I read A Mourning Coat by Alex Jeffers after seeing it recommended by someone whose taste I trust. It’s a lovely story, layered and melancholy, about loss and what comes after. Somehow it only has 9 ratings on Goodreads. Deserves so much more attention. #Bookstodon #QueerBooks #SFF @bookstodon
sff
I've finished: Brother Bronte by Fernando A. Flores
Reading Brother Bronte was a good, but strange experience.
Following the characters as they struggle to survive this dystopian hell-scape was riveting. The setting challenged me as a reader.
It is a very low information setting, media is suppressed, and we know little about what is going on, in the world at large or in Three Rivers itself. We know what the characters know.
As far as the oppressive regime in Three Rivers I found it novel and interesting to experience the dystopia this way, and the story progresses to a satisfying ending.
But, there are hints at supernatural elements to the story that just don't seem to connect, or go anywhere.
The Bother Bronte book within a book also doesn't seem to connect with the experiences of the characters. Women are treated very badly, but not in the way expressed in the novels within the novel that we are exposed to. Accept perhaps in the general idea that girls can rebel against the system.
I may be missing something, perhaps there are connections I didn't get. Perhaps my expectation that things make more sense isn't compatible with the author's intention. Perhaps doing your best in a bad situation with the limited resources and information at your disposal is what the novel is about, and life unlike fiction doesn't hand you solutions on a platter.
https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/2848552f-dd64-4240-abc5-1e177d82c88f
@bookstodon @audiobooks
#SFF #dystopia #feminism #amReading #bookstodon #AudioBook
I've finished: City of Miracles by Robert Jackson Bennett
In this final installment of the Divine Cities trilogy, we follow Sigrud, the muscle of the team, in what at first seems like an action hero revenge fantasy. Yet turns out to be so deep and meaningful, with so much wisdom woven between the great action scenes.
When I read City of Stairs it felt a little clunky, but by the end of this wonderful trilogy Robert Jackson Bennett has become a master of his craft.
https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/04d507cd-5289-4b46-b58f-dd4b965ac451
@bookstodon @audiobooks
#fantasy #SFF #amReading #bookstodon #audiobook
BCS #440 ebook is out early today at @WeightlessBooks & Kindle Store and for subscribers, featuring stories by returning BCS authors Jonathan Olfert and Julie Reeser @abetterjulie, behind cover art by returning BCS artist Jereme Peabody.
(Buying BCS ebooks or an ebook subscription at Weightless Books gets you stories a week early on your e-reader and helps us pay our authors and First Readers. Thank you!)
https://weightlessbooks.com/fiction/beneath-ceaseless-skies-issue-440/
https://www.amazon.com/Beneath-Ceaseless-Skies-Issue-440-ebook/dp/B0FNH4MK1Y/
#fantasy #sff #litmag #shortstory #ebook
Please recommend works of #SpeculativeFiction published in 2025 that explore or expand our understanding of gender! Nominate for the Otherwise Award:
https://otherwiseaward.org/award/2025-otherwise-award/2025-otherwise-award-recommendations
Recommendations for this year’s award close in late 2025 (date not yet set). Books, stories, music, video, fanfic, social media posts, or any other forms of speculative fiction are eligible.
PictCon1
8 November, Perth
In-person tickets £20–30.00; tickets to access audio recordings of the events £6.00
A one-day science fiction convention in Perth, with a focus on SFF books, films & games produced in Scotland or by Scots. Featuring panel discussions, workshops & interviews.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/pictcon1-tickets-926790704947
#Scottish #literature #film #games #sciencefiction #scifi #fantasy #SFF
Ebook and paperback: https://books2read.com/TymeDarkMoon
On a world long thought to have no moon, its sudden appearance inspires wonder and terror. Hasty research links the full moon and catastrophe, revealing the existence of the so-called ‘Harbingers of Doom’, creatures from the moon that harvest souls. Can everyone survive or will they become part of the dark harvest?
@bookstodon
#author #indieauthor #writing #fantasy #scifi #sciencefiction #sff #sciencefantasy #scifi #actionadventure #fiction #books
finished reading The Mars House 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌑
by Natasha Pulley.
A sci-fi romance set on Mars, where recent refugees from climate-riven Earth are so strong in the low gravity that they are a mortal accidental risk to Martians. Excellent premise, and the contradictory reactions of the protagonist feel real & difficult. But some of the underlying science is dubious (MW ≠ MWh!!!), the romance had potential but felt a bit weak and the ending used up its momentum too soon. Mammoths!
#BookReview #Books #Bookstodon #SFF
@WildWoila @wildwoila@wyrms.de
finished reading The Lathe of Heaven 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌑
by Ursula Le Guin.
A man's dreams shape reality, and his therapist uses him as a tool to fix the wrongs in the world. But if utopia lacks free will, diversity & creativity, is it still utopia?
#BookReview #Books #Bookstodon #SFF #UrsulaLeGuin
@WildWoila @wildwoila@wyrms.de
I've finished: The Dying Earth by Jack Vance
I know this is a classic that had an influence on SFF. When I started reading I was also not aware how early in SFF history it was written.
But I cannot get over how one dimensional the characters are, or the dialogue. There is hardly any dialogue, the characters mostly make declarations rather than talk like human beings. (and don't get me going about the misogyny)
It was amazing to see the idea for The City & the City by China Miéville in a story published in 1950, but apart from some neat ideas, the level of writing is just so bad.
Mercifully it's a rather short novel, and I was able to push to the end, where the best of the 6 novelettes that make up this book awaits.
https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/98f64183-4954-47a5-89de-f27d99429319
@bookstodon #SFF #amReading #classics #bookstodon #AudioBooks
finished reading Comes the Night 🌕🌕🌗🌑🌑
by Isabelle Carmody.
YA dystopian set in Canberra! In a polluted world, cities have been enclosed in domes and pervasive tech & propaganda keep the population in line. A teenage boy gets entangled in mysterious intrigue, and soon starts to wonder if his dreams are more than they seem. Very slow and overly explicatory, except for the ending which was sudden, unclear and too easy.
#BookReview #Books #Bookstodon #SFF #YoungAdult
@WildWoila @wildwoila@wyrms.de
Whew. It is so many months overdue, but finally I have a release date for my new short film, #TheNightDancer and since Halloween is just around the corner I thought why not show it to you on that day? It is supposed to be a horror, after all 😊
But here is a trailer (sort of) will give you a hint of what to expect (I hope) though I have mixed feeling about how the film came out, but more on that in a proper BTS blog!
A new short film is here.... Even I can't keep up with which one is my newest short film. I rushed to finish this so asto fully focus on The Night Dancer, then forgot to post about it as I was shooting. So here it is, #FearTheFlower the story of a cheating husband who turns into a monster.
https://tv.dilstories.com/w/6FE3b6ykfZuy7Wur1Rwty5
#film #sff #monster #monsters #horror #vfx #blender3d #blender #cgi #digitalart #art
Edited 85d ago
Ebook and paperback: https://books2read.com/TheInvertedGlass
After encountering the worst life has to offer, including the death of his wife and child, destruction of his home world, an addiction forced on him by the one responsible and a third of the galaxy falling under the heel of that tyrant, Levi Jacobs, a wizard, seeks to unravel the secrets of time and fate.
@bookstodon
#author #indieauthor #writing #fantasy #scifi #sciencefiction #sff #sciencefantasy #scifi #actionadventure #fiction #books
I have three new writing workshops coming up in June and July! Building on the success of Design-A-Ghost, I'd like to invite you to join me to explore some more familiar characters from #SFF and #horror by reading extracts from classic and contemporary authors together, and then using writing prompts and exercises to create your own unique monsters, aliens, and robots! 👹👽🤖
#Writing #WritingCommunity #WritersOfMastodon #AmWriting #WritingWorkshop
BCS #442, Seventeenth Anniversary Double-Issue, ebook out early @WeightlessBooks & Kindle Store and for subscribers, stories by James Morrow, Patrick Samphire, RJ Taylor, and Will McMahon.
The Morrow and McMahon stories go live on the website next week, but the Samphire and Taylor stories won't be out for a week after that. Buy the ebook, get them now, and support BCS paying our authors and First Readers.
https://weightlessbooks.com/fiction/beneath-ceaseless-skies-issue-442/ https://www.amazon.com/Beneath-Ceaseless-Seventeenth-Anniversary-Double-Issue-ebook/dp/B0FS27GPXG/
#fantasy #sff #shortstory #ebook #litmag
Yay! A non-fiction anthology to which I contributed an essay detailing the world building process for my #solarpunk stories in the Yat Madit (Big Tree) world, has won The Ignyte Awards.
There are some good books here if you are looking for something to read!
https://ignyteawards.fiyahlitmag.com/2025-results/
https://jaylit.com/african-writers-among-2025-ignyte-award-winners/
finished reading Watership Down 🌕🌕🌗🌑🌑
by Richard Adams.
The trials & adventures of rabbits setting up a new warren: strange cultures, claw-biting escapades and the terror of war. Similar to Wind in the Willows but the anthropomorphism is weaker and the characters less vibrant. It's just as misogynistic: does are thought of as mere 'breeding stock', though worth fighting over. Drags along though it builds to a decent climax.
#BookReview #Books #Bookstodon #SFF
@WildWoila @wildwoila@wyrms.de
I've finished: Midnight Robber by Nalo Hopkinson
It was hard watching Tantan struggle to come to terms with what was done to her.
It was interesting to see how the midnight robber helps her cope.
Add some wonderful aliens to contrast the limitless stupidity of the humans and you get a challenging and compelling mix of SF&F.
https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/078b070d-e3a0-455b-8ad7-36b3b562886b
@bookstodon@a.gup.pe @bookstodon #SFF #bookstodon #amReading #Audiobooks @audiobooks
BCS #443 ebook out early today at @WeightlessBooks & Kindle Store and for subscribers, featuring stories by Chris Willrich and Adrian Ward, cover art by Bruce Brenneise.
(Buying BCS ebooks or an ebook subscription at Weightless Books gets you BCS stories a week early on your e-reader and helps us pay our authors a pro rate and our First Readers an honorarium worthy of writing all replies personalized. Thank you!)
https://weightlessbooks.com/fiction/beneath-ceaseless-skies-issue-443/
https://www.amazon.com/Beneath-Ceaseless-Skies-Issue-443-ebook/dp/B0FTW4M96B/
#fantasy #sff #litmag #ebook
New stories: the Patrick Samphire and RJ Taylor stories in BCS #442, Seventeenth Anniversary Double-Issue are live today, alongside the James Morrow and Will McMahon stories and McMahon podcast released last week, behind cover art by Bruce Brenneise.
https://www.beneath-ceaseless-skies.com/issues/issue-442/
#fantasy #sff #litmag #shortstory
finished reading Slade House 🌕🌕🌕🌑🌑
by David Mitchell.
Every nine years, people disappear into a house which otherwise can't be found. The author's usual layering of stories across different time periods gradually reveals the truth, though it's not particularly clever this time around. Dark arts & illusions, bit creepy, not really my thing.
#BookReview #Books #Bookstodon #SFF
@WildWoila @wildwoila@wyrms.de
It's here!! THE SECRET OF THE SAPPHIRE SENTINEL is now available! Written by me as J. Dianne Dotson, this is the sequel to my Nebula & BSFA finalist novel, THE INN AT THE AMETHYST LANTERN. Order from your favorite bookseller!
#scifi #fantasy #sff #newbooks #books
https://jendiagammon.com/the-secret-of-the-sapphire-sentinel/
Edited 64d ago
finished reading Skyward Flight: The Collection: Sunreach / ReDawn / Evershore 🌕🌕🌕🌗🌑
by Brandon Sanderson & Janci Patterson.
While the hero of the series is lost in the Nowhere, her fellow pilots get on with being awesome and taking the fight to the oppressors. Decent YA fare with lots of dogfights, light humour and a little romance. The hyperslugs are adorable.
#BookReview #Books #Bookstodon #SFF #SciFi #YoungAdult
@WildWoila @wildwoila@wyrms.de
#introduction time again.
Hi everyone! I'm Elizabeth. I am a freelance editor, specialising in SF/F.
When I don't have my nose stuck in a book, I can be found playing TTRPGs. At the moment, I'm playing in a campaign of Mouse Guard.
I am also the caretaker of one cranky grandma of a dog, of whom you can expect the occasional photo.