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Shadow Speaker paperback soon available and some character sketches

Posted by Nnedi Okorafor on March 19, 2009 at 4:30pm
The paperback of my 2nd novel, The Shadow Speaker, will be available on March 24th, 2009. Please contact me through my Myspace page or website if you are interested in a signed copy.A little about the book:Niger, West Africa, 2070: After a nuclear fallout in the early twenty-first century, the earth's civilization has been completely transformed. Magic, mysticism, and mind-blowing technology now rule the world. In West Africa, fourteen-year old Ejii struggles to master her own magical powers. When her world is completely upended after she witnesses her father's death, Ejii faces a unique opportunity to explore her power and realize her destiny. But is she ready for the responsibility that comes along with that? Embarking on a journey across the Sahara, Ejii befriends new allies and battles dangerous foes. It soon becomes clear that her people need to be protected from a terrible force seeking to annihilate them. And Ejii may just be their last hope for survival. Fast-paced and full of tender friendships and thrilling action, this futuristic adventure heralds a bright new talent in young adult science fiction.It’s easy to name a dozen fantasy novels set in England but, save for Nancy Farmer’s futuristic book “The Ear, the Eye and the Arm,” difficult to think of one set anywhere in Africa — just one of many unexpected pleasures in Nnedi Okorafor-Mbachu’s novel “The Shadow Speaker”...This novel — like the author’s first, “Zahrah the Windseeker” (2005) — leaves little doubt that Okorafor-Mbachu’s imagination is stunning.-- The New York TimesHere are a few character sketches that my illustrator brother (Emezie Okorafor) did of Ejii Ugabe, Dikeogu Obidimkpa and the mysterious and tricky Desert Magician:

EjiiAfter witnessing the beheading of her father, she was appalled to realize...she was happy.

DikeoguIf you'd been through what he's been through, you would dispise chocolate, too. And you would also fear the skies.

The Desert MagicianHe finds water where there is none.Watch for the book trailer for The Shadow Speaker in a few days, also designed by my brother.Buy The Shadow Speaker at Anderson’s Bookshop, Barnes and Nobles, Amazon, Powell’s, and many other book-loving places.
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Older Writers' Grant Looking for Applications

Posted by Malon Edwards on March 18, 2009 at 6:01pm
The deadline for the Speculative Literature Foundation's Older Writers' Grant is fast approaching! The grant of $750 is available to any writer of speculative literature of 50 years or older at the time of application who is just beginning to work professionally in the field. There are no restrictions on the use of the grant money.Applicants are asked to submit a brief autobiographical statement, a writing sample, and a bibliography. For full details on how to apply for the grant, please see the SLF web site: http://www.speculativeliterature.org/Grants/SLFOlderWriters.php, or email olderwriters@speclit.org. Applications must be received by March31st 2009. The successful applicant will be announced on June 1, 2009.
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Penelope & Otto review the Watchmen and Interview scifi author Valjeanne Jeffers 11pm CST Tonight!

Posted by Penelope on March 9, 2009 at 3:23pm

THE FLYNN-TERVIEWS

Sci-Fi Novelist Valjeanne Jeffers joins Penelope & Otto on "In Like Flynn"
11pm CST Saturday March 7, 2009

Listen to In Like Flynn on internet talk radio

Valjeanne Jeffers is a science fiction writer and the author of the post-apocalyptic tales, IMMORTAL and IMMORTAL II: THE TIME of LEGEND. Published in Revelry 2006, Drumvoices 2007 & 2008, The Ringing Ear: Black Poets Lean South 2007 & Pembroke Magazine 2007; Jeffers was chosen as semifinalist for the Rita Dove poetry award 2007. Her poems will appear in Little Black Book: Bedtime Stories for Lovers Vol 2, Making Sense of the Madness & Liberated Muse Vol I: How I Freed My Soul.

Among other issues, Jeffers will discuss her cross genre novels that give an erotic twist to a post apocalyptic totalitarian society populated with beings whose abilities set them part as potential heroes and victims.

Immortal (2nd edition)
 Excerpt: Karla stood on the porch, dressed only in her nightshirt. How had she come to be here? Was she still dreaming? Yes, that was it. It felt like one…more like a dream than any she’d had in years. The buildings around her were cloaked in mist, the streetlamps, lifeless globes. The night moons encircled with a silver nimbus of clouds. The smell, what was that smell?

So familiar? So enticing? She saw now that the fog was tinged with red and green smoke. Rush smoke…! I’ve been breathing it! But for how long? Her body answered her. Every nerve ending in her body seemed to come alive. A surge of desire so intense, it was almost painful, rocked her senses. Her nipples grew hard beneath her gown. She could feel the dampness between her thighs.
Karla gripped the railing, trying to steady herself, while a voice from deep within her, cried out in protest...

Immortal II: The Time of Legend

Excerpt: Without warning, a growling fury sprinted into their midst on all fours. Thick black hair covered the creature’s face and body. Her ears were pointed and furry. Her eyes, bright yellow and outlined in black. Black talons gleamed at the ends of her fingers and toes – limbs that bore closer resemblance to a wolf’s paws. Karla snarled, revealing wickedly pointed canines. As she neared the officer torturing Estella the lycan rose and leaped:...




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Introduction of the Osguards

Posted by Malcolm Dylan Petteway on March 8, 2009 at 7:43am
Hello,My name is Malcolm Petteway and I'm new to the group. It is wonderful to network with other Black Science Fiction fans. I am a up and coming science fiction author, who has written four novels and published three of them through the "small press" Iuniverse. Presently, my novels are not available while I again search for a traditional publisher.Let me tell you my first search for a traditional publisher was frustrating. All the rejection notices had the same theme; 'there is no market for a science fiction novel with Black protagonist.' One publisher even offered to take another look if I made the characters White.So I went the self-publishing route, and did faily well with the first book. I had a small fan base of White consumers. So that only goes to show, that a good story crosses all racial barriers. Unfortunately, I had a smaller fan base of Black consumers, which supported the rejection letters.Now I am represented by Tee C. Royal of Royal Literary Management and we are tackling the traditional publishers again.Let me tell you about my Novels. It is a four book series called the Osguards. Osguards is a gripping ride through time and space detailing the horrors of American slavery, the rise of racism during the post reconstruction era, the grit of U.S. urban life at the turn of the century and ultimately the terror of an escalating war played out in the heavens—all surrounded by complex military and political stratagems for power.Osguards contains flash and technical wizardry, thrilling suspense, and historical intrigue. The difference from other books in this genre is that Osguards revolves around the present day with African Americans as the lead characters. The historical subplots are critical, giving birth and allowing resolution to the main characters' inner and outer conflicts.The Osguards are descendants of twin princesses from the planet of Chaktun. Over one hundred years ago, the sisters escape to Earth, a former Kulusk prison planet. They arrive in the state of Virginia, just prior to the United States Civil War. The sisters, Laurona and Nausona Osguard, are enslaved, beaten and raped prior to their rescue and return to their home planet of Chaktun. Unable to save their children, they leave them to mature in the post-civil war United States. Michael Genesis and his cousins are the present day descendants, who have become the leaders of their ancestors' organization, the Universal Science, Security and Trade Association of Planets (USSTAP). Each Osguard is a Commander and Chief of an individual galaxy with signatory planets to the organization.If you want to learn more, please visit www.osguards.com.I'm looking forward to being a member of this group.ThanksMalcolm "Rage" Pettewaywww.osguard.comwww.malpetteway.blogspot.com
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Call for information: SciFi and Fantasy

Posted by Carole McDonnell on March 6, 2009 at 9:14am
Call for Information: Sci-Fi and Fantasy-- Publishers Weekly, 3/2/2009 12:31:00 PMFeature: Science Fiction & FantasyIssue: April 13Deadline: March 20Needed: Publishers’/editors’ written comments on the state of this category: latest trends, bestsellers, effects of the recession, etc. Particular attention to themes of apocalypse/dystopia/global warming etc.; non-white and non-Western authors and characters; and short-story collections and anthologies. We’ll be looking at titles pubbing between March 1 and November 30. Story and sidebar ideas are welcome. E-mail submissions strongly preferred, to rose.fox(AT)reedbusiness.com; or mark packages "SF/Fantasy Issue" and send to Rose Fox, PW, 360 Park Ave. South, New York, NY 10010.http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6641114.html
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Lost

Posted by Malon Edwards on March 5, 2009 at 1:54pm
Last night's episode of Lost was my favorite of the series so far. I have yet to discuss it here because it's such a complex television show and I wouldn't even know where to start, though I'm sure if you ask some of its more avid fans, they might say otherwise.For me, Lost's appeal is its storytelling. Yes, Evangeline Lily is cute, yes, Terry O'Quinn can act his ass off, and yes, Harold Perrineau is versatile as hell, but it's the storytelling that gets me. It inspires me.Interestingly enough, ER used to do the same thing. Back in college, Thursday nights used to be my "writing nights" because ER aired on those nights (it still does). Back then, after watching an episode of ER, my creative juices would get going and I'd want to write.I've never talked to another writer about this, so I don't know if other writers have experienced something similar. I know athletes experience something similar in sports, though. In high school I played football--tailback--and was on the track team--shot put and discus. When I saw the other team's tailback rip off a long, spectacular run, or a thrower pop a nice one, I'd get a little amped up. The adrenaline would start flowing, I'd get all tingly, and I couldn't wait until our offense stepped onto the field or I got into the ring so I could do my thang.Watching ER then and Lost now is kind of like that. But don't get me wrong. It's not that I want to "out-write" ER or Lost, it's more like I'm feeding off the wonderful creativity of the shows. In other words, I see a well-crafted creative piece on television, and I say to myself, "I want to write a well-crafted creative piece."Has anyone else experienced that?
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Irony -- Short circa Summer 2006

Posted by VD DeVau on March 5, 2009 at 12:32am
As promised many moons ago, I am going to start posting some of my short stories and scraps. Please let me know what you think.Irony by VD DeVau...Ronnie ate the apple in small deliberate bites. Her stomach clinched and released with each swallow. It didn’t taste like much, but she wasn’t used to eating. Funny things you can stop getting used to doing.Her arms ached and her legs were jelly when she tried to get up off the cot. Some tubing in her nose kept her from sitting up farther than the nurse had adjusted the makeshift hospital bed. Her vision was as keen as ever and in the dark she could see Pearson lying almost too still on the next cot. She waited to make sure that his chest was rising and falling before she threw the apple core at him.Pearson kept right on sleeping. She didn’t risk calling out his name. Too many people packed too close together, she didn’t want any of them to wake up if she could help it.The room was a drab green; she remembered that from yesterday when they had wheeled them in from the operating room.Ronnie touched the lump just underneath the swell of her right breast. The device was firm to the touch but she was not sure of its shape. Her fingertips told her it was oblong and thicker than her thumb, but her fingers weren’t to be trusted. The tips of them had been sliced to pieces and scarred over so many times that her sense of touch had begun to atrophy. She used her palm. It was cylindrical and harder than her fingers suggested. Metal she deduced. A battery her brain screamed.Getting caught raiding the court holding area should have meant death. Personally she’d taken four pulses from the Policia’s gun before she fell and knew that Pearson had taken more. The burnt meaty smell of her own body reminded her of death. Dead would be nice. A thought attached to no forethought, only the past, Ronnie pulled at the tube in her nose and couldn’t bear breathing whatever they were pumping into her when she couldn’t even die.Death would be nice.There were two ways to kill irony - with a better joke or a foreigner. A better joke canceled out the effect of the proceeding attempt, and a foreigner didn’t usually understand the subtleties involved in the ironic. Ironic people were harder to kill, but the weapons were similar. Ironic borns could be hurt but the amount of force required to break their bones and dismember them could only usually be generated by some older Ironic. Foreign weapons had held, for a time, the promise of Ironic death but Ronnie still hadn’t known anyone who’d actually succumbed to a laser or bio-wep the soft-folk from elsewhere had brought along with them from over the horizon.Ronnie could dream of death. Of nothingness. Of course she couldn’t speak of the nothing, that was heresy. Ironics were reincarnated. They all knew it for true. Many lives were led with the same soul. As close to immorality as they were, they all hoped for more time.Ronnie had only lived this one long life and already she thought she had lived too long. Pearson was on his third, and he was done.The plan had been simple, break into the soft-folk building, and get murdered.But they were both still alive.The implant under her breast hummed to life. A barely noticeable revolution that she knew she could pretend wasn’t happening and because she didn’t know what was happening, it was best to pretend.She would snap Pearson’s neck. The thought crept into her mind both suddenly and surreptitiously. She would end him even if it meant being alone here in a green field hospitalwith soft-skinned people who knew nothing of irony or Ironic people. She would at least set Pearson free if she could. And if she was not enough of his superior to kill him at least by attempting she would feel better.Ronnie took the tubing out of her nose and could not find a place to set it down. The machine it was attached to was all triangular tops and round sides. She settled with placing the tubes on the floor and crept over to get a hold on Pearson’s neck.~~~~~~~© VD DeVau....
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Poetry

Posted by Gabbie Thompson on March 4, 2009 at 7:10pm
RealMy man is everything a woman could dream.Dedicated, hard working, strong.I bear my soul to him.With him I have no reason to fear anything.My rock, strength, fortress.He is my protector.The love in his eyes exsists only for me.Sensual, penetrating, yet vunerable.I am his Queen.He is the epitome of what a real man should be.Masculine, loving, faithful.His spirit is beautiful.His love is real.
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Animosity (More Poetry)

Posted by Gabbie Thompson on March 4, 2009 at 5:13pm
Inside I feel the walls closing in.Rapidly. A tragedy. Loves made at me.Emptiness Resides where love used to be.Put my soul at ease. I can't conceive you with out me. We're meant to be.But you don't see.The pain inside is consuming me.And suddenly what used to be is a memory that's haunting me. Love's taunting me.I don't beleive you want to leave.I realize rejection has chosen me.It's controlling me. Showing me Vindictiely.I toss and turn in dreamless sleep and wake to think that you should be here holding me, consoling me.But instead you see, you chose to be away from me.
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For the Soul of the Yellow Butterfly (Poetry)

Posted by Gabbie Thompson on March 4, 2009 at 5:03pm
Beautiful you were.Innocent and oblivious to the harsh world around you.Such a happy and carefree soul should never be made to suffer for one's wordly conflicts.But I, in a destructive rage,So unfairly deprived you of your lifeWhich was used only to beautify this cold, dark place.So it is with much remorse that I pray for deliveranceFor the Soul of the Yellow Butterfly.-Gabrielle Thompson
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Got Rope?

Posted by Lisa Bennett Bolekaja on February 28, 2009 at 11:16pm
A little morning bondage.I've been collecting BDSM images to finish a new draft of my "Bitches Brew" script. Whenever I work on a story, a script, or a poem, I collect images that I put into my scrapbook. It's kinda like creating my own one sheet/movie poster/book cover. I then put together a sound track of music that reflects the soundscape/tone I'm trying to create in my work. As I write, the music and images transport me, and then I become the characters I write about.I tend to write about things that interest me, and I realize that as aggressive and assertive as I am, in the BDSM world, I would actually be a "bottom". And since I am naturally a voyeur (because I am a writer), I find myself torn between being a true "top" (rather than bottom). I don't think there is a half and half in the BDSM world. My best buddy Taj thinks I'm a closet dominatrix. Maybe.But I do have a growing rope fetish. Honestly, I just like the artistry of the rope work, and actually think I could get away with wearing rope over my clothes in public because I think it looks hot. The baddest chick in the game is Midori (in all her black latex glory), and she does the most beautiful rope-work I've ever seen. I was thinking of having photos done for myself. I've done tasteful professional nude photos before back in the day. But the wiser I've become, I've embraced all facets of my personality. Especially the darker, shadow side of myself. There's just something Sci-Fi'ish about the look of the rope to me.I'm not saying I want to be hog-tied and whipped, I just like the look of rope-work over my clothes, no different than my nose ring, or the belly piercing I had years ago before it was a fad for teens. Maybe I'll wear rope for the San Diego Comic Con. No one would notice me there.Okay, maybe I have said too much.

Sometimes ya gotta let your Freak Flag wave.....

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Retro-KM: Land of the Landlords

Posted by Ronald T. Jones on February 28, 2009 at 12:51pm
Retro-Km: Land of the Landlords presents a future landscape not very common in science fiction. As a huge fan of the genre, I have absorbed science fiction in all of its formats, from print to television to film. Let's face it, the science fiction we grew up with, that we still love, is overwhelmingly white. In Star Wars, mostly white humans and their alien allies squared off against a white human male dominated tyrannical regime.Battlestar Galactica, original and remake, tilted heavily on the lighter end of the monochromatic spectrum. Star Trek envisioned a racially diverse future for humanity, but until Commander Sisko reached centerstage, a strong black authority figure was a rarity in this universe. The youth utopia in Logan's Run was populated by a sea of healthy, vigorous, under-30 whites.The profusion of white extends to the books I've read. The heroic figures fighting against alien invaders, taking on the might of oppressive interstellar empires, commanding powerful space ships, travelling through time, making first contact, using and creating super advanced technology, unravelling mind-boggling scientific concepts...those endeavors have long been the sole province of white males and a few white women. The same has been true of the fantasy genre. Fantasy writers Charles Saunders, Milton Davis, Nnedi Okorafor, Sharise Moore, and Gregory Walker, among others, have added a splash of color to fantasy literature with their own unique visions, where black people are prominent, not relegated to the periphery.Edward Uzzle's science fiction offering is an explosion of violent action, fast paced adventure, hi-tech hardware and hard nosed heroics. Set in a near distant future, Retro-Km focuses on the exploits of Kashta, an elite soldier fighting for Ta-Amenta, a black nation carved out of what used to be the United States. Ta-Amenta is truly a black utopia, peopled by black folk who not only enjoy the benefits of a techologically advanced, ecologically sound society, but are deeply proud and rooted to their heritage and tradtions. The story's frequent flashbacks to the 21st century reveals to the reader how Ta-Amenta came into existence...or rather how the idea of such a society was born. Both past and future inter-relate in the story without taking away from the overall narrative. The protagonist is dedicated and well meaning, though sometimes conflicted and rash. The usual ingredients for a hero. Retro-Km is epic in scope, unaplogetically Afrocentric in direction while adhering to the formula that make for exciting, compelling action adventure science fiction.
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Novelist/Indie Publisher Miriam "Mimi" Jacobs Interview on "In Like Flynn" Saturday 11pm CST!!

Posted by Penelope on February 27, 2009 at 12:41am

Miriam Jacobs writer and president of publisher Chaklet Coffee Books banters with Penelope & Otto regarding the erotic anthology EROS369 and the thrilling sexually charged and suspenseful "The RestStop: Jeff and Jeanine" on In Like Flynn starting at a new time - 11:00pm CST!!

Call in at 718/508-9683 to discuss writing and publishing with Miriam Jacobs!Listen to In Like Flynn on internet talk radio

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CFS: Destination Future and CFS: Extreme Horror

Posted by Carole McDonnell on February 23, 2009 at 1:12pm
Destination FutureDescription: Science Fiction anthology to be edited by Z.S. Adani and Eric T. ReynoldsPublisher: Hadley Rillie BooksSubmission Guidelines:We are looking for Science Fiction stories, particularly Hard SF, Space Operas, Alien Worlds, Alien Encounter, Exploration, and Quest Stories. (We prefer not to receive alternative and historical fiction, fantasy, steampunk, or horror for this anthology, but other than that it's pretty open.Length: 3000 – 6000 wordsElectronic Submissions Only. Send as an attachment to an email message. Microsoft Word .doc file is preferred, or .rtf is okay (please contact us if you need to make arrangements for another format). Please virus scan your document before sending.Email Your Story To: submissions.future [at] gmail [dot] comImportant: Place Destination Future in the subject linehttp://www.hadleyrillebooks.com/DestinationFutureSubs.htmlEXTREME HORRORDEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS: FEBRUARY 28, 2009Comet Press is seeking short stories for an extreme horror anthologyto be published in the summer of 2009 (trade paperback). We arelooking for the most gruesome, disturbing, and scary tales imaginable.Dark humor is acceptable.UPDATE: 1/26/09 - It is not a requirement, but we would like to seesome stories set in various times of past history. Including ahistorical or notorious figure, or legendary beast connected with thatperiod would be a bonus. Old West, WWII Nazi Germany, Ancient, Pre-Columbian, Biblical Era, Medieval, Pre-civilization, etc. Moreimportant, however, is that the story is extreme horror.Reading period: From December 15, 2008–February 28, 2009 (or untilfilled).Word length: 3,000–10,000 words.Multiple submissions: Up to two stories per author can be submitted.Please send as separate emails.Payment: 1/4 cent per word, $25 max. (negotiable for establishedauthors). Payment will be made upon publication.Reprints: We may consider reprints, please send previous publishinginformation with submission.Return Time: Rejections will be sent as soon as possible. Stories thatmake the first cut will be kept until the end of the reading period.Authors will be notified right away if their story makes the firstcut, then the final stories will be selected at the end of the readingperiod.Artwork: We are accepting submissions for cover art for this book.Either email your artwork in .jpeg format (300 DPI) as an attachment,or provide a link to the art online. Put "ARTWORK SUBMISSION: HORRORANTHOLOGY" in the subject of the email. Payment is $25.00. Email tothe address at the bottom of this page.Attach the entire manuscript as an rtf attachment. First page ofmanuscript should include your name, pen name if any, address andemail address, and word count. Please include that first page info inthe body of your email along with a brief blurb summing up the storyand a brief bio. Manuscript should be in a standard format—doublespaced, standard font and size. First line of paragraphs indentedusing word processor function (not tabs), no extra spaces betweenparagraphs, except for scene breaks. Italics should be italized, boldin bold. No headers or footers are necessary. Put "SUBMISSION: HORRORANTHOLOGY" in the subject of the email.Email to Comet Press.(Email links are encoded in javascript to protect against spam. If youhave javascript disabled, the email address is contact [at] cometpress[dot] us. Replace [at] and [dot] with the appropriate symbols.)http://www.cometpress.us/guidelines/horroranthology2009.html
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