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Month: November 2015

Angel’s Bits – You Asked for Queer Cons…

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convention

Not too terribly long ago, QSF’ers on the Facebook page were asking for a list of queer friendly conventions. We thought that was a fabulous idea. This first stab at a list is by no means complete. It’s far too US-centric, for one thing, and is most likely missing some great local cons that don’t make the national press. Criteria for inclusion on the list were: A) queer focused or queer friendly B) some flavor of spec fic focused or friendly C) event where authors have opportunity (large or small) to promote Now we need you guys. Using the criteria … Read more

News: Is Deadpool the First Queer Superhero Film Lead?

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Deadpool

Ryan Reynolds’ upcoming anti-hero X-Men spinoff film Deadpool has been a long time in the making. But with a release date only three months out, Reynolds and the film’s director, Tim Miller, are letting their guards down and speaking candidly about the challenging film and its lead character. And one topic that’s sure to spark further dialogue is Deadpool’s sexuality. In the Marvel Comics character’s mythology, Deadpool has been portrayed as an omnisexual flirt who will go after any gender that happens to strike his fancy at any particular time. Deadpool’s co-creator Fabian Nicieza has said “Deadpool is whatever sexual … Read more

Announcement: The Rain, by Amos Cassidy

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The Rain, Amos Cassidy, fantasy, Arthurian, lgbt fiction

QSFer Amos Cassidy has a new fantasy book out: Destinies aren’t written, they’re forged, and Jake Winters is about to get a 101 in forging. A quaint British coastal town hiding ancient secrets, a heavenly weapon that claims a host, a dragon’s egg that has a tale to tell – Jake Winters is the line that connects all the dots. But Jake has much to learn, and very little time, because a serial killer is on the loose, a monster with the face of a fashion model, and it’ll take Jake’s special brand of intervention to stop him… Book One … Read more

Discussion: Gay Speculative Fiction in Other Languages

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Language Word Cloud

Is speculative fic (especially the LGBT variety) essentially an English language thing? Our gay Italian friends are here, and one of the LOVES sci fi, but he mostly knows it from films – many English Language sci fi books simply aren’t available in Italian. Do we need to make more of an effort to have our works translated into other languages?

NASA Releases Incredible Ultra-HD Video of the Sun

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NASA has released an incredible 4K video of the Sun, which is not only a jaw-dropping achievement, but would also make a damn fine screensaver. Writes NASA Goddard: It’s always shining, always ablaze with light and energy. In the ubiquity of solar output, Earth swims in an endless tide of particles. Every time half of the Earth faces the Sun, we experience the brightness of daytime, the Sun’s energy and light driving weather, biology and more. But in space, NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) keeps an eye on our nearest star 24/7. SDO captures images of the Sun in 10 … Read more

Announcement: Vicious Circle, by Elle E. Ire

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Vicious Circle

QSFer Elle E. Ire has a new FF Sci Fi book out: Kicked out of the Assassins Guild for breach of contract, hunted by its members for killing the Guild Leader, and half-hooked on illegal narcotics, Cor Sandros could use a break. She accepts a freelance job to eliminate Kila T’ral’s brother, Jaren. Kila claims her politically powerful brother has sexually abused her, and Cor has always been a sucker for helping the helpless. The plan doesn’t include Cor falling in love with Kila, but as the pair struggles to reach Kila’s homeworld, pursued by assassins from the Guild, Cor … Read more

Trans Representation in Speculative Fiction

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Today’s topic comes from QSFer Freddy MacKay: It would be also great to have a discussion on trans* characters in the different genres. How they are handled. How the world/tech/magic/nature works for them or against them. SF could be interesting because technology could be developed enough you wouldn’t ever know the difference unless a trans* person wanted you to. What kind of society would that be? How would trans* people identify themselves and why? A parallel (though not the same) would be looking at the deaf community and how they feel about cochlear implants. Some are all for them, others … Read more

News: New Star Trek Series in 2017

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A new “Star Trek” TV series will launch on CBS in 2017, the network announced Monday. Alex Kurtzman will serve as executive producer for the new “Star Trek” TV series. Kurtzman co-wrote and produced the blockbuster films “Star Trek” (2009) with Roberto Orci, and “Star Trek Into Darkness” (2013) with Orci and Damon Lindelof. Both films were produced and directed by J.J. Abrams. The series will not be related to the third installment in the franchise, “Star Trek Beyond,” which is scheduled to be distributed by Paramount Pictures in summer 2016. It will instead focus on new characters boldly going … Read more

Announcement: A Thousand Years of Persistence, by Yeyu

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A Thousand Years of Persistence

DSP Publications author Yeyu has a new fantasy/historical book out: Lu Delong, half-human half-yao mercenary, has been training to become more powerful in his quest to be of worth to Cangji, the formidable immortal he desires. To prove he deserves a place in the expedition to Mount Kunlun, Delong risks his life in a dangerous mission against Black Moon Sect. However, as Delong grows stronger, he becomes more aware of the vast disparity between himself and Cangji—ten years is not nearly enough time for Delong to be of much use in the impending conflict that may shake the very foundations … Read more

New Discoveries Day!

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New Discoveries Day

Hey all, Last month we launched New Discoveries Day – a day once a month (usually on the first day of the month) when we discuss recent discoveries that fascinate us and that could spawn plot bunnies (or plot squirrels or plot mongeese – your plot animal of choice). So chime in and let us know about any new discoveries you ran across in the last month – links are always appreciated. Thanks to Freddy MacKay for the great idea! –Scott Come Join the Chat!