Science in Sci-Fi, Fact in Fantasy

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.

Science in Sci-fi (#ScienceInSF)

Scientists, engineers, medical professionals, and other experts have shared their insights on a variety of topics. We have so many now that I thought it would be useful to break them down into broad discipline areas:

Biology & Ecology

The science in Jurassic Park by microbiologist Mike Hays
Wildlife biology in fiction with Texas biologist Rebecca Mowry
Writing outside the human box, with biology professor Brie Paddock
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 Amy Vidrine
Insects in fiction: what bugs me, with entomologist Robinne Weiss
Writing wolves fairly & accurately, with environmentalist William Huggins.

Genetics and Archaeology

Genetics myths in fiction writing by genetics researcher Dan Koboldt
Mutation myths in fiction by geneticist Dan Koboldt
Dispeling archaeology myths, with Graeme Talboys

Neurology & Psychology

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.

Chemistry

Chemical fallacies in fiction with chemist Gwen C. Katz (and husband)
Explosions in science fiction, with chemist Gwen C. Katz (and husband)

Physics & 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
Fiction writing versus physical laws, with chemist Gwen C. Katz
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.
Imaging over long distances, with astronomical engineer Judy L. Mohr.

Earth Sciences

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.
Gravity basics for SFF authors, by physicist Dan Allen.
The future of energy, by geophysicist Karen Lanning.
Earthquakes: Fact vs fiction, by structural engineer Amy Mills.
Climate change and cli-fi, by geophysicist Karen Lanning
Waste management in SF, with expert Gareth Jones.

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.
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

Research and Medicine

Medical misconceptions in fiction, with nurse Karyne Norton
Proper lab technique for SFF writers with nuclear chemist Rebecca Enzor.
Research in writing: How to ask an expert, with Boeing engineer Eric Primm
Researchers gone wild, with laboratory manager Amy N. Vidrine.
How to write convincing death scenes, with science reporter Bianca Nogrady.
More medical myths in fiction, with nurse Stephanie Sauvinet.
The science of poisons, with toxicologist Megan Chaudhuri
Organogenesis in 3D, with biomedical researcher Megan Chaudhuri.

Fact in Fantasy (#FactInFantasy)

Here are articles related to culture, animal husbandry, warfare, and other relevant topics for fantasy authors.

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

World-building

10 things authors don’t know about the woods by bowhunter Dan Koboldt
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.
5 Facts About the American Old West, with historian Hayley Stone.
Folklore systems in fantasy, with historian Colleen Halverson.

Magic

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.

Horses and Travel

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
3 ways to write a better hike, by outdoors editor Victoria Sandbrook Flynn

Wilderness, Weapons and Warfare

Wilderness survival tips, by Montana ranger Rebecca Mowry
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.
Building a fantasy army: Leaders, by veteran officer Michael Mammay.
Building a fantasy army: Soldiers, by veteran officer Michael Mammay.

Upcoming/Requested Topics

I’ve already had experts generously volunteer to handle these topics, which will be coming up next:

Schizophrenia part I, with psychiatrist Jonathan Peeples.
Special/general relativity, with physicist Dan Allen.

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.

Cloning and organogenesis
Forging and metallurgy
Military strategy, especially pre-gunpowder
Ancient sailing & navigation
Asian, Middle Eastern, or European history

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 reach out via e-mail (author [at] dankoboldt [dot] com) or Twitter (@DanKoboldt).

Please Share the #ScienceInSF

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Click to Tweet If you write SFF, you’ll like the the Science in Sci-fi, Fact in Fantasy series by @DanKoboldt: http://dankoboldt.com/science-in-scifi