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The First Shape Shifters?

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First Shape Shifters

Researchers discovered cave paintings depicting what may be part-animal, part-human figures — decked out with animal snouts — hunting wild pigs and dwarf buffaloes in Indonesia. These may be the oldest known examples of rock art, a new study finds. The 44,000-year-old artwork may also be the oldest evidence for the human ability to imagine the existence of supernatural beings, scientists added. The ancient painting was discovered in the limestone cave of Leang Bulu’ Sipong 4 in the Indonesian island of Sulawesi in 2017. During a survey for rock art, study co-author Pak Hamrullah noticed “what appeared to be the … Read more

Boogieman In Lavender: On Beyond Cisgender: Books for High School

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Jeff Baker

On Beyond Cisgender: Books For High School                                                By Jeff Baker    A. M.  (Amy) Leibowitz has grumbled on Facebook about the “Old Dead White (mostly/presumed) Cis Hetero Male Literature Canon,” and how high-schoolers mainly read books from the aforementioned canon. No authors of color. Rarely any women. “Only literary fiction and other genres are typically not only disallowed but actively sneered at.” A. M. goes on to ask that if you could add any 4 books to a high school literature curriculum (one for each year of US High School) which would you add and why? Among the Facebook users … Read more

COVER REVEAL: The Four Profound Weaves, by R.B. Lemberg

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The Four Profound Weaves - R.B. Lemberg

We have the cover reveal for a forthcoming trans fantasy novella (Sept 2020) by R.B. Lemberg, set in the Birdverse universe – “The Four Profound Weaves.” Preorders open now. Wind: To match one’s body with one’s heartSand: To take the bearer where they wishSong: In praise of the goddess BirdBone: To move unheard in the night The Surun’ nomads do not speak of the master weaver, Benesret, who creates the cloth of bone for assassins in the Great Burri Desert. But aged Uiziya must find her aunt in order to learn the final weave, although the price for knowledge may be … Read more

FOR READERS:Writing Good Reviews

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review - pixabay

FOR READERS Today’s reader topic comes from QSFer Amy Leibowitz Mitchell: What do you think should go in a review, and do you have any tips for writing a well-written one? Writers: This is a reader chat – you are welcome to join it, but please do not reference your own works directly. Thanks! Join the chat: FB: http://bit.ly/1MvPABV MeWe: http://bit.ly/2mjg8lf

“Steve” Gets a Documentary

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Steve - Live Science

An oddball sky glow endearingly named “Steve” captivated aurora chasers from the moment they first spotted and photographed the unique light display over Canada in 2016. Steve somewhat resembled an aurora, but its sky-climbing ribbons and ladders of purple and green light were distinctly different in shape and behavior from those produced by a typical aurora. Since then, Steve has intrigued not only hobbyist skygazers but also astronomers from NASA — and filmmakers, too. “Chasing Steve,” a new documentary that was screened Dec. 9 at the annual meeting of the American Geophysical Union (AGU), highlights the efforts of citizen scientists … Read more

REVIEW: BLAZE, by Christa Tomlinson

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BLAZE

Title: Blaze Series: Heartthrob Heroes Book One Author: Christa Tomlinson Genre: Superheros LGBTQ+ Category: Gay Publisher: Self Pages: 400 Reviewer: Linda, Paranormal Romance Guild Get It On Amazon About The Book Fighting villains is easy. Falling in love is hard. Blaze. St. Louis’s elusive superhero. In the dark of night, he wages war against the city’s criminal masterminds. Once the sun rises, he’s Jordan Wells, quiet custom body shop owner. Jordan has accepted that it’s his destiny to walk alone in the shadows… until the night he meets Daniel. The sweet, untrained submissive seeks a Dom, and Jordan would love to … Read more

ANNOUNCEMENT: Elemental Faith, by L M Somerton

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Elemental Faith - L M Somerton

QSFer L M Somerton has a new MM paranormal title out, book three in the Warlocks series: “Elemental Faith.” FROM AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR L.M. SOMERTON Book three in the Warlocks series When you’re a warlock, proving your worth can be fatal. Evrain Brookes had thought that being a warlock was about genetics—a freak offshoot of evolution that somehow allowed him to manipulate the elements. So when his godfather explains there’s a deeper purpose for warlocks being around, one that stretches back into the reaches of time, Evrain is intrigued. Warlocks have been using their abilities to tweak the course of history … Read more

FOR WRITERS: Citizens of the World?

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globe hands map - pixabay

FOR WRITERS Today’s writer topic comes from QSFer Victoria Stagg Elliott: How do you see future changes in citizenship rules, laws and regulations playing out in science fiction? For example, I’m a dual national (UK/US) because I was born in 1969 in Britain to a British parent and a U.S. parent. Britain has changed its citizenship rules since. The U.S. has also changed how people become U.S. citizens over the years. I have one friend whose German father was recently told he is actually Russian because of border changes over the years. When I was living in Cambodia, an expat … Read more

Merriam-Webster’s 2019 Word Of The Year Is “They”

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They - Merriam Webster

The language mavens at Merriam-Webster have declared the personal pronoun “they” their word of the year based on a 313 percent increase in look-ups on the company’s search site, Merriam-Webster.com, this year when compared with 2018. “They” got an early start last January with the rise of model Oslo Grace on top fashion runways. The Northern Californian identifies as transgender nonbinary, walking in both men’s and women’s shows around the world. Another look-up spike occurred in April, when U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Washington, got emotional while talking of her gender-nonconforming child during a House committee hearing as she advocated for … Read more

ANNOUNCEMENT/GIVEAWAY: Grimmer Intentions, by Jodi Hutchins

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Grimmer Intentions

QSFer Jodi Hutchins has a new FF paranormal romance out in the “Tales From the Grim”, book two of “Tales From the Grim” – “Grimmer Intentions.” She screwed up. She broke protocol. She saved a life. Grim Reaper Margo Petrov may have resurrected a drowned surfer on the brink of death, but she isn’t earning any awards or receiving employee of the month from Corporate; she’s under more scrutiny from the Grim governing body than ever before. Since she has a massive secret that could spell disaster if revealed, she sure as hell doesn’t want to be in the spotlight, … Read more