New Releases: A G**damned Love Story: The Curious Case of Bleeding Heart Yard by Noah Chinn

Book display of "A Goddamned Love Story" by Noah Chinn

SF Canada member Noah Chinn has released a new novel this month!

 

A G**damned Love Story: The Curious Case of Bleeding Heart Yard features werewolf, witch, and paranormal romance fun. Readers who appreciate romantic comedy + monsters wanted!

“The first half of the worst week of Peter’s life happened when he was a young boy. Being cursed by a witch was bad enough, but what do you do when you don’t even know what the curse is, or when it is supposed to go off? Twenty years later, in a part of London shrouded in myths and urban legends, it does.

 

Peter might have found his one true love, but there’s a problem. His friend might be able to remove the curse, but there’s a catch. There’s a monster hunting people in London, but no one believes it. A secret government branch is investigating, but they’re incompetent. And the woman Peter loves is doomed to die, but it’s not the first time.

 

The second half of the worst week of Peter’s life is about to begin…”

 

 

(P.S. We love the title! )

Science Critters

Book Cover for Science Critters

Preorders are now available for Science Critters, a book of adorable Fiber Arts patterns by SF Canada member Paula Johanson! Johanson is an accomplished writer of both science fiction and science non-fiction, but her textile art creations are also a constant source of joy in her social media channels. Now aspiring creators will be able to make their own octopus, nudribanch and other science critters at home!

To pre-order your copy, please visit the book’s publisher, DoubleJoy Books.

two small crochet octopus creatures a small crochet nudibranch

Calendar Events for September 2021

Workshops

September 28, 2021-

Novel Surgery with Susan Forest

SF Canada member and Aurora-Award-winning novelist Susan Forest will be teaching an 8-week, in-person course on the art and craft of revision at the Alexandra Writers’ Centre in Calgary. Students should have a “finished” manuscript in hand and be prepared to analyze its strengths and weaknesses, rebuild theme and character arcs, ask tough questions about logic and motivation, and cut, add, and move scenes around for greatest punch. Visit THIS LINK to register.

 

Events

September 16, 2021 – 6:00 – 7:30 pm (PDT)

Tyche Books will host a Virtual Book Launch for three Canadian authors who are releasing new works of speculative fiction this month. Register HERE to congratulate SF Canada members Jane Glatt, Rhonda Parrish on their latest works in print!

 

September 23, 2021 – 10:00 am – noon

Fall 2021 Richmond Hill Speaker Series

Limnologist and aquatic ecologist Nina Munteanu will be the first speaker of the prestigious Richmond Speaker series. On September 23, she will deliver a one-hour lecture followed by a one-hour Q&A. Her work explores the many dimensions of water; her book Water Is…The Meaning of Water was Margaret Atwood’s first choice in the New York Times ‘Year in Reading.’ To buy tickets at Early Bird prices, purchase tickets on-line before September 7th. Follow THIS LINK for more details.

 

Markets

On Spec, the Canadian Magazine of the Fantastic, will have an open submissions period from September 1 – September 30, 2021. The magazine is open to speculative poetry and short stories under 6000 words, with a preference for work by Canadian citizens and permanent residents. Follow THIS LINK for more details on what they’re looking for and how to submit.

 

Nothing Without Us Too, an anthology of speculative fiction edited by SF Canada members Cait Gordon and Kohenet Talia C. Johnson, will open for submissions on September 30, 2021. Teaser submission guidelines have been released for those who might like to submit when the reading period begins in October. Although the majority of accepted stories will be by authors who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents, the authors welcome writers from across the disability, mental illness, developmental disabilities, neurodiversity, Blind, and d/Deaf spectrums, and welcome those who manage what are known as “invisible” and “visible” disabilities and/or chronic conditions. Follow THIS LINK for more information and updates on this project as it unfolds.

 

Neo-Opsis Science Fiction Magazine will have an open submissions period for speculative poetry and fiction from September 15, 2021 to October 1, 2021. For specific instructions on how to submit, see THIS LINK.

Naïda by Scott Overton

SF Canada member Scott Overton just launched a new novel about an alien artifact found in a northern Ontario lake. Naïda is the story of how this artifact changes its discoverer, Michael Hart, in a way that has implications for the whole world.

The glowing structure at the bottom of a lonely northern lake is clearly not of this Earth, but scuba diver Michael Hart can’t stay away. It could be a scientific treasure like no other. It could be a trap. It is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to be someone special.

The alien artifact is ancient but not abandoned, and what it offers will change him forever, leaving him with astonishing abilities and a destiny he would never have imagined. Except it might be a destiny he no longer controls. He might not even be human anymore.

Ocean researcher Sakiko Matthews is desperate to find a cure for Earth’s dying seas, willing to put her career on the line to learn the answers she needs. In Michael Hart she finds a mysterious ally who could be the key to her success, but the price will be terribly high.

The very future of the human race is in the balance, and the actions Michael takes will make him a hero, or the greatest traitor the world has ever known.

Because he is no longer alone, not even in his own body.

There is another.

Naïda.

As the host of a radio morning show for most of his 30+ years in broadcasting, Scott Overton entertained and informed thousands of groggy people as they faced each new day. He brings those same skills and perspectives to his writing, which includes science fiction and fantasy, mainstream and thriller fiction, and even a children’s book.

Scott’s debut novel Dead Air was first published by Scrivener Press. Read a sample chapter, watch the book trailer, and more here. His short stories have been published in On Spec, Neo-opsis Science Fiction Magazine, AE: The Canadian Science Fiction Review, the anthologies Tesseracts Sixteen: Parnassus Unbound, Doomology: The Dawning Of Disasters, Canadian Tales of the Fantastic and elsewhere. Scott’s a member of the Canadian Authors Association, SFCanada, and a past President of the Sudbury Writers Guild.

Learn more about Scott’s writing at scottoverton.ca.

Purchase your copy of Naïda from Amazon, Kobo, and other booksellers.

To Push Back the Darkness by Lisa Timpf

SF Canada member Lisa Timpf has just published her first novella with JMS Books LLC. To Push Back the Darkness is a f/f romance/police procedural with science fiction elements.

When the trail goes cold on a string of robberies, Detective Janet Vertran is forced to call on her ex Fiona for help. When Fiona broke things off between them two years earlier, Janet swore she’d keep her distance. But she also knows from past experience how helpful Fiona’s creation, an android named Pat, can be in ferreting out the little details that make all the difference when solving tough crimes.

 

Though the robberies appear to have been conducted by separate individuals, Pat finds an unexpected connection between them. But as Janet, Fiona, and Pat get closer to unearthing the truth, it becomes clear the case is taking an emotional toll on Fiona.

 

As she works with her ex once again, Janet is reminded of old times and familiar feelings begin to stir. Is it possible they’ll get a second chance to make their relationship work? And will Janet find the courage to do what it takes to find out?

Lisa Timpf is a retired human resources and communications professional who lives in Simcoe, Ontario. Her writing has appeared in a number of venues, including Chicken Soup for the Soul: My Very Good, Very Bad Dog, New Myths, Third Flatiron, and Scifaikuest.

A graduate of McMaster University’s Physical Education program, Ms. Timpf also completed course work toward an MSc in Sport History at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. When not writing, Lisa enjoys cycling and bird-watching.

Learn more about Lisa’s writing at lisatimpf.blogspot.com.

Purchase your copy of To Push Back the Darkness on Amazon.