Science in Sci-Fi, Fact in Fantasy is a blog series for authors and fans of speculative fiction. Just as science fiction often has roots in hard sciences — physics, astronomy, genetic engineering, microbiology — fantasy world-building relies on everything from economics to military strategy to animal husbandry.
Each week, we discuss elements of sci-fi or fantasy with an expert in a relevant topic area. We debunk the myths, correct the misconceptions, and offer advice on getting the details right. You’ll find most of the experts on this Twitter list.
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Science in Sci-fi (#ScienceInSF)
Scientists, engineers, medical professionals, and other experts have shared their insights on a variety of topics. Many of these articles are part of Putting the Science in Fiction, a writer’s reference published by Writer’s Digest Books in October 2018. We have so many now that I thought it would be useful to break them down into broad discipline areas:
The Research Laboratory
- Research in writing: How to ask an expert, with Boeing engineer Eric Primm
- Proper lab technique for SFF writers with nuclear chemist Rebecca Enzor.
- Researchers gone wild, with laboratory manager Gabriel Vidrine.
- How to write about biomedical researchers, with genetics researcher Dan Koboldt
- Writing realistic research labs, with scientist Jenny Ballif
- Research ethics in science fiction, with scientist Dan Koboldt
- Sights, sounds, and smells of the lab with scientist Rachel Brick
- Organogenesis in 3D, with biomedical researcher Megan Chaudhuri.
- The science of aging and its fictional cures with biomedical scientist Philip A. Kramer
Genetics and Microbiology
- Genetics myths in fiction writing by genetics researcher Dan Koboldt
- A whirwind tour of the human genome, by genetics researcher Dan Koboldt
- Editing life in science fiction, with microbiologist Mike Hays.
- Mutation myths in fiction by geneticist Dan Koboldt
- The science in Jurassic Park by microbiologist Mike Hays
- Zombie microbiology 101 with microbiologist Mike Hays
- 8 things authors should know about viruses, with HIV expert E.E. Giorgi
- Plagues in science fiction and fantasy, with microbiologist Gabriel Vidrine
- Rogue viruses in science fiction, with biomedical researcher Lee A. Everett
- Parasites and parasitism in sci-fi with entomologist Robinne Weiss
Health and Medicine
- Medical misconceptions in fiction, with nurse Karyne Norton
- How to write convincing death scenes, with science reporter Bianca Nogrady.
- More medical myths in fiction, with nurse Stephanie Sauvinet.
- Immortality in science fiction, with clinical researcher Edward Ashton
- The near-future of medical technology, with physician assistant Rachel Berros
- First aid and Field Dressings for Writers with medical expert Stacey Berg.
- Nursing myths in fiction, with nurse Stephanie Sauvinet
- Drug development for writers, with research scientist Bradley Johnson.
- Binary poisons in fiction, with toxicology expert Jane Prosser
- Emergency triage: bring out your dead, by ER physician assistant Rachel Berros
- Futuristic first aid: wound care, by ER physician assistant Rachel Berros
- Novel Coronavirus 2019 Roundtable with four expert scientists
- COVID-19 and the American pandemic, by Dan Koboldt
- How to write hypothermia in fiction, with expert Rachel Berros
- The Science of Skin in Fiction by physician Gideon P Smith.
Psychology and Neuroscience
- Getting mental illness right in fiction with psychiatric NP Kathleen S. Allen
- Misconceptions about memory with neurologist Anne Lipton
- Dementia myths in fiction, part 1 with neurologist Anne Lipton
- Dementia myths in fiction, part 2 with neurologist Anne Lipton.
- Writing children with BESD, with special ed teacher Rachel Heaps-Page.
- Deep character development, with educational psychologist Maria Grace
- It’s not brain surgery, it’s neuroscience, by neuroscientist Paul Regier
- Bipolar disorder: What writers should know, with psychiatrist Jon Peeples.
- Schizophrenia: What writers should know, with psychiatrist Jon Peeples.
- Writing about schizophrenia treatment, by psychiatrist Jonathan Peeples
- Writing distinct characters via psycological development, with educational psychiatrist Maria Grace
- Autism misconceptions in fiction, with pediatrician Josh Michaels.
- Writing characters with ADHD, with pediatrician Josh Michaels
- Writer’s guide to tics and Tourette syndrome, with pediatrician Josh Michael
- The monster you feed: mental health in fantasy, with doctor Olaseni Ajibade.
Biology & Ecology
- Wildlife biology in fiction with Texas biologist Rebecca Mowry
- Writing outside the human box, with biology professor Brie Paddock
- Insects in fiction: what bugs me, with entomologist Robinne Weiss
- Writing wolves fairly & accurately, with environmentalist William Huggins
- Gender determination in fantasy creatures, with entomologist Robinne Weiss
- A primer on primates for SFF authors, with biomedical researcher Lee A. Everett
- The reality of bees, with science reporter and beekeeper Bianca Nogrady
- The science of animal communication, with expert William Huggins
- Debunking myths about hunting, with wildlife biologist Rebecca Mowry
- Writing realistic spiders, with entomologist Robinne Weiss
- Venomous creatures from insects to platypus, with Robinne Weiss
- Entomology and ants in fantasy, with author Clark Carlton and entomologist Wyatt Parker
- Spawning monsters with biology, by biologist Sarah J. Sover
Chemistry and Radiation
- Chemical fallacies in fiction with chemist Gwen C. Katz (and husband)
- Explosions in science fiction, with chemist Gwen C. Katz (and husband)
- Nuclear radiation for writers, with nuclear chemist Rebecca Enzor
- The science of poisons, with toxicologist Megan Chaudhuri
- Binary poisons in fiction, with emergency/toxicology doctor Jane Prosser.
Earth and Planetary Science
- Near-future scenarios for us & our planet, with science reporter Bianca Nogrady
- How the ocean will kill you, with marine biologist Danna Staaf.
- Habitable atmospheres for authors, by atmospheric scientist Lynn Forest.
- The future of energy, by geophysicist Karen Lanning.
- Earthquakes: Fact vs fiction, by civil engineer Amy Mills.
- Climate change and cli-fi, by geophysicist Karen Lanning
- Waste management in SF, with expert Gareth Jones.
- Enclosed ecosystems and life support, with biomedical scientist Philip Kramer.
- Imaging over long distances, with astronomical engineer Judy L. Mohr.
- Radio waves for sci-fi authors, with atmospheric physicist Candida Spillard.
- Misconceptions about satellite orbits, with physicist and astronomer Adeena Mignona.
Physics and Quantum Mechanics
- Gravity basics for SFF authors, by physicist Dan Allen.
- Relativity: Did Einstein kill steampunk? with physicist Dan Allen.
- Fiction writing versus physical laws, with chemist Gwen C. Katz
- Quantum physics I: Uncertainty and observation, with physicist Casey Berger
- Quantum physics II: Multiverses in science fiction, with physicist Casey Berger
- Quantum physics III: Time travel and relativity, with physicist Casey Berger
- Quantum physics IV: Teleportation in science fiction, with physicist Casey Berger
Space & Space Travel
- 9 misconceptions about space travel by aerospace engineer Jamie Krakover
- Space flight in science fiction, with aviation expert Sylvia Spruck Wrigley.
- The weapons of Star Wars, with astronomical engineer Judy L. Mohr
- Cryopreservation in science fiction, with researcher Terry Newman
- Realistic astronomy in science fiction, with astronomer Tom Benedict
- Faster-than-light travel in sci-fi, with physicist Jim Gotaas.
- Practical spaceship design, by Boeing engineer Eric Primm.
- Space bugs: microbes in outer space, with microbiologist Mike Hays
- Exoplanets and habitability, by physicist Jim Gotaas.
- Distance and legal systems in sci-fi, with “space lawyer” J.R.H. Lawless.
- Space law: lowering the cost of space travel, with “space lawyer” J.R.H. Lawless.
- Space battles in sci-fi, with veteran U.S. Army officer Michael Mammay
- Interstellar space law: who owns Oumuamua? with lawyer J.R.H. Lawless
- Lunar travel to the moon and back, with astrophysicist Jim Gotaas
- Radiation hazards in space with radiation biophysicist Steven Fritz.
Computers & Technology
- Ability and luck in writing with biostatistician Dustin Fife
- Computer and internet myths, with computer scientist Matt Perkins.
- Your sci-fi cell phone isn’t cool enough, with silicon valley consultant Effie Seiberg.
- CGI is not made by computers, by 3D video game artist Abby Goldsmith.
- Erroneous code in fiction, by programmer KJ Harrowick
- 7 things to know about cybernetics, with neuroscientist Benjamin Kinney.
- Writing believable nanotechnology, with physicist Dan Allen.
- Holograms in sci-fi, with Judy L. Mohr
- State-of-the Art Microscopes with microscopist Terry Newman
- A writer’s guide to cyborgs, by biomedical expert Brie Paddock
- Analog versus digital imaging, by astronomical engineer Judy L. Mohr
- Quantum computing & cryptography I by physicist Dan Allen
- Quantum computing & cryptography II by physicist Dan Allen
- The current state of artificial intelligence by industry expert Dan Rowinski
- Common misconceptions about AI, an interview with expert Ben Taylor
- Machine learning for writers, with software developer Ember Randall
- The future of communications, with expert S.B. Divya
- GPS systems: What authors should know, with engineer Judy L. Mohr
- Big brother is watching: surveillance & privacy, by Google developer Ember Randall.
Fact in Fantasy (#FactInFantasy)
Here are articles related to culture, animal husbandry, warfare, and other relevant topics for fantasy authors. Many of these articles are part of Putting the Fact in Fantasy, a reference book for writers published by Writer’s Digest Books in May 2022.
Archaeology and Anthropology
- Dispeling archaeology myths, with Graeme Talboys
- The linguistics in Arrival, by expert linguist Christina Dalcher
- Realistic translation in fiction, with archaeologist Marie Brennan.
- So you want to bury a body, with digger Terry Newman
Fantasy Cultures
- Developing realistic fantasy cultures with sociologist Hannah Emery
- A quick and dirty guide to feudal nobility, with history buff Jerry Quinn
- France as a fantasy culture, by itinerant francophone Dan Koboldt.
- Female professions of medieval Europe, by Renaissance man Jerry Quinn.
- Religious fundamentalism in fantasy, by Crusades hobbyist Spencer Ellsworth.
- Historically accurate ways to die, by historian Wanda S. Henry
- Women’s voices from Heian Japan, by David and Carol Harr
- Prophets, preachers, and parasites in fantasy, with historian Jay S. Willis
- Pottery and ceramics in fantasy, with studio artist Lisa Harnish
- Dress and fashion of the middle ages, with expert Rebecca Shedd
World-building
- Worldbuilding: basics of social stratification, with sociologist Hannah Emery
- Languages in fiction, with linguistic expert Christina Dalcher.
- Woodworking myths in fiction, by craftsman Dustin Fife.
- World building with the Spanish Inquisition with historian Jay S. Willis
- 5 Facts About the American Old West, with historian Hayley Stone.
- Folklore systems in fantasy, with historian Colleen Halverson.
- Money and economics for SF/F writers, with decision scientist Elise Bungo
- Political philosophies for fictional worlds, with political scientist Kate Heartfield
- World building with food and drink in fiction, with culinary expert Crystal King
- Organic world-building through ecology with biologist Sarah J. Sover.
- Spawning monsters with biology, with biologist Sarah J. Sover
- Plants in World-building: Cacao Case Study with expert Amber Royer
- How to name characters in fantasy, with naming consultant Hannah Emery
- Revolutions and why they fail, with political scientist Kate Heartfield.
Magic and Superstition
- Designing realistic magic academies by sociologist Hannah Emery.
- Witchcraft for Writers, with Renaissance historian E.B. Wheeler.
- Superstition for Writers, with Renaissance historian E.B. Wheeler.
- A brief history of real-world magic, with historian Jay S. Willis.
All About Horses
- Horses in fantasy writing by rancher and horse trainer Karlie Hart
- How to describe horses in fiction, with expert equestrian Amy McKenna
- Horse terminology: gaits and anatomy, with expert equestrian Amy McKenna
- Horse terminology: tack and riding, with expert equestrian Amy McKenna
- Matching horses to use, setting, and character, with expert Rachel A. Chaney.
- How to injure horses realistically with expert Rachel A. Chaney
- 8 ways to write horses wrong with expert Rachel A Chaney
- Horse psychology 101, by horse trainer Debby Lush
- Horses as change agents in fiction, with expert Cordia Pearson
- How to keep a horse healthy, with horse trainer Debby Lush
The Woods and the Wilderness
- Writing realistic forests, with surveyor Terence Newman
- 10 things authors don’t know about the woods by bowhunter Dan Koboldt
- Wilderness survival tips, by Montana ranger Rebecca Mowry
- 3 ways to write a better hike, by outdoors editor Victoria Sandbrook Flynn
- How to write rock climbing wrong, with longtime climber Michelle Hazen.
Weapons and Warfare
- Medieval versus modern archery by bowhunter Dan Koboldt
- A short history of warfare in the western world, with historic actor Jerry Quinn
- Weapons and tactics in fantasy warfare, with veteran/historian Michael Mammay.
- Realistic fighting for SF/F authors, by martial artist Eric Primm.
- Realistic knife fighting, with martial artist Eric Primm
- Building a fantasy army: Leaders, by veteran officer Michael Mammay.
- Building a fantasy army: Soldiers, by veteran officer Michael Mammay.
- 8 tips for writing realistic soldiers, by veteran officer Michael Mammay.
Upcoming/Requested Topics
Here are some of the topics that are relevant but for which I haven’t yet lined up an article. Please feel free to send me your suggestions, and I’ll do my best to find a willing expert.
- Forging and metallurgy
- Military strategy, especially pre-gunpowder
- Ancient sailing & navigation
- Asian, Middle Eastern, or European history
This is not a comprehensive list! If you’re an expert in a topic relative to SF/F and would like to contribute, please check out the contributors information page and then contact me by e-mail, Twitter, or Facebook (in that order of preference).
Keep an eye out for these upcoming posts in the series:
- Raising and writing gifted children, with Victoria Flynn
- Life, magic, and the space in between by Sarah Sover
- Self defense versus martial arts, with Ember Randall
On A Related Note: Experts Needed
I’m a genetics researcher with a background in biology and computer science. That qualifies me to talk about some of the science in sci-fi, like genetic engineering, cloning, and mutations. I’m a bowhunter, too, which might be useful. We’ll need many other contributors to make this work.
If you have experience in science, engineering, medicine, or technology, I’d love to have you contribute. The same goes for people who know about martial arts, animal husbandry, history, or other topics. Please see my Information for Contributors page, and then contact me to discuss.
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