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NEWS: NASA Releases Salty New Video of Dwarf Planet Ceres: WATCH

Ceres

NASA this week released a very cool video of our solar system’s dwarf planet Ceres, a composite of images taken by the Dawn spacecraft. Ceres is the largest object in the asteroid belt. The clip includes a flyover view of Occator Crater, home of Ceres’ brightest area. False color was used to determine differences in surface materials, and examine bright spots on the object. The bright material, NASA says, is consistent with salt, silicate, and sulfates. Original Article at Towleroad.com

Discussion: Mixing Genres

mixing genres

I’m never happy unless I’m moving. People who know me will attest to this. I am always doing at least three things at once. And yes, before you say it, I know it will drive me into an early grave. Where I will still be multitasking. But I’m the same with my writing. Not only do I almost always have at least three projects going, but I like to mix multiple genres in each one – often sci fi and fantasy together. Which brings me to my questions: Do you stick with one genre, or do you like to go … Read more

News: Is This Lamp Smarter Than You Are?

Flexo Lamp

With the rise of smart TVs, fridges and other household appliances, it was only a matter of time until even the things we thought were smart enough already would get an upgrade. Cue the Fluxo lamp; developed by Austrian start-up Luke Roberts, it offers unlimited lighting options that go beyond just changing an angle. Using high-quality LEDs, the Fluxo allows users the maximum level of personalization: the downlight’s exclusively white LEDs are fully adjustable in their light temperature, while the uplight also features blue, red and green LEDs. Full Story from Gay Star News

Announcement: Aegis: Season One, by Will Norman

Aegis

Sci fi author Will Norman has a new sci fi podcast out: Author and zillapreneur W.P. Norman has launched a sci-fi comedy serial podcast. Muscle-boy pacifist Commander Video is on a mission to bring love, peace, and video content exchange to the murderous planet Synthra. The planet’s evil bleach blonde Minister Supreme sees him as a shrewd threat and… possibly her chance to seize power. Solomon the Gluteus Surfer, who captures Video, sees only a slab of beef ready to be sold on the slave market; and Video’s star navigator thinks he’s just plain stupid. Commander Video may arguably be … Read more

Announcement: Tate’s Torment

Tate's Torment

QSFer Hannah Walker has a new sci fi book out: When a rare day out goes disastrously wrong, the men have to fight for the survival of one of their own. Their actions spark an appearance by the Conclave, leaving the Avanti’s future in the hands of those who choose to destroy them. Tate will give up everything to save his friends, even if it means losing Dariux and a love he never imagined he would find. With half the conclave determined to punish the Offworlders, they have to rely on new found friendships. The question is, will it be … Read more

Announcement: Drago Star, by J. Johanis + Giveaway

Drago Star

QSFer J. Johanis has a new sci fi book out: Captain Gideon is a candidate at the Drago Star Academy and well on his way to fulfilling his lifelong dream—to be a Star Commander and fight the alien insurgency on Earth. However, before he can complete his training, he is captured by an unknown entity who sells him to a sadistic alien master. He strives to follow his military training, but nothing can prepare him for the abuse he endures at the hands of his deviant captors. Despite his disorientation, Gideon realizes things are not as they seem. Though his … Read more

Discussion: When is it Sci Fi, and When is it LGBT?

Today’s topic comes from QSFer Heather Rose Jones: How do people (authors and readers) view the relationship between “LGBTQI SFF” and “SFF with LGBTQI characters”? Do you read/write both? Do you consider them identical or distinct categories? Are the two angles in dialogue with each other, and if so how? Great questions. I was asked at Rainbow Con during a panel if a character was really gay if their sexuality wasn’t overtly expressed during the story. So what do y’all think? Join the chat!

Announcement: Choosing You, by Jaylee James

Choosing You - Jaylee James

QSFer Jaylee James has a new sci fi book out: Collin is in high school when he is visited by a time traveler – a woman who claims to be his wife in a hypothetical future… only the timeline has been disrupted, and the two will never meet unless he makes four key choices in his life that will guide them together again. “Choosing You” is a short story in a conversational, first-person voice, about what happens when deciding to love someone becomes a literal choice. It’s 7300 words long and features a transgender protagonist. Excerpt The first time I … Read more

Discussion: Future Drag

Future Drag

We’ve got a fun one today. Drag is one of my favorite things – Mark and I adore RuPaul’s Drag Race, and drag shows are one of our favorite things to see when we travel. So what will drag look like in the future? Will it evolve and become more mainstream than it is today? And what role will it play in a future society? Warning – we may slip unexpectedly into Cosplay or David Bowie territory at any time. Join the chat!

Discussion: Using Music in Speculative Fiction

Yellow Dancer

Editor’s Note: Angel is hoarding her bits today, but hopes to share them with us again next week. Today’s topic comes from QSFer Hank T. Cannon: Music! What are the ins and outs of using song lyrics in a story, or novel as temporal or emotional touchstones. Is licensing involved, or only after a certain point? Does it detract from a story by anchoring it too much in a certain time and place? Great questions. I’ve used songs in stories, only to have the lyrics yanked out over publisher concerns of copyright issues. What’s your experience with music in stories? … Read more