Catherine Asaro's AURORA IN FOUR VOICES Audiobook Kickstarter Campaign

Author Catherine Asaro (ALPHA) launched a Kickstarter campaign to create an audiobook of her anthology AURORA IN FOUR VOICES, a collection of various novellas and short stories. Here's the lowdown:

Link: C.E. Kilgore On Dubious Consent in Science Fiction Romance

Author C.E. Kilgore wrote an intense post called Dubious Consent: Sci-Fi Romance’s Dirty Little Secret (beware triggers). Here’s an excerpt:

What I will do, is turn the spot light on my own main genre, Science Fiction Romance, and bring to discussion a subject matter that I find even worse than poorly-handled rape in fiction. It’s called Dubious Consent, and for some reason I haven’t been able to figure out, it has become a commonly used trope in our genre. This makes me sad and a bit angry. I think we sci-fi romance writers are smarter than this. I think we can do better…

...Dubious consent is a trope that needs to die.

I left a post comment already. What do you think? Head on over and share your thoughts.

Joyfully yours,

Heather

We Need Diverse Books In Science Fiction Romance

The #WeNeedDiverseBooks campaign is in full swing, fueled in large part because of the recent BookCon fiasco.

Diversity in science fiction romance has been on my mind a lot, so I figured now was a great time to share a few thoughts on the subject (and work in a reference to a great cause, heh).

As one can discern from my Revisiting People of Color in Sci-Fi Romance post, this genre could benefit from more diversity. That includes PoC, LGBQT, and disabled characters. Sci-fi romance is a relatively young genre, but eventually diversity should be so common that a list of available titles becomes unnecessary (and impractical!).

Many SFR books feature aliens, but aliens do not equal People of Color. Alien characters can be used to explore oppression, racism, and marginalization, but they don't count as routine diversity. Neither should white characters be the only ones privileged enough to join with an alien lover.

The lack of diverse SFR characters is also glaring in light of the fact that many stories occur in a far future and often progressive setting. Unless an author presents a specific, compelling reason for having an all-white cast of able-bodied, cisgendered characters, there's no excuse to exclude PoC, queer, and disabled characters on a regular basis across the entire genre.

Does SFR really want to send the message that the only people deserving of love and romance are white, cisgendered people?

SFR News & Links For May 2014

Feast your eyes and mind on the delightful selection of science fiction romance releases this month!

New releases

Voodoo 'n' Vice: Galactic Alliance #3 - K.C. Burn

After nearly causing a galactic incident, fleet captain Gideon Arcturus is disgraced, demoted and exiled with nothing to do but pass the time at a seedy club on seedier planet Elora Ki. It's no place for a straight-laced soldier, but following the rules is what got him there in the first place. When he meets a mesmerizing fire dancer, he'd do anything to get close to the flame.

Tai doesn't date customers--it's far too dangerous for a man who was once for sale. But the shy, awkward Gideon entices him, and the two spend Gideon's leave tangled together, neither knowing the passion that stirs within them won't soon subside.

When a violent drug lord forces Tai back into slavery, Tai has no choice but to give up his new love. But when Gideon learns that Tai's fate lies with those who brought about his own ruin, he'll need to revisit his own difficult past in order to save them both.

A Heart For Copper – Sharon Lynn Fisher

SFR Brigade Bounty at the 2014 Brenda Novak Online Auction For Diabetes Research

Courtesy of the SFR Brigade, you can bid on a fabulous selection of sci-fi romance goodies (including a few books by yours truly) as part of the Brenda Novak Online Auction for Diabetes Research:

This year, the SFR Brigade is throwing their creative forces behind the Brenda Novak Online Auction for Diabetes Research by sponsoring a category of science fiction and space exploration related bounty.

The bidding fun begins this Thursday, May 1st, and runs through the entire month of May for most items, with special one-day offerings and big-ticket item drawings happening as part of the main auction.

Full details at Spacefreighters Lounge.

Happy bidding!

Joyfully yours,

Heather