Information for Contributors

Science in Sci-fi, Fact in Fantasy Articles

I host an ongoing blog series about the scientific/technical aspects of science fiction (#ScienceInSF) and the historical/cultural aspects of fiction (#FactInFantasy). Each week, we debunk the myths, correct the misconceptions, and offer advice on getting the details right with help from an expert in the subject area.

How to Contribute

Please don’t write the article on spec. Instead, send me an e-mail with some information about you, your background/expertise, and your possible topic(s).

Most articles are 1,000 to 1,500 words, plus a paragraph about you, your expertise, and your writing that we’ll put at the front. In the week that they run, I send you a draft of the article as it appears in WordPress (on Tuesday or Wednesday), and the post goes live on Thursday or Friday.

Science in Sci-fi Articles

If you’re a scientist, physician, engineer, or expert in a technical field, I would love to host a Science in Sci-fi post from you concerning your area of expertise. Here is a non-inclusive list of some subjects I’m particularly interested in:

• Physics, flight, and space travel
• Geology, earth, and planetary science
• Biology and life sciences
• Chemistry and pharmacology
• Civil and mechanical engineering
• Medicine and medical disciplines
• Robotics, electronics, and other technologies
• Other technical topics.

Generally speaking, I prefer that contributors have proven expertise in their topic of interest — such as industry/job experience, graduate training, or a relevant degree — rather than having simply done a lot of research. Please contact me if you have questions.

Fact in Fantasy Articles

A significant proportion of my readers are fantasy writers. As such, I’m always looking for experts in topics related to the history, culture, economics, and other relevant areas of worldbuilding.

• Religion, culture, and lifestyle topics throughout human history
• Medieval society and technology
• Weapons and warfare
• Animal husbandry and training
• Magic and superstition.
• Any craft or trade practiced in historical periods

The requirement for proven expertise is less rigorous for these types of articles, but I do prefer that contributors have some expertise beyond “I researched this for my own writing.”

Guest Posts and Interviews

In the past, I have occasionally hosted guest posts from fellow authors. These are usually not pitched to me, but exposure that I offer to my friends to help promote their book launches. Often, they take the form of non-fiction articles about aspects of writing and/or publishing, using the book as an example.

For example: Beth Cato’s post on writing novellas, or Michelle Hauck’s post on writing and selling a fantasy series.

I’ve also done interviews with established authors like Kate Heartfield and Kay Kenyon. Generally, these are arranged 1-2 months in advance, which gives us time to hash out questions that fit under a theme.

I’m happy to hear pitches for articles or interviews, particularly if we have a personal connection. Please contact me by e-mail to discuss.

Cover Reveals

Full disclosure: I rarely host cover reveals. However, I’m open to pitches for these as long as the following requirements are met:

• The novel is science fiction or fantasy, with a cover that reflects this. Sorry, romance authors, but I tend to eschew the half-bare-man-chest type of covers.
• The publisher is an established SF/F imprint for which deals are reported to Publishers Marketplace.

Please send me an e-mail at least 2 weeks in advance of the reveal date.