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romance

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

Announcement: A Siren Released, by R.C. Ethan

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A Siren Released

QSFer R.C. Ethan has a new fantasy book out: Meet Iris. An introverted, enamoured and bullied girl. That is until a school trip to the town’s aquarium changes everything about her and her life. A duckling turned temptress finds herself entangled in oceanic mysteries, serial murders, famiy secrets and a love rectangle that will test who she is and what she’s made of. Mild language and violence. Contains Bisexual characters and situations. Excerpt Buy Links Swoon Reads (Free): Click Here Author Bio Rhys Christopher Ethan is by no means a scientist, but he is an architect of his own fantasy … Read more

Discussion: Creating Alien Races

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Alien

Today’s topic comes from QSFer Theo Fenraven: “How does one go about inventing a believable alien race? Where do you start? What resources do you tap?” For our purposes, it seems to me that there are two competing parts to this discussion. On the sci fi romance side, it’s necessary to have an alien race that isn’t TOO different, so they can still interact with, and fall in love with, humans. On the more strictly sci-fi side, the idea that an alien race evolving from a separate ecosystem on a planet hundreds or thousands of light years away would end … Read more

Announcement: Song of the Navigator, by Astrid Amara

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Song of the Navigator

QSFer Astrid Amara has a new sci fi book out: Tover Duke’s rare ability to move anything instantly across light-years of space makes him a powerful, valuable asset to the Harmony Corporation, and a rock star among the people of the colonies. His life is luxurious. safe. Routine. He has his pick of casual hookups passing through Dadelus-Kaku Station. His one brush with danger of any kind — the only bright spot in his otherwise boring life — is Cruz Arcadio, a dark-haired, hard-bodied engineer whose physical prowess hints he’s something much more. When a terrorist abducts Tover, hurling him … Read more

Announcement: Sacrati, by Kate Sherwood

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Sacrati, by Kate Sherwood

Kate Sherwood has a new Fantasy book out: As an elite Sacrati fighter in the mighty Torian military, Theos is blessed with a city full of women who want to bear his children, and a barracks full of men proud to fight at his side and share his bed. He has everything he needs—until he captures Finnvid on a raid. Finnvid is on a secret mission to prevent the Torian invasion of his homeland Elkat. Being enslaved by Torian soldiers wasn’t in his plans. Neither is his horrified fascination with the casual promiscuity of the Sacrati warriors. Men should not … Read more

“Ash and Echoes” by August Li

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Ash and Echoes is a Romantic Fantasy Epic. I don’t have the opportunity to read many of those, and I don’t think I’ve read anything quite like this work, but if I had to pick something similar, the closest I can think to compare it to is Deckard’s Baal’s Heart trilogy or The Devil’s Fire by Sara Bell. Baal’s Heart is probably the most similar since it was also a trilogy and menage. The power of three! Our main character, Yarroway L’Estrella, is a bit of an odd ball (my favorite). Not only is he a magic user–something I interpreted … Read more