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Author Spotlight: J.S. Scheffel

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Author Spotlight: J.S. Scheffel

Welcome to my weekly Author Spotlight. I’ve asked a bunch of my author friends to answer a set of interview questions, and to share their latest work. Today: J.S. Scheffel – My love for Sci-fi/Fantasy stories began in the 3rd grade when our teacher read us A Wrinkle In Time. It was cemented with Heinlein’s Stranger In A Strange Land several years later. My love for writing blossomed around the same time. Most of my work was confined to poems and short stories, and I was lucky enough to encounter teachers who encouraged me. But life has a way of … Read more

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Point of View: The Pavement Protection Posse

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fresh pavement - deposit photos

Today I’m going to share something a little different, a heartwarming community tale. They are resealing our neighborhood asphalt this month, putting a new surface coat on it throughout this development. Last week, they did the other half of the development, and today they are starting on our side. Our community has an active Facebook group, and folks often share all kinds of happenings there, both good and bad. Last week the group was full of disbelieving posts. People who should’ve known better, including some of our neighbors, drove across the newly surfaced streets before they were fully dry, sometimes … Read more

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Author Spotlight: Drea Roman

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Drea Roman

Welcome to my weekly Author Spotlight. I’ve asked a bunch of my author friends to answer a set of interview questions, and to share their latest work. Today: Drea Roman is an author of omegaverse and contemporary LGBTQ romance. She loves cats, as well as acting, dancing, and writing. Her life revolves around her cats, Benny and Kookaburra, which is right and proper. Without her friends, family, and cats, this journey would not be possible. Thank you so much for reading. Connect with me! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorDreaRoman/Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/dreasdirtydivasInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/drearomanauthor/ Thanks so much, Drea, for joining me! J. Scott Coatsworth: When … Read more

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Review: Bermondsey Girl – BJ Sikes

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Bermondsey Girl - BJ Sikes

Genre: Sci-Fi, Cli-Fi, Dystopian LGBTQ+ Category: Non-Binary Reviewer: Scott Get It On Amazon | Publisher/Universal Buy Link About The Book “I remember how things used to be. I had a garden with flowers in it. I’ve seen the ocean, I’ve eaten real food. Now all we’ve got is this.” Bermondsey’s inhabitants are shut in, all their needs met in automated tower blocks. No one goes outside because the streets regularly flood. Just to keep rich people on the other side of the river safe. Idonny’s days are spent answering pointless online surveys for luxury goods she’ll never see, her nights in the … Read more

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Point of View: Politics and Being a Writer

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protest fists - deposit photos

Writers of fiction, especially often escapist fiction like romance, sci-fi, and fantasy, are usually told to steer clear of politics. You don’t want to alienate half of your potential audience, they say to us. In some ways, it’s sensible advice. Readers are looking for an escape from their daily lives, not another diatribe on the dire state of the world. If they wanted to be depressed about the events of the day, they would turn on one of the 24 hour news stations. There’s already plenty of commentary out there about politics and the savage world we are living through. … Read more

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Author Spotlight: Daniel Ausema

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Daniel Ausema

Welcome to my weekly Author Spotlight. I’ve asked a bunch of my author friends to answer a set of interview questions, and to share their latest work. Today: Daniel Ausema’s short stories, more than 100 of them, have appeared in places like Strange Horizons, Diabolical Plots, and Fantasy Magazine. His poetry has appeared in many of the same places, with nominations for the Rhysling and Elgin Awards. His newest collection, The Fall of the City of Bells—a novella in verse—is scheduled for release later this month. His novels include the epic fantasy Arcist Chronicles, and he’s the creator of the … Read more

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Point of View: Search For the Lost Sneak Preview

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Search for the Lost cover sketch

Hey all, We’re just about a month out from the release of book two of Chaos & Order, Search for the Lost, and the return of Crispin & Leopold (Leo to his friends). So I thought I’d give you a little teaser with the first sketch fr the cover (above) and the first chapter (below). Enjoy! Chapter One A sharp banging at the door brought Crispin back to the present. Or rather, to the past, when Leo had been taken away from him by Juzir and Qyl. They shared a look. Leo was clearly thinking the same thing.  Wordlessly, he … Read more

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Author Spotlight: Avery Bridge

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Avery Bridge

Welcome to my weekly Author Spotlight. I’ve asked a bunch of my author friends to answer a set of interview questions, and to share their latest work. Today: Avery Bridge lives in the American southwest, where she gains inspiration from the natural beauty of the surrounding desert, mountains, and endless skies. She also works in the equine therapy industry, providing horse care to the gentle souls who lend their peaceful wisdom to those in need. You will find these settings (and the horses, too) in each of her stories. https://www.averybridgeauthor.comhttps://substack.com/@averybridgehttps://bsky.app/profile/avery-bridge.bsky.social Thanks so much, Avery, for joining me! J. Scott Coatsworth: … Read more

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Point of View: Viva La Spring

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grass breaking through snow - deposit photos

Today is the last day of my contract job running Nebula Con 2026. Four and a half months ago, the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association contacted me to let me know that they wanted to hire me to manage the Nebula Awards Convention held this year in Chicago. I’d applied for it a few weeks earlier, and they chose me to do it! I was beyond thrilled at the amazing opportunity although it couldn’t have come at a worse time. We were smack in the middle of our move from Sacramento to Folsom, and just two months away from … Read more

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Point of View: Playing In Someone Else’s World

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Book sci-fi - deposit photos

I am in the running to write a story set in someone else’s fictional sci-fi world, in this case, continuing an existing series working with a well-known author. While I can’t give any details right now, it’s been a fascinating experience. I’ve read the existing books in the series, and I’m now going back through them with a fine tooth comb to create my own series bible. There was an existing one, but unfortunately didn’t have all the little details I would need to know to continue the story with consistency, and without missing important story arcs and character quirks.  … Read more