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. Many of these articles will be part of a book published by Writer’s Digest in Fall 2018. 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
- Gender determination in fantasy creatures, with entomologist Robinne Weiss
- Rogue viruses in science fiction, with biomedical researcher Lee A. Everett
Genetics, Archaeology, and Anthropology
- Genetics myths in fiction writing by genetics researcher Dan Koboldt
- Mutation myths in fiction by geneticist Dan Koboldt
- Dispeling archaeology myths, with Graeme Talboys
- A whirwind tour of the human genome, by genetics researcher Dan Koboldt
- The linguistics in Arrival, by expert linguist Christina Dalcher
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.
- Schizophrenia: What writers should know, with psychiatrist Jon Peeples.
- Writing about schizophrenia treatment, by psychiatrist Jonathan 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.
- Relativity: Did Einstein kill steampunk? with physicist Dan Allen.
- Practical spaceship design, by Boeing engineer Eric Primm.
- Exoplanets and habitability, by physicist Jim Gotaas.
- Radio waves for sci-fi authors, with atmospheric physicist Candida Spillard.
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 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.
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
- State-of-the Art Microscopes with microscopist Terry Newman
- A writer’s guide to cyborgs, by biomedical expert Brie Paddock
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 A. 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.
- Immortality in science fiction, with clinical researcher Edward Ashton
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.
- Money and economics for SF/F writers, with decision scientist Elise Bungo
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, Travel, and Adventure
- 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
- How to write rock climbing wrong, with longtime climber Michelle Hazen.
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
Here are some upcoming posts slated for early 2017:
- Translation tropes in fiction, with anthropologist Marie Brennan
- Matching horses to characters, with equestrian Rachel A. Chaney
- Weird facts of human biology for fantasy authors, by biologist Linsey Miller.
- Exploring water planets, with marine biologist Liana Brooks
- Evolution for writers, with biologist C.D. Dennis
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 contact me by e-mail, Twitter, or Facebook (in that order of preference).
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).
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