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Authors and members are encouraged to place gay science fiction books on our group bookshelf, and on the appropriate sub-shelves.

1. Go to the group Bookshelf (upper right).

2(a). To re-shelve a book already on the bookshelf, click “edit��, to the far right of the book.
2(b). To add a new book, search for the book in the search box on the upper left of the page. If the book is grayed out, it is on the group bookshelf (so click "edit"). If not, click “add to group.��

3. Click "choose shelves" and check each sub-shelf that is appropriate for that book. Uncheck “to be determined�� if it is checked.

4. There are some other things you can add in the pop-up menu. "Why this book" adds a note to the listing. See First Sharing (Fallon Mates, #5) for example. If we do group reads, we will set that up in the pop-up menu.

5. Click “save group book�� at the bottom of the pop-up menu in order to apply your changes.

The information below is there to help clarify what each sub-shelf name means. If you have any questions or suggestions, please post them in the sub categories development thread.


GSF Bookshelf Sub-shelves

aliens �� stories which are about contact with an alien culture, for instance through commerce, space exploration or invasion.

alt-reality - science fiction featuring parallel timelines, counterfactuals, introduction of advanced technology into the past and the like.

audiobooks - gay science fiction available in audiobook form.

cyber-genetic-mods �� stories in which important characters (humans or aliens) have undergone cybernetic or genetic modification.

cyberpunk �� stories that focus a mainly on computer programming/hacking and "living in the machine"

dystopian �� stories in which a dystopian (oppressive/creepy/fatally flawed) society features prominently. Can include near-future Earth or other planets.

fantasy-paranormal-scifi �� this is intended to cover works that are science fiction, but are slanted towards fantasy or paranormal themes or include paranormal elements. An example is "Hemovore" by Jordan Castillo Price, which is about a virus that causes mutations that resemble vampirism.

free-reads - gay scifi free reads.

gay-lit-scifi �� sci-fi that includes gay characters and themes, but is not primarily a romance (though it may have romantic elements). This is similar to the distinction between gay lit and M/M romance.

group-author �� for books by authors who are members of this group

military-war-scifi �� an armed conflict is taking place in space, on an alien planet, or using other science fiction elements ; principal characters are usually members of a military service or are specifically designated warriors.

mmf �� menage that focuses on a gay couple while a woman plays a small sexual role. Please do not post MFM in this group. (In MFM, the men focus on the female; this does not count as gay science fiction.)

non-erotic -mm �� sci-fi stories with romance between main characters, but not sexually explicit.

post-apocalyptic �� stories that examine a world (usually Earth) after some cataclysmic event. That event has usually destroyed society as we know it. Most (not all) post-apocalyptic stories include dystopian elements.

realistic-hard-scifi �� stories with classic sci-fi themes that obey the laws of physics and reality, as we know them. These stories should not only be possible but plausible, and the scientific realism should be important to the work. For example, fantastic creatures (elves, shifters, vampires, ghosts, zombies) would not go in this category, even if they are explained scientifically.

removal-candidate �� this ŷ������ group is for gay science fiction only. Books that appear not to be science fiction will be placed on this shelf to give group members a chance to discuss the merits of keeping or removing said books. For example, non-science based paranormal or time travel stories would be moved to this shelf.

romance �� works which emphasize the romantic relationship between the gay main characters.

sf-mystery - works focussing on a mystery or whodunit element.

space-opera �� works that take place primarily in space and include impressive technology and a sweeping dramatic story.

time-travel �� works in which the ability to travel to different times is scientifically based rather than magical.

to-be-determined �� these are works that need to be shelved as soon as possible. Anyone can shelve a book if they have read it.

young-adult �� works with young adult characters, little sex, and no explicit sexual scenes.

Hi all -

I have added instructions above on how to add books to our group bookshelf. I hope and believe the instructions are clear I have the correct sub-shelves listed. If not, please let me know.

Information, please. New to the GSF genre. I have a novella due late this month: Dorian's Worlds. Setting: Earth, overcrowded, future wherein Bi- is the "norm," Straight is "Acceptable," Gay is "Encouraged." In such a setting, my sex-scenes fit as MM, MMF and MF. Because of the MF, would my story not fit within this genre?
Allen
P.S. How "graphic" is permitted within the genre?

Allen wrote: "In such a setting, my sex-scenes fit as MM, MMF and MF. Because of the MF, would my story not fit within this genre?
Allen
P.S. How "graphic" is permitted within the genre? "

Hi Allen -

Regarding this group, Sean, who started it, wanted to focus on gay male scifi. We do have an MMF shelf, so my feeling is that your story is OK - putting in on the MMF shelf warns away anyone who doesn't want to deal with het. Perhaps to be extra careful, add a note in the "why this book" field?

Regarding "graphic-ness" - here there is a shelf for non-erotic books, so people looking for that can find it. Generally gay scifi seems to be expected to be fairly graphic.

With regard to the wider world of gay scifi, all I would say is people seem to want to know what they are getting, so I think it is a good idea to warn for anything unexpected. It is kind of odd to talk about "warning" for het, but as I say people want to know.

My thanks, Charming -
Much to consider (all good) and be aware.
Appreciated,
Allen

*waves* Hello. I have a question. Would it be possible to add a steampunk shelf? If not, how would we classify those under this system?

Thanks!

Freddy wrote: "*waves* Hello. I have a question. Would it be possible to add a steampunk shelf? If not, we would we classify those under this system?

Thanks!"

Freddy, I went ahead and added a steampunk scifi shelf. In return, please make sure it is scifi (some steampunk is and some isn't). Fair enough?

Charming wrote: "Freddy wrote: "*waves* Hello. I have a question. Would it be possible to add a steampunk shelf? If not, we would we classify those under this system?

Thanks!"

Freddy, I went ahead and added a ste..."


Actually, no, all steampunk is SF as it is a sub-genre of SF.

Is there stuff out there that tries to classify itself as steampunk that shouldn't be? The answer is would be yes. Which sucks for people who love steampunk because then we have people saying it's not SF.

But technically, per definition, steampunk is SF.