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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

News: Which Jobs Will Robots Take?

Robot

We’re used to thinking that the jobs that are most likely to be taken over by automation are low-skilled ones: clerks, lowly paper pushers, assembly line workers. In contrast, those on the very high end of the wage scale – doctors, CEOs and hedge fund managers – seem like they will be comfortably insulated from the robot revolution. But new research from McKinsey & Company, a consultancy, shows that that isn’t quite right. While there is a connection between a job’s skill level and the likelihood it will be automated, there are a lot of jobs that don’t fit that … Read more

Announcement: Lord Mouse, by Mason Thomas

Lord Mouse

QSFer Mason Thomas has a new fantasy book out: Scoundrel by nature and master thief by trade, Mouse is the best there is. Sure, his methods may not make him many friends, but he works best alone anyway. And he has never failed a job. But that could change. When a stranger with a hefty bag of gold seduces him to take on a task, Mouse knows he’ll regret it. The job? Free Lord Garron, the son of a powerful duke arrested on trumped up charges in a rival duchy. Mouse doesn’t do rescue missions. He’s no altruistic hero, and … Read more

Discussion: New Spins on Old Tropes

Ring of Power

Today’s topic comes from QSFer MK Mancos – “New Spins on Old Tropes”. We all know there are many tropes in speculative fiction. Some are harmful – only straight white men can be sci fi heroes. And some are harmless but overused – the giant sword, the ring of power. But all of them can be subverted or reinvented. So today’s questions – Which tropes would you subvert or give a new spin? And how would you do it?

Director Mike Buonaiuto Discusses How ’Credence’ Redefines LGBT Cinema

Credence

A new sci-fi film launching today on Vimeo On Demand has its sights set higher than galaxies far, far away. Credence, directed by Mike Buonaiuto, is aiming to redefine portrayals of gay characters in cinema. It may sound like a lofty goal, but if there’s anyone equipped to pull it off successfully, it’s Buonaiuto. His previous work includes highly successful viral campaigns focused on LGBT parents, the military and the Sochi Olympics. He knows a thing or two about building momentum for a movement using online content. It’s that spirit that helped Credence rocket beyond their Indiegogo funding goals, eventually … Read more

Announcement: Extraterrestrial Anthology, by Perie Wolford

Extraterrestrial Anthology

QSFer Perie Wolford has a new sci fi book out: 2 ALIEN ENCOUNTER STORIES IN 1 PACKAGE ENCOUNTER In an attempt to prove it to the world that crop circles are man-made and aliens donít really exist, Ricky and his team of young enthusiasts (including one particular enthusiast, Josh, who is hopelessly in love with Ricky) start falsifying the phenomenon by creating their own crop circles. Their endeavors prove successful, pretty much so, but only until the day when Ricky sees his unique circle design replicated throughout the country by the force unknown. LIGHTS Coming home for summer break, two … Read more

Angel’s Bits – You Asked for Queer Cons…

convention

Not too terribly long ago, QSF’ers on the Facebook page were asking for a list of queer friendly conventions. We thought that was a fabulous idea. This first stab at a list is by no means complete. It’s far too US-centric, for one thing, and is most likely missing some great local cons that don’t make the national press. Criteria for inclusion on the list were: A) queer focused or queer friendly B) some flavor of spec fic focused or friendly C) event where authors have opportunity (large or small) to promote Now we need you guys. Using the criteria … Read more