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ANNOUNCEMENT: Machine Metal Magic, by Hanna Dare

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Machine Metal Magic - Hannah Dare

QSFer Hanna Dare has a new MM sci fi book out: The galaxy’s a dangerous place. Best not to travel it alone. It’s been over a century since the AIs rose up and attacked, driving humans from Earth and leaving them scattered across the galaxy. Humanity survives, but always fearful of the technology that allows them travel among the stars, never knowing when it may turn against them once more. An interstellar fugitive. For Jaime Bashir, born with the ability to communicate telepathically with computers, his gifts are more of a curse. They also make him a target. On the … Read more

FOR READERS: How Much Science?

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science - pixabay

FOR READERS Today’s reader topic comes from QSFers Sydney Blackburn and Naomi Tajedler: How much science do you like in your sci-fi? Does it matter to you if orbital mechanics are or are not taken into account, or if the source of food on a closed system like a space station is not mentioned as an aside? Do your expect your non-earth planets to have non-earth life forms (ie, equiv to tigers, bears, snakes, etc)? Note: YMMV depending on whether the story is romance or sci fi with queer characters. Writers: This is a reader chat – you are welcome … Read more

SPACE: Did Medieval People Know About Planet Nine?

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Planet Nine

The far reaches of the outer solar system may be home to an icy giant — a hypothetical planet scientists have dubbed “Planet Nine.” Meanwhile, archives back on Earth are home to dozens of medieval records documenting the passage of comets through the heavens. Now, two researchers from Queen’s University Belfast in Northern Ireland are hoping to use these old scrolls and tapestries to solve the modern astronomical mystery of Planet Nine. “We have a wealth of historical records of comets in Old English, Old Irish, Latin and Russian which have been overlooked for a long time,” said university medievalist … Read more

FOR WRITERS: Future Pay

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emoney - pixabay

FOR WRITERS Today’s writer topic comes from QSFer J. Scott Coatsworth: For all you sci fi prophets, how will people pay for things in the future? More and more people are using mobile phone payments, and BitCoin is making people crazy with its wild fluctuations in value. So… What will money be like in the future? This is a legacy chat. Join the chat

TECH: Is a South Korean Company Making Killer Robots?

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killer robot - pixabay

The artificial intelligence (AI) community has a clear message for researchers in South Korea: Don’t make killer robots. Nearly 60 AI and robotics experts from almost 30 countries have signed an open letter calling for a boycott against KAIST, a public university in Daejeon, South Korea, that has been reported to be “develop[ing] artificial intelligence technologies to be applied to military weapons, joining the global competition to develop autonomous arms,” the open letter said. In other words, KAIST might be researching how to make military-grade AI weapons. By Laura Geggel – Full Story at Live Science

ANNOUNCEMENT/GIVEAWAY: Creature, by Kim Fielding

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Creature Blog Tour

Kim Fielding is about to release book three in her “Bureau” series! The book comes out on May 7th, and can be read as a stand alone. You can preorder it now! About the Book: Alone in a cell and lacking memories of his past, John has no idea who—or what—he is. Alone on the streets of 1950s Los Angeles, Harry has far too many memories of his painful past and feels simply resignation in facing his empty future. When Harry is given a chance to achieve his only dream—to become an agent with the Bureau of Trans-Species Affairs—all he … Read more

ANNOUNCEMENT: The Book of Songs, by Louice Svedin

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The Book of Songs

QSFer Louice Svedin has a new queer fantasy book out: Anne has led a privileged life: she is a weaver, a magic user, in a world ruled by the extraordinary. Yet one day it all changes. She is deemed too powerful by the aristocracy and is sent to a monastery for life. To avoid this fate she embarks on a journey, driven by a prophecy she doesn’t want to fulfill. But will she have any choice in the end? The Book of Songs is the first stand-alone novel in The Weaver Trilogy. Written by Louice Svedin, it’s a story about … Read more

Rabid Reader Recommendations — R3 Wednesdays!

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WELCOME to Rabid Reader Recommendations, or R3 WEDNESDAYS! We host this discussion the first Wednesday of every month; it’s a great opportunity to recommend and discuss works you have enjoyed in queer speculative fiction. For May’s R3, the theme is: Other World Sci Fi! (Sci Fi that takes place on other worlds besides Earth, or in another non-Earth universe.)   HOW IT WORKS: The works have to be QUILTBAG Speculative Fiction. They have to be related to the theme. This is a reader discussion. Don’t recommend your own works–get someone to do it for you! Please include a Goodreads link … Read more

SPACE: How Close Are We to a Starliner?

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boeing starliner

Picture this: A team of space travelers blasts off from Earth in a fully automated shuttle that carries them to an outpost orbiting around the moon, where they will embark on a voyage to Mars. Though it sounds like science fiction, this fantastic journey may be closer than you think: An automated spacecraft designed to transport people into low Earth orbit could be ready for its maiden (uncrewed) voyage as early as this summer. The new spacecraft, called the Crew Space Transportation (CST)-100 Starliner, is being developed in partnership with NASA by a private company generally associated with commercial airplanes: … Read more

ANNOUNCEMENT/GIVEAWAY: Night Traveller, by L.V. Lloyd

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Night Traveller

QSFer L.V. Lloyd has a new MM sci fi book out: Lieutenant Mike Oliver has long dreamed of a Patrol ship berth, flying between the stars—surely this time his application will be successful. What he doesn’t expect, is to be sent to establish a Patrol station on Asra, a tiny mining settlement on a frozen mudball of a planet, blanketed with nitrogen storms. Deeply resentful, Mike suspects he is being discriminated against. The only option he can see is to become celibate, at least while he is on Asra. And that means rejecting the advances of both Callan Rian, the … Read more