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speculative fiction

For Readers: Strange Sex

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Sex in Queer Sci Fi land can get… interesting. From alien appendages (tentacles, anyone?) to magical potions, from shifter sex to elf kink, LGBTIQ speculative fiction writers have explored the gamut when it comes to sexuality. One of my favorites so far is in an upcoming book by Angel Martinez and Bellora Quin. I can’t say too much about it (hello, spoilers), so let’s just say it involves the construction of a special table to, um, facilitate things. What’s the strangest speculative fiction love scene or sex scene you’ve ever read? And did you like it? Writers: This is a … Read more

For Readers: Which Do You Like Best?

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Today’s reader topic comes from QSFer Richard Wood: Speculative fiction is an umbrella term for a number of genres that speculate on what could be in our world and beyond. We cover four of these at QSF – SF, Fantasy, Paranormal, and Horror. My own favorites are Sci Fi and Fantasy – I’ve always loved the generally optimistic nature of these two genres, especially sci fi, when it supposes that we will live in a wider and fairer world some day than we do today. Of the four general categories of stories this group covers, SF, Fantasy, Paranormal, and Horror; … Read more

Announcement: UnCommon Bodies Anthology

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Uncommon Bodies

QSFer Bey Deckard is part of a new speculative fiction anthology: Step right up to the modern freakshow — We have mermaids, monsters, and more. You won’t be disappointed, but you may not get out alive. UnCommon Bodies presents a collection of 20 beautifully irreverent stories which blend the surreal and the mundane. Together, the authors explore the lives of the odd, the unbelievable, and the impossible. Imagine a world where magic exists, where the physical form has the power to heal or repulse, where a deal with the devil means losing so much more than your soul: We is … Read more

Discussion: Do We Need Relationships?

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Today’s topic comes from QSFer Heather Rose Jones: Are relationships necessary? What does it mean for a character to be LGBTQI if the story doesn’t involve sex or romance? (Yes, this is meant to be deliberately provocative.) It’s a great question. This actually came up at Rainbow Con panel I was on discussing LGBTY sci fi. One of the audience members asked if it was really LGBT fiction of the character(s) didn’t have a relationship or ever get together. In other words, what then distinguished the character from a straight protagonist? It’s a valid question. My own answer is that … Read more

Discussion: New Spins on Old Tropes

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Ring of Power

Today’s topic comes from QSFer MK Mancos – “New Spins on Old Tropes”. We all know there are many tropes in speculative fiction. Some are harmful – only straight white men can be sci fi heroes. And some are harmless but overused – the giant sword, the ring of power. But all of them can be subverted or reinvented. So today’s questions – Which tropes would you subvert or give a new spin? And how would you do it?

Announcement: Checkmate, by Dusk Peterson

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Checkmate

QSFer Dusk Peterson has a new alternative history book out: The Eternal Dungeon is no longer a prison. It’s a battlefield. Split apart from their closest loves and friends, a small group of prison-workers seek to abolish the use of torture against prisoners in the queendom’s royal dungeon. Time is running out, for the deadly High Seeker has already flogged and executed prison-workers who opposed his policies. Do the reformers have enough time and skill to bring about radical change in the dungeon? Will they be able to overcome their mistrust of one another? This suspenseful novel can be read … Read more

Discussion: Your Identity, Reflected

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Today’s topic comes from QSFer BA Brock: Sometimes it’s easier for me to read trans stories, when the worlds are fantasy. I’ve read several fantasy stories recently, where the characters have struck me as trans, but in the context of the book, there were no trans people. I love this ability of fantasy, to explore heavy current social issues, in a setting other than our reality. It allows me to let go of the minutia (did the author get it exactly right?), and at the same time still experience the pain and joy of my identity. I’d imagine these stories … Read more

Article: Read The Best Gay Speculative Fiction of the Year!

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What do you think? Have you read anything by these authors? Read The Best Gay Speculative Fiction of the Year! Want to explore some strange new worlds that are genuinely new? Then you’re in luck—because Wilde Stories: The Year’s Best Gay Speculative Fiction has just been published! Here’s the full TOC: “The Love of the Emperor Is Divine” by Tom Cardamone “The Vampire of Xanthos” by Andrew Warburton “The True Alchemist” by Sonya Taaffe “The Mortuaries” by Katharine Duckett “What Glistens Back” by Sunny Moraine “Passion, Like a Voice—That Buds” by Steve Berman “True North” by Chaz Brenchley “The Oily … Read more

Discussion: Music for Speculative Fiction

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Mos Eisley Cantina

Hey all, With Rainbow Con upon us, I am putting together a playlist for the QSF gathering. I have a number of songs selected with a sci fi/fantasy/paranormal theme: Drops of Jupiter – Train Distant Sun – Crowded House My Immortal – Evanessence Galaxies – Owl City Major Tom – Peter Schilling Rocket Man – Kate Bush version As well as some Enya and LOTR stuff. But I was hoping for some more suggestions – songs with a sci fi, fantasy or paranormal theme. Can you help a writer out? If I don’t already own ’em, I’ll try to pick … Read more