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Rise: Queer Sci Fi's 10th Annual Flash Fiction Contest
RISE (noun / verb)
Eight definitions to inspire writers around the world, and an unlimited number of possible stories to
1) An upward slope or movement
2) A beginning or origin
3) An increase in amount or number
4) An angry reaction
5) To take up arms
6) To return from death
7) To become heartened or elated
8) To exert oneself to meet a challenge
Rise features 300-word speculative flash fiction stories from across the rainbow spectrum, from the minds of the writers of Queer Sci Fi.
Eight definitions to inspire writers around the world, and an unlimited number of possible stories to
1) An upward slope or movement
2) A beginning or origin
3) An increase in amount or number
4) An angry reaction
5) To take up arms
6) To return from death
7) To become heartened or elated
8) To exert oneself to meet a challenge
Rise features 300-word speculative flash fiction stories from across the rainbow spectrum, from the minds of the writers of Queer Sci Fi.
254 pages, Paperback
First published October 25, 2023
1 person is currently reading
15 people want to read
About the author
J. Scott Coatsworth
90 books188 followersScott lives with his husband in a leafy Sacramento, California suburb, in a cute yellow house with a pair of pink flamingoes in the front yard.
He has always been in the place between the here and now and the what could be. He started reading science fiction and fantasy at the tender age of nine, encouraged by his mother. But as he read the golden age classics and more modern works too, he started to wonder where all the queer people were.
When Scott came out at 23, he decided he wanted to create the kinds of stories he couldn't find at the bookstore. If there weren't gay characters in his favorite genres, he would reimagine them, filling them with a diverse universe of characters. He'd remake them to his own ends, and if he was lucky enough, someone would even want to read them.
Scott's brain works a little differently from most folks - he sees connections where others don't. Born an introvert, he learned how to reach outside himself and connect with other queer folks.
Scott's fiction defies expectations, transforming traditional science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary worlds into something fresh and surprising. He also created both Queer Sci Fi and QueeRomance Ink with his husband Mark, and is an associate member of the Science Fiction Writer's Association (SFWA).
His writing, both romance and genre fiction, brings a queer energy to his work, infusing them with love, beauty and strength and making them fly. He imagines how the world could be, and maybe changes the world that is, just a little.
Scott was recognized as one of the top new gay authors in the 2017 Rainbow Awards, and his debut novel "Skythane" received two awards and an honorable mention.
He has always been in the place between the here and now and the what could be. He started reading science fiction and fantasy at the tender age of nine, encouraged by his mother. But as he read the golden age classics and more modern works too, he started to wonder where all the queer people were.
When Scott came out at 23, he decided he wanted to create the kinds of stories he couldn't find at the bookstore. If there weren't gay characters in his favorite genres, he would reimagine them, filling them with a diverse universe of characters. He'd remake them to his own ends, and if he was lucky enough, someone would even want to read them.
Scott's brain works a little differently from most folks - he sees connections where others don't. Born an introvert, he learned how to reach outside himself and connect with other queer folks.
Scott's fiction defies expectations, transforming traditional science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary worlds into something fresh and surprising. He also created both Queer Sci Fi and QueeRomance Ink with his husband Mark, and is an associate member of the Science Fiction Writer's Association (SFWA).
His writing, both romance and genre fiction, brings a queer energy to his work, infusing them with love, beauty and strength and making them fly. He imagines how the world could be, and maybe changes the world that is, just a little.
Scott was recognized as one of the top new gay authors in the 2017 Rainbow Awards, and his debut novel "Skythane" received two awards and an honorable mention.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
October 24, 2023
First, I want to commend the judges on the Queer Sci Fi’s Flash Fiction Contest. They got it right with the following winners:
FANTASY
Rise Up by Nathan Ailing Long
Artemis, Fractured by George Underwood
Simple Recipes for Small Magics by Ziggy Schutz
PARANORMAL
Deadame by Oliver Nash
Dinner for Two by Olivia Kemper
Speed Date by Paula McGrath
SCIENCE FICTION
It Came From Atom City by Dean Wells
Besides the winning stories that were all outstanding, I named a few picks of my own. I kept it short because there were just to many! These stories are teasers, made me curious and I wanted more!
Ivy, Evergeen by Mere Rain
In the Shadow of Your HeartChad Grayson
Recovery by Kaje Harper
The Sundowning by Eytan Bernstein
Ashes & Tulips by Kellie Doherty
Principle and Reality by Kim Fields
Lough Ree by Atlin Merrick
Of course there were more!
I usually give a synopsis of the stories I review but in this case, I would be giving the whole story away, as I’m always too wordy!
“Rise” is comprised of 300 or less words, quick and fast moving stories from fantasy to Sci Fi and everything in-between. The book is set up nicely and stories are under their particular category and author name. Readers can stick with their favorite category or just skip around to the other categories. Also, this is a great anthology because it doesn’t need to be read all in one sitting. There’s so many stories you can just read them at your leisure.
I highly recommend “Rise” and commend each and every author for sharing their brilliance, hard work, and imagination that created such fascinating stories. There’s something to please everyone! Well done, J. Scott Coatsworth and judges in recognizing so many talented authors.
FANTASY
Rise Up by Nathan Ailing Long
Artemis, Fractured by George Underwood
Simple Recipes for Small Magics by Ziggy Schutz
PARANORMAL
Deadame by Oliver Nash
Dinner for Two by Olivia Kemper
Speed Date by Paula McGrath
SCIENCE FICTION
It Came From Atom City by Dean Wells
Besides the winning stories that were all outstanding, I named a few picks of my own. I kept it short because there were just to many! These stories are teasers, made me curious and I wanted more!
Ivy, Evergeen by Mere Rain
In the Shadow of Your HeartChad Grayson
Recovery by Kaje Harper
The Sundowning by Eytan Bernstein
Ashes & Tulips by Kellie Doherty
Principle and Reality by Kim Fields
Lough Ree by Atlin Merrick
Of course there were more!
I usually give a synopsis of the stories I review but in this case, I would be giving the whole story away, as I’m always too wordy!
“Rise” is comprised of 300 or less words, quick and fast moving stories from fantasy to Sci Fi and everything in-between. The book is set up nicely and stories are under their particular category and author name. Readers can stick with their favorite category or just skip around to the other categories. Also, this is a great anthology because it doesn’t need to be read all in one sitting. There’s so many stories you can just read them at your leisure.
I highly recommend “Rise” and commend each and every author for sharing their brilliance, hard work, and imagination that created such fascinating stories. There’s something to please everyone! Well done, J. Scott Coatsworth and judges in recognizing so many talented authors.
Read
March 28, 2025You can hear a few of the stories from this collection read aloud on the HorrorAddicts.net podcast.
Reading begins about 25 minutes into the episode (the first half is music from RazorwireHalo and discussion of other horror topics).
My story, "Ivy Evergreen" is read by horror author Sapphire Lazuli, whose debut novella "Our Witchless Flesh" releases next year. Sapphire also makes videos you can check out at https://www.youtube.com/@sapphicsapph
https://www.iheart.com/podcast/256-ho...
A few of my favorites, with the disclaimer that I only started marking them when I reached "Deadname" Oliver Nash and wanted to make sure I remembered to look for more by this author.
"Keep Moving Forward" Sarah Doebereiner
"Talk to Me, Moon" Ilyas Merza
"So High Up We'll Never Hear Them Shouting" Meghan Hyland
Reading begins about 25 minutes into the episode (the first half is music from RazorwireHalo and discussion of other horror topics).
My story, "Ivy Evergreen" is read by horror author Sapphire Lazuli, whose debut novella "Our Witchless Flesh" releases next year. Sapphire also makes videos you can check out at https://www.youtube.com/@sapphicsapph
https://www.iheart.com/podcast/256-ho...
A few of my favorites, with the disclaimer that I only started marking them when I reached "Deadname" Oliver Nash and wanted to make sure I remembered to look for more by this author.
"Keep Moving Forward" Sarah Doebereiner
"Talk to Me, Moon" Ilyas Merza
"So High Up We'll Never Hear Them Shouting" Meghan Hyland
October 28, 2023
An excellent collection covering a wide array of genres, and different twists on the theme of rise. I enjoyed each story, the uniqueness of it, the journey I was taken on, no matter how brief. Some I liked more than others, but out of all of them, the one I keep coming back to over and over is The Darkest Night by C.J. Scott. Something about it just struck a chord, deep inside me, and gave me a warm feeling all over. The stories are all so short, but the imagery and emotions they convey are so vivid. There’s a little something for everyone inside, and even if you don’t like a few stories, this will be more than worth the read!
December 6, 2023
Honored that my story "My Persephone" has received an Honorable Mention in the Rise anthology contest and is included in this amazing anthology spotlighting queer sci-fi and speculative fiction!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews