Monthly Archives: September 2017

Jana Blogs

Rainbow Snippets

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I’m off to the steampunk ball tonight. I should already be there for the library presentations and games (which made NPR this year) but I’m slammed with work. I also just managed to break a toe so yay for me. Thankfully it’s being autumn right now (instead of 90 degrees like most of the week). I just love autumn.

I’m continuing with my WIP These Haunted Hills and it occurs to me I haven’t recapped the plot in a while. Brendan is a famous YA author looking to do a more adult paranormal book so he’s come to the Hocking Hills to do research on its ghosts. He’s also recently divorce from a wife he’s still good friends with but they couldn’t move past the death of their son together. Joshua is a professor of ecology at a local university who studies foxes and in his off times investigates ghosts with his friend, Cassia. He’s a huge geek and fan of Brendan’s work.

Last time we left off with Josh chuckling over Brendan being freaked out by fox cries.

What did you think that cry was?”

“Literally no idea. Could have been a Sasquatch for all I know.”

Joshua laughed again. The mirth pooled in his bright eyes.

“Again, promised not laugh.” Brendan stabbed a finger at Joshua who didn’t look the least bit remorseful. Their waitress returned to refill their coffees before bustling off.

“You’re right, could have been a Sasquatch. I’m friendly with a team of Big Foot hunters who call themselves Sasquatch Sneakers even though we call Big Foot the Grassman in these parts.”

Brendan stared for a moment, trying to determine if Joshua was pulling his leg. “Really?”

If you’d like to play along, Rainbow Snippets is a Facebook community where we post up 6 sentences of one of our LGBT stories every Saturday. It’s been fun and you can find it here. Be sure to check out all the offers! It’s been a great supportive group!

Jana Blogs

Sunday Small Talk

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I’ve been quiet because not much has been happening. I’ve been busy deep cleaning the house and tossing stuff in prelude to either moving or at least inspection by my new landlords and trying to keep my head above water with the new class.

But I did get the final edits on my steampunk Christmas story. I felt SO bad because somehow there was a problem with the file. I think having to convert it (using libreoffice) from Docx to the old doc file because my parents’ computer still has the 2003 Word on it caused issues that forced the publisher to redo ALL the formatting. I know it’s not exactly my fault but it still made me feel like an ass.

Hopefully though the next you hear of this I’ll have the cover and the pre-order links.

Jana Blogs

Rainbow Snippets

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How is it Saturday again? This year is in hyperdrive. And since it’s an insanely busy weekend where I should be saying I’m going on a steampunk train ride (but I’m not because a) too freaking hot, 90+ in Sept in Ohio??? and b) too busy), I’ll get right down to it.

Continuing with These Haunted Hills and you finally get to learn what terrified Brendan in the woods (if Josh can stop chuckling at him that is). It’s longer than it should be just so I can close out the reveal.

“Man, now I just want to come to your place at night.” Joshua bounced in his chair, and then – as Brendan sputtered into his coffee – went redder than the morning’s sunrise. “God! I didn’t mean it like that. Why can’t I talk around you? I swear I don’t normally blurt out inappropriate shit.”

Brendan snorted. “Are you sure?”

“Mostly.” Joshua thrust out the phone. “That’s what I study, that’s a fox cry.”

“That’s what a fox sounds like? You’re kidding. I had no idea.”

“They don’t sound like that idiotic song.”

Brendan rolled his eyes. “Thank god. Keep listening. There’s more weirdness.”

Joshua hit the next recording. The howls gave way to rapid fire yipping. “That’s gekkering. You have at least two foxes out there. Could be a territorial dispute though they sound youngish. Could be pups at play. I wonder if they’re any of mine.

If you want to hear what Brendan heard, here you go, fox howls and gekkering are both on here.

If you’d like to play along, Rainbow Snippets is a Facebook community where we post up 6 sentences of one of our LGBT stories every Saturday. It’s been fun and you can find it here. Be sure to check out all the offers! It’s been a great supportive group!

Jana Blogs

Rainbow Snippets

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It’s been such a hellish week that I’m not even sure if I did or didn’t finish everyone’s post last week. If I missed you, I apologize.

Today was good. I met friends at the Mothman Festival. Had fun as always but this festival is getting huge. I did get to talk to Rosemary Ellen Guilley as usual. Her talk was packed but probably because one of the dudes from TAPS was following her.

Maybe Josh should take Brendan out to the TNT site (I went today). Speaking of These Haunted Hills I’ll be continuing with them. Last week Brendan was spooked by something screaming in the woods. This picks up the next day. He’s met Josh in a diner and Josh has asked why Brendan looks so exhausted and that’s where we’re at (and six sentences means you still don’t get to learn exactly what happened yet).

“Okay I was outside last night on the porch having a beer when I heard this sound. Scared the hell out of me!” Brendan shuddered and then noticed the amusement in Joshua’s eyes. He could practically pick the words ‘city boy’ out of Joshua’s mind. “It keep crying out and I managed to record some of it. Here, listen.”

He handed it to Joshua before picking up his coffee. Joshua tapped the screen, making the haunting cry echo in the diner. An old couple looked at them from their table across the way. Joshua chuckled.

“You promised not to laugh!”

If you’d like to play along, Rainbow Snippets is a Facebook community where we post up 6 sentences of one of our LGBT stories every Saturday. It’s been fun and you can find it here. Be sure to check out all the offers! It’s been a great supportive group!

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Renewal Release!

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QSF Renewal-Print

QSF has a new book out, the latest in our series of flash fiction anthologies:

Re.new.al (noun)

1) Resuming an activity after an interruption, or
2) Extending a contract, subscription or license, or
3) Replacing or repairing something that is worn out, run-down, or broken, or
4) Rebirth after death.

Four definitions to spark inspiration, a limitless number of stories to be conceived. Only 110 made the cut.

Thrilling to hopeful, Renewal features 300-word speculative fiction ficlets about sexual and gender minorities to entice readers.

Welcome to Renewal.

Mischief Corner Books (info only) | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Goodreads

Renewal Banner

Excerpt

Because these stories are only 300 words each, we’re not supplying long excerpts, but here are the first lines of several of the stories. Enjoy!

“Griselda pulled the weeds from between the rows of Valerianella locusta plants in the garden, careful not to disturb the buds that would grow into the babies that were her only real income-producing crop.” —The Witches’ Garden, by Rie Sheridan Rose

“I didn’t know how truly the world was in trouble until I went journeying to look for Anisette’s bluebonnets.” —Bluebonnets, by Emily Horner

“The ship’s drive malfunctioned at the worst possible time.” —The Return, by Andrea Speed

“Before we continue, there’s a rather macabre fact about me I should share.” —Rejuvenation, by Christine Wright

“When I died they buried me at the bottom of the garden and returned to the fields.” —Below the Hill, by Matthew Bright

“The world is ending and I can’t look away from your eyes.” —Sunrise, by Brigitte Winter

““Losing one’s superpowers to your arch nemesis sucks donkey nuts, I tell ya. And trust me when I say I suck a lot of them.” —Rainbow Powers, by Dustin Karpovich

“The day I was born again was damp, rainy—a good day for rebirth, all things considered.” —The Birthing Pod, by Michelle Browne

“Intwir’s twelve eyes roved over the container, taking in the cracked outer lock and the elasticated fabric stretched tightly over its exterior.” —In a Bind, by S R Jones

“‘You’ve reached Androgyne HelpLine. Press one to start service. Press two to interrupt or cancel service. Press three—’” —Auto-Renew, by Ginger Streusel

“The doctor tells me that my wife is dying, but I already know.” —I Will Be Your Shelter, by Carey Ford Compton

“‘San Francisco was the first to go dark, followed by Los Angeles.’” —When Light Left, by Lex Chase

“My fingers lingered on the synthetic skin, trailing soft patterns across my work.” —Miss You, by Stephanie Shaffer

Ebook:

http://www.mischiefcornerbooks.com/store/p123/Renewal%3A_Queer_Sci_Fi%27s_Fourth_Annual_Flash_Fiction_Contest.html

https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/renewal-27

https://www.24symbols.com/book/x/x/x?id=2333692

https://play.playster.com/books/10009781386116653/renewal-j-scott-coatsworth

Print (b/w illustrations only):

Paperback (color illustrations, est available 9/16 – preorder now)

Included Authors

‘Nathan Burgoine
A.M. Leibowitz
A.M. Soto
Abby Bartle
Aidee Ladnier
Alexis Woods
Andi Deacon
Andrea Felber Seligman
Andrea Speed
Andrea Stanet
Anne McPherson
Bey Deckard
Brigitte Winter
Carey Ford Compton
Carol Holland March
Carrie Pack
Catherine Lundoff
CB Lee
Christine Wright
Colton Aalto
Daniel Mitton
Dustin Blottenberger
Dustin Karpovich
E R Zhang
E.J. Russell
E.W. Murks
Ell Schulman
Ellery Jude
Eloreen Moon
Elsa M León
Emily Horner
Eric Alan Westfall
F.T. Lukens
Fenrir Cerebellion
Foster Bridget Cassidy
Ginger Streusel
Hannah Henry
Irene Preston
J. Alan Veerkamp
J. P. Egry
J. Summerset
J.S. Fields
Jaap Boekestein
Jackie Keswick
Jana Denardo
Jeff Baker
Jenn Burke
Joe Baumann
John Moralee
Jon Keys
Jude Dunn
K.C. Faelan
Kelly Haworth
Kiterie Aine
Kristen Lee
L M Somerton
L. Brian Carroll
L.M. Brown
L.V. Lloyd
Laurie Treacy
Leigh M. Lorien
Lex Chase
Lia Harding
Lin Kelly
Lloyd A. Meeker
Lyda Morehouse
M.D. Grimm
Martha J. Allard
Mary E. Lowd
Matt Doyle
Matthew Bright
Mia Koutras
Michelle Browne
Milo Owen
Mindy Leana Shuman
Naomi Tajedler
Natsuya Uesugi
Nephy Hart
Nicole Dennis
Ofelia Gränd
Patricia Scott
Paul Stevens
PW Covington
R R Angell
R.L. Merrill
Rebecca Cohen
Redfern Jon Barrett
Reni Kieffer
Richard Amos
RL Mosswood
Robyn Walker
Rory Ni Coileain
Rose Blackthorn
Ross Common
S R Jones
Sacchi Green
Sarah Einstein
Shilo Quetchenbach
Siri Paulson
Soren Summers
Stephanie Shaffer
Steve Fuson
Tam Ames
Terry Poole
Tray Ellis
Vivien Dean
Wendy Rathbone
Xenia Melzer
Zen DiPietro
Zev de Valera