Monthly Archives: September 2026

Description

WINNER OF BRITISH FANTASY AWARD FOR BEST IN NON-FICTION 2024

For as long as humans have existed, they have asked: What if?

Science fiction was a defining genre of the postwar era, and its current boom across books, film and TV shows no sign of slowing. Space ships, time travel, aliens and artificial intelligence continue to obsess us, and dreams of the apocalypse haunt our own post-pandemic age. But what is it that compels writers to imagine the future?

Writing the Future gathers some of the best contemporary writers of science fiction, speculative fiction, dystopia and eco-fiction to explain their craft and explore the many worlds upon which our imaginations might land. Authors such as Toby Litt, Nina Allan, Adam Roberts and Una McCormack reveal how to balance scientific research with creative freedom, examine the different forms the written text might evolve into, and offer practical advice on giving life to your own vision of the future.

Whether you’re a reader, a seasoned writer looking to hone your skills, or a beginner who’s just starting out, Writing the Future provides valuable insights into the craft of imagining the worlds of tomorrow.

Featuring contributions from –

Nina Allan
Rachelle Atalla
Anne Charnock
Tendai Huchu
Oliver Langmead
Toby Litt
Adam Marek
Una McCormack
Maura McHugh
James Miller
Adam Roberts
Aliya Whiteley
Marian Womack

Writing the Future — ed. Dan Coxon & Richard V. Hirst – Dead Ink Books

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My Review

According to GoodReads I started reading this one in late July 2025 and I finished it yesterday. One year, one month. Nothing to do with the book, I’ve had a busy year, what with becoming a Director of an Arts CIC, having my Brighton adventure, doing work for exhibitions, giving up my salaried job to do self-employed work, and getting evicted. I’ve got another exhibition later this month and I’m no where near finished. Oh, and my cat has discovered windows that open (new bungalow has windows that aren’t just top opening windows); she’s using them like cat doors. I’m writing this while she is climbing out of my office window and walking along the outside window ledge.

And now she’s in the front garden.

Sorry, you didn’t come here to read about Phoenix’s explorations of our new environment. I got distracted.

Back to the book.

This is a fascinating collection of essays on a range of subjects related to writing science fiction. It gets a bit philosophical at times, which was fun, for a given value of fun. I found it stretched my thinking in helpful ways. I enjoyed the spotlight chapters about different authors, especially J.G. Ballard. I thought I’d read something by him, but looking at a list of Ballard’s work, I haven’t. Might have to remedy that.

Aliya Whiteley’s chapter on research and knowing when to stop procrastinating and start writing was helpful for me personally, because I will world build and research for years before actually writing the story (see my current WIP for example) and the image of a time travelling dog using black holes was just ‘brain-sparkle’ making.

I’m pretty certain science fiction writers of all stripes (I tend to mix my science fiction with fantasy – shape shifting alien space dragons, anyone?) will find something useful in this collection.

And now, on to reading Writing the Magic.