QUEERS DESTROY SCIENCE FICTION open for submissions now!

[seanan_mcguire]

I was delighted when John Joseph Adams asked me to be the guest editor for the special Queers Destroy Science Fiction issue of Lightspeed Magazine, following on last year's incredibly awesome and successful Women Destroy Science Fiction. (And I admit, I paused before saying "yes," since being the editor means I can't submit.) But in the end, the opportunity to be a part of making this a real thing in the world was too much for me to pass up.

We just opened for submissions.

The submission portal is here, and includes links to the overall guidelines: http://submissions.johnjosephadams.com/queers-destroy-sf/submit/

It's important to remember that while we do not require the stories to have queer content, we are actively seeking stories by queer (QUILTBAG) authors. It's my great hope that we will have representation from most of the letters in the acronym and beyond, since demisexual and pansexual authors are also queer. ("A" is for "asexual," not for "ally.") All stories must have science fiction content.

Submissions are open through February, which is also when I and my team will be making final decisions. Don't rush to submit; make sure your story is awesome and ready to rock. I want to see the widest possible range of stories and authors.

This is our issue. Let's rock it.

Comments

[stormsdotter.livejournal.com]

Okay, I'm going to work on rewriting my naga story that didn't make the cut for Glitter and Mayhem for submission.

Thank you for making my Samhain better!

[seanan-mcguire.livejournal.com]

Hooray!

[jessicameigs.livejournal.com]

It's important to remember that while we do not require the stories to have queer content, we are actively seeking stories by queer (QUILTBAG) authors.

Well darn. I got all excited, and then I read this part. That counts me out. :(

[seanan-mcguire.livejournal.com]

This is just one issue; the magazine is always there, and always welcomes stories with queer content, providing they are SF (since it's an SF publication). I highly recommend submitting!

[jessicameigs.livejournal.com]

I'll keep that in mind. I have this urban fantasy series that's being published by Permuted Press, and two of the main characters are gay men in a relationship with each other. Though I'm self-publishing a prequel series of four books to go with the main series, I'd have loved to put more stories about them out there. I'll keep the mag in mind for future reference.

Speaking of, Peter Clines told me to ask you: what's your policy on reading/blurbing other UF writers' stuff? I know that, like me, you probably have extremely limited time (for me, it's a 84-hour a week job that I'm eager to quit, writing, editing, and school), but I thought I'd put it out there anyway, since me and Peter were discussing it the other day. :)

[seanan-mcguire.livejournal.com]

If it's UF, it wouldn't be a fit anyway; Lightspeed is a science fiction magazine, and does not accept stories/material from other genres.

I do blurb, but only when I have time, and only when I genuinely like the book. The best bet is to have your publisher reach out. Also, I do not read ebooks at all, and require an ARC or finished copy.

[geekhyena.livejournal.com]

Depending on how this quarter goes, I miiiight have time to finish my story in time, but running the CrossingsCon fundraiser might take up all my writing time. But I'm definitely going to try! So excited for this!

[seanan-mcguire.livejournal.com]

Hooray!

[geekhyena.livejournal.com]

Superhero stories are permitted, correct?

[seanan-mcguire.livejournal.com]

Science fictional superhero stories, yes. "Magically, we all just have powers," no.

[geekhyena.livejournal.com]

Oh, this is science fiction, definitely. Transhumanism and cloning are involved. ^_^ Thanks!

[ebenbrooks.livejournal.com]

I'm familiar with every letter in that acronym except "U". What's "U"?

[fullcontactmuse.livejournal.com]

U is "undecided".

[seanan-mcguire.livejournal.com]

"Undecided."

[ebenbrooks.livejournal.com]

Ah hah! Thanks. I've learned something today. :)

[ladymondegreen.livejournal.com]

It's often "Undecided" "Unidentified" or sometimes "Unaligned" as in, not identifying as any specific known thing.

[fullcontactmuse.livejournal.com]

This is fan-freaking-tastic!

[seanan-mcguire.livejournal.com]

I am hoping we get some awesome stuff.

[kshandra]

("A" is for "asexual," not for "ally.")

On behalf of my ace husband, thank you for specifying this.

[seanan-mcguire.livejournal.com]

Absolutely.

[bookblather.livejournal.com]

("A" is for "asexual," not for "ally.")

I'm an ace girl, and I read this, and I cried. Thank you so much for specifying, and you can be sure I'll be submitting something.

[seanan-mcguire.livejournal.com]

You are so, so welcome.

[maladaptive.livejournal.com]

A friend mentioned your QUEERS DESTROY thing back when the subs were up for WOMEN DESTROY FANTASY to point out that I had an asexual unicorn hunting con woman in turn of the century Georgia story. Perfect for the theme. And now I see it's SF!

...Guess I'll have to write something else.... hmmmm.

(Still super excited.)

[seanan-mcguire.livejournal.com]

If the Kickstarter goes well, hopefully both fantasy and horror can also be destroyed.

[adafrog.livejournal.com]

Congrats on being the editor.

[seanan-mcguire.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

[talekyn.livejournal.com]

I can't tell you how excited I am about this. Working on something to submit!

[seanan-mcguire.livejournal.com]

Glee!

Awesome

[redscribed.livejournal.com]

Yep, definitely VERY excited about this.

*wriggles with happiness*

RE: Awesome

[seanan-mcguire.livejournal.com]

Me, too!

[lunarflight.livejournal.com]

Question, do superheroes fall under the banner of science fiction and would they be acceptable for this?

[seanan-mcguire.livejournal.com]

I actually answered this further up the entry! Yes, they CAN be, if they have a science origin, and not fantasy, horror, or handwaveium.