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romance

Announcement: Stray Pup, by Xander Blythe

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Stray Pup

QSFer Xander Blythe has a new shifter/paranormal book out: One bad lust fueled decision leaves Jamie Finch the victim of a bite-and-run. Now faced with turning into a werewolf–a state there is no shifting back from–he chooses to embrace his new nature and leaves the human world behind. When he finds the Wildwood pack, one wolf’s scent drives Jamie to the brink of rationality. He learns forming an empathic bond with a mate will cool his desires, and he can’t deny the longing to finally find a place in the world where he’s wanted. But the power of the mating … Read more

The Farmer and the Prince

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Promised Land

When we’re young, we’re introduced to the idea of a ‘classic’ romance: a woman meets a man; they’re from opposite backgrounds (one rich, the other poor, for example) and, despite obstacles, get together. This fairytale may in fact be alienating for LGBTI people who don’t see themselves reflected in that narrative. Chaz Harris and Adam Reynolds of Wellington, New Zealand want to change that. They have co-authored a fairytale called Promised Land in which a farmer and a prince fall in love, both of them young men. By Jack Flanagan – Full Story at Gay Star News

For Writers: Why Do Aliens Find Humans Attractive?

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Today’s writer topic comes from QSFer Aidee Ladnier: I’ve always wondered why aliens would find humans attractive. This trope has even invaded LGBTQ fic. I’ve always wondered about this. I think when we’re more on the romance side of things, it’s a “suspension of belief” thing. We want to believe in stories of love with a handsome alien, so we do. :) On the sci fi side, though, things get a bit more dicey, as the story requires a rationale for why this would be so. It would make for a fascinating story if a human and an alien were … Read more

Announcement: Day of Enlightenment, by Damian Bloodstone

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Day of Enlightenment

QSFer Damian Bloodstone has a new sci fi book out: Ciar, conflicted and troubled, lost everything to the mega city and is hunted by a stalker for things written of the past. To survive, he must first retrieve something in a place forbidden to travel. Alone and tortured by his own code, he wishes to find what’s lacking in his life. Can he accept the very thing he is truly running from? Edyn tried to escape her past from the courtesan houses in the mega city. The Holy Light Church guided her once and wishes for her return… but with … Read more

For Readers: When is it Romance, and When is it Speculative Fiction?

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Here at QSF, we are inclusive of both works that are romancey but have a sci fi, fantasy, paranormal or horror backdrop, and works that are sci fi, fantasy, paranormal or horror, but include an LGBTIQA character or relationship. And of course, there’s a big fuzzy middle, too. So we thought we’d ask our readers – where do you draw the line between speculative fiction and romance? And what mix do you prefer and why? Writers: This is a reader chat – you are welcome to join it, but please do not reference your own works directly. Thanks! Join the … Read more

For Writers: Writing Bi Characters

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bisexual

Today’s writer topic comes from QSFer Amelia Bishop: I’d like to ask about bisexual romance. One issue is, when the characters are in a different gender pairing, the readership for m/m is not interested. I’ve written bisexual characters plenty of times, but I always skip the m/f scenes, and I tend to focus on the m/m. Part of that is just that I know my readers are primarily m/m readers. But obviously, the characters are still bisexual no matter what type of relationship they’re currently in. So I’d like to talk about exploring what makes something bisexual, in terms of … Read more

For Readers and Writers: A Romance for the Ages

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Hey all, In honor of Valentine’s Day, we thought we’d talk about our favorite LGBTIQA speculative fiction love stories of all time. Nominate yours, and tell us why. Oh, and bonus points for a picture to tell the story. It can be from manga, written fiction, film or TV. Hint for writers: it should be someone else’s story. LOL…

Announcement: Taking Stock, by Barbara Elsborg

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Taking Stock

QSFer Barbara Elsborg has a new MMF Sci Fi book out: Her last days on Earth could be out of this world. Zoe has accepted that a brain tumor will make this Christmas her last. She plans to spend it in the Caribbean, hoping some gorgeous guy will scoop her off the beach for a passionate affair, a one-night stand—anything just to be held and wanted. When she discovers—horror of horrors—she has no unread books for the plane trip, she heads out for an early-hours run to good old 24/7 Supa-Mart. Rowe’s and Kai’s lives are so regulated by their … Read more

Announcement: Unconventional in San Diego, Various Authors

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Unconventional in San Diego

QSFer Jambrea Jo Jones has a story in a new anthology that’s just out: Unconventional in San Diego is a series of unconventional gay romance shorts set in the sunny Southern California city: ‘Fate’s Bridge’ by Carol Lynne Is it possible for a soul to be reborn inside another? What would you do if you discovered someone harboring a soul you recognized as one from a deceased loved one? For vampire Roman Gschwind, the scenario becomes a reality when he meets Bodi Rain. Unfortunately, it soon becomes clear that Roman must share Bodi with another vampire if he has any … Read more

The Universe Hates Us

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Man vs. Nature

Today’s topic comes from QSFer John Allenson: “The Universe hates us. Romance within Man vs Nature stories.” There are, according to many English teachers, four major sources of conflict within a story: Man vs. Man Man vs. Nature Man vs. Society Man vs. Self In a Man vs. Nature story, the hero must overcome a force of nature (storm , earthquake, climate, animal, etc) to meet his goal. So for today, my questions are – As a writer, do you use Man vs. Nature in your own works? As a reader, what are some of the stories you’ve read that … Read more