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readers

For Writers: Alpha Males and Other Character Stereotypes

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diversity hands

Today’s writer topic comes from QSFer Aidee Ladnier: Why so many alpha males? Where is the diversity of main characters? I’d extend this out past the subject as stated. Yes, we have a glut of alpha male characters – especially on the romance side of speculative fiction (and maybe especially in shifter books?). But we also have a preponderance of cute young white male characters. But I’d also argue that a lot of our fiction, romance, and otherwise, lacks diversity. Diversity of orientation, of gender, of color, and of ability. Are readers ready for more? As a reader, are there … Read more

For Readers: Are You Inspired?

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Inspiring

Today’s reader topic comes from QSFer Ryane Chatman: Are you inspired by what you read? Beyond the entertainment factor. It’s a good question. I do enjoy reading most speculative books, but every now and then one comes along that moves me, that makes me think for a long time after I finish it. What are some of those books in queer spec fic for you, and why? And did any inspire you to some kind of action or change? Writers: This is a reader chat – you are welcome to join it, but please do not reference your own works … Read more

For Readers: Reading in 3D

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Today’s reader topic comes from QSFer Marie Brown: What makes a fictional world come alive for you? 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

For Readers: Branching Out

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Tree

Today’s reader topic comes from QSFer Ryane Chatman: “What inspires you to branch out?” Let’s expand on this a bit. I read pretty much ONLY sci fi and fantasy, so you’d have to wave a pretty big carrot in front of me to get me out of my rut and into something else. What do you read, mainly? And what would it take to entice you to pick up a different genre? 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

For Readers: Attracting New Readers to Queer Speculative Fiction

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queer books

Today’s reader topic comes from QSFer Amelia Faulkner: I’d love to discuss how to attract readers to queer genre fiction. As in, what does it take for a spec-fi reader to pick up Queer spec-fi rather than Het-normative spec-fi? Is there any hope for mass-market appeal? That kind of thing. 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

For Writers and Readers: Cursing in Other Worlds

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Today’s writer topic comes from QSFer Meraki P. Lyhne: Both writers and readers can join in here. Cussing in the future or in Fantasy worlds. What would readers find belivable? Like do the even consider that many derive from Christianity? Which wouldn’t be belivable in a world without the religion. And in the future? How original should the author be to make a belivable change to vocabulary? I am writing a futuristic story in which I am struggling with this – would my characters still say damn and crap and shit two hundred years on? Would it sound pretentious to … Read more

For Readers: Urban Fantasy vs. Paranormal

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Fantasy vs Paranormal

Today’s reader topic comes from QSFer Thea Strange: Where do you draw the line/think the line is between Urban Fantasy and Paranormal? It’s a great question. They share some of the same elements – magic, bending the rules of the universe. And while it’s generally fairly easy to tell if something is Grand Fantasy – look for castles, 1000+ pages and an other-worldly setting – it gets a bit more dicey when we get into urban fantasy territosy. So where do you draw the line? Or do we even need one? Writers: This is a reader chat – you are … Read more

Favorite Protagonists

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Hank T. Cannon Immortal

Today’s reader topic comes from QSFer Hank T. Cannon: Who are your favorite protagonists, both “serious” and “guilty pleasures?” Tell us your dirty/not-so-dirty secrets. 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

Political Speculative Fiction

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Star Wars Senate

It’s the US presidential election (for nearly another 5 months god help us), but do you like to read books with a political angle? This can be other planetary or inter-pack or species. Does the backstabbing double dealing of Washington or Alderon get you hot and sweaty or make you want to blow up a planet? Any great stories with strong political themes that you’ve loved? 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