Wow, is it already December? Here is the final installment of new releases for 2009, plus other science fiction romance news and links.
New releases
Ella Drake’s science fiction romance erotic e-novella FIRESTORM ON E’TERRA (in the HEARTS AFIRE anthology) is out December 7 from Liquid Silver Books. Congratulations, Ella! You can read an excerpt here. The author participated in a recent podcast special about science fiction romance courtesy of Rowena Cherry’s Crazy Tuesday show, so do have a listen if you haven’t already.
RION, book two of Susan Kearney's latest series, is out this month. Check out the excerpt here.
From Medallion Press comes DARKSCAPE: REDEMPTION by R. Garland Gray. The publisher has labeled it a Sci-Fi Romance.
On to the rest…
Author news
Here there be a space pirate heroine! Karin Shah’s STARJACKED is available in print for the first time. To celebrate, she’s offering two free print copies (one each) to two people. To enter, all you have to do is leave a comment. This free contest ends December 6, 2009.
Woot! Ann Aguirre has sold the last two books in the Sirantha Jax series, AFTERMATH and ENDGAME. The series will wrap in 2012.
WIRED included Linnea Sinclair’s Dock Five series in their 2009 GeekDad Holiday Gift Guide #4. Check out this quote: “Author Linnea Sinclair is, so far, the best I’ve read at combining action, science fiction world-building, and believable romance.” Go, Linnea!
Industry
Examiner.com interviews Desert Breeze Publishing Editor-in-Chief Gale Delaney. (Desert Breeze is actively seeking science fiction romance.)
Over at the Dystel & Goderich Literary Management blog, agent Jessica Papin writes about Driving Sales in the Long Term. I thought this quote had especial relevance for our science fiction romance community:
“Bloggers, much like the New York Review of Books, don’t care so much about publication dates. Which is important. Because, as Miriam pointed out--books are supposed to be around for the long-haul, not have the literary equivalent of a blockbuster opening weekend then end up in the remainder bin. The idea that on-line promotion can help drive long term sales, or breathe new life into projects whose sales were disappointing is not necessarily a new one nor is it a silver bullet. Connecting an author with communities of like-minded readers on-line requires about as much virtual legwork as finding these folks in the real world, but especially as traditional media contracts, it’s well worth exploring.”
Contemplation-worthy
At Fierce Romance Authors, Carly Carson noted in Science Fiction—For Women? that “A well known science fiction blog has been talking recently about why the phrase ‘science fiction’ seems to be such a turnoff for women readers.”
*scratches head* Gosh, any idea who that blogger might be? All jesting aside, Ms. Carson wrote a very insightful piece so I recommend you check it out.
The Skiffy Rommer beat
Over at Spacefreighters Lounge, Laurie Green takes us through the research process of writing a near future science fiction romance in Uranus Strikes Out. And Donna S. Frelick makes the case as to why Nalini Singh Is Ours!
Oh, and check out Spacefreighters Lounge's SFR Holiday Blitz Sneak Peek, which includes a look at the book prizes in a sparkly slide show!
Steampunk
Book View Press will be releasing THE SHADOW CONSPIRACY, a steampunk anthology, on December 15. You can read an excerpt of Sarah Zettel’s The Persistence of Souls here. Will be interesting to see if any of the stories contain a romantic subplot.
Now I turn the mike over to you. Got any science fiction romance news to report?
Joyfully yours,
Heather