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May Highlighted Stories: Natural History on Alternate Earths

Peggy — Sun, 06 May 2012 00:12:18 +0000

One of the main things that sets science fiction apart from other genres is the question “what if”? SF usually looks to the future: what if a new technology develops? what if scientists discover a cure for cancer? what if we meet extraterrestrials? what if we colonize another? But it can also look to the past.

This month’s highlighted free fiction are set in the past right here on Earth, or at least an Earth, where the biology is just a bit different than we find on ours.

“The Natural History & Extinction of the People of the Sea” by Vonda McIntyre and Illustrated by Ursula Le Guin.
“A Journal of Certain Events of Scientific Interest from the First Survey Voyage of the Southern Waters by HMS Ocelot, As Observed by Professor Thaddeus Boswell, DPhil, MS -or- A Lullaby” by Helen Keeble
“Scientific Romance” by Kevin J. Anderson
“Shoggoths in Bloom” by Elizabeth Bear
“The Adventure of the Lost World” by Dominic Green
“The Dragons of Summer Gulch” by Richard Reed

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Image: “Mermaid and fishes of Amboyna – After Valentyn” from Sea Monsters Unmasked by Henry Lee (1883)

April Story Highlights: Whale Songs and Dolphin Chatter

Peggy — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 10:37:51 +0000

This month we highlight tales of intelligent cetaceans, with dolphins that fall in love and whales that strike pragmatic deals with humans.

Ishmael in Love by Robert Silverberg
Requiem in D-Minor (for prions, whale and burning bush) by Ian McHugh
Bulk Food by Peter Watts & Laurie Channer
Aficionado by David Brin
Temptation by David Brin

Of course science fiction tells us that the whales have moew interesting things to say to the universe than humans:

Photo: By IK’s World Trip on Flickr

infinities: a free sampler from infinity plus

Peggy — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 07:36:16 +0000

infinities is a free sampler of short fiction and novel extracts from UK ebook publisher infinity plus.

The stories are a mix of science fiction, fantasy, horror, and crime including:

“The Man Who Built Heaven” by Keith Brooke
“Venus Macabre” by Eric Brown
“Wooden Horse” by John Grant
“Phoenix Man” by Gary Kilworth
“One Step Closer” by Iain Rowan
Extracts of novels by Linda Nagata, Scott Nicholson, Kristine Kathryn Rusch and others

It’s a nice taste of what infinity plus has to offer.

It’s available for download from amazon.com (Kindle), amazon.co.uk (Kindle), and Smashwords (PDF, ePub, Kindle, HTML and several other formats).

March Highlighted Fiction: Human Clones

Peggy — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 08:26:34 +0000

Human clones don’t always turn out to be exactly like their originals. This month’s highlighted free fiction takes a look at what can happen when clones don’t live up to expectations…

And for your listening pleasure,some rocking tunes about clones.

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2C16A277E6E18692

Enjoy!

Photo: Multiple Lucys by fruity monkey on Flickr

February Highlights: Science Fictional Love

Peggy — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 06:43:13 +0000

Love crosses the boundaries between species, biochemistries and body configurations. Check out these uncommon love stories for a SF Valentine’s Day.

• Queen Bee by Keith Brooke
• It Takes Two by Nicola Griffith
• Ishmael in Love by Robert Silverberg
• Rachel in Love by Pat Murphy
• The Perfect Lover by Paul Di Filippo
• The Ship Who Searched by Anne McCaffrey and Merced
• Sleeping With Bears by Theodora Goss

And a little music to get you in the mood for romance:

Errol’s “Geek Love Song“

and the Kelly Family‘s “Fell in Love with an Alien“

Image: Hearts (Explored!) by qthomasbower on Flickr.

News Update: 12.06.09

Peggy — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 00:16:33 +0000

Added link to 200th free science fiction with biology story.

Many more to come!

News Update 11.23.09

Peggy — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:15:07 +0000

Added year categories under “First Publication”. Now you can browse stories from the 1990s, 1970s or whatever your favorite era happens to be.

News Update 11.18.09

Peggy — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:49:20 +0000

The Free Science Fiction with Biology directory is launched! There are many more free online stories to be added, so check back often, or subscribe to the Free SF with Biology Feed to get the latest updates:

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