Announcing The Release of SPECULATIVE FICTION 2013, Plus Giveaway

[Heather's note: Author Diane Dooley is a contributor in SPECULATIVE FICTION 2013: The Year's Best Online Reviews, Essays and Commentary. Her science fiction romance essay, Mars Needs Women? Too Bad!, originally appeared here at The Galaxy Express and editors Ana Grilo and Thea James (The Book Smugglers) chose it for inclusion in the anthology! She's aboard to share the news of the book's release. Take it away, Diane!]

Now here’s some cool news!

Speculative Fiction 2013: The Year’s Best Online Reviews, Essays and Commentary has released, containing pieces from a plethora of popular bloggers, a bunch of Hugo-nominated authors, and an essay originally published on this here blog. SFR in the speculative house, baby!

Never thought I’d see the day when  commentary on Science Fiction Romance would be considered worthy of inclusion in such an anthology, but I ain’t complaining. It feels good to be part of the larger speculative fiction community, and kudos to the editors for being open to all branches of speculative fiction-- even to the slutty cousin I so am.

Many thanks to fearless leader, Heather Massey, for allowing me space to opine on The Galaxy Express and especially for submitting my cheeky little essay to the editors for their consideration. It’s such a thrill to see my name alongside such wonderful writers and bloggers. (Shout-out to Carrie Sessarego! Homage to Aliette de Bodard! Thrust of a bloody sword to Joe Abercrombie!)

Here’s the blurb:

Sharon Lynn Fisher on "The Rise of Science Fiction Romance" At Magical Musings, Plus Giveaway

Head on over to Magical Musings to read Sharon Lynn Fisher's post on The Rise of Science Fiction Romance (thanks for the TGE shout out, Ms. Fisher!). Plus, you can enter for a chance to win a copy of her latest release, THE OPHELIA PROPHECY!

Joyfully yours,

Heather

SFR News & Links Extra: Star Wars, Gay SFR, Captain Harlock, and KDrama

I found a few gay sci-fi romance titles at a site called World of Diversity Fiction. The links take visitors to reviews. I didn't read them, but I downloaded a sample of Victoria Zagar's WRITTEN IN THE STARS (Culture Wars #1; military space opera). The cover reminded me of the SFR cover discussion at Spacefreighters Lounge since it features characters clothed in (presumably) military uniforms.

Tricia of FANgirl's Blog discusses The Potential Energy of Major Star Wars Events. She reported on the lack of diversity in various panels and conventions organized by a company called ReedPop. Such lack of foresight sends the message that marginalized fans aren't worthy of representation or even a consideration in terms of the franchise's continued financial success.

Jacqueline Koyanagi's ASCENSION: Diversity For The Win

Thanks to a giveaway at SF Signal, I won a copy of Jacqueline Koyanagi's ASCENSION: A Tangled Axon Novel (Masque Books). To which news I was all like, "Wheeee!"

ASCENSION is worth reading for its statements about diversity alone. It's a truly diverse futuristic setting. The thematically-rich story features a number of insightful observations about many subjects, yet does so without being dry or too academic. One can enjoy it for the surface plot alone, but there's also a cornucopia of social commentary for post-consumption contemplation.

Following are some non-spoiler tags to help you decide if ASCENSION is up your alley!

Triple Action Guest Blogging: Gamebooks, Steampunk, & Women in SF&F

When it rains, it pours. That's true not only of the weather outside my window, but also three guest posts of mine that all went live today!

Sci-Fi Romance: A New Kind of Hero

At Fantasy Book Cafe, I'm a participant in this year's Women in SF&F month! I'd enjoyed the posts of that event in years past and was delighted when hostess Kristen invited me to contribute an article.

The topic is my love of science fiction romance and how the "...genre has rewritten the hero narrative in order to give female characters leading roles as well as explore love and sex in a science fictional setting."

I presented a number of titles I've enjoyed, and the selection also serves to highlight the sheer variety available in this genre.

Sci-Fi Romance Quarterly Invites Authors to Participate in Link Exchange

The Sci-Fi Romance Quarterly (of which I’m a staff member) wants to help raise visibility all around by partnering with authors in a link exchange. This endeavor will make it easier for readers to discover books and authors as well as sci-fi romance news and information.

Here's how it'll work:

New SilkWords Release: Heather Massey's DANGEROUS RENDEZVOUS

[In the interest of full disclosure, Heather Massey is the owner of The Galaxy Express]

I'm excited to share the news of my latest sci-fi romance: DANGEROUS RENDEZVOUS is out now from SilkWords! SilkWords features gamebook-style romances. Here's the cover and teaser:

Image source: SilkWords

Agent Lucia Alvarez is investigating rumors of bizarre experiments on a distant planet when she encounters the man who broke her heart. Can they join forces to solve the mystery, or will his dark secret tear them apart?

***

List of Sci-Fi Romance Non-Jerk Heroes

A few days ago, author Ros Clarke fielded the idea of putting out a call "for suggestions of books with non-jerk heroes to read next" (contemporary/historical romances). I'm guessing this was for a book club. 

At any rate, seeing her tweet reminded me of just how many non-jerk heroes I encounter in science fiction romance. In my experience, non-jerk heroes are the default in SFR. Therefore, I culled a list of non-jerk heroes from the books I've read!

Here are some titles to start us off. It's by no means inclusive and is in random order. 

Interviewing Sharon Lynn Fisher (THE OPHELIA PROPHECY) at SF Signal

John DeNardo of SF Signal fame kindly invited me over to interview Sharon Lynn Fisher, author of THE OPHELIA PROPHECY (Tor). While munching toasted bagels and sampling drinks from John's legendary K-Cup® collection, Ms. Fisher and I chatted about her new biopunk science fiction romance. And yes, Zorak is in the house!

Joyfully yours,

Heather

SFR News & Links For April 2014

Behold--a very happy month of science fiction romance releases, news, and links!

New releases

RIVETED (Iron Seas; mass-market release) – Meljean Brook

A century after a devastating volcanic eruption forced Iceland’s inhabitants to abandon its shores, the island has become enshrouded in legend. Fishermen tell tales of giant trolls guarding the land and of seductive witches who steal men’s hearts. But the truth behind the legends is mechanical, not magic—and the mystery of the island a matter of life and death for a community of women who once spilled noble blood to secure their freedom.

Five years ago, Annika unwittingly endangered that secret, but her sister Källa took the blame and was exiled. Now Annika serves on the airship Phatéon, flying from port to port in search of her sister and longing to return home . . . but that home is threatened when expedition leader David Kentewess comes aboard.

Determined to solve the mystery of his own origin, David will stop at nothing to expose Annika’s secrets. But when disaster strikes, leaving David and Annika stranded on a glacier and pursued by a madman, their very survival depends on keeping the heat rising between them—and generating lots of steam . . .

Guest Post: On Marketing Sci-Fi Romance: One Author's Experience By Deborah A. Bailey

[HATHOR LEGACY: OUTCAST author Deborah A. Bailey is aboard The Galaxy Express to share her experience as an author of sci-fi romance! I read her book after one of my passengers brought it to my attention. Ms. Bailey's post is, in part, about the discoverability issues facing sci-fi romance and I'm guessing quite a few authors can relate to her journey. Thanks for joining us, Ms. Bailey!]

Several years ago I was in a writing class at a local county college. There were about 12 students and each of us had to introduce ourselves and mention the genres we liked to read. Well, about 10 of the students claimed they read every genre except Science Fiction. As it turned out I was sitting next to the only other SF fan. We were friendly enough until we got into a disagreement over how long it would take for a spaceship to get from the Earth to Mars--but that's a topic for another post!

Though most of my friends love Star Trek, Star Wars, and a host of other SF-inspired TV shows and movies, when it comes to reading, their tastes run more towards the mainstream. When they asked what my novel, Hathor Legacy: Outcast was about, I got more than a few blank stares.