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Sci Fi

Book Review: Human Rights, by S.L. Armstrong

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Another review sent to us by Boy Meets Boy: After landing in the pound after being abandoned by yet another family, Ewan is convinced he’s too old to be adopted out again. For a pet like him, the only fate left is to be put down. But when Sir Jiat–of the City Guard, no less–visits the pound, he goes straight to Ewan. Jiat prefers the more mature pets and treats Ewan better than he’s ever been treated by any previous owner. Ewan sleeps at the foot of his master’s bed, not on the floor or outside; he is given toys … Read more

Music in Sci Fi

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Today’s topic comes from QSFer Jim Comer: “Music and musicians in SF/F and the best and worst uses of music in a story.” Hmmm… I’m thinking about my own extensive reading in mainstream sci fi, and my not-so-extensive reading in LGBT sci fi. For me, in mainstream my favorite would have to be Anne McCaffrey’s “Crysta; Singer” series – I loved how the main character, Killishandra, used her voicde to tune the crystals, and how the harmonics during a storm could drive you crazy. She also taught me what perfect pitch was. In MM, I really liked Angel Martinez’s Vasilly … Read more

Book Review: Sarge, by Bey Deckard

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Sometimes it’s just about being in the right place at the right time… with the right person. Sarge is the short story of a burgeoning D/s relationship between two space marines stationed on an alien planet where an endless war drags on. Sergeant Wilkes is a hard man with a long, celebrated military career. Brawny, tattooed, and utterly submissive, Murphy is just an interesting diversion… until Sarge realises he has found something truly rare. “You’re a good boy, Murph,” he says softly to me.”You get me home, get me patched up, and you’ll see what good boys get.” That was … Read more

Super Viruses and Sci Fi

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OK, so we’re knee-deep in the Ebola crisis here in the US. No, not the disease itself, which has so far been quickly contained in New York and Dallas, albeit with an uncomfortable amount of official fumbling. No, I mean the epidemic of fear. Schools are turning away teachers and students just for having visited or being from Africa – even if the country involved is thousands of miles from the outbreak. Health care workers who have tested negative for the virus and have no symptoms are being quarantined, chilling the potential medical response to the disease in Africa. And … Read more

My Story Avalon Dramatized by Angel Martinez

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Friend of the blog and QSFer Angel Martinez just read an excerpt form my forthcoming story Avalon: Story Time with Angel features a reading from J. Scott Coatsworth’s short story, “Avalon,” a guest appearance by the curious Ms. Isis, and a bit about the MCB Quarterly, coming next year that will feature Scott’s story :) Remember – if you’d like your excerpt read on line, I take excerpts of about 1200-1500 words, any LGBT genre! http://angelmartinezauthor.weebly.com/the-blog-erotic-fiction-for-the-hungry-mind/story-time-with-angel-avalon-by-j-scott-coatsworth

Announcement: Slither, by Tabitha Creech

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QSFer Tabitha Creech has a new sci fi book out: War awaits on Ilmare, between the humans and the constructs they created. Considered flawed designs by their creators, Selati and his other sentient comrades live the life of refugees on the run, hiding and fighting in Ilmare’s vast jungles. They want only the freedom to pursue their newly awakened sentience away from human interference. Aleledai taught Selati all he knows of a life without chains and suffering. Neither can know what tomorrow will bring, rather all too well what it could take from them both. On the cusp of war, … Read more

Announcement: Healing, by Grace R. Duncan

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QSFer Grace R. Duncan has a new post-apocalyptic romance out: In a world that’s gone to hell, will you let old fears keep you from the chance at more than just survival? When Duncan stumbles into a pharmacy in search of something to fix his broken leg, he’s surprised to find someone else there. Like the rest of the post-pandemic world, it appeared empty. Instead, he discovers Mark, a former nurse who walked away from his profession after losing too many patients to the virus. Despite swearing he’d never practice medicine again, Mark patches Duncan up over Duncan’s protests. He … Read more

Announcement: Prosperity, by Alexis Hall

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Alexis Hall has a new steampunk book out called Prosperity: A breathtaking tale of passion and adventure in the untamed skies! Prosperity, 1863: a lawless skytown where varlets, chancers, and ne’er-do-wells risk everything to chase a fortune in the clouds, and where a Gaslight guttersnipe named Piccadilly is about to cheat the wrong man. This mistake will endanger his life . . . and his heart. Thrill! As our hero battles dreadful kraken above Prosperity. Gasp! As the miracles of clockwork engineering allow a dead man to wreak his vengeance upon the living. Marvel! At the aerial escapades of the … Read more

Paying Markets for LGBT Fiction

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Today’s topic is from QSFer Bob Hole: “Paying markets we may not have heard of, especially short stories.” There are so many great publishers out there doing journals and anthologies and novellas and full-length novels in LGBT genres. I’d nominate the new MCB Quarterly from our own Angel Martinez and friends. So what other great paying venues do y’all know about for LGBT work?

Announcement: Precious Metals, by L.A. Witt

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L.A. Witt has a new steampunk book releasing today: For Constable Paul Benson of the North-West Mounted Police, monotony is a blessing. As a provision inspector below the Chilkoot Pass during the Klondike Gold Rush, he’s seen miserable conditions and gold fever turn civilized prospectors into madmen. Joseph Starling is on his way to the Klondike to find the men who savagely beat him, murdered his eldest brother, and stole their mining machine. They’ll kill his youngest brother if Joseph doesn’t operate the machine for them—it won’t work without him. With time running out, Joseph must purchase an expensive ticket … Read more