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FOR READERS: Reading Series

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Book Series

FOR READERS Today’s reader topic comes from QSFer ‘Nathan Smith: Do you wait for the whole series to be out—and do you know that can harm the series from a publishing point of view—or do you gobble and endure the long wait times? Do you like certain types of series more than others (ones where the b-characters in book one are the main characters in book two, or ones where you follow the same folk through the whole series, for example). Writers: This is a reader chat – you are welcome to join it, but please do not reference your … Read more

Announcement: Husbands for Peace, by Twister Hilarity

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Husbands for Peace

Twister Hilarity has a new MM sci fi book out: Earth has been invaded, their defenses disabled, the population left helpless. But it seems the only thing the aliens are demanding are spouses? When pretty boy soldier Noah Ashfield finds himself married off to a male alien he isn’t about to accept it without a fight- no matter how certain his husband, Jovi, is that they are perfect for each other! Stuck-up rich boy Vane Allen wasn’t supposed to be at the ‘Choosing’ for spouses at all, but the overbearing Jeneran Brinald has plans for him anyway, as a liaison- … Read more

FOR WRITERS: Writing Flash Fiction

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flash - pixabay

FOR WRITERS Today’s writer topic comes from QSFer Scott: With the next QSF flash fiction contest just over a month away, I thought it would be great to have a chat about how to write this unique fiction format. For those of you who have done it, and done it well, how did you tackle it? What separates a good flash fiction piece from a not so good one? How do you hook the reader in just 300 words? I’ll tag our previous winners. Join the chat

SCIENCE: 83 Genetic Mutations That Help Determine Your Height

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height pixabay

Ever wonder how much of your height you inherited from your parents? A large-scale genetic study published recently in the journal Nature is helping shed some light on the factors that determine whether a person grows to be 6-feet-1 or 5-feet-2. While scientists already had a good idea of the most common genetic factors that contribute to height, the new findings uncover a number of rare genetic alterations that can play a surprisingly major role in human growth. Using data from the Genetic Investigation of Anthropometric Traits consortium (a group also known as GIANT), scientists from the Broad Institute at … Read more

Announcement: Whispering Gods, by A.M. Daily

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Whispering Gods

QSFer A.M. Daily has a new sci fi book out: Before the descent of the Ezri and the brutal reign of the Terah, the independent governments of Earth banded together to launch six colonial ships in an effort to safeguard the future of humanity. Five ships were successful in their mission to colonize and populate five Earth-like sister planets. One ship vanished without a trace. On Vesta, Caden and his traveling companions uncovered navigation coordinates which led to the missing sixth colony of Earth… where they were greeted with an ominous message, turn back. But there can be no turning … Read more

Making Up the Holidays

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Holidays - pixabay

FOR WRITERS Today’s writer topic comes from QSFer MK Mancos: In your spec fic, whether sci-fi, fantasy, steampunk, or a combo platter of all of them, do you make up your own holidays to coincide with whatever religious system you’ve constructed, or borrowed from life? Do you use what we’d consider bank holidays, more so than religious? Join the chat

ENTERTAINMENT: Marvel’s First Lesbian TV Superhero?

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Runaways

Marvel has got a new TV show coming out, and it could feature the franchise’s first lesbian character on screen. Runaways, based on the Brian K Vaughan and Adrian Alphona series, have revealed the new cast. The characters are Alex (played by Rhenzy Feliz), a nerd who loves video games, Nico (Lyrica Okano), a ‘budding Wiccan’, Karolina (Virginia Gardner), a teen trapped by the expectations of her famous parents. By Joe Morgan – Full Story at SOURCE

Announcement: Out of This World, by Catherine Lundoff

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Out of This World

QSFer Catherine Lundoff has a new GENRE book out: Eleven tales of the queer fantastic by award-winning author Catherine Lundoff. A bookstore clerk goes on a quest for the Norns while a couple of mercenaries wake up to some big surprises at their favorite inn. Shakespeare’s sister, Judith, forms an alliance with playwright Christopher Marlowe. A witch attempts the wrong love spell and a young prince meets an irresistible monster. Swordswomen, ghosts, the Queen of the Fay, the occasional gentleman of the evening and other unforgettable characters populate these stories rich and strange. Includes the Gaylactic Spectrum Award finalist “At … Read more

Me Me Monday!

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Welcome to M3: ME ME MONDAY at our FB discussion group – your chance to pop in and tell us about your latest success. Have a new book or short story coming out? Let us know. Just sell something? Let us know so we can cheer you on. HOW IT WORKS: I’ll pin this topic to the top of our FB discussion page for the day. –Please post your announcement as a separate post, so I can also share it over to our FB page (as opposed to this discussion group). –If you want, send me your book announcement info … Read more

Gay Talent Behind New Beauty and the Beast

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Beauty and the Beast movie

It’s a timeless love story about two straight people. Well, a woman and a large, aggressive animal, who we’re nevertheless sure is heterosexual. And yet, there’s something universal about Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve’s classic French fairytale. The themes – looking past appearances, the transformative power of love – are irresistibly sweeping. And this year, the 1740 text is once again adapted for the big screen by Disney. Except of course, this time, Beauty and the Beast will be a live-action movie, starring Emma Watson as Belle and Dan Stevens as the Beast. Emma takes on the iconic role of the … Read more