Trickster gods occur in many cultures and often demonstrate a certain gender and/or sexual fluidity. For today’s post I will concentrate on one: Norse trickster Loki.
Loki practices forms of magic which, in Norse culture, mark him as effeminate. He’s also a gender-bending shapeshifter, as demonstrated in the following tale….
QSFer Andrew J. Peters has a new mythological fantasy book out: NEW TITLE IMAGINES ATLANTIS AS REAL WORLD PREHISTORY Edge Science Fiction and Fantasy is pleased to announce the release of Andrew J. Peters’ fourth book Poseidon and Cleito, the story of how Poseidon became Poseidon and an intriguing portrait of the woman who Plato mentioned as his wife. In the tradition of David Gemmell and Guy Gavriel Kay, Peters reimagines a well-known mythological character from a human perspective while illuminating a minor, female figure who was relegated to the margins by writers of the age. Says Peters, “I consider … Read more
For Readers: Today’s reader topic comes from QSFer Kari Trenten: Mythology would be a great subject, too, zero-ing in on specific mythos which draw or attract us. When I was a kid, I devoured Greek Mythology books… I loved the stories of these gods and goddesses. As an adult, I am probably more partial to Italian mythology (what with the whole language thing). What are your favorite mythos, and some of the books you’ve read that scratch that itch best? Writers: This is a reader chat – you are welcome to join it, but please do not reference your own … Read more
Today’s writer topic comes from QSFer Therese Woodson: I’d also like to talk about using myths as a basis for stories. Do people just use Greek/Roman myths? Or how about myths from other cultures? It’s a great topic. Many of our authors have used mythology as a basis for their tales – BA Brock in his “King of the Storm” book drew heavily on Greek mythology, and Angel Martinez’s “Vassily the Beautiful” reimagined a Russian fairy tale. So have you played with myths or fairy tales in your own writing? Are there any mythologies you are dying to explore? And … Read more
QSFer Phetra H. Novak has a new paranormal novella out: 1964. Vojin Naranjo is a young Caddo man working with his best friend Gabriel in his small workshop. What he doesn’t know is that the man he’s known his whole life isn’t who he’s says he is. Gabriel carries a secret, one that no one knows anything about but now Vojin will be part of it. There’s only one catch, no matter what, Vojin can’t share it with anyone. If he does, he will seal a deadly fate for everyone involved. The question is, how will Vojin Naranjo react to … Read more
I am BEYOND THRILLED to present the first published book by my dear friend and our QSF reviewer BA Brock. You can see my interview with BA here. No one can outrun destiny or the gods. In Epiro, a kingdom in Greece, Perseus is prophesied to be a great demigod hero and king, with a legacy that will shape the world of Gaia. When he was born, his grandfather exiled him, and his mother brought them to Seriphos, where she created an academy for demigod youth. Perseus trains there and waits for the day when he will be able to … Read more
QSFer Andrew J. Peters has a new fantasy book out: A new fantastical adventure by the author of The Seventh Pleiade. After escaping from a flood that buried the above ground in seawater, a fractured group of boys contend with the way ahead and their trust of an underground race of men who give them shelter. For sixteen-year-old Dam, whose world was toppling before the tragedy, it’s a strange, new second chance. There are wonders in the underworld and a foreign warrior Hanhau who is eager for friendship despite Dam’s dishonorable past. But a rift among his countrymen threatens to … Read more
QSFer Cari Z. has a new fantasy/mythology book out: Lee Summers is past expecting to find love. He has a fulfilling career and a few human connections, and he’s determined to be happy with those. When he meets Felix Clymenos during a vacation in Colorado, he doesn’t expect to feel so passionate about him. Felix is intriguing, but when he starts to feature in Lee’s dreams—and his slowly strengthening nightmares—Lee wonders if it wouldn’t be a better idea to walk away. There’s a mystery behind Felix’s affections and somehow Lee feels like he’s known Felix his whole life. Before they … Read more
Torquere has a new Fantasy/Mythology book out: Mythology, whether classic or modern, has always taken readers on a magical ride. Mythologically Torqued, volume I, takes those tales from days of old, or more recent history, and places a unique spin on the beloved lore. The gods of Olympus make appearances, as do deities from Japanese, Norse, and other belief systems. With rampant sexual desires, these gods manage to slake their thirst for passions of the flesh in a rather untraditional manner…if the oral traditions passed down from generation-to-generation were at all accurate. These fifteen short stories are penned by both … Read more
Steven Harper Piziks has a new mythological urban fantasy book out: Danny Marina’s new step-father takes him to the laser tag stadium, the movies, the go-kart track. He and his mother now have a new house and more money. Then Danny finds the cameras–in the living room, his bedroom, the shower. Which leads him to uncover the secret web site, the one devoted to him and his step-brother Eric. Danny’s Mom doesn’t believe him–doesn’t want to believe him. Faced with the unthinkable as his stepdad brings home strangers, Danny and Eric hop a bus for Florida. Frightened, and only with … Read more