Hey all, It’s Saturday, so we thought it would be fun to have a light topic today. I’ll keep it simple. If you’re a writer, what are you working on in the speculative fiction arena? And as a reader, what are you reading? Come talk with us about it on FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/qsfdiscussions/
QSFer Jason Werbeloff has a new sci fi book out: In 2051, the Bhutanese Empire rules post-apocalyptic Shangri with iron-fisted Buddhist compassion. Happiness is compulsory, but making everyone happy isn’t easy in an overpopulated world. Breeders are ghettoed, homosexuality is mandatory, and Shangrians’ happiness levels are strictly monitored by hedometers implanted in their heads. Become depressed, or feel too happy without helping others feel the same, and The Tax Man will get angry. Very angry. Gemini and Cyan, winners of the pregnancy lottery, are on the run. Cyan can’t fall pregnant, and Gemini is addicted to the Experience Machine. Will … Read more
OK, so I’ve had this topic kicking around for a bit on the Great List of QSF Topics. Then John Allenson’s comment on the FB group made me think maybe it was time: “I was thinking more ‘designer pets’.” OK, so let’s dive in. We already have designer pets, if you think about it – not designed with technology, but through breeding programs that have lasted centuries and have given us the diverse world of dogs and cats we enjoy today. But given the coming technology, what kind of pets might we see in the future? Where will current trends … Read more
Genre: MM Paranormal Romance Length: Novel Dylan Warner is an architect; fairly together, responsible, and usually not that reckless. However, one night he meets a guy, fools around, and then that guy turns into a wolf, bites him, and takes off. Next month—oops—Dylan’s a werewolf too. Shit. Dylan is also a responsible member of society, so instead of hanging around in the city of Portland and endangering tons of people, he moves off into the Oregon country so that he can’t hurt anyone when he goes beastie. He gets points for that. I appreciated the usual jokes about Portlanders: … Read more
QSFer Abraham Steele has a new paranormal book out: Class schedule and textbooks – check. Rainbow pin on each butt cheek – check. Badass pothead fag hag – check. Yes, Dayton is ready for his freshman year of college. All the omega twink needs now is a cutie (or several) to play with. After years of being bullied and ignored, he’s finally out on his own – and he’s ready to take full advantage of that! As soon as Dayton sees his astronomy professor, all thoughts of sluttiness go out the window. No one else can compare to the handsome … Read more
Today’s topic comes from QSFer Theo Fenraven: “How does one go about inventing a believable alien race? Where do you start? What resources do you tap?” For our purposes, it seems to me that there are two competing parts to this discussion. On the sci fi romance side, it’s necessary to have an alien race that isn’t TOO different, so they can still interact with, and fall in love with, humans. On the more strictly sci-fi side, the idea that an alien race evolving from a separate ecosystem on a planet hundreds or thousands of light years away would end … Read more
QSFer Stephen del Mar has a new Fantasy book out: A month has passed since the events in Dark Love and Max is preparing to deal with the passing of his Aunt Flora May. What he isn’t prepared for is entering the world of faeries and dragons. The Jumble, the ancient wood just beyond the family farm, is in crisis. The fae are missing and the Witch of the Wood is dead. Can the Circle move past their grief and defeat the menace in the depths of the Pit? Will the secret of the Water Stone be revealed? And most … Read more
Today’s topic comes from QSFer LV Lloyd: “What do you do when your readers want a ‘happy ending’? When I wrote Pirate (which has a sad ending) on wattpad – I had so many tearful complaints, I had to write a happier ending which I posted as a short story in the sub-genre of alternate world / multiverse. So – happy ending – yes or no?” No, not THAT kind up happy ending. Get your minds out of the gutter, folks! We’re talking the happy ending to a novel or short story. The one that wraps up everything in a … Read more
So, most of what I tend to post in the Midweek Mingle, at least when it comes to fiction, is fairly focused. One thing or one very small group of things to work with to help out with QUILTBAG+ inclusivity. Blah, blah, blah, you probably know the drill by now. I’m going to keep doing that, too, but this week is a bit of an aside. Not a departure from the topic, but a departure from the format, I guess you would say. Also possibly a copyright infringement on the good people at Nike, but we’ll cross that bridge when … Read more