Five things I learned about declaring an intergalactic recognition week on my blog.
1) It's a lot of fun.
2) It's a lot of work.
3) SciFiRom fans are the best!
4) Surprises are a guarantee.
5) Kahn gets scratched off the invitation list.
Thank you, everyone who participated, commented, answered interviews, turned the interviews around on me (ha), shared your thoughts, opinions, likes, dislikes, hopes and dreams about the Science Fiction Romance subgenre. To anyone stopping by for the first time, thanks for looking in and please come back soon.
Now please enjoy your weekend and read a great SciFiRom!
*conducts closing ceremony speech*
*trumpets*
*fireworks*
*parade*
*cheers*
*flag waving*
*collapses*
Showing posts with label SciFiRom Week. Show all posts
Showing posts with label SciFiRom Week. Show all posts
Friday, October 3, 2008
Favorite SciFiRom Author Poll Results
The poll has now closed and the SciFiRom author garnering the most votes was:
*suspenseful drumroll*
Linnea Sinclair
Other authors who received votes were:
Lois McMaster Bujold
Sandra McDonald
Susan Grant
Thanks for participating in our Favorite Science Fiction Romance Author poll.
*suspenseful drumroll*
Linnea Sinclair
Other authors who received votes were:
Lois McMaster Bujold
Sandra McDonald
Susan Grant
Thanks for participating in our Favorite Science Fiction Romance Author poll.
SFR Meet and Greet
This is our Intergalactic Science Fiction Romance Meet and Greet social event being conducted all day, every day of our celebration week. So grab some Science Fiction Romance cake, a bit of Cosmic Comet ice cream, Pinwheel Galaxy punch and have fun!
Post a comment just to say hi, or let us know if you read, write, represent, publish or are a fan of SciFiRom (self-promotion is not only allowed, it's encouraged!). Did you just drop by to see what all the whoopla is about? Great! Have a website? A comment? A question? News to share? A favorite site? A favorite book? A favorite conference? Tell us.
Using advanced blog techno-wizardry (okay, we're going to attempt a little time travel date manipulation experiment), we hope to bring this chat room/party back every morning of our celebration.
Oh, and there just might be some numbers attached to comments for this date in history that results in--dare we say it--prizes? (Hmmm, do you think that was a clue?)
Post a comment just to say hi, or let us know if you read, write, represent, publish or are a fan of SciFiRom (self-promotion is not only allowed, it's encouraged!). Did you just drop by to see what all the whoopla is about? Great! Have a website? A comment? A question? News to share? A favorite site? A favorite book? A favorite conference? Tell us.
Using advanced blog techno-wizardry (okay, we're going to attempt a little time travel date manipulation experiment), we hope to bring this chat room/party back every morning of our celebration.
Oh, and there just might be some numbers attached to comments for this date in history that results in--dare we say it--prizes? (Hmmm, do you think that was a clue?)
Sound Off about SFR
We've been revelling all week on what's so great about Science Fiction Romance, but there's always room for improvement. I asked for a few comments on what fans aren't so happy about, and boy, did I get them. Here's a Sound Off:
While mental lusting has its merit, I'm all for reining it in as far as science fiction romance is concerned. I think that in the romance genre as a whole, there's an over-reliance on mental lusting for both building sexual tension as well as for character development. Too much of it lapses into telling, not showing. Plus, page after page of it lessens the impact.
I'd love to read more Mundane SF stories, near-future, and alternate history with a romance. Oh, and let's have some alien shape shifters with super superpowers!
I prefer titles that are more SF and less romance-y (e.g., Wicked Hot Intergalactic Lover). Not to be confused with titles that invoke a sense of romantic adventure--those are great.
While mental lusting has its merit, I'm all for reining it in as far as science fiction romance is concerned. I think that in the romance genre as a whole, there's an over-reliance on mental lusting for both building sexual tension as well as for character development. Too much of it lapses into telling, not showing. Plus, page after page of it lessens the impact.
I'd love to read more Mundane SF stories, near-future, and alternate history with a romance. Oh, and let's have some alien shape shifters with super superpowers!
I prefer titles that are more SF and less romance-y (e.g., Wicked Hot Intergalactic Lover). Not to be confused with titles that invoke a sense of romantic adventure--those are great.
Do authors and publishing professionals even give a horse’s hiney about what we think? For the love of Spock! Gives us some stories with Heroes and Heroines who are not all Alphas and Kick-Butts, Caucasian-looking, between the ages of 25 and 35, and childless, regardless of how many times they do it against every bulkhead on their spaceship, their perfect pecks and perky boobs (no stretch marks, of course) described in graphic detail. SFR readers love the Fantastic Unknown. Tastes vary, but the only cardinal rule is the ‘Happily Ever After’ ending.
I'd like to see more variety in Science Fiction Romance. I mean, there's a whole universe of possibilities out there. So many have the same elements again and again--pirates, smugglers, princes, princesses. There's a myriad of other occupations, and a broad spectrum of government types that could be incorporated to avoid the rubber stamp feeling so many novels of the genre take on. Also, I get bugged when a novel is labeled as Science Fiction and the author creates a planet full of vampires or werewolves. There's no limit to imaginative possible life forms that could be created, why use the same old tired Fantasy icons?
Thinking green is great, but not when it comes to plots. I have a lot of gripes about recycled ideas. Most of them here: The Great List of Overused Science Fiction Cliches.
Names that are too complex to read and hold in your head, too much world building too early on in the story, not enough sex in them (each to his own!!!). Heroines that are too in your face - too kick ass too much!! You know what I mean? It emasculates the men and diminishes them. Also, plots that are too complicated. I liked THE OUTBACK STARS apart from the magic aboriginal angle thing, but I liked Terry much more than the heroine. I can't remember her name either! I like the softer scifi romance without too much technical stuff. I don't need three pages telling me how a ship works.
I think telepathy is a little overdone. Why do so many stories set in the future have somebody with the power to read minds? I would love to see genuine character interaction without at least one character having the ability to know what the other is thinking.
Is there some universal law in SFR that names have to start with d'something-or-other?
Pet peeves...Sci Fi that isn't original. With all you can do with worldbuilding I hate to see the same ol same ol Star Trek or Star Wars flashback. Beam me up, hyperdrive, cyborgs, anti-grav sex. Please use your imagination and yes sci fi can have fantasy elements, don't be afraid to use them and be creative.
I love fresh world-building and a writer who isn't afraid they might offend. I love writers who don't censor. I don't care if they say F*&#, as long as it's not just to throw in gratuitous cussing. If it truly reflects the characters personality, by all means, give em a potty mouth. I'm a big girl. I also hate books that preach to me, whatever it is the writers belief, personal, political or environmental. It's okay to write about it, sure it makes for great stories, but don't make it an obvious soap box. I also hate when writers hedge sex scenes. If you're going to write romance, don't hedge and shut the doors. I think it kills the tension. I'm not saying they all have to be graphic and dirty, but god don't lead me to the door and slam it in my face. I hear a lot of people say they'd rather not read it, but I'll bet if you get some of them one on one, they'd admit that they actually like it. Stop being a public prude... Write what you want and stop censoring yourselves because you think that all your readers are prudes. Let us make the decisions for ourselves.
Thanks to those who took off their gloves and let us have it straight to the jaw. Sometimes we need to know what's wrong, as well as what's right.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Coming Tomorrow
Tomorrow will be our final day of Intergalactic Science Fiction Romance Week and we'll have a few fun posts.
First, the Sound Off. I asked a number of SciFiRom fans to dish on what they don't want to see in SciFiRom, or what they think can be improved. And man, did I get feedback. All comments will be posted anonymously and I think you'll find what is said very educational.
Then...a few of my interviewees this week turned the tables on me--Boomerang: surprise!--and had me answer a few interview questions. Wow, too interviews in one week. I think I've used up my allotment for awhile. :) I'll post that tomorrow too.
Our Meet and Greet will warp forward in time for one the last day and then we'll wrap up the celebration with the Friday Five.
Hope to see you then.
First, the Sound Off. I asked a number of SciFiRom fans to dish on what they don't want to see in SciFiRom, or what they think can be improved. And man, did I get feedback. All comments will be posted anonymously and I think you'll find what is said very educational.
Then...a few of my interviewees this week turned the tables on me--Boomerang: surprise!--and had me answer a few interview questions. Wow, too interviews in one week. I think I've used up my allotment for awhile. :) I'll post that tomorrow too.
Our Meet and Greet will warp forward in time for one the last day and then we'll wrap up the celebration with the Friday Five.
Hope to see you then.
And the Winner is...
Well, I've kept you all in suspense long enough and since we don't have a second winner yet, I'll go ahead and announce our one and only.
Jess Granger was the 9th person to post a comment under the Intergalactic Science Fiction Romance Week Meet and Greet and that made her our winner. Congratulations, Jess.
You'll have your choice of an Amazon or Zazzle gift certificate. Email me at Lgreen2162 AT aol DOT com (yes, that's encrypted to defeat spammer bots) so we can work out the details.
By the way, in trying to hunt down an email address for Jess, I discovered she was a guest blogger yesterday on Ann Aguirre's blog. You might want to check it out here.
Jess Granger was the 9th person to post a comment under the Intergalactic Science Fiction Romance Week Meet and Greet and that made her our winner. Congratulations, Jess.
You'll have your choice of an Amazon or Zazzle gift certificate. Email me at Lgreen2162 AT aol DOT com (yes, that's encrypted to defeat spammer bots) so we can work out the details.
By the way, in trying to hunt down an email address for Jess, I discovered she was a guest blogger yesterday on Ann Aguirre's blog. You might want to check it out here.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Cast a SFR Character Interactive Game
*creepy War Games computer voice* Would you like to play a game?
Whew, this was a tough one to do logistically. It's called "Cast a SFR Character."
Here's how it works.
1. Read the excerpts below.
2. Choose an actor that you think fits the part.
3. See the pictures of actors posted in a separate post for visual stimuli.
4. Enter your choices in the poll (which should be somewhere in the vicinity of this post, if all goes well. If not...well, this little experiment has gone a bit off kilter and the poll is probably at the top of the page.)
Note: The excerpts were outtakes, picked up off the cutting room floor of a Science Fiction Romance writer. I won't mention any names. Or titles. :)
(Of course if you really rave about their work, they might step forward and 'fess up.)
Character: "Leo"
Scene: A character from the future pursues his target back to ancient Egypt
Leo ducked, barely avoiding a sword from separating his head from his shoulders. He was sure he just got a haircut. That one had skimmed his scalp. He turned and countered, returning the favor, but he was successful. The head that had been attached to an Egyptian guard went rolling across the stone floor. He swallowed hard. No matter how many times he had to do it, it was still difficult to take a life and not get affected by it one way or another. Whenever it happened his stomach always got a little ill. He knew it was kill or be killed, still it was hard. He pushed it to the back of his mind to work through later. Right now his warranty didn’t cover decapitation and if he didn’t pay attention it would certainly expire.
“Get back Leo!”
He stopped for a second. There was nothing that could come through those doors he couldn’t handle. After all he was a man and a Guardian. Nothing scared him, nothing. He started running again and came to a halt right behind AzraXel. Another scream, more horrific than the first. He stared in horror. Okay, maybe nothing was too strong a word, he was scared now. What the hell was that?
Leoninus spit blood into the sand and picked himself back up. Who would have known she was so agile.
Duly noted.
She spun around nailing him with another kick to the jaw, knocking him back down to the sand. And who the hell taught her to fight like that? Leo growled low and animalistic from deep in his chest. It was his turn. He launched himself across the sand catching her across the hips taking her to the ground like a defensive lineman.
She rolled, flipping him to his back before driving her elbow down into his sternum.
It hurt like hell. Two could play that game. He flipped her back over, he was the bigger, badder more dominate alpha and he was going to show her just how much. He tried to grab both her wrists to pin them over her head. He was unsuccessful. She still had one free and managed to somehow pull a knife that was strapped on her thigh. She buried it to the hilt in his chest.
He gasped clutching at the knife, backing off. Damn that was cold.
Whew, this was a tough one to do logistically. It's called "Cast a SFR Character."
Here's how it works.
1. Read the excerpts below.
2. Choose an actor that you think fits the part.
3. See the pictures of actors posted in a separate post for visual stimuli.
4. Enter your choices in the poll (which should be somewhere in the vicinity of this post, if all goes well. If not...well, this little experiment has gone a bit off kilter and the poll is probably at the top of the page.)
Note: The excerpts were outtakes, picked up off the cutting room floor of a Science Fiction Romance writer. I won't mention any names. Or titles. :)
(Of course if you really rave about their work, they might step forward and 'fess up.)
Character: "Leo"
Scene: A character from the future pursues his target back to ancient Egypt
Leo ducked, barely avoiding a sword from separating his head from his shoulders. He was sure he just got a haircut. That one had skimmed his scalp. He turned and countered, returning the favor, but he was successful. The head that had been attached to an Egyptian guard went rolling across the stone floor. He swallowed hard. No matter how many times he had to do it, it was still difficult to take a life and not get affected by it one way or another. Whenever it happened his stomach always got a little ill. He knew it was kill or be killed, still it was hard. He pushed it to the back of his mind to work through later. Right now his warranty didn’t cover decapitation and if he didn’t pay attention it would certainly expire.
“Get back Leo!”
He stopped for a second. There was nothing that could come through those doors he couldn’t handle. After all he was a man and a Guardian. Nothing scared him, nothing. He started running again and came to a halt right behind AzraXel. Another scream, more horrific than the first. He stared in horror. Okay, maybe nothing was too strong a word, he was scared now. What the hell was that?
Leoninus spit blood into the sand and picked himself back up. Who would have known she was so agile.
Duly noted.
She spun around nailing him with another kick to the jaw, knocking him back down to the sand. And who the hell taught her to fight like that? Leo growled low and animalistic from deep in his chest. It was his turn. He launched himself across the sand catching her across the hips taking her to the ground like a defensive lineman.
She rolled, flipping him to his back before driving her elbow down into his sternum.
It hurt like hell. Two could play that game. He flipped her back over, he was the bigger, badder more dominate alpha and he was going to show her just how much. He tried to grab both her wrists to pin them over her head. He was unsuccessful. She still had one free and managed to somehow pull a knife that was strapped on her thigh. She buried it to the hilt in his chest.
He gasped clutching at the knife, backing off. Damn that was cold.
Interview with Kimber An on YA SF(R)
Today I'm interviewing Kimber An of the Young Adult Science Fiction blog with some specific questions about young adult interest in Science Fiction and Science Fiction Romance.
Q: Your Star Captains' Daughter and Enduring Romance blogs have been very popular. What inspired you to start another blog directed at young adults interested in SciFi?
A: First of all, I’d like to say the selfish reason I started YA SciFi is so I can learn more about the Science Fiction which appeals to teens. I’m just getting started and I don’t consider myself an expert.
As a blogging book reviewer, what I see about readers often conflicts with what the publishing industry believes about them. I knew a lot of teens who loved Science Fiction, including girls. Yet, the industry thinks the market is extremely small. Correct me if I’m wrong because I would dearly love to be. Some even believe the Science Fiction label scares them off as ‘geeky,’ so they might label a YA Science Fiction novel as Fantasy or Paranormal instead. From my point of view, there is a healthy bunch of teens who love Science Fiction. It’s simply that the publishing industry has mostly failed to make a connection with them. I noticed some teens over here might know some great books while others elsewhere knew about some great games, but they couldn’t get together because the publishers didn’t know how to reach and connect them. I created the Young Adult Science Fiction blog to help teens find the Science Fiction they’ll love and so they can help each other find it too.
Q: What are your thoughts on why YA Science Fiction is so rare, but YA Fantasy is so predominant?
A: I’ve touched on that a little bit already. Actually, it’s not rare. It’s simply mislabeled. In an effort to reach readers, a lot of publishers have missed the readers who are truly interested. Publishers and teen readers are like two ships passing in the dark.
Q: In media, science fiction seems very popular for YA viewers. What's your take on why the publishing industry is not aligned with the current trends in television and theater?
A: Media is easy. It’s visual and audio and right there in front of you. Reading is completely different. Here are the reasons I think most publishers are missing the Science Fiction boat with teen readers-
1) They seem to think reading ability is low and that most teens don’t read. This is not true for teens who read Science Fiction. Sci-Fi Teens are avid readers who read waaaay above grade level. Most of the SciFi Teens I know skip YA and go straight to regular adult Science Fiction. That is why my blog is about the Science Fiction teens like, whether it’s meant for them or not.
2) None of the Sci-Fi Teens I know care about being cool and popular. They’re not afraid of marching to the beat of their own drums. Trying to shape YA Science Fiction to meet current teen trends is a waste of time and even a turn-off, in my observation. For example, my first teen reviewer, Madison, reviewed an original series Star Trek novel, DOCTOR’S ORDERS by Diane Duane from 1990. Assumptions cannot be made about SciFi Teens. They must be respected as individuals.
Q: What would you like to see/do you see happening in the YASF market in the near future?
A: I think Tor is onto something. It has an interactive blog for readers and a Science Fiction imprint for teens, Starscape, and they’re on MySpace as TorTeen. It seems to me they’ve really gone the extra mile to connect with teens. I’ll be following how they do closely.
I know publishers are all about getting teen readers to buy New, but I think they would do well to encourage teens reading all Science Fiction. Encouraging the love of Science Fiction as a whole will connect SciFi Teens while providing publishers with first-hand knowledge (rather than vast and general assumptions) on what teens like. Then, they can publish what teens love and teens will buy New.
Q: Do you have any articles of special note on your blog this week that you'd to share?
A: Madison’s book review is still at the top of the blog. I also reprinted an excerpt of one of Jacqueline Lichtenberg’s columns from Alien Romance. Obviously, not everything from that SFR blog is appropriate or appealing to teens, but Jacqueline’s wisdom is ageless.
Q: Is there anything else you'd like to bring up on this topic?
A: I think the key to reaching and connecting with readers of any age is to search for the need and then figure out how to fill that need, rather than stepping up on a pedestal and saying, “Look at how wonderful I am! Now buy my book!” A lot of teens, especially, are used to being treated disrespectfully by adults. Also, they can spot a fake a mile away! You have to be genuine and genuinely interested in them.
Thank you, Kimber An, for taking time out from your busy schedule to offer insights and perspective on the Youth Adult SF and SFR market. You gave some very valuable information on a group that may often be overlooked as a potential SFR fanbase.
Q: Your Star Captains' Daughter and Enduring Romance blogs have been very popular. What inspired you to start another blog directed at young adults interested in SciFi?
A: First of all, I’d like to say the selfish reason I started YA SciFi is so I can learn more about the Science Fiction which appeals to teens. I’m just getting started and I don’t consider myself an expert.
As a blogging book reviewer, what I see about readers often conflicts with what the publishing industry believes about them. I knew a lot of teens who loved Science Fiction, including girls. Yet, the industry thinks the market is extremely small. Correct me if I’m wrong because I would dearly love to be. Some even believe the Science Fiction label scares them off as ‘geeky,’ so they might label a YA Science Fiction novel as Fantasy or Paranormal instead. From my point of view, there is a healthy bunch of teens who love Science Fiction. It’s simply that the publishing industry has mostly failed to make a connection with them. I noticed some teens over here might know some great books while others elsewhere knew about some great games, but they couldn’t get together because the publishers didn’t know how to reach and connect them. I created the Young Adult Science Fiction blog to help teens find the Science Fiction they’ll love and so they can help each other find it too.
Q: What are your thoughts on why YA Science Fiction is so rare, but YA Fantasy is so predominant?
A: I’ve touched on that a little bit already. Actually, it’s not rare. It’s simply mislabeled. In an effort to reach readers, a lot of publishers have missed the readers who are truly interested. Publishers and teen readers are like two ships passing in the dark.
Q: In media, science fiction seems very popular for YA viewers. What's your take on why the publishing industry is not aligned with the current trends in television and theater?
A: Media is easy. It’s visual and audio and right there in front of you. Reading is completely different. Here are the reasons I think most publishers are missing the Science Fiction boat with teen readers-
1) They seem to think reading ability is low and that most teens don’t read. This is not true for teens who read Science Fiction. Sci-Fi Teens are avid readers who read waaaay above grade level. Most of the SciFi Teens I know skip YA and go straight to regular adult Science Fiction. That is why my blog is about the Science Fiction teens like, whether it’s meant for them or not.
2) None of the Sci-Fi Teens I know care about being cool and popular. They’re not afraid of marching to the beat of their own drums. Trying to shape YA Science Fiction to meet current teen trends is a waste of time and even a turn-off, in my observation. For example, my first teen reviewer, Madison, reviewed an original series Star Trek novel, DOCTOR’S ORDERS by Diane Duane from 1990. Assumptions cannot be made about SciFi Teens. They must be respected as individuals.
Q: What would you like to see/do you see happening in the YASF market in the near future?
A: I think Tor is onto something. It has an interactive blog for readers and a Science Fiction imprint for teens, Starscape, and they’re on MySpace as TorTeen. It seems to me they’ve really gone the extra mile to connect with teens. I’ll be following how they do closely.
I know publishers are all about getting teen readers to buy New, but I think they would do well to encourage teens reading all Science Fiction. Encouraging the love of Science Fiction as a whole will connect SciFi Teens while providing publishers with first-hand knowledge (rather than vast and general assumptions) on what teens like. Then, they can publish what teens love and teens will buy New.
Q: Do you have any articles of special note on your blog this week that you'd to share?
A: Madison’s book review is still at the top of the blog. I also reprinted an excerpt of one of Jacqueline Lichtenberg’s columns from Alien Romance. Obviously, not everything from that SFR blog is appropriate or appealing to teens, but Jacqueline’s wisdom is ageless.
Q: Is there anything else you'd like to bring up on this topic?
A: I think the key to reaching and connecting with readers of any age is to search for the need and then figure out how to fill that need, rather than stepping up on a pedestal and saying, “Look at how wonderful I am! Now buy my book!” A lot of teens, especially, are used to being treated disrespectfully by adults. Also, they can spot a fake a mile away! You have to be genuine and genuinely interested in them.
Thank you, Kimber An, for taking time out from your busy schedule to offer insights and perspective on the Youth Adult SF and SFR market. You gave some very valuable information on a group that may often be overlooked as a potential SFR fanbase.
We Have a Winner!
Yes, we have a prize winner! I can't give it away just yet, but it has to do with posts and it has to do with numbers and there might have been a very subtle clue dropped earlier. Well, maybe not so subtle. Were you paying attention? ;)
Sorry to keep you in suspense. Just waiting with baited breath to see if there will be a second winner before we dish the intel.
Keep your antennaes tuned. :)
Sorry to keep you in suspense. Just waiting with baited breath to see if there will be a second winner before we dish the intel.
Keep your antennaes tuned. :)
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Interview with a Bored Florist (but Gifted Writer)
Today I'm interviewing Arlene Webb, one of my IPs and co-bloggers over on the Take it to the Stars blog. From first hand experience, I can tell you Arlene is a talented writer with a very fresh voice. (Pssst....and just between you and me, this is a name you may want to watch for in the SciFiRom section in the future. ;) )
Q: Arlene, you’ve written a unique Science Fiction trilogy with a heavy dose of romance that doesn’t involve star ships, blasters or another civilization. Where did you get the inspiration?
A: There’s many vibrant colors surrounding me in my profession—running a florist shop—I was coerced into managing when the wholesale greenhouse I ran got flattened by a tornado. There’s too many shades of boredom that surround me in a job I’ve been at too long. Color took on personality, characters were born, they hijacked the series.
Q: When did you start writing?
A: About six years ago, my son went off to college. Yippee, an empty nest and the notebooks started filling.
Q: When is your prime time for writing?
A: Every waking moment customers aren’t annoying me. Sure, I’d sleep at my paying job if the phone would stop ringing, but most times it’s a sentence here, a whaaat do you want there, then a rewritten sentence. But Sundays are my most favorite day.
Q: Besides writing, what else do you invest a lot of time doing?
A: Reading, critiquing, but unfortunately the bulk of my time is spent earning a living.
Q: How many writing projects are you working on?
A: Two and a brood. I’m polishing book 3 in the Color series, just started a stand alone that’s got a minor tie in to the series, and I’m mentally cluttered with the wrap to the series.
Q: Who are your favorite authors or who has inspired you?
A: Barbara Elsborg. Bill Watterson. Harlan Corbin. TC Boyle. Christopher Moore. JK Rowling. Tolkien. Frank Herbert. Kurt Vonnegut….just a few that immediately come to mind. The list is endless.
Q: Do you have a most favorite book?
A: Nah. I’m too easily delighted, and surrounded by too many wonders to play favorites. I do have a book, Robin Hood, I stole when I was seven. (Hey, put the phone down. Petty theft has a statue of limitations, and I didn’t murder that particular librarian.) It’s pretty tattered and torn, so I’ll twist your question to oldest book.
Q: What’s your favorite Science Fiction (Romance) movie or TV show?
A: Ohh, again, there’s too many to have a favorite. Buffy, but not the movie. Fireflies series and Serenity. Stargate Atlantis. Heroes. X-Men...
Q: Who is you favorite character from your stories and why?
A: Malcolm. He’s the most annoying. If you have an hour I’ll go into detail, but you might as well give up getting him to do something he doesn’t want to do. His character grows more complex with every book so that I, his reason for being, have to go round and round with him if he feels the slightest detail is off. Every other character cooperates, grows and expands without trying to take me with them. I mean, the nerve trying to teach your creator what’s what, but you have to respect that in a character.
Q: What do you enjoy most about being a writer?
A: It can be painstaking drudgery, and it seems never ending to learn how to pour convoluted detail from your head to make a logical sentence, but most of all I love snickering to myself when a line works itself out to have an ironic twist.
Q: What do you enjoy the least?
A: The hours that disappear.
Q: Anything else you’d like to tell us?
A: Yes: Thanks for being such a great friend, Laurie, and for promoting sci-fi-romance on your blogs and encouraging me to keep writing.
Thank you, Arlene, for doing this interview. I'm looking forward to seeing your novels--and your particular word palette--in bookstores in the not-so-distant future.
Q: Arlene, you’ve written a unique Science Fiction trilogy with a heavy dose of romance that doesn’t involve star ships, blasters or another civilization. Where did you get the inspiration?
A: There’s many vibrant colors surrounding me in my profession—running a florist shop—I was coerced into managing when the wholesale greenhouse I ran got flattened by a tornado. There’s too many shades of boredom that surround me in a job I’ve been at too long. Color took on personality, characters were born, they hijacked the series.
Q: When did you start writing?
A: About six years ago, my son went off to college. Yippee, an empty nest and the notebooks started filling.
Q: When is your prime time for writing?
A: Every waking moment customers aren’t annoying me. Sure, I’d sleep at my paying job if the phone would stop ringing, but most times it’s a sentence here, a whaaat do you want there, then a rewritten sentence. But Sundays are my most favorite day.
Q: Besides writing, what else do you invest a lot of time doing?
A: Reading, critiquing, but unfortunately the bulk of my time is spent earning a living.
Q: How many writing projects are you working on?
A: Two and a brood. I’m polishing book 3 in the Color series, just started a stand alone that’s got a minor tie in to the series, and I’m mentally cluttered with the wrap to the series.
Q: Who are your favorite authors or who has inspired you?
A: Barbara Elsborg. Bill Watterson. Harlan Corbin. TC Boyle. Christopher Moore. JK Rowling. Tolkien. Frank Herbert. Kurt Vonnegut….just a few that immediately come to mind. The list is endless.
Q: Do you have a most favorite book?
A: Nah. I’m too easily delighted, and surrounded by too many wonders to play favorites. I do have a book, Robin Hood, I stole when I was seven. (Hey, put the phone down. Petty theft has a statue of limitations, and I didn’t murder that particular librarian.) It’s pretty tattered and torn, so I’ll twist your question to oldest book.
Q: What’s your favorite Science Fiction (Romance) movie or TV show?
A: Ohh, again, there’s too many to have a favorite. Buffy, but not the movie. Fireflies series and Serenity. Stargate Atlantis. Heroes. X-Men...
Q: Who is you favorite character from your stories and why?
A: Malcolm. He’s the most annoying. If you have an hour I’ll go into detail, but you might as well give up getting him to do something he doesn’t want to do. His character grows more complex with every book so that I, his reason for being, have to go round and round with him if he feels the slightest detail is off. Every other character cooperates, grows and expands without trying to take me with them. I mean, the nerve trying to teach your creator what’s what, but you have to respect that in a character.
Q: What do you enjoy most about being a writer?
A: It can be painstaking drudgery, and it seems never ending to learn how to pour convoluted detail from your head to make a logical sentence, but most of all I love snickering to myself when a line works itself out to have an ironic twist.
Q: What do you enjoy the least?
A: The hours that disappear.
Q: Anything else you’d like to tell us?
A: Yes: Thanks for being such a great friend, Laurie, and for promoting sci-fi-romance on your blogs and encouraging me to keep writing.
Thank you, Arlene, for doing this interview. I'm looking forward to seeing your novels--and your particular word palette--in bookstores in the not-so-distant future.
Poll Ending Soon
The poll to choose a motto for our Intergalactic Science Fiction Romance Week will be closing sometime today. Get your last minute votes in for your favorite.
We'll have a new poll going up soon. In fact, if all goes well *sweats a bit* it'll be part of an interactive fun exercise sometime later today. Or tonight.
It's taking two connected posts and a poll to pull this one off, so I'm still attending to details.
We'll have a new poll going up soon. In fact, if all goes well *sweats a bit* it'll be part of an interactive fun exercise sometime later today. Or tonight.
It's taking two connected posts and a poll to pull this one off, so I'm still attending to details.
SFR What is it? What ISN'T it?
Science Fiction Romance covers a lot of ground for a subgenre niche. But what is it exactly? Or can it even be described in exact terms? Do you feel there no boundaries on that universe or are the sector lines clearly drawn? We'd love to hear your opinions.
For the sake of discussion, here are several blurbs for books defined as Science Fiction Romance using the Amazon search feature. Would you consider these to be Science Fiction Romance? Why or why not? Would you be interested in reading the book? Why or why not?
Eye of the Beholder by Stacey Klemstein
Echelon Press Publishing (February 29, 2008)
240 pages
Some women would be thrilled to have a troublesome ex-lover mysteriously disappear, but when he's an alien-human hybrid and you are supposed to be his leader...the rules change. Zara Mitchell fears the worst when Caelan vanishes while investigating a hate group...one that might have information about the strange female Observer they've been seeking. But Asha, Zara's rival and only available source for help, claims it's too dangerous to attempt a rescue. Desperate to locate Caelan and hoping against hope for a little luck, Zara strikes out on her own. Unfortunately, luck deserts her (just like everyone else) when she walks straight into a trap, one set just for her. Now, with the leader of the Observer Council breathing down her neck, and Caelan's time running out, Zara has to summon courage and strategy skills beyond anything she's ever known to save Caelan, herself and our world.
Star-Crossed by Marilyn Byerly
Hard Shell Word Factory (September 2000)
304 pages
Earthman Tristan Mallory discovers that on Arden, men are sex slaves. He has no intention of belonging to anyone, not even beautiful Mara d'Jorel. Mara despises the harem system and has refused to participate, but her heart won't allow anyone else to own Tristan, To give Tristan the freedom her world denies, she must risk everything, her reputation, home, and her freedom and life. Her greatest risk is losing Tristan's love to another woman. Tristan's friend Kellen is acquired as a bed slave by vicious Cadaran d'Hasta, head of Arden's Internal Security, who has used the lives and deaths of thousands of men to gain her power. Intelligent and amoral, she'll do anything to destroy him and Tristan and any woman weak enough to love them. With the help of a local intelligent alien who resembles an Earth cat and Dorian Dalia, Tristan's long-time romantic interest, Tristan, Mara, and Kellen escape the planet. Through the vast emptiness of space and the most primitive of human colonies, they seek freedom, but Cadaran is always one step behind them.
The Islander: A Romance of the Future by Charles Whittlesey
Lulu (February 20, 2008)
372 pages
In 2155 there are two Americas: one for the wealthy and one for the poor. The wealthy control most of the land and all the technology, while the poor lead short and squalid lives confined to the remnants of America's collapsed cities, known as Islands. The two cultures collide when Galen Fairchild, a young Islander, falls in love with Mata Vandermere, the daughter of a prosperous family from the modern city of Stratis. Like Romeo and Juliet, Galen and Mata struggle to stay together in the face of daunting opposition from family, friends, and many other forces. Their troubles finally lead them into the ghostlike ruins of downtown Minneapolis, where no Islander dares to go. Inside the crumbling skyscrapers, they discover a strange power linked to Galen's past, which not only changes his life forever, but also pits the two cultures against each other with cataclysmic results.
The Quest (The Rystani Series, Book 4) by Susan Kearney
Tor Paranormal Romance (June 27, 2006)
352 pages
A warrior on a mission
Kirek of Rystan's objective is to destroy the Federation's deadliest enemy, but he needs help. When assistance comes in the form of a sexy and irresistible space pilot , he takes on a second goal--to win her heart.
A woman with a plan
Captain Angel Taylor's going after the biggest salvage haul in her career. Fiercely independent, she can't imagine a life with Kirek, a traditional Rystani warrior with extraordinary psi powers -- but he has seductive skills she can't resist.
The Quest
Teaming up, Angel and Kirek risk their lives to fight the evil Zin empire -- but Kirek's biggest battle of all is to win Angel's love.
For the sake of discussion, here are several blurbs for books defined as Science Fiction Romance using the Amazon search feature. Would you consider these to be Science Fiction Romance? Why or why not? Would you be interested in reading the book? Why or why not?
Eye of the Beholder by Stacey Klemstein
Echelon Press Publishing (February 29, 2008)
240 pages
Some women would be thrilled to have a troublesome ex-lover mysteriously disappear, but when he's an alien-human hybrid and you are supposed to be his leader...the rules change. Zara Mitchell fears the worst when Caelan vanishes while investigating a hate group...one that might have information about the strange female Observer they've been seeking. But Asha, Zara's rival and only available source for help, claims it's too dangerous to attempt a rescue. Desperate to locate Caelan and hoping against hope for a little luck, Zara strikes out on her own. Unfortunately, luck deserts her (just like everyone else) when she walks straight into a trap, one set just for her. Now, with the leader of the Observer Council breathing down her neck, and Caelan's time running out, Zara has to summon courage and strategy skills beyond anything she's ever known to save Caelan, herself and our world.
Star-Crossed by Marilyn Byerly
Hard Shell Word Factory (September 2000)
304 pages
Earthman Tristan Mallory discovers that on Arden, men are sex slaves. He has no intention of belonging to anyone, not even beautiful Mara d'Jorel. Mara despises the harem system and has refused to participate, but her heart won't allow anyone else to own Tristan, To give Tristan the freedom her world denies, she must risk everything, her reputation, home, and her freedom and life. Her greatest risk is losing Tristan's love to another woman. Tristan's friend Kellen is acquired as a bed slave by vicious Cadaran d'Hasta, head of Arden's Internal Security, who has used the lives and deaths of thousands of men to gain her power. Intelligent and amoral, she'll do anything to destroy him and Tristan and any woman weak enough to love them. With the help of a local intelligent alien who resembles an Earth cat and Dorian Dalia, Tristan's long-time romantic interest, Tristan, Mara, and Kellen escape the planet. Through the vast emptiness of space and the most primitive of human colonies, they seek freedom, but Cadaran is always one step behind them.
The Islander: A Romance of the Future by Charles Whittlesey
Lulu (February 20, 2008)
372 pages
In 2155 there are two Americas: one for the wealthy and one for the poor. The wealthy control most of the land and all the technology, while the poor lead short and squalid lives confined to the remnants of America's collapsed cities, known as Islands. The two cultures collide when Galen Fairchild, a young Islander, falls in love with Mata Vandermere, the daughter of a prosperous family from the modern city of Stratis. Like Romeo and Juliet, Galen and Mata struggle to stay together in the face of daunting opposition from family, friends, and many other forces. Their troubles finally lead them into the ghostlike ruins of downtown Minneapolis, where no Islander dares to go. Inside the crumbling skyscrapers, they discover a strange power linked to Galen's past, which not only changes his life forever, but also pits the two cultures against each other with cataclysmic results.
The Quest (The Rystani Series, Book 4) by Susan Kearney
Tor Paranormal Romance (June 27, 2006)
352 pages
A warrior on a mission
Kirek of Rystan's objective is to destroy the Federation's deadliest enemy, but he needs help. When assistance comes in the form of a sexy and irresistible space pilot , he takes on a second goal--to win her heart.
A woman with a plan
Captain Angel Taylor's going after the biggest salvage haul in her career. Fiercely independent, she can't imagine a life with Kirek, a traditional Rystani warrior with extraordinary psi powers -- but he has seductive skills she can't resist.
The Quest
Teaming up, Angel and Kirek risk their lives to fight the evil Zin empire -- but Kirek's biggest battle of all is to win Angel's love.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Interview with Heather of The Galaxy Express
Q: I know you’re a big fan of SciFiRom. Tell me a little about your background and why you decided to create The Galaxy Express.
A: Laurie, thanks for your interest in my blog. It’s an honor to be interviewed by a SciFiRom veteran such as you.
I’ve been a fan of SF since age twelve, starting with rare—at the time—anime fare such as GATCHAMAN and UCHUU SENKAN YAMATO, which aired as BATTLE OF THE PLANETS and STAR BLAZERS in the U.S., respectively. Since those shows and others like it stuffed my mind with exotic otherworldly adventures, I moved on to books, hoping to discover more.
I began with “straight” SF and read anything that promised voyages to fantastic realms and dimensions. However, I usually gravitated toward stories with a romance, or at least romantic elements. As time passed, I read more books and watched as many SF/science fiction romance films and television shows as possible. I was a big romantic at heart, and my reading/viewing habits reflected that. Strangely, I didn’t know much about sub-genres or niche markets for a long time, even though I indulged in them frequently.
Now, for whatever reason, SFR wasn’t exactly the hobby my parents had in mind for me. They disapproved, but luckily didn’t confiscate the TV or anything. By then, the stories had taken root in my soul and refused to budge. Even as I went on to college and then graduate school for a Masters Degree in Counseling Psychology, I still pursued my interest, albeit undercover at times.
I met my husband, we gave birth to a wonderful daughter, and I resigned my job to become a full time mother. Around that period, my interest in science fiction romance reasserted itself. I spent more time online, and started discovering new authors. While acquainting myself with their books and their Web sites, I noticed that science fiction romance was a sub-genre that didn’t seem to have the visibility of other ones, neither in the romance nor SF communities.
How could this be? I thought everyone liked blends of SF and Romance! I asked a couple of authors about creating a one-stop site for science fiction romance, figuring that’d be one way to increase awareness. I learned that such an endeavor would be too much of a time-suck for these authors, who with multiple book contracts were usually under deadline most of the time. Not to mention the cost.
Oddly enough, I had both the time and the resources for such a site, enabling me to launch it with minimal cost. So I decided to create a hub for science fiction romance, one that would serve as a gateway site to a very deserving niche market (what, me biased?). For me, science fiction romance started out as an elusive, and at times, forbidden fruit, and for years I wanted to share this interest with more people than I was able to as a youth. In essence, The Galaxy Express arose because science fiction romance is a habit I just can’t seem to quit—or keep quiet about anymore.
Q: The Galaxy Express blog has been a huge success in both readership and in bringing the SFR community together to promote and educate about the (sub)genre. Can you give your insights on what themes or subjects seem to hold the most interest for the SFR community based on responses?
A: Thanks! My goal is definitely to facilitate such a community.
To answer your question, I’d first like to address what story elements excite SFR readers. They come from both the Romance and SF sides of the fence, and admittedly, the integration of these two genres can be a challenge. However, I believe most fans would agree about the following based on discussions at both The Galaxy Express and other sites:
• Believable yet accessible scientific elements.
• Well-crafted sexual tension. Hot sex scenes are nice but not a requirement.
• Stories that are multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, and multi-generational (i.e., ones that feature parents and their children).
• Well-thought out worldbuilding.
• Sophisticated, engaging characters, especially regarding heroines whose actions should ideally help drive the plot rather than be overshadowed by the hero. SFR readers seem to prefer a relationship that’s also a partnership.
Additionally, SFR readers seek variety in their books (the same goes for TV and film). They also crave more of them—but that’s the Catch-22 of a niche market. Publishers believe that releasing more books is too risky, but readers don’t have the abundance they’d like. Even though SFR readers are voracious, some books will not suit their tastes.
The good news is that there’s more to SFR than meets the eye if a reader is willing to be flexible about her expectations. Some SF publishers release books with a healthy dose of romance. There are also great offerings from small presses and e-publishers. The books are out there…you just have to know where to look.
Still, there’s something to be said for a science fiction romance that mines the romance genre just as heavily as the SF one. The SFRs currently hitting shelves represent a new generation, and it’s these books that readers are supporting with their hard earned cash.
And finally, SFR readers enjoy discussing lots of fun topics, ranging from covers to hero-types, other niche markets, sex in SFR, craft/publishing issues, world-building, favorite characters, you name it! What strikes me about all of these conversations is everyone’s impressive knowledge about the genre—encyclopedic in the case of Jacqueline Lichtenberg!
Q: Besides The Galaxy Express, what other SciFiRom groups, activities or sites are you involved with?
A: The totally rad Lisa Paitz Spindler launched the Shelfari SFR Group, of which I am co-administrator. I also started “The Official Science Fiction Romance Thread” at Tor.com (that’s a party I couldn’t resist crashing!).
I’m also a member of Grasping for the Wind’s “Inside The Blogosphere” feature. Proprietor John Ottinger III presents various questions about SF/F topics, and his roundtable of bloggers puts forth their observations. I’m so impressed with the caliber of everyone involved.
Lastly—and this is a new development, very exciting—I’ve been invited by John DeNardo to participate in one of SFSignal’s Mind Meld features wherein questions are posted to a cross-section of the science fiction community. The topic of my first discussion is “What is your favorite sub-genre of science fiction and/or fantasy?” Hmmm…will have to mull that one over quite a bit…! ;)
Q: Anything else you'd like to mention?
A: Yes, Laurie, thank you. I’d like to emphasize that the SFR authors in this community are so personal, accessible, and generous with their time. Not only have I had a 100% response rate regarding interviews, but also they’ve often matched books for the giveaways I do during my special “Author Supernova” feature. I’m grateful for their willingness to participate in my blog promotions from the very beginning.
Additionally, authors such as Rowena Cherry, Linnea Sinclair, Susan Grant, Even Kenin, Ann Aguirre, Jordan Summers, Sandra McDonald, and Jess Granger have shown up to comment at both The Galaxy Express and other SFR-friendly sites, including Spacefreighters’ Lounge, The Book Smugglers, Ramblings on Romance, and Enduring Romance. That kind of presence, along with the support of SFR’s avid fans, is the very definition of community.
There’s also a great group of aspiring SFR authors who frequent The Galaxy Express, and they are just awesome. I’m humbled by their participation and support. If you look on the right hand column of my blog under the “Skiffy Rommers” heading, you’ll see a list of their Web sites.
Oh, and here’s a little known fact about me: I dabbled for two years in SFR fan fiction. My stories are still up online. But the location is classified. ;)
Heather, thanks so much for your indepth responses and all the great information you're sharing with "Skiffy Rommers" during our celebration this week. (Pssst, by the way, for anyone who didn't know, Heather coined the "skiffy rommer" tag.) The Galaxy Express has been a fantastic site for bringing Science Fiction Romance fans together to help give us a collective voice.
A: Laurie, thanks for your interest in my blog. It’s an honor to be interviewed by a SciFiRom veteran such as you.
I’ve been a fan of SF since age twelve, starting with rare—at the time—anime fare such as GATCHAMAN and UCHUU SENKAN YAMATO, which aired as BATTLE OF THE PLANETS and STAR BLAZERS in the U.S., respectively. Since those shows and others like it stuffed my mind with exotic otherworldly adventures, I moved on to books, hoping to discover more.
I began with “straight” SF and read anything that promised voyages to fantastic realms and dimensions. However, I usually gravitated toward stories with a romance, or at least romantic elements. As time passed, I read more books and watched as many SF/science fiction romance films and television shows as possible. I was a big romantic at heart, and my reading/viewing habits reflected that. Strangely, I didn’t know much about sub-genres or niche markets for a long time, even though I indulged in them frequently.
Now, for whatever reason, SFR wasn’t exactly the hobby my parents had in mind for me. They disapproved, but luckily didn’t confiscate the TV or anything. By then, the stories had taken root in my soul and refused to budge. Even as I went on to college and then graduate school for a Masters Degree in Counseling Psychology, I still pursued my interest, albeit undercover at times.
I met my husband, we gave birth to a wonderful daughter, and I resigned my job to become a full time mother. Around that period, my interest in science fiction romance reasserted itself. I spent more time online, and started discovering new authors. While acquainting myself with their books and their Web sites, I noticed that science fiction romance was a sub-genre that didn’t seem to have the visibility of other ones, neither in the romance nor SF communities.
How could this be? I thought everyone liked blends of SF and Romance! I asked a couple of authors about creating a one-stop site for science fiction romance, figuring that’d be one way to increase awareness. I learned that such an endeavor would be too much of a time-suck for these authors, who with multiple book contracts were usually under deadline most of the time. Not to mention the cost.
Oddly enough, I had both the time and the resources for such a site, enabling me to launch it with minimal cost. So I decided to create a hub for science fiction romance, one that would serve as a gateway site to a very deserving niche market (what, me biased?). For me, science fiction romance started out as an elusive, and at times, forbidden fruit, and for years I wanted to share this interest with more people than I was able to as a youth. In essence, The Galaxy Express arose because science fiction romance is a habit I just can’t seem to quit—or keep quiet about anymore.
Q: The Galaxy Express blog has been a huge success in both readership and in bringing the SFR community together to promote and educate about the (sub)genre. Can you give your insights on what themes or subjects seem to hold the most interest for the SFR community based on responses?
A: Thanks! My goal is definitely to facilitate such a community.
To answer your question, I’d first like to address what story elements excite SFR readers. They come from both the Romance and SF sides of the fence, and admittedly, the integration of these two genres can be a challenge. However, I believe most fans would agree about the following based on discussions at both The Galaxy Express and other sites:
• Believable yet accessible scientific elements.
• Well-crafted sexual tension. Hot sex scenes are nice but not a requirement.
• Stories that are multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, and multi-generational (i.e., ones that feature parents and their children).
• Well-thought out worldbuilding.
• Sophisticated, engaging characters, especially regarding heroines whose actions should ideally help drive the plot rather than be overshadowed by the hero. SFR readers seem to prefer a relationship that’s also a partnership.
Additionally, SFR readers seek variety in their books (the same goes for TV and film). They also crave more of them—but that’s the Catch-22 of a niche market. Publishers believe that releasing more books is too risky, but readers don’t have the abundance they’d like. Even though SFR readers are voracious, some books will not suit their tastes.
The good news is that there’s more to SFR than meets the eye if a reader is willing to be flexible about her expectations. Some SF publishers release books with a healthy dose of romance. There are also great offerings from small presses and e-publishers. The books are out there…you just have to know where to look.
Still, there’s something to be said for a science fiction romance that mines the romance genre just as heavily as the SF one. The SFRs currently hitting shelves represent a new generation, and it’s these books that readers are supporting with their hard earned cash.
And finally, SFR readers enjoy discussing lots of fun topics, ranging from covers to hero-types, other niche markets, sex in SFR, craft/publishing issues, world-building, favorite characters, you name it! What strikes me about all of these conversations is everyone’s impressive knowledge about the genre—encyclopedic in the case of Jacqueline Lichtenberg!
Q: Besides The Galaxy Express, what other SciFiRom groups, activities or sites are you involved with?
A: The totally rad Lisa Paitz Spindler launched the Shelfari SFR Group, of which I am co-administrator. I also started “The Official Science Fiction Romance Thread” at Tor.com (that’s a party I couldn’t resist crashing!).
I’m also a member of Grasping for the Wind’s “Inside The Blogosphere” feature. Proprietor John Ottinger III presents various questions about SF/F topics, and his roundtable of bloggers puts forth their observations. I’m so impressed with the caliber of everyone involved.
Lastly—and this is a new development, very exciting—I’ve been invited by John DeNardo to participate in one of SFSignal’s Mind Meld features wherein questions are posted to a cross-section of the science fiction community. The topic of my first discussion is “What is your favorite sub-genre of science fiction and/or fantasy?” Hmmm…will have to mull that one over quite a bit…! ;)
Q: Anything else you'd like to mention?
A: Yes, Laurie, thank you. I’d like to emphasize that the SFR authors in this community are so personal, accessible, and generous with their time. Not only have I had a 100% response rate regarding interviews, but also they’ve often matched books for the giveaways I do during my special “Author Supernova” feature. I’m grateful for their willingness to participate in my blog promotions from the very beginning.
Additionally, authors such as Rowena Cherry, Linnea Sinclair, Susan Grant, Even Kenin, Ann Aguirre, Jordan Summers, Sandra McDonald, and Jess Granger have shown up to comment at both The Galaxy Express and other SFR-friendly sites, including Spacefreighters’ Lounge, The Book Smugglers, Ramblings on Romance, and Enduring Romance. That kind of presence, along with the support of SFR’s avid fans, is the very definition of community.
There’s also a great group of aspiring SFR authors who frequent The Galaxy Express, and they are just awesome. I’m humbled by their participation and support. If you look on the right hand column of my blog under the “Skiffy Rommers” heading, you’ll see a list of their Web sites.
Oh, and here’s a little known fact about me: I dabbled for two years in SFR fan fiction. My stories are still up online. But the location is classified. ;)
Heather, thanks so much for your indepth responses and all the great information you're sharing with "Skiffy Rommers" during our celebration this week. (Pssst, by the way, for anyone who didn't know, Heather coined the "skiffy rommer" tag.) The Galaxy Express has been a fantastic site for bringing Science Fiction Romance fans together to help give us a collective voice.
Test Drive a Starship
OK, what's a celebration without a little product promotion? Our little Intergalactic Science Fiction Romance Week has brought in some of the most famous captains in the galaxy...and their rides.
Soooo....here's your chance!
There's a whole row of shiny starships lined up just waiting for a test drive from our guests. Which one will you grab and take for a spin around the solar system?
1. The Millenium Falcon
2. Colonial Viper
3. The Enterprise
4. Serenity (Firefly series)
5. An X-Wing Fighter
6. Space Shuttle Atlantis
7. The Nostromo
8. Battlestar Galactica
9. Slave 1
10. The Galileo shuttle
11. Imperial Star Destroyer
12. Voyager
13. Delta Flyer
Don't see what you're looking for? Turn in a request. I'm sure we must have one parked, docked or orbiting around here somewhere.
Soooo....here's your chance!
There's a whole row of shiny starships lined up just waiting for a test drive from our guests. Which one will you grab and take for a spin around the solar system?
1. The Millenium Falcon
2. Colonial Viper
3. The Enterprise
4. Serenity (Firefly series)
5. An X-Wing Fighter
6. Space Shuttle Atlantis
7. The Nostromo
8. Battlestar Galactica
9. Slave 1
10. The Galileo shuttle
11. Imperial Star Destroyer
12. Voyager
13. Delta Flyer
Don't see what you're looking for? Turn in a request. I'm sure we must have one parked, docked or orbiting around here somewhere.
Recommended SFR Events?
I've started a sidebar for workshops and events that might benefit Science Fiction Romance writers and/or fans. So far, I have just three entries:
Romance Writers of America Annual Conference
Romantic Times Booklovers Convention (coming up in April 2009 in Orlando)
(and...a new find, courtesy of Sandra McDonald's site)
Viable Paradise Workshop for SFF writers
I'd love to hear from all of you. What are some of the best events you've attended, off line or online, to polish your writing skills or just enjoy the camaraderie of the publishing industry? Do you feel some of the big Science Fiction conventions are worthwhile? The ongoing online workshops for writers?
Share your thoughts, experiences and insights. Make your recommendations and we'll beef up our list. Feel free to discuss any of the events listed or mentioned.
Romance Writers of America Annual Conference
Romantic Times Booklovers Convention (coming up in April 2009 in Orlando)
(and...a new find, courtesy of Sandra McDonald's site)
Viable Paradise Workshop for SFF writers
I'd love to hear from all of you. What are some of the best events you've attended, off line or online, to polish your writing skills or just enjoy the camaraderie of the publishing industry? Do you feel some of the big Science Fiction conventions are worthwhile? The ongoing online workshops for writers?
Share your thoughts, experiences and insights. Make your recommendations and we'll beef up our list. Feel free to discuss any of the events listed or mentioned.
Han Solo for President!
Tired of politics as usual?How about the Han Solo/Chewie ticket for '08!
Were you a Hiliary Clinton supporter? Standing with Sarah Palin? Princess Leia might be your choice, with her ominous campaign slogan: This is our most desperate hour.
You want experience in the White House? Yoda is in the running, too. Check out his bumper sticker: Do. Or do not. There is no try.
You lean toward the Dark Side? Yes, Darth Vader is making his presence known. Check out his spiffy campaign mug. His platform? "Together we can rule the galaxy."
There are several other characters to choose from. Check out the entire selection of Stars Wars Election items at Zazzle.
(And hopefully this is as close as I ever get to making a political statement on my blog!)
Disclaimer: Spacefreighters has no connection to nor does it receive any profit from these items. Although we tend to steer away from any sort of product endorsement--except books, of course--these were just too fun and timely not to share.
Poll: SFR Motto
Our list of suggested mottos once at the top of the blog has now magically been beamed into a poll format so you can vote for your favorite.
Thanks to everyone who contributed to the list.
More polls are coming.
*adjusts transporter configuration*
Thanks to everyone who contributed to the list.
More polls are coming.
*adjusts transporter configuration*
The Official Cake
We're unveiling our official cake forIntergalactic
Science
Fiction
Romance
Week
Would you like that with or without a dash of Cosmic Comet ice cream?
IT'S SCIENCE FICTION ROMANCE WEEK!
Yes, it’s SciFiRom Week because, well…because we said so! I think SFR needs its own week, don’t you? Well, Spacefreighters just created one! Happy SFR Week!
And being that it is--Science Fiction Romance--I think it needs to go beyond a mere national holiday. Let's dub it Intergalactic Science Fiction Romance Week! Yes! I like it.
*throws confetti*
*twirls noisemakers*
*lights fireworks*
OK, so what do we have planned for the first inaugural SFR Week launch?
Lotsa stuff!
Polls
Articles
Interviews
Links
Book Previews
The launch of the Dom Perignon side bar
(you’ll have to read the article to see what I mean)
...and more.
But most important of all, we want to make this an interactive event with Science Fiction Romance writers, readers and fans. Let's exchange ideas, offer opinions, give information...in other words, share the wealth!
So pop in early and often. After all, it's not often you get invited to an intergalatic holiday!
And being that it is--Science Fiction Romance--I think it needs to go beyond a mere national holiday. Let's dub it Intergalactic Science Fiction Romance Week! Yes! I like it.
*throws confetti*
*twirls noisemakers*
*lights fireworks*
OK, so what do we have planned for the first inaugural SFR Week launch?
Lotsa stuff!
Polls
Articles
Interviews
Links
Book Previews
The launch of the Dom Perignon side bar
(you’ll have to read the article to see what I mean)
...and more.
But most important of all, we want to make this an interactive event with Science Fiction Romance writers, readers and fans. Let's exchange ideas, offer opinions, give information...in other words, share the wealth!
So pop in early and often. After all, it's not often you get invited to an intergalatic holiday!
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