it’s that time again-a new book means a new essay contest. This time we’re giving away four copies of The Cage of Zeus by Sayuri Ueda.

Not only is this book Haikasoru’s first proper science fiction novel by a woman author, it deals with issues of gender and identity. (There’s also plenty of action and terrorism, incidentally.) In the future, scientists have genetically engineered a new subspecies called Rounds—for “round-trip gender.” These people have the sex organs of both genders and can simultaneously impregnate and be inseminated during intercourse. Not surprisingly, some people object to the very existence of such beings.

So, here’s this week’s essay question: what is the future of gender? Is gender static, or does it shift naturally? Can it, and should it, be manipulated purposefully for scientific or social ends? Let us know in 100 words or less…or more if you are truly inspired. Inspire us, and you win a free copy of The Cage of Zeus! We take entries in English, Japanese, Spanish, French, German, or Greek, and will be pleased to ship a prize book anywhere in the world, as we are all about world SF! (And off-world SF, but that’s another story.) You have till noon, US Pacific time on Friday to get your entries in! Thanks in advance for playing!