fantasy
For Readers: What’s Most Important to You?
Sci fi, fantasy and paranormal stories have many hooks to draw you in. Maybe it’s the phasers or the mind-melding dragons or the sparkly vampires. Maybe it’s the heroine who gives her life to save her people from a deadly virus. Or the science that allows a man to predict the future. Or the strange ship that passes through the solar system without even seeming to notice us. So my questions to you today: What’s more important to you in an LGBTIQ speculative fiction story? The cool tech / magic / supernauralness? The flavor of the culture / society? The … Read more
Announcement: The Lusty Adventures of Theseus, by Arthur Griffin
QSFer Arthur Griffin has a new fantasy book out: The myth of Theseus and the Minotaur has never been quite this steamy! Handsome Theseus journeys to Athens to claim his birthright as heir to the throne, and along the way he meets the roguish Pirithous, who teaches him all about matters of the heart—and body. When they reach the city, Theseus is shocked to discover that his father, the king, has a tradition of sacrificing youths to the Minotaur, the monster that inhabits the island nation of Crete. Theseus and Pirithous set out to slay the Minotaur. After learning Crete … Read more
Announcement: Old Green World, by Jason Dewey Craft
QSFer Jason Dewey Craft has a new sci fi book out: The apocalypse happened 4000 years ago. A forest now covers the world. In its shadow, Albert, an immigrant military prodigy, falls in love with Thomas, a boy he can never marry. Their island nation flourishes, led by strange monks called the Adepts–who have power over matter and the mind–and their holy figures, the mysterious Old People. The Adepts are building an army to storm the wild continent of Terra Baixa. They plan to tame the forest and rebuild civilization. The forest doesn’t care. It is patient and vast. This … Read more
Announcement: The Myriad Carnival
Lethe Press and QSFer Matt Cresswell have a new speculative fiction anthology out: Roll up, roll up… The circus has long been that dream palace, intoxicating with so many lights and sights, sounds and smells. Sawdust, popcorn, strange animals, make-up, and the sweat of the roustabouts. The circus intrudes into the life of the ordinary and mundane and brings magic. Editor Matthew Bright invites you to the enjoy the sixteen attractions of the fantastical and dark Myriad Carnival. See the book trailer here Stories “Nettlestings: A Fairy Tale” by Sarah Caulfield “September Song” by Raymond Luczak “The Illuminated Omi-Palone” by … Read more
For Writers: Fantasy Reflects Society. Or Does It?
Today’s writer topic comes from QSFer MK Mancos: Does fantasy reflect social concepts/prejudices/etc. of the day, or hide away from/ignore it? It’s an interesting question. Tolkien’s famous battle in Middle Earth is widely acknowledged to be a reflection of World War II, which was raging at the time. And we often turn to fantasy worlds in times of trouble. Look at the explosion of Super Hero movies these last ten years? And how so many have turned dark these last few? So what do you think? Does fantasy reflect social concepts/prejudices/etc. of the day, or hide away from/ignore it? Or…? … Read more
Announcement: His Master’s Summons, by Cassie Sweet
QSFer Cassie Sweet has a new fantasy book out: At the chasm between life and death lurks the art of reanimation. When world-famous violinist Andres Valentine is pushed from a window to his death by Herr Maestro Wilhelm Kering, he is snatched back from the abyss by a doctor well-versed in reanimation. Contrary to popular belief, Andres’s life up to this point has not been filled with opulent soirees and adoring fans, but is controlled by a hellish force, a being of the dark fae—Azgarth. Henri Vauss is a medical student who works for a man capable of raising the … Read more
Announcement: Infernal Machine, by Elizabeth A. Schecter
Forbidden Fiction author Elizabeth A. Schechter has a new fantasy book out: Student-Artificer Elijah Saloman discovers what he thinks could be a lost masterwork of the greatest Artificer ever born. He is determined to make it work, even though he has no idea what it is or what it is supposed to do. But when everything that can go wrong does, Elijah finds himself caught in an interesting predicament—trapped within the machine, and at the mercy of the whimsical plaything of a long-dead Artificer with a taste for the exotic. Excerpt Gently, I eased my tool into the opening, easing … Read more
Announcement: The Awemazing Fanchanted Realities of Tanner and Tobbs, by Lionel T. Duncan
QSFer Lionel T. Duncan has a new fantasy book out: Two boys have exciting and dangerous adventures inside the magical dimension known as the Wizenwhere, where magic and magical creatures are real. At the age of 11, Nathanial Tobbs and Napoleon Tanner witness a sorceress opening a portal in the sky. Four stories chronicle their encounters and battles alongside the practitioners and beings of light magic known as velos against the forces of dark magic called gorcem, as they grow from boys to men. Through it all, their intense and all-encompassing love for each other keeps them alive as they … Read more
Announcement: The Autumn Lands, by J. Scott Coatsworth
QSFer J. Scott Coatsworth has a new Fantasy book out: Jerrith is running. Kissed by an elf, he can’t remain in his hometown of Althos any more. Not that he wanted to stay. Caspian still hasn’t figured out why he kissed Jerrith, but he’s running too. Since he was exiled from the Autumn Lands, his past has been hazy, and his future uncertain. But when a stray memory brings things into focus, the two decide to run toward something together. What they uncover will change how they see the world, and themselves, forever. Exclusive Excerpt In the end, Jerrith took … Read more