Snail sex and other things

So, I apparently titled this newsletter “Curious Cat, Odd Duck & Author”, which I’ve had as a tagline on my website for a while … but I don’t post supporting content nearly often enough.

Today that changes, at least for one day. I recently learned that snails are hermaphroditic.

Not necessarily odd. But I did learn this tidbit by being a curious cat. Like many scifi worlds, entomophagy — the eating of insects — is common in the world I’ve created. Crisp fried bugs for a snack, ooh gooey custard larvae for eggy goodness, even spicy bugs that get you high. Which meant I was looking for some insect graphics I could use as source material for nefarious various worldbuilding purposes.

Now, I realize snails aren’t insects (they’re more closely related to octopuses) but I came across a picture of two adorable snails cuddling up, and I though “Awww, so cute” ← that’s where the odd duck comes in. But seriously, aren’t they adorable?

This got me curious about snail reproduction. And I found this article.

When snails copulate, two penises enter two vaginal tracts.

And whoever got the best shot with their “love dart” has the best chance of having their sperm stick around to fertilize eggs in the other snail. Snails are fantastic! When you see a snail on the road or the trail, do you pick it up and move it somewhere safe? Then do you feel bad that you might have disrupted its whole life by moving it in the wrong direction? Or is that just me?

Do you have any interesting snail facts … or slug facts?

If you want to check out how bugs make their way into my scifi world, pick up book 1 in the Lyra Cycle (if you’re a Kobo reader, use 30NOV to get 30% off until November 21). Sorry UF fans — you’ll have to wait for the spinoff series before you get a good dose of bugs. And I doubt there will be snails.

Writing update

I’m still plugging away at the edits on Book 3 — I expect to have them done this week, then I can ship it off to the beta reader. Then on to new shiny things 😄 … at least until I get the comments back.

Books for your TBR shelf

In the meantime, how about another book for your reading list?

Infinite waste

Check out Infinate Waste, a standalone, action-packed space opera with strong characters in Dean F. Wilson’s Infinite Stars universe.

An eccentric, trigger-happy captain and a level-headed commander vie for control of the Starship Gemini, but are forced to mix their two very divided crews when they encounter a space barge full of militarised waste.

Happy reading!

CR