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Ana’s Spoons: Female Characters in Harry Potter

Today is our monthly FF takeover of the QSF site. :) Here’s Ana‘s kick-off for the discussion today: I don’t like Harry Potter. No, that’s not exactly correct. I’ve read all of the books multiple times, visited the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios, and indulged in some top-secret fan fiction involving Professor McGonagall and her cane. (I write kinky spanky stories, and the one after-the-fact mention of an expected caning fueled many a happy secret fantasy.) I love Minerva McGonagall. Plus, the woman can change into a cat and go where she wills. What’s not to love? … Read more

Announcement: Raider Captured, by JJ Lore

Raider Captured

QSFer JJ Lore has a new sci fi book out, and she stopped by to share a guest post with us on the blog today: Sci-Fi Love, or, Spock Was My Babysitter I grew up loving science fiction. As a child of the 80’s I was eagerly first in line for all sorts of classic sci-fi films like the Star Wars trilogy, Robocop, and Aliens in the theatres. I first saw Blade Runner over Christmas break on a VHS (!) tape and now my holidays aren’t complete without another viewing. I also read sci-fi, gobbling up Asimov and Bradbury along … Read more

News: Men in Jetpacks Fly Beside Massive Airbus A380 in Spectacular Video

Last week we had flying cars. This week we have men in jetpacks. The future is here: Jetpack daredevils Yves Rossy and Vince Reffet recently partnered with Emirates Airlines for a stunt involving an Airbus A380, the world’s largest passenger plane, over Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah and skyline with Burj Khalifa in the background. It’s an airspace Rossy and Reffet visited earlier in 2015. Rossy has also jetpacked over the Grand Canyon. Said Emirates COO Adel Al Redha of the stunt: “This display between man and machine celebrates the magic and beauty of flight, a feat which just over a hundred … Read more

Announcement: The Prince’s Consort, by Antonia Aquilante

Prince's Consort

QSFer Antonia Aquilante has a new fantasy book out: Legends tell of large cats defending the principality of Tournai, but such creatures have been lost to time. Or have they? Prince Philip inherited the throne at a young age, and since then, his life has centered around ruling his country and resisting those pressuring him to take a wife and conceive an heir—forcing him to hide his attraction to men. When kind-hearted Amory is offered to the prince in exchange for more time for Amory’s father to complete a commission, both Philip and Amory are horrified. But Philip agrees to … Read more

Discussion: Do We Need Relationships?

Today’s topic comes from QSFer Heather Rose Jones: Are relationships necessary? What does it mean for a character to be LGBTQI if the story doesn’t involve sex or romance? (Yes, this is meant to be deliberately provocative.) It’s a great question. This actually came up at Rainbow Con panel I was on discussing LGBTY sci fi. One of the audience members asked if it was really LGBT fiction of the character(s) didn’t have a relationship or ever get together. In other words, what then distinguished the character from a straight protagonist? It’s a valid question. My own answer is that … Read more

Announcement: Hidden Shifter, by Abraham Steele

QSFer Abraham Steele has a new paranormal book out: Samuel Hillwell is in mourning for a man he’s never met. The handsome alpha waited too long to contact the Fated Date Agency. There was always a stock trade or a trip to Europe that seemed more important. His mate passed away just days before he reached out. As he goes into a downward spiral, questioning everything he’s based his life on, he can only wish he’d had one night with his deceased omega. Caden Grey is on the run. After surgically altering his face and travelling across the country, the … Read more

Me Me Monday!

Welcome to 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 at … Read more

News: A Second Star Wars Trailer… From Japan

By now we’re used to seeing a second trailer for a hotly anticipated movie and being, well, disappointed. Too often there’s very little new tid-bits to actually warrant a watch. Not so with the new trailer for Star Wars: The Force Awakens. And that may have something to do with the fact that this latest trailer comes from Japan. Feel the force grow stronger. Full Story at Towleroad.com

Announcement: Wings of Renewal Anthology

Wings of Renewal

QSFer Jesse Elloris has a story in a fascinating new “solarunk dragon anthology: The future is vibrant, hopeful, and filled with dragons. In WINGS OF RENEWAL, twenty-two authors explore the exciting new subgenre of solarpunk through the lens of these majestic creatures. Whether they irrigate dry terrain or serve as spaceships, are mythic beasts come to life or biomechanical creations of man, these dragons show us a world where renewable energy overcomes gas and oil, and cooperation replaces competition. If you love fantasy/sci-fi fusion, this is an anthology you do not want to miss! So hop on solar wings, and … Read more

Discussion: Cultivating an International Mindset

gay globe

As an American writer, I tend to write (and read) what I know. Stories that are set in the US, usually with an American mindset. But am I unnecessarily limiting myself this way? Travel has shown me that there’s a great big world out there, and even the few places I have been outside of the US have broadened my mindset immeasurably. So why not bring this same idea into my writing and reading? My questions today – as a writer, have you ever written a story that was set in an entirely different (current day Earth) culture besides your … Read more