everyone used gold pressed latinum? I can barely get my shit together to get the right currency when I’m traveling an hour away, what if I’m going across the galaxy and have never even know this planet exists? Do we just ignore it? Barter? Curious what people have done, if anything.” With the world moving into epay systems, what will money look like in the future? What will it mean if you can’t … Read more

Announcement: Taijiku, by Elizabeth Andre

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Taijiku

Elizabeth Andre has a new sci fi book out: Angela’s past is more than a little rocky, and that rocky path has led her to finish up her juvenile detention sentence on the Yemaya, an alien underwater ship devoted to observation and research. Part of its maintenance crew, at the bottom rung of the status ladder, Angela doesn’t see much excitement forthcoming. But that was before encountering the fearsome Taijiku or meeting her crew mate Stella, leaving Angela with a completely different problem and unable to say which is the greater challenge: giant sea monsters or falling in love. Excerpt … Read more

Guest Post: F.E. Feeley Jr., Author of Still Waters

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Still Waters

We’re thrilled to have a guest post today from QSFer F.E. Feeley Jr., author of the soon-to-release (March 30) book Still Waters: Unofficially, I have been writing all my life. In college, it was my writing that really carried me through. But in that time, my work had to be sort of direct and to the point, it had to be business like and I had a hell of a time keeping flowery language out of the work I did. But I held my own. I have been writing M/M ficiton for the past four years. I was always a … Read more

Writing Transgender

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Transgender Flag

OK, full disclosure here. I’m not transgender. That said, I’ve always had a fascination with the many aspects of human sexuality and gender. I think it’s amazing that there are not just two genders or one “right” way to have sex or love another human being. I’ve had the privilege of meeting a number of trans folks via Facebook. I also report on LGBT rights issues via our Marriage Equality Watch blog, including trans issues, and on transgender travel issues via our Transgender Travel Club on FB for our LGBT travel site. All this is to say that I have … Read more

Announcement: Sucks & Blows, by Storm Grant

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Sucks and Blows - Storm Grant

QSFer Storm Grant has a new paranormal book out: Sucks and Blows: No greater love has a vampire than for his dentist. Sucks and Blows is an absolute riot! Totally unique and undeniably witty, Sucks and Blows is something else. Take a step away from reality to enjoy this one of a kind story, a basic plot with characters and dialogue that has run amok. If you need a good chuckle, check out Sucks and Blows. You won’t be disappointed. –Joyfully Reviewed by Lisa Great story if you need a laugh, but not if you’ve been putting off a visit … Read more

Announcement: Ice and Embers, by August Li

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Ice and Embers

DSPP author and QSFer Gus Li has a re-release fantasy book out (Blessed Epoch Book 2): Despite their disparate natures, Yarrow, Duncan, and Sasha united against overwhelming odds to save Prince Garith’s life. Now Garith is king and the three friends may be facing their undoing. Distraught over Yarrow’s departure to find the cure to his magical affliction, Duncan struggles with his new role as Bairn of Windwake, a realm left bankrupt and in turmoil by his predecessor. Many of Duncan’s vassals conspire against him, and Sasha’s unorthodox solutions to Duncan’s problem have earned them the contempt of Garith’s nobles. … Read more

Oops, I Started an Intergalactic War

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Intergalactic War

Today’s topic comes from QSFer Victoria Stagg Elliot: “I’ve lately been fantasizing about writing a book called, “The Grammar Wars,” that focuses on two societies at war over a disagreement over the use of the Oxford comma. What are other silly reasons that could trigger an intergalactic war and make for an interesting science fiction book?” There are enough examples in our own history of stupid incidents that have triggered conflicts, and often, when the history is finally written, the original cause has been forgotten. So my question today – What silly reasons that could trigger an intergalactic war? And … Read more

Announcement: Dragons, Diamonds And Discord, by Angel Martinez

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Dragons, Diamonds and Discord

QSFer Angel Martinez has a new fantasy book out (Brandywine Investigations 3): The most valuable pieces of jewelry are vanishing from the god Hermes’ Manhattan stores and the security feeds pick up only clouds of smoke. While the god of thieves, messengers, and commerce doesn’t appreciate someone stealing from him, he’s intrigued by this thief’s ingenuity and skill. When Hermes enlists his family to trap his burglar, he gets the surprise of his immortal life. Fafnir just wants to be left alone. Doomed over the centuries to a never-ending cycle of violent death and painful rebirth, he had hoped to … Read more

Far Side of the Moon

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Far Side of the Moon

Imagery created by NASA using Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter data reveals what the noon looks like on the side that can’t be seen from Earth. (You have to watch a short ad first). Video at NBC news