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Discussion: Bending the Mainstream

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Gay LOTR

Another fun topic today. There are so many mainstream/straight stories out there. Growing up, most of us were immersed in a sea of heterosexuality. As we’ve discussed many times in this group, there has historically been a real lack of LGBT representation out in the world culturally – in film and in literature. That’s changing now, but there are still many iconic books, shows and films that have virtually no LGBT content. Here’s your change to change that. If you could take a current mainstream sci fi/fantasy/paranormal story (film, book, etc) and give it a real LGBTQI/QUILTBAG twist, which series … Read more

QSF Contest Winners – Third Place

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CE Kilgore Cover

Here are our third place winners – The Road Block, by Aidee Ladnier, and the cover (provided in draft version with stock art) from CE Kilgore: The Road Block Aidee Ladnier I remembered the little man from my childhood, a fairy manikin peeking at me through the branches of the backyard azalea bush. Here at the dirt crossroad, a mile from the new county highway, he stood again. The stink of tar smothered the air as several yards away my men paved over the gravel that had stung the engine blocks and spiderwebbed the windshields of my kin for a … Read more

Announcement: Damien’s Past Mates, by Cree Storm

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Damien's Past Mates

QSFer Cree Storm has a new MM paranormal book out: Damien thought he was crazy when he went to sleep in 2015 and awoke in 1915. As if that wasn’t enough, Damien has to grasp he is surrounded by wolf shifters and two of them are his mates. Not knowing, if they follow through, everyone could die. Alpha Asher, of East Capulet, has known that Alpha Asa, from West Capulet is his mate he could never have. Their packs have been at war for over 100 years. Banished to this realm, as a result of their war, or so they … Read more

Discussion: Too Many Fantasy Trilogies?

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LOTR

Today’s topic comes from QSFer Blaine D. Arden: “Why so many Fantasy Trilogies (and endless series). What is wrong with stand-alones?” OK, so I come down on the trilogy (or more) side of this fence myself. I love losing myself in an epic fantasy that I can return to again and again. But I also see the appeal of stand-alone books. It seems to me that this also connects to the debate we had last week about Epic Fantasy and story length… and the argument that High Fantasy, at least, might not lend itself to short stories. Does it lend … Read more

The Midweek Mingle: Safe Spaces

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The idea of ‘safe spaces’ for any minority group often sets people on edge faster than just about anything else to do with inclusion talk. I get it. I really, really get it. Making these safe spaces where only members of group X can be creates an automatic rift between the majority and the minority, and it’s that gap we’re trying to close. Doesn’t make any sense, right? On the surface, no it really doesn’t. But I ask you to take a look at it from another angle. I want you to meet Dana. Dana comes from a very small … Read more

QSF Contest Winners – Second Place

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Here are our second place winners – Anomalous, by Carole Cummings, and the cover from Alicia Nordwell.: Anomalous Carole Cummings He wakes starving. Starving. He shouldn’t be. He’d had his rations not… he checks his chrono. It’s only been three klicks of the planet’s sun, which translates roughly into less than one and a half Earth-hours. He shouldn’t be this hungry, but he can swear his envirosuit is looser than it was when they left the lander. He can also swear the sun’s moved a lot more than three klicks. He shakes his head, jabs at Cam’s ribs. “Wake up.” … Read more

Announcement: Flesh and Blood, by Ethan Stone

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Flesh and Blood

DSPP author Ethan Stone has a new Mystery & Suspense book out: Detective Cristian Flesh is about to find out that he can only run from his past for so long. When a local man is attacked and the suspect is a hustler, Cristian knows there’s more to the case than meets the eye. His investigation will lead him into a maze of lies, deceit, and underage prostitution. But that’s only the beginning as people start disappearing and turning up dead. Cristian begins to realize that solving the case and stopping the murders won’t be enough. If he wants to … Read more

Discussion: Is Mainstream Speculative Fiction Hostile to LGBT Characters?

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Asimov's Sci Fi magazine

Up until I “discovered” (I know, like Columbus “discovered” the Native Americans LOL) the sci fi/fantasy/paranormal part of the MM Romance market a couple years back, I had mostly read mainstream sci fi and fantasy. And I had run across very few LGBT characters in my travels there. In fact, I can count on one hand the truly LGBT sci fi or fantasy books I had read. So now it’s become a bit of a passion of mine to help bridge the two worlds. To bring the energy and passion and characters from not just the MM romance side but … Read more

QSF Contest Winners – First Place

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Discovery - Bey Deckard

Here are the first two contest winners – cover by Bey Deckard and story by Jenn Burke – enjoy! Self-Actuating Jenn Burke “The electrical anomaly did not damage me,” I report. “Operations are within expected parameters.” “Glad to hear it, Davey.” Through my bridge cameras, I see Captain Landon’s smile. He pats my console. I am sure he knows I cannot feel it, but I understand it is a gesture of camaraderie. Landon leaves the bridge. Every time we encounter danger or other stress, he retreats to his cabin to indulge in May. She is always ready, naked, legs spread, … Read more

Announcement: The Color of His Crest, by Angel Martinez

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Color of His Crest

QSFer Angel Martinez has a new Sci Fi short out: In a four-gendered world where correct gender identity is law, Venk struggles with his inability to choose one sexual orientation over another. His body has matured, but he still shows the multi-colored crest of a juvenile, someone who has not yet presented proper orientation. With his family losing patience and others beginning to whisper, Venk must find a way to change his crest or be labeled an aberration. But the only choice he sees is a dishonest one. Buy Links Mischief Corner Books: Click Here All Romance: Click Here Author … Read more