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ANNOUNCEMENT: His Seed Anthology

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His Seed

QSFer C.B. Lewis has a story in a new MM anthology: An Arboretum of Gay Erotica edited by Steve Berman “If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.” – Cicero Verdant virgins and lush lotharios await readers in this anthology of strange yet sensual stories about men and vegetation. Fantastical fronds cannot resist caressing warm flesh. Sylvan creatures of myth protecting the forest; botanical laboratory experiments run amok; a veteran of the Mexican-American war finds himself entranced by an aesthete’s poisonous garden; and an alien paying our planet a visit to sample the greenery…. These … Read more

FOR WRITERS: Genre Purity

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sci fi fantasy - pixabay

FOR WRITERS Today’s writer topic comes from QSFer Hank Cannon: What is your reaction for calls for “genre” purity in genres that aren’t necessarily so straight forward? And for those who to like genre purity in sci-fi, fantasy, paranormal or horror, what do you use as baselines to judge for said purity? Join the chat

PROFILE: The First Queer Astronaut

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Sally Ride

For eons, humanity has looked towards the stars and yearned to reach them – to explore distant moons and planets, and touch the very edges of the universe. In the last 50 years, we have made incredible progress, setting foot on the moon, landing robots on Mars and even beaming pictures back from as far away as Pluto. An important part of that journey was Sally Ride, the first known LGBT astronaut. More than 330 American astronauts have made it to space, but Ride was the first American woman – and LGBT person – to go into space, taking the … Read more

ANNOUNCEMENT: Silver Moon, by Catherine Lundoff

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Silver Moon

QSFer Catherine Lundoff has a new queer paranormal book out: Becca Thornton, divorced, middle-aged and trying to embrace a quiet life, discovers that there are still plenty of surprises to be had when her menopause kicks in with bonus lycanthropy. And she’s not the only one. The seemingly peaceful and dull town of Wolf’s Point has its own all-female werewolf pack and Becca has just become its newest member. But it’s not all protecting Wolf’s Point, midnight meetings at the Women’s Club and monthly runs through the woods. There are werewolf hunters in town and now they’ve got Becca and the Wolf’s … Read more

FOR READERS: My LGBT Community

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FOR READERS Today’s reader topic comes from QSFer A. Catherine Noon: How do you see the “LGBTIQA community” where you are in the world? I’m in the States, and I think, for me anyway, there’s a tendency to have blinders on in terms of our multi-country origins. Being LGBT isn’t unique to any one locale. We know cultural differences are real; to what extent do you see that affecting your own LGBT community specifically? I’d add to Catherine’s question – do you feel like you are connected to your local LGBTIQA community? Writers: This is a reader chat – you … Read more

SCIENCE: We’re Changing Near Earth Space Weather Too

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space weather

Our Cold War history is now offering scientists a chance to better understand the complex space system that surrounds us. Space weather — which can include changes in Earth’s magnetic environment — are usually triggered by the sun’s activity, but recently declassified data on high-altitude nuclear explosion tests have provided a new look at the mechanisms that set off perturbations in that magnetic system. Such information can help support NASA’s efforts to protect satellites and astronauts from the natural radiation inherent in space. From 1958 to 1962, the U.S. and U.S.S.R. ran high-altitude tests with exotic code names like Starfish, … Read more

ANNOUNCEMENT: Stronger Than Fate, by Dakila Reed

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Stronger Than Fate

QSFer Dakila Reed has a new MM paranormal book out: “Against the fated omega of my beloved alpha… how do I stand a chance?” All of Skye’s life he has dedicated to the pack which took him in and cared for him. Rustom, the district’s supreme alpha, is his best friend, buddy, protector and his something deeper. They are lovers in the eyes of many, envied by those unclaimed. That is until Rustom Vera’s destined omega, Reece, makes an appearance. Skye’s place in the pack, his position in Rustom’s life collapses and falls apart. Will he stand a chance against … Read more

FOR WRITERS: When Inspiration Hits at Work

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inspiration pixabay

FOR WRITERS Today’s writer topic comes from QSFer Jennifer Slusher: I have another question for the bucket! For writers: A good many of you also hold down a job in the corporate world. What do you do when inspiration hits you in the middle of your workday? Have you ever been tempted to sneak a few paragraphs in or write the inspiration right then? Join the chat

STUDY: Plants Can Detect the Sound of Water

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roots - pixabay

Pseudoscientific claims that music helps plants grow have been made for decades, despite evidence that is shaky at best. Yet new research suggests some flora may be capable of sensing sounds, such as the gurgle of water through a pipe or the buzzing of insects. In a recent study, Monica Gagliano, an evolutionary biologist at the University of Western Australia, and her colleagues placed pea seedlings in pots shaped like an upside-down Y. One arm of each pot was placed in either a tray of water or a coiled plastic tube through which water flowed; the other arm had only … Read more

ANNOUNCEMENT: Gone By the Board, by August Li

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Gone by the Board

QSFer August Li has a new MM urban fantasy book out: The sea is full of jealously guarded secrets, but everything washes up eventually…. Betrayed by a trusted partner, Nathan figures he might as well be lost and heartbroken in the sunshine, and he heads to the coast of South Carolina, to stay with a friend and find a new direction for his life. But despite his efforts, he is lost in the fog, unable to find a guiding light and sometimes unable to find a reason to go on. His only respite from depression and anxiety is the soothing … Read more