As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Sci Fi

Genetic Body Modifications

by
Webbed Hands

We’ve got a fun topic today for Sunday morning – If genetic body modifications became commonplace, what changes would LGBT people be likely to opt for? OK, yeah, there are some low-hanging fruit here. LOL… but I’m more interested in the things that might not be so obvious. I mean, who wouldn’t want to add a few inches, or cup sizes, or what have you? But seriously, what other genetic modifications would you like to have, if you could? Maybe webbed hands and water-breathing lungs? Or wings? I would totally go for wings. Be creative!

The Most Mind-Expanding Lesbian Science Fiction Books

by
Nicola Griffith

Writer and Editor Nicola Griffith calls out some her favorite lesbian sci fi novels (note – the original post is from 2013): From MP: I was wondering if you would be willing to recommend good lesbian science fiction novels. I find those are hard to come by. I am sure you’ve been asked this before but I haven’t found a post about this in your blog. If I missed it, I apologize. I have finished all the Aud books. I’m starting Slow River. And congrats on becoming an American citizen. Thanks for the congrats. I’ve just got my passport: now … Read more

Bisexual Characters in Spec Fic

by
Bisexuals

Every genre has its rare characters, although Fantasy seems to have more than its share, with leprechauns, unicorns, will-o-the-wisps, and many more elusive entities populating the pages of this magical genre. But there’s one character that’s far more rare than it should be – bisexual characters. Let me say that I totally accept that bisexuality exists, and it always irks me when folks say that bisexuals are just gay men (or lesbian women) who just haven’t fully committed to their homosexuality yet. I’ve known many happy and well adjusted bi folks. And hey, the way I figure it – if … Read more

Announcement: Quinn’s Gambit, Bellora Quinn and Angel Martinez

by
Quinn's Gambit

QSFer Angel Martinez and Bellora Quinn have a new fantasy book out: AURA – the Agency for Unnatural Resettlement and Assimilation It’s a weird job, but somebody’s got to do it. A magical catastrophe tears the fabric of reality, causing unpredictable holes between worlds through which anything might fall—elves, centaurs, trolls, yeti. The brave officers and employees of AURA struggle daily to help the lost and injured, and contain the irretrievably violent while their research staff scramble to find a way to reverse the effect. Anything can and does pop through into the human world, sometimes with disastrous and deadly … Read more

Lesbians in Speculative Fiction

by
Inkstained Succubus

Today’s topic comes from QSFer Anastasia Vitsky: “What are some F/F sci fi authors and books you have read?” She pointed out, rightly, that we talk a lot about MM fiction, but very little about the other parts of the LGBt spectrum, so I’ll be introducing more topics that touch on the LBTQI folks in our midst. So let’s have fun with this one! What is your favorite FF speculative fiction – authors and books? And let’s broaden it out to include paranormal and fantasy, too. The cover above is from one of my favorite presses that does a lot … Read more

“Mnevermind” Trilogy by Jordan Castillo Price

by

Here’s my review of the first book in the trilogy: This is an urban science fiction story, about a man named Daniel, who works in a memory modification adventure agency, kind of like in Total Recall, but cooler—because Daniel’s gay. Yes, gayness makes everything cooler. The plot revolves around a glitch Daniel’s experiencing in one of his “love programs”—there are many hilarious moments concerning this plotline. I don’t get to read a lot of humorous MM, but JCP is a master of the dry wit. The story takes on an interesting dream-within-a-dream-within-a-dream quality, reminding me of Inception. In some moments … Read more

Are We Alone?

by
Are We Alone?

It’s estimated that there are 200 billion habitable planets in the our galaxy. This PBS explainer looks at the arguments for and against the notion that we are not alone in the universe. Full Story at Towleroad.com

Announcement: Chaos Station, by Jenn Burke and Kelly Jensen

by
Chaos Station

QSFer Jenn Burke and Kelly Jensen have a new sci fi book out: Book One Chaos Station “You’re not real. Felix Ingesson is dead.” The war with the alien stin is over, but Felix Ingesson has given up on seeing his lover, Zander Anatolius, ever again. Zander’s military file is sealed tighter than an airlock. A former prisoner of war, Felix is attempting a much quieter life keeping his ship, the Chaos, aloft. He almost succeeds, until Zander walks on board and insists that Felix isn’t real. A retired, broken super soldier, Zander is reeling from the aftereffects of his … Read more

MF Sex in MM Speculative Fiction

by
Gay Sci Fi Sex

Today’s topic comes from QSFer Beth Brock: “Does FF or FM sex have any place in MM sci fi? Always, sometimes, never? And why?” This kinda goes hand in hand with the question – does MM sex have any place in MM sci fi / fantasy / paranormal. And that leads us to the whole romance spec fic vs. “regular”spec fic. They are really two different beasts. My take – MM sex is fine (and expected) in romance spec fic, and other variations should be used if/when they forward the story. In general, in “regular” spec fic (that’s science/magic or … Read more

Superluminal Travel

by
Star Trek Warp Speed

Today’s topic comes from QSFer John Bellagio: “According to Einstein’s theories, superluminal travel is not possible. Do you agree? What implications would this have for society and our future if there’s no easy “escape valve”?” It’s an interesting question – the bulk of our far-future sci fi stories posit some sort of Faster-Than-Light travel. It allows multi-solar system societies and governments to form and function, and also allows for the creation of Empires in space – see the Foundation series for an early example of this. But what if it was only possible to get around from star to star … Read more