The Final Frontier: Writing Science Fiction • Reedsy

📚 Overview

From alien worlds of deep space to artificial intelligence at our doorstep, science fiction tackles some of the biggest questions of our time. In this two-hour intensive workshop, you’ll learn how to navigate the themes and subjects that lie at the heart of the genre while crafting immersive worlds readers won’t want to leave.

Whether you’re sketching the blueprint of your first sci-fi novel, or have a manuscript you’re ready to launch into hyperdrive, you’ll leave with the tools to develop futuristic worlds and story ideas that hold the attention of die-hard sci-fi fans.

🎟️ What’s Included

Live presentations and Q&As with professional sci-fi editors
3 months of Reedsy Studio Premium and access to our Ultimate Sci-Fi Starter Kit
Post-event guidance to help you find the right professionals for your book

🎓 What You’ll Learn

Common themes, tropes, and sub-genres of science fiction

Unique worldbuilding techniques (without overwhelming the reader)

How to deliver on genre expectations while avoiding cliches

Ways to put your own spin on tropes without reinventing the wheel

Schedule

EVENT

3pm - 3:55pm EDT

Rebooting Classic Sci-Fi Tropes

In this session with SFF editor Jonathan Oliver (ex-Editor-in-Chief at Rebellion Publishing) you’ll learn about the tropes and themes that are central to the genre — such as technology, scientific development, space travel, and what makes us human — and how to deliver on reader expectations without falling into ‘cookie-cutter’ traps. You’ll gain an understanding of different sub-genres and how to play into or subvert the tropes of each in order to enthrall sci-fi readers.

EVENT

4:05pm - 5pm EDT

Worldbuilding, De-Earthed

Building a new world (or several) comes with infinite possibilities — and infinite choices to make. In this session with Robin LeeAnn, SFF editor of ten years, you’ll learn how to streamline your worldbuilding process, create immersive worlds without ‘infodumping’, and avoid accidentally writing another version of Earth. No matter where you’re setting your story — a multi-planetary space opera, or a close-to-home dystopia — you’ll leave knowing how to make your worlds feel real and keep your readers hooked.

Speakers

Jonathan Oliver

Editor

Jonathan Oliver is a multi award-winning SFF editor. The founding editor of Abaddon Books and the editor-in-chief for Solaris for thirteen years, he is now a freelance editor working in Oxford. When not editing or reading, Jonathan has been known to write. You can find a collection of some of his weirder stories in The Language of Beasts, published by Blackshuck Books. Work with him on Reedsy.

Robin LeeAnn

Editor

Robin LeeAnn (she/her) is a freelance sci-fi and fantasy (SFF) editor who travels to magical worlds for a living. She offers developmental editing, copyediting, and proofreading for fantasy and sci-fi books. She also runs a monthly giveaway to edit a query letter for free for LGBTQIA+ and/or disabled writers. Find her on Reedsy.