Publishing | Writing | Author Spotlight | Features | Podcasts | Links | #BIPOC

Heyla!

Happy Goldie Month! Are you ready for a month of fantastic panels, readings, and inclusive conversation? I know I am. I feel like yesterday was January and here it is the middle of the year already...beyond the middle. When did it go by so fast?

So, I picked up a few things for pride month, to show my Q colors. The "Everyone is Awesome" Lego set is my very first that I've purchased or put together. It sits above my desk. And I also got the brand new DC Pride comic, with the original Jim Lee cover (I've loved him since my days collecting X-Men back in the 80's/90's) and the variant cover. It has a selection of stories about different queer DC characters, artwork, and even a few interviews of some actors who play characters on DCTV.



Newest news
After attempting to write a 1000 word flash fiction piece with my writing group, I was messaged by J. Scott Coatsworth of the Queer Sci Fi website and Facebook group about entering their annual flash fiction contest. I'd seen it in previous years, but never read it. I nearly said no when I saw that it was a 300 word max entry.

Long story short, I powered through and my flashfic Power was chosen to be in this year's anthology. The theme is INK and we are still awaiting announcements for honorable mentions, judge's choices, and 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners. But hey, I made it into the top 120 out of 384. I'll take the win. The Anthology will be release August 10th and I'll post a link to it for my fellow speculative fiction lovers when I receive it.


I'm keeping my GCLS virtual schedule post below. Sign up and come catch me on the zoomie-Zoom this month! I'll be in the following locations on the schedule:

Saturday July 10th
11:00AM - 11:55AM EST
Panel: Trends in Fanfic
Description: Fanfic is often a frontrunner to lesfic, with themes, tropes and even phrases moving from fanfic to published novels. We’ll talk about current hot trends in fanfic, from the story level down to specific language. Are there tropes that are taboo or simply won’t work in lesfic? (Yes, we plan to talk about Omegaverse—you don’t need to know what that is, just come prepared to buckle your seatbelts and, if necessary, use your safeword.)
Panelists: K. Aten, Virginia Black, Patrice James, Rae D. Magdon, Astrid Ohletz
Moderator: Rachel Gold

Saturday July 10th
1:00PM - 1:55PM EST
Description: Author Spotlight
Authors: K. Aten, Carol Anne Douglas, Louisa Kelley, Sam Ledel, D. Jackson Leigh, Brey Willows
Moderator: Ali Vali

Sunday July 18th
4:00PM - 4:55PM EST
Description: Author Spotlight
Authors: A. L. Brooks, Nancy Manahan, Brenda Murphy, Renee Roman, Anne Shade, MJ Williamz
Moderator: K. Aten

If you like author readings, you should check out the Flashpoint Publications YouTube channel. Not only are we adding links to our authors' content to our playlists, but we are also uploading original content.


Shooting the Shit Podcast with KD Williamson
We've had a great solo podcast, but everything has really taken off with all our great guests. You can listen to the podcast, or check out the video of our sessions by following the links provided below. Here is a list of our esteemed STS guest, click their name to go to their Amazon pages.
KD Williamson
Rae D. Magdon
Virginia Black
Anne Shade
Serena Bishop
Lise MacTague
Lee Winter

You can see all the newest podcast episodes by going to Linktree. Or you can subscribe to the Shooting The Sh*t Podcast YouTube channel. Click the image below to see our YouTube Page.


Author Spotlight
      I hope you're ready for this because July's Author Astronaut of the Month is none other than Patty Schramm. She is the Goldie Award-winning co-editor of Blue Collar Lesbian Erotica with Verda Foster. She and Verda also co-edited Women in Uniform: Medics and Soldiers and Cops, Oh My! and Women In Sports. Her first novel, Soul's Rescue was a finalist for the Ann Bannon Popular Choice Award. Patty is a past Executive Director of the Golden Crown Literary Society. She is a retired paramedic and the current owner/publisher of Flashpoint Publications. Her newest release, For the Love of Charley, is book 3 in the Yukon series.


Awards
Currently Entries Left Yet To Be Decided:
Remember Me, Synthetica - 
Otherwise Awards
Goldie Awards - FINALIST in Tee Corine Cover Art
Lesfic Bard Awards - WINNER in Science Fiction

The Lost Temple of Psiere -
Goldie Awards - FINALIST in Science Fiction/ Fantasy

Features
GCLS Member Spotlight: March
GCLS Virtual Series event: 2 Truths and 1 Lie
Lynn Lawler's Book Blog: Meet Author Kelly Aten-Keilen
 All Stars Lesfic Sci-Fi & Fantasy Book Club video interview - Remember Me, Synthetica
12 WLW & Lesbian Phone or Online Romance Novels - Rules of the Road
Eight Great Angsty Lesbian Romance Books - Burn It Down

Writing Updates:

• I have been working on The Rebels of Psiere, I promise! I've found two fab beta readers to help me out with this. One is my publisher, Patty Schramm, and the other is someone who has been a beta reader for many of the great authors (re: much better authors than me) and I'm honored that Anne Pace offered to help me out. Between the two of them they're keeping me cognizant of the fact that I need to get moving on this novel. Currently, I've completed six chapters and 33,000 words. To put it into perspective, both The Sovereign of Psiere and The Lost Temple of Psiere had 24 chapters so I better get going. Bonus though, I just finished writing about a new queen, who is not a Dracore...no, nothing is FISHY here. *grins*
• If you're interested in the short fiction I wrote, you can always check it out on my AO3 site (see the link below). I post my short stuff there for free for anyone interested.
• I recently converted my short witch flash fic that I wrote as my writing group challenge. I thought it would be a cute #Supercorp story so I made some changes and posted it to AO3. Read My Love Tastes Like Chicken Soup

Publishing Updates:
 

• The second editor found some dreaded head-hopping spots in Elemental Attraction so I'm waiting for it to come back to me for a proper cleanup. Unfortunately we weren't able to move it up to an August release because it's locked into Amazon for September 1st. Either way, I'm hoping this one goes over with a lot of laughs. Now I just need to get Rebels finished and maybe that can still squeak out this year, hmm? If not December 1, then for sure early next year at the latest!
• Do you need reading material but don't have a big budget right now? Don't forget, all my short stories, as well as my short and long fan fiction can be found FREE on AO3.

Podcasts & Panels
 

Now for my links:

Supercorp First Kisses Collection - 9 works, 51500 words
Adventures of an Awkward Scientere - 2 works, 23000 words
Amazon Author Page 
Goodreads Author Page 
Flashpoint Publications Author Page
The Lesbian Review: Reviewer Profile - I don't review any more but you can see my favorite books when I did.
 

As always, thank you for your continued support, because a voice is nothing without people to hear. Read, rate, and review. I'm always glad to answer emails and love to see feedback. Drop me a line for all questions, comments, and criticisms. I genuinely want to get better and I'm open to all. Thank you, my friends!

killerwit68@gmail.com

~Kelly

K. Aten
Author and Social Media Manager at Flashpoint Publications
GCLS Marketing/Social Media Committee Member
WEBSITE   ~   AMAZON   ~   GOODREADS
"Some words end the silence, others begin it."
    

[START AUTHOR TRANSMISSION]


Name: Patty Schramm (previously as Pat Cronin)
Publisher: Flashpoint Publications
Reason you started writing: Had a lot of stories in my head when I was 10, and my Reading teacher encouraged me to write them out.
Next book to release & when: Just released For the Love of Charley on 6/1.
Why we should read it: It’s not just about two women falling in love with each other. It’s about dealing with trauma, redemption and finding out that everyone is worthy of love. K. Aten notes: Redemption stories are pretty epic! Also, Patty wrote this "You should read my books cause I’m asking nicely and my books are amaze balls" but was afraid to include it. I'm including it. 
Genres that you've written: Contemporary romance, Sci-Fi Romance and erotica short stories. K. Aten notes: I still need to read her sci-fi books...they're in the queue, I promise, Patty!
List of published books:

• Souls’ Rescue
• Better Together
• Reflections of Fate
• Finding Gracie’s Glory
• Because of Katie
• Sara’s Choice
• For the Love of Charley

Name something you're proud of in regards to your writing: I’m proud of my dialogue and it’s authenticity. K. Aten notes: Those are the books that hit a reader as being most real. An excellent thing to be proud of.
Click HERE to see all of Patty's books on Amazon.US.


Cats or Dogs: Cats! Mine are Squeaky and Buttons. Fatty McFatterson is Button. I often call Squeaky "dumdum" and he responds to it. He just looks dumb! 🐈🐱 K. Aten notes: Her cats frequently join her in Zoom calls...maybe to say hi to my cats.
Coffee/Tea/Water: Diet Coke? K. Aten notes: Why the question mark, Patty? Perhaps she's not sure she should be drinking it and I agree. She should be drinking Dr. Pepper!
Weapon of choice during Zombie Apocalypse: 9mm Glock K. Aten notes: Well, she's not f*cking around! 😲
Hobbies: Bird Photography. 🐦📷
Do you fanfic? If so, favorite ship: Yep. Written my fair share of Xena and Gabby both in XWP and Uber formats. 
 K. Aten notes: So many of us started with Xena and Gabrielle back in the day. It's how I discovered my own queerness, and WLW fiction. 


Website: Patty Schramm - Flashpoint Publications
Facebook: @patty.schramm
Twitter: @patty_schramm
​
For the Love of Charley by Patty Schramm
Book 3 of 3: Romance In the Yukon

      Ten years ago, Charley Townsend lost her wife and has never truly moved on from that day. Most of her time is consumed by her work as a Royal Canadian Mounted Police Sergeant in Whitehorse. She has little time for anything else; especially dating. Jada Deveraux came to the Yukon because it was as far from Ontario as she could get without leaving Canada. What she never expected, was the prospect of falling in love. Jada and Charley meet under stressful circumstances, but Jada is fun loving and hopeful that she can break through the walls Charley has built up over the years. But is Charley ready to take the chance on love again? Will Jada be able to win Charley’s love? A lesbian romance about finding love again.     

   

            

[END AUTHOR TRANSMISSION]

As promised, my #BLM, #AOC, and #BIPOC content in my newsletter and on my website will remain indefinitely for anyone who wants or needs it. It's important so it will not be taken down. If anyone has suggestions for an addition, feel free to send the info my way. Thanks!

BIPOC Author & Resource list

Thanks to KD Williamson for this graphic

#OwnVoices & BIPOC F/F fiction Authors in our community
If you are a black or indigenous author of color, or know an author who is not listed below, please send me a message and I'll include them next month. THIS LIST IS NOT GOING AWAY!
Amazon Author Page Links (99 and counting)
Alice Walker - Romance
Allysyn Jones - Romance, Erotica, Humor
Alyssa Cole - Historical Fiction, Romance, Science Fiction
AM McKnight - Romance, Short Stories
Aminah Mae Safi - Romance, Young Adults
Anna Stone - Romance
Anne Shade - Erotica
Anondra Williams - Fantasy, Science Fiction
April Sinclair - Historical Fiction, Young Adults
Arizona X Tape - Romance, Fantasy, Paranormal
Ava Freeman - Romance
Becky Birtha - Poetry, Short Stories
CB Lee - Science Fiction, Young Adults
Celeste Castro - Romance, Horror, Paranormal
Cheryl A. Head - Crime, Mystery
Chinelo Okparanta - Historical Fiction
Darlene Burns - Horror, Science Fiction
Delores Cremm - Historical Fiction, Drama, Short Stories
Destiny Hawkins - Science Fiction, Romance, Paranormal, Teen, Young Adults, Short Stories
Dillon Watson - Romance
Eija Jimenez - Romance
Elizebeth Andre - Romance, Thriller, Paranormal
Fiona Zedde - Action, Erotica, Romance
Gabrielle Goldsby - Romance, Historical
Ileandra Young - Fantasy, Science Fiction
J. Nichole - Romance
J.Y. Yang - Fantasy, Science Fiction
Jacqueline Koyanagi - Science Fiction
Jade Winters - Romance, Short Stories
Jennifer Linsky - Science Fiction, Romance
Jewelle Gomez - Erotica, Play (Theatre), Poetry, Short Stories
Junauda Petrus - Play (Theatre), Romance, Young Adults
K Arsenault Rivera - Fantasy
K. Ancrum - Romance, Young Adults
Kalynn Bayron - Young Adults
Katrina Jackson - Romance
KD Williamson - Action, Romance
Ki Love - Action, Science Fiction
Krystal Smith - Science Fiction, Short Stories, Romance
La Toya Hankins - Romance
Larissa Lai - Fantasy, Science Fiction, Speculative Fiction
LaShonda Katrice Barnett - Historical Fiction
Laurinda D. Brown - Erotica
Lea Santos - Romance
Leah Johnson - Romance, Young Adults
Lianyu Tan - Dark Fantasy, Romantic Horror
LM Bennett - Poetry, Short Stories, Lesbian Studies
Lynda Sandoval - Romance, Young Adults
Makeda Silvera - Romance, Short Stories
Malinda Lo - Young Adults
Mason Dixon - Romance
MB Guel - Teen, Young Adults
Mercedes Lewis - Poetry
Mia McKenzie - Drama
Misa Sugiura - Romance, Young Adults
Monique 'B.T' Thomas - Romance, Drama
Nalo Hopkinson - Science Fiction, Short Stories
Nanisi Barrett D'Arnuk - Erotica, Short Stories, Romance
Nghi Vo - Fantasy, Horror, Science Fiction
Nicky Drayden - Speculative Fiction
Nik Nicholson - Historical Fiction, Poetry
Nikki Harmon - Romance, Science Fiction
Nikki Rashan - Romance
Nisi Shawl - Fantasy, Horror, Short Stories
Octavia Reese - Children, Speculative Fiction
Penny Mickelbury - Mystery
Rachel E. Bailey - Fantasy, Romance
Raven ShadowHawk - Erotica
Rebekah Weatherspoon - Erotica, Romance
Rivers Solomon - Science Fiction, Speculative Fiction
RJ Samuel - Romance, Suspense
S. Renée Bess - Mystery, Short Stories
Sara Farizan - Teen, Young Adult
Shamim Sharif - Action, Historical Fiction, Romance, Thriller, Young Adults
Sheree L. Greer - Drama, Short Stories
Sheryn Munir - Romance
Shonia Brown - Drama, Romance
Skyy - Romance
Sonora Ryes - Young Adults
Stephanie Andrea Allen - Science Fiction, Short Stories, Speculative Fiction
Tanai Walker - Paranormal, Thriller
Tasha Suri - Fantasy, Young Adults
Tenea D. Johnson - Horror, Poetry, Science Fiction, Short Stories, Speculative Fiction
V Castro - Paranormal, Horror, Erotica
V.A. Fearon - Crime
Yolanda Wallace - Romance
Zaina Arafat - Drama
Zen Cho - Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Romance, Science Fiction
Zoraida Córdova - Fantasy, Romance, Young Adults

#BLM support pages with many resources links
Black Lives Matter Resources
BOMB Magazine
Lecture In Progress
Time Out
FINIMPACT (UK business resource)

Lists/Sites Supporting Black & POC Authors & Stories
PBS - 10 Black Authors To Read
Black Literary Organizations
Independent Websites Dedicated to Authors of African Descent
Best Black queer books, according to Black LGBTQ leaders
25 Black Queer Books to Honor Protests and Pride Month
10 Young Black LGBTQ Authors Reclaiming Their Space Through Words
Queer Fiction by Queer Writers of Color
Goodreads Fiction about lesbian, bisexual, and queer women of color
23 LGBTQ Books With A POC Protagonist
Black Lesbian Literary Collective
Best Black Lesbian Books - Amazon.com
10 Novels & Memoirs By and About Black Lesbian, Bisexual and Queer Women
Lesfic Authors of Color Directory