Putting the Science in Fiction: Expert Advice for Writing with Authenticity in Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Other Genres

By Dan Koboldt and Chuck Wendig

Science and technology have starring roles in a wide range of genres--science fiction, fantasy, thriller, mystery, and more. Unfortunately, many depictions of technical subjects in literature, film, and television are pure fiction. A basic understanding of biology, physics, engineering, and medicine will help you create more realistic stories that satisfy discerning readers.

This book brings together scientists, physicians, engineers, and other experts to help you:

   • Understand the basic principles of science, technology, and medicine that are frequently featured in fiction.
   • Avoid common pitfalls and misconceptions to ensure technical accuracy.
   • Write realistic and compelling scientific elements that will captivate readers.
   • Brainstorm and develop new science- and technology-based story ideas.
Whether writing about mutant monsters, rogue viruses, giant spaceships, or even murders and espionage, Putting the Science in Fiction will have something to help every writer craft better fiction.

Putting the Science in Fiction collects articles from "Science in Sci-fi, Fact in Fantasy," Dan Koboldt's popular blog series for authors and fans of speculative fiction (dankoboldt.com/science-in-scifi). Each article discusses an element of sci-fi or fantasy with an expert in that field. Scientists, engineers, medical professionals, and others share their insights in order to debunk the myths, correct the misconceptions, and offer advice on getting the details right.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Penguin Group
• Release date: Oct 16, 2018
• ISBN: 9781440353420

Chuck Wendig

Chuck Wendig is a novelist, screenwriter and game designer. He's the author of many published novels, including but not limited to: Blackbirds, The Blue Blazes, and the YA Heartland series. He is co-writer of the short film Pandemic and the Emmy-nominated digital narrative Collapsus. Wendig has contributed over two million words to the game industry. He is also well known for his profane-yet-practical advice to writers, which he dispenses at his blog, terribleminds.com, and through several popular e-books, including The Kick-Ass Writer, published by Writers Digest. He currently lives in the forests of Pennsyltucky with wife, tiny human, and red dog.

Reviews for Putting the Science in Fiction

[drardavis · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This collection of essays about the current state of science is a well written assortment of warnings about factual errors that you might otherwise insert into your Sci-Fi. Space ships should not have windows. Bugs can’t be too big or gravity will squish them for you. Aliens likely see the world differently than humans, literally. So how would their x-ray vision affect their society? Many of the articles encourage the reader to ask the experts about details, and give contacts and sources. Of course, you can’t throw out all the good stuff like faster than light travel, or you would have a very different genre, but be selective. The most disturbing truth I noticed was that most, if not all, the high-tech breakthroughs and advanced technology are group efforts. Victor Frankenstein may have worked alone, but it’s not done that way anymore. Heroes probably have to be cogs in the machine rather than Captains of their own Nautilus.

[nicnac63 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

As a fiction writer, I recognize the importance of authentic writing. Even though I write imaginary stories, they still need to be plausible, and hold an essence of truth. I remember reading a book with a setting in the 1800s. It mentioned a medicine that hadn’t been discovered and named until many years later. Needless to say, my interest waned, because I felt the author didn’t do proper research. Writers should seek a credible foundation for their works of fiction, and this book, with its forty contributors, serves as a valuable tool. It aids fiction writers in overcoming scientific myths and misconceptions by employing the expertise of those in the scientific, technological, and medical fields.

[ladycato · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I received a galley of this book from the editor.Dan Koboldt's Science in Sci-fi blog series has a fantastic online resource for years. This book, published by Writer's Digest, collects some forty of those pieces to create a fantastic print and ebook resource for writers or inquisitive readers. The diversity of material is absolutely fascinating. From proper lab technique to touring the human genome to correctly depicting mental illness to computer hacking to building spaceships--this has it all. Each piece is fairly short, too, just a few pages. That makes it easy to read in snippets while on the go. While the target audience is fantasy and science fiction writers, the subject matter is relevant to anyone since the writers often cite popular movies, TV shows, and books as they discuss what is done right and wrong.I sincerely hope this continues as a book series. I learned a lot as I read, and I'd love to keep learning. As I wait and hope for the next book, this one is definitely staying on my reference shelf.

[m.belljackson · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

After seeing a recent news release featuring an "Alien Moon," this book comes up right on time as a perfect reference source. It ranges from related Astronomy to Genetics and beyond into future technologies and explorations.A good high level of intelligence and/or a college education will enable basic comprehension. It would be welcome to have a high school version to enhance both fiction and non-fiction science writing and a more complete understanding of the logical and believable scenarios presented. The range of expert authors exceeded my expectations in many areas, notably the coverage of Waste Management, Nuclear Fission as a viable energy source, "Portraying Wolves Fairly," and the deep sadness of the loss of our oceans.The biggest drawback is that no author dealt with the ongoing horrific madness of animal experimentation. Where is any compassion that shows how computers have replaced killing?

[coverloverbookreview · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

As a fiction writer, I recognize the importance of authentic writing. Even though I write imaginary stories, they still need to be plausible, and hold an essence of truth. I remember reading a book with a setting in the 1800s. It mentioned a medicine that hadn’t been discovered and named until many years later. Needless to say, my interest waned, because I felt the author didn’t do proper research. Writers should seek a credible foundation for their works of fiction, and this book, with its forty contributors, serves as a valuable tool. It aids fiction writers in overcoming scientific myths and misconceptions by employing the expertise of those in the scientific, technological, and medical fields.