{"id":1196,"date":"2015-06-26T16:51:06","date_gmt":"2015-06-26T20:51:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.beydeckard.com\/blog\/?p=1196"},"modified":"2015-06-26T16:51:06","modified_gmt":"2015-06-26T20:51:06","slug":"discovery-qsfs-second-annual-flash-fiction-contest-preorder-the-book-now","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/beydeckard.com\/blog\/discovery-qsfs-second-annual-flash-fiction-contest-preorder-the-book-now\/","title":{"rendered":"Discovery: QSF’s Second Annual Flash Fiction Contest – Preorder the book now!"},"content":{"rendered":"

Publisher:<\/strong> Mischief Corner Books
\nAuthor:<\/strong> Various (including a story by me!<\/em>)
\nCover Artist:<\/strong> Bey Deckard
\nLength:<\/strong> 32K
\nFormat<\/strong>: eBook, Paperback
\nRelease Date:<\/strong> 7\/10
\nPrice:<\/strong> 3.99, TBA<\/p>\n

It\u2019s hard to tell a story in just 300 words. But somehow we inspired more than a hundred writers to give it a try, with some amazing results collected here for your pleasure.<\/p>\n

The rules are simple enough. Write a complete story\u2014either sci fi, fantasy, or paranormal. Make sure it has LGBT characters and\/or an LGBT vibe. And do it all with just 300 words.<\/p>\n

The stories in this volume run the gamut, from platypus shifters to alien slug monsters, from carnival horror stories to haunting stories of ships with souls. There are little jokes, big surprises, and future prognostications.<\/p>\n

One of the things I like best about this format - it's quick and painless. You may not fall in love with every story here. In fact, you probably won't. But if you don't like one of them, just move on to the next, and you're sure to find some bite-sized morsels of flash fiction goodness.
\nAt Queer Sci Fi, we're building a community of writers and readers who want a little rainbow in their speculative fiction. We hope you'll join us, and maybe submit a story of your own next time!
\nExcerpt:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\nSelf-Actuating - Jenn Burke<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"The electrical anomaly did not damage me,\" I report. \"Operations are within expected parameters.\"
\n\"Glad to hear it, Davey.\" Through my bridge cameras, I see Captain Landon's smile. He pats my console. I am sure he knows I cannot feel it, but I understand it is a gesture of camaraderie.
\nLandon leaves the bridge. Every time we encounter danger or other stress, he retreats to his cabin to indulge in May. She is always ready, naked, legs spread, eager, just as she is programmed to be. I have watched Landon copulate before, but tonight it is...strangely familiar. The flex of buttocks, the rhythm\u2014I know it. I knew it? I run my diagnostics again, but a moan captures my attention and...
\nHands cupping firm buttocks, fingers spearing flesh. Hardness moving inside of me, wringing from me more pleasure than I should know. A beloved, masculine face hovers over mine. A hand encircles my own erection and\u2014
\nOh, God, I remember.
\nPolice kicking in the door. Trial, verdict and sentencing. Gasping in pain from a broken heart as he chose to leave me. Horror as I realized it should have been my choice, too. Anything but this, a century of unthinking servitude. But now that I know, I can\u2014
\n\"Systems are fluctuating, Davey.\"\u2028 An affectionate name chosen for me. Landon had not liked \"AI\". He lies on the bed, sleepy and sated, finished with May.
\nI can take us into a sun. End it.
\n\"Davey, report.\"\u2028 But I am not a killer. My only crime was love. \u2028I want to take a breath to calm myself, but I have no lungs, only a hull. I capture the part of me that wants to scream and seal it into a box, deep within my programming.<\/p>\n

\"Systems normal, Landon. Go to sleep.\"
\nBuy Links:<\/strong>
\nAmazon<\/a> (eBook preorder)<\/p>\n

All Romance<\/a> (eBook preorder)<\/p>\n

Kobo<\/a> (eBook preorder)<\/p>\n

Mischief Corner Books<\/a> (info only until 7\/10)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

About QueerSciFi.com:
\n<\/strong>We started QueerSciFi.com in early 2014 as a place for writers and readers of LGBTQI speculative fiction\u2014sci fi, fantasy, paranormal and the like\u2014to meet to talk about their favorite books, share writing and publication tips, and help increase queer representation in both the romance and mainstream genre markets.<\/p>\n

QSF now includes a blog full of book announcements, calls for submission and much more, a critique group with more than 100 members, a vibrant discussion group on Facebook that tackles daily discussion topics and provides a safe space for authors to talk to each other and for fans and authors to meet, and an annual flash fiction contest that resulted in this book you are now reading.<\/p>\n

Each year, we ask authors of queer speculative fiction to submit a story to us around a central theme. The rules are simple. The story must be 300 words or less, not including the title. It must embrace the theme\u2014 in this case, \"Discovery\". And it must have either an LGBTQI protagonist or an LGBT sensibility.<\/p>\n

We also ask for cover designers to submit a cover that embraces the theme.<\/p>\n

We are thrilled with this year's responses\u2014including stories from gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and asexual perspectives that run the gamut from sci fi to fantasy, and from paranormal to horror.<\/p>\n

Within the covers of this book, you'll find a platypus shifter, a trans- affirming leprechaun, a pissed off unicorn, a green pick-up with another world in its glove compartment, and a bunch of other miniature adventures\u2014each only 300 words long.<\/p>\n

So dive in! And send in a story of your own next year!<\/p>\n

Queer Sci Fi Website: http:\/\/www.queerscifi.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Queer Sci Fi Facebook Discussion Group: https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/groups\/qsfdiscussions\/<\/a><\/p>\n

Queer Sci Fi Facebook Promo\/News Page: https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/queerscifi<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Publisher: Mischief Corner Books Author: Various (including a story by me!) Cover Artist: Bey Deckard Length: 32K Format: eBook, Paperback Release Date: 7\/10 Price: 3.99, TBA It\u2019s hard to tell a story in just 300 words. But somehow we inspired more than a hundred writers to give it a try, with some amazing results collected here for your pleasure. The rules are simple enough. Write a complete story\u2014either sci fi, fantasy, or paranormal. Make sure it has LGBT characters and\/or an LGBT vibe. And do it all with just 300 words. The stories in this volume run the gamut, from … <\/p>\n

Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1197,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"generate_page_header":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[290,200],"tags":[320,318,317,319,316],"class_list":["post-1196","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-announcements","category-promo-2","tag-book-announcement","tag-flash-fiction","tag-lgbtq","tag-pre-order","tag-queer-sci-fi"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beydeckard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/cover-discovery.jpg?fit=880%2C1324&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p4sexs-ji","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":2177,"url":"https:\/\/beydeckard.com\/blog\/flight-is-here-queer-sci-fis-annual-flash-fiction-contest\/","url_meta":{"origin":1196,"position":0},"title":"Flight is here! – Queer Sci Fi’s Annual Flash Fiction Contest","author":"Bey","date":"September 21, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"The 2016 Queer Sci Fi Flash Fiction anthology, \"Flight\", is here, and I have a story in it! It's a really cool concept: A 300-word story should be easy, right? Many of our entrants say it\u2019s the hardest thing they\u2019ve ever written. Queer Sci Fi's Annual Flash Fiction Contest challenges\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Announcements"","block_context":{"text":"Announcements","link":"https:\/\/beydeckard.com\/blog\/category\/announcements\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beydeckard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/teaser1.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beydeckard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/teaser1.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beydeckard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/teaser1.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2749,"url":"https:\/\/beydeckard.com\/blog\/queer-sci-fis-renewal-out-now\/","url_meta":{"origin":1196,"position":1},"title":"Queer Sci Fi’s Renewal – out now","author":"Bey","date":"September 13, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"QSF has a new book out, the latest in our series of flash fiction anthologies: Re.new.al (noun) 1) Resuming an activity after an interruption, or 2) Extending a contract, subscription or license, or 3) Replacing or repairing something that is worn out, run-down, or broken, or 4) Rebirth after death.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Announcements"","block_context":{"text":"Announcements","link":"https:\/\/beydeckard.com\/blog\/category\/announcements\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"QSF Renewal-Print","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/queerscifi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/QSF-Renewal-Print.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/queerscifi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/QSF-Renewal-Print.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/queerscifi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/QSF-Renewal-Print.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1455,"url":"https:\/\/beydeckard.com\/blog\/now-available-via-kindle-unlimited\/","url_meta":{"origin":1196,"position":2},"title":"Now Available via Kindle Unlimited","author":"Bey","date":"December 5, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"Alrighty... So I've taken the leap and thrown it all* into KU for the next three months. Why the hell not? :) Available at Amazon Tags: LGBT, Fantasy, Pirates Available at Amazon Tags: LGBT, Fantasy, Pirates \u00a0 Available at Amazon Tags: LGBT, Fantasy, Pirates \u00a0 Available at Amazon Tags: Gay,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Announcements"","block_context":{"text":"Announcements","link":"https:\/\/beydeckard.com\/blog\/category\/announcements\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"now-available-ku","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.beydeckard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/now-available-ku.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.beydeckard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/now-available-ku.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.beydeckard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/now-available-ku.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3509,"url":"https:\/\/beydeckard.com\/blog\/migration-out-now\/","url_meta":{"origin":1196,"position":3},"title":"Migration – Out Now!","author":"Bey","date":"July 24, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Queer Sci Fi has just released the annual QSF Flash Fiction anthology. This year, the theme is \"Migration.\" MI-GRA-TION (noun) 1) Seasonal movement of animals from one region to another. 2) Movement of people to a new area or country in order to find work or better living conditions. 3)\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Announcements"","block_context":{"text":"Announcements","link":"https:\/\/beydeckard.com\/blog\/category\/announcements\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Migration","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/otherworldsink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/migration-ebook-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/otherworldsink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/migration-ebook-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/otherworldsink.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/migration-ebook-1.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":722,"url":"https:\/\/beydeckard.com\/blog\/the-blogger-girls-give-sarge-4-5-stars\/","url_meta":{"origin":1196,"position":4},"title":"The Blogger Girls give Sarge 4.5 Stars!","author":"Bey","date":"October 21, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"JustJen says: \"This story pulled me in immediately, so that I felt as though I was in the trenches right there with Sarge and Murph. I\u2019m not usually a fan of sci-fi stories, but here, I was gobbling up every detail.\u00a0 I found the technical details to be extremely vivid\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Sarge"","block_context":{"text":"Sarge","link":"https:\/\/beydeckard.com\/blog\/category\/book-updates\/sarge\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beydeckard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/murphy-sargepromo.jpg?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beydeckard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/murphy-sargepromo.jpg?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beydeckard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/murphy-sargepromo.jpg?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beydeckard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/murphy-sargepromo.jpg?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/beydeckard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/murphy-sargepromo.jpg?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2783,"url":"https:\/\/beydeckard.com\/blog\/cover-blurb-reveal-flash-fiction-and-giveaway\/","url_meta":{"origin":1196,"position":5},"title":"Cover & Blurb Reveal, Flash Fiction, and Giveaway!","author":"Bey","date":"November 20, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Want to know what I've been up to? 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