FOR READERS Today’s reader topic comes from QSFer Scott: Riffing off of our article today, what is your favorite mythology, and what are some of your favorite queer spec fic books that use it as a backdrop? Writers: This is a reader chat – you are welcome to join it, but please do not reference your own works directly. Thanks! Join the chat: FB: http://bit.ly/1MvPABVMeWe: http://bit.ly/2mjg8lf
In this episode of Life’s Little Mysteries, we’ll take a closer look at mythical creatures and fantastic beasts that have inspired the human imagination for thousands of years. Where did the idea of monsters like dragons and unicorns come from, and what’s behind sailors’ descriptions of beautiful and enticing mermaids? Listen to Life’s Little Mysteries 37: Mysterious Mythical Creatures, to find out! You’ll also hear about some of the creatures that persist in modern folklore, such as the Jersey Devil, the Mongolian Death Worm and the chupacabra. And while today’s Bigfoot is a creature of legend rather than fact, a … Read more
Dragons are among the most popular and enduring of the world’s mythological creatures. Dragon tales are known in many cultures, from the Americas to Europe, and from India to China. They have a long and rich history in many forms and continue to populate our books, films and television shows. It’s not clear when or where stories of dragons first emerged, but the huge, flying serpents were described at least as early as the age of the ancient Greeks and Sumerians. For much of history dragons were thought of as being like any other mythical animal: sometimes useful and protective, … Read more
QSFer Amir Lane has a new queer/transgender paranormal book out: Panther Queen. When cattle rancher Lenna Alvarez rescues a black jaguar, she discovers there’s more to the animal that meets the eye. Bonding with a centuries-old Aztec Warrior wasn’t part of her plans. Then again, neither was simultaneously facing off against an American businessman and poachers encroaching on her family lands. With her newfound powers, Lenna is sure the poachers don’t stand a chance. Only, Lenna isn’t the only one bringing strange animal powers to the game. The poachers have them too, led by businessman Ansen Peters. Lenna is in … Read more
Title: The Lurid Sea Author: Tom Cardamone Genre: Erotica LGBTQ+ Category: Gay Publisher: Bold Strokes Books Pages: 182 Blurb: A steamy bacchanal bending through time and space, replete with the occasional God, mythic creatures, and oh-so-many men. For centuries the godling Nerites luxuriated in a shifting sexual paradise, hopping from one bathhouse to another—from disco-era Manhattan to Feudal Japan and back to where it all started: ancient Rome. When the dark shadow of his half-brother, the sinister Obsidio, descends, his deadly kiss leaves bodies cooling in steam room corners. Nerites must adopt a new role: as defender of these hidden … Read more
Kethric Wilcox has a new MM paranormal vampire book out: Cain Slays Abel! In this day and age, that’s not an earth-shattering headline. We want headlines that scream of life-altering events. Terrorists Nuke Peace Conference! Wow! What a gripping headline. This is something to change the world. Oh, wait! The world did transform. This ran as the lead story a few hours before the beginning of The Upheaval. The current world birthed in nuclear fire and electromagnetic disruption. Gone are the nations I grew up with. My life altered again. Cain Slays Abel! The truth behind such a classic story … Read more
QSFer Andrew J. Peters has a new gay fantasy short out: Based on one of the most popular stories from classical mythology, “Theseus and the Minotaur” is a short story retelling by award-winning fantasy author Andrew J. Peters (The City of Seven Gods, Poseidon and Cleito). Eighteen-year-old Theseus is heir to the kingdom of Athens, but he has only known of his origins for half a year. Meanwhile, Athens has been crippled by war with Crete, a much more powerful adversary whose cruel king demands seven boys and seven girls to challenge his stepson the Minotaur. To stand for honor, … Read more
FOR WRITERS Today’s writer topic comes from QSFer Robin Harper: For Writers: Let’s talk about Myths. How do you create the myths in your novels? World building is an arduous task, but the stories that exist in that world are just as important to the culture, religion (should there be one), and society. My personal favorite Myth Helper is Joseph Campbell, His books have given me many ‘Aha!’ moments when it comes to building a story that inspires and changes the protagonist. What are your sources/inspirations that you reach for when you’re putting the myth(s) together? Join the chat
QSFer Toby Aden has a new MM fantasy romance out: Yves is the second-born son of the Fire Kingdom. He has lived his life battling constant restlessness and depression. He had always felt as though there was more, that there was something out there for him. His art was the only way he used to escape from his head. Greek god Apollo had been promised a mate. He just never imagined how long he’d have to wait for that promise to be fulfilled. Centuries passed but no mate showed up, more centuries passed until, finally, he felt the spark, a … Read more
Trickster gods occur in many cultures and often demonstrate a certain gender and/or sexual fluidity. For today’s post I will concentrate on one: Norse trickster Loki.
Loki practices forms of magic which, in Norse culture, mark him as effeminate. He’s also a gender-bending shapeshifter, as demonstrated in the following tale….