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TECH: Today in Creepy Robots

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Atlas Robot gif

You can run from Boston Dynamics’ humanoid robot Atlas, but it wouldn’t do you any good — the robot can run after you. In a video shared to YouTube yesterday (May 10) by the robot maker, the uncannily human-like Atlas demonstrates running ability that is eerily reminiscent of a person’s. The robot jogs methodically across an expanse of grass, against a backdrop of trees punctuated by a few isolated buildings. The scene is almost peaceful and idyllic, except for the pervasive whirring and clanking of Atlas’ motors, gears and joints, and the sense of growing unease that comes with witnessing … Read more

ANNOUNCEMENT/GIVEAWAY: Jacqui the Cat Mysteries, by Alexis Duran

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Jacqui the Cat Series Covers

Alexis Duran has a new book out in her Jacqui the Cat cozy MM mystery series – “Roam” – and there’s a Giveaway! About the Series Jacqui Corleone is a fashion designer, a yoga-instructor and a concerned citizen who selflessly helps the police solve crimes. Oh, and he occasionally turns into a small wild cat. Probably due to a wizard’s curse or an evil government plot to create super warriors. Or, he’s a cat cursed to turn into a human and only the bite of a sexy alpha lion will allow him to remain in his superior form of Cat. … Read more

ANNOUNCEMENT: The Breath of Life, by Pelaam

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The Breath of Life

QSFer Pelaam has a new MM paranormal book out: Alex Robinson expects nothing more from his holiday than skiing and snowboarding. But when an error leads to a double-booking, he and his friend, Jackson, end up in a different hotel. One they’d normally never be able to afford. There he meets a group of steampunk cosplayers, including the beautiful and enigmatic Hel, and the downright gorgeous Rupert. Drawn to Rupert, Alex finds himself spending more time in the company of the group and his relationship with Rupert deepens. But the cosplayers are more than they seem and when Rupert’s secret … Read more

TECH: Here Come the Flying Taxis

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Uber Flying Taxi

Finally, my promised Jetson future is close to arriving: Uber executives continue to grapple with a host of challenges, but that hasn’t put the brakes on the company’s futuristic — and somewhat outlandish — plans to develop a network of flying taxis. The project gained a bit more altitude at Tuesday’s kickoff of the two-day Uber Elevate conference in Los Angeles to discuss urban air transportation. Uber’s high-flying venture comes against the backdrop of terrestrial problems, from taxi industry pushback in cities such as London to political fallout due to a self-driving car death in Arizona. The San Francisco-based ride-hailing … Read more

ANNOUNCEMENT/GIVEAWAY: In the Requiem, by Hailey Turner

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In the Requiem

QSFer Hailey Turner has a new MM sci fi book out: Never let go. Weighed down by scandal, Captain Jamie Callahan must choose between saving his family’s reputation and his father’s political aspirations, or taking down the enemy once and for all. Choosing one over the other will have lasting repercussions he can’t escape. Whatever path Jamie ultimately picks, Staff Sergeant Kyle Brannigan will be right by his side to face the consequences. Kyle knows in a situation like this the only way out is through. Together they can make it to the other side, but surviving that journey will … Read more

FOR WRITERS: Magical Realism

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FOR WRITERS Today’s writer topic comes from QSFer John Marshall: Magical realism. When we include magic in our paranormal settings, do we look to the real word or do we seek something totally original? If we do choose to use real world cultural traditions, how can we both indulge in poetic licence but also be sensitive to the history of white authors sensationalizing non-western cultures in negative ways. Join the chat This is a legacy chat.

SCIENCE: The Star Wars Scroll Illusion

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Star Wars Scroll Illusion

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away … And also in a parallel galaxy, sitting right alongside that first galaxy … There were two identical ribbons of scrolling yellow text. The scrolls, like the one that forms the distinct opening text for the “Star Wars” sagas, were exactly the same in every way and disappeared into the horizon at exactly the same angle. And yet, the scrolls appeared to split away from each other like two forking streams of the same river — one moving left, and the other moving right. How could this be? Were the … Read more

ANNOUNCEMENT: Queer Justice, by Theo Fenraven

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Queer Justice

QSFer Theo Fenraven has a new queer thriller book out: Silver is seventeen and lives with two younger runaways in a house in Key Largo. He has a gift that makes it possible for the three of them to stay afloat in an America where being openly LGBT means death. Evan White, a consultant for the Miami Police Department, also has a special talent, one that threatens Silver’s safety. An act of bravado and desperation by Silver brings him to Evan’s attention, forcing them both on a path that will send them hurtling across several state lines and ultimately offer … Read more

Impact is Coming!

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Impact - Pixabay

Hey all, It’s time to announce the stories chosen for the Impact flash fiction anthology. There was stiff competition this year – 182 stories submitted, 110 chosen – we wanted to thank everyone who submitted, regardless of whether or not you’re in the anthology. I also wanted to thank the judges – Angel Martinez, SR Jones, Siri Paulsen, Ben Brock and Carole Cummings – for an amazing job winnowing down the stories to choose three winners. In the next week or so, we’ll announce the honorable mentions, then a little while after that, the Judges’ Picks. The winners themselves will … Read more