Of all the fiction genres, sci-fi— aka speculative fiction— stands as the one most likely to inspire creativity. Sci-fi buffs are die-hards. Sci-Fi authors are required not just to do world-building, but to do universe-building. Now, that’s real escapism. That’s why we love science fiction so much.
It is an amazingly broad genre (covering everything from post-apocalyptic fiction to sweeping space operas), but it also helps satisfy some of that curiosity that fuels our imagination.
To write science fiction, a background in science is not mandatory, but it is helpful. Moreover, science-based sites are here in the best science fiction websites for writers. However, do not write hard sci-fi without at least a rudimentary grasp of physics and science. Hard sci-fi writers must have their facts right; readers demand that of them.
If you’ve chosen sci-fi as your genre to write in, here are just some of the best online resources to help you navigate the nuances of science fiction. There are lots of great resources out there, but these are ones that I think are the most useful and I’ve used many times myself.
Here are the best science fiction websites for writers…
Science Fiction Research Websites:
- There’s a handy science fiction and fantasy resource guide by SuperSummary here.
- Cornell University’s science fiction and fantasy research guide is a useful list of encyclopedias and guides for SF writers and researchers. Reference works like the Encyclopedia of Fictional and Fantastic Languages and the Oxford Dictionary of Science Fiction are listed.
- Rotten Tomatoes list of the 100 Best Sci-Fi TV Shows.
- The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction is a free resource providing an A-Z of popular SF tropes and themes.
- Scifan – ‘books and links for the science fiction fan’– offers one of the largest databases of sci-fi writers. Over 10 000 authors’ books are cataloged, and each entry provides links for purchasing books online.
- Slice of Sci-Fi provides the latest news on the genre. TV and film news is included alongside interviews with SF writers and links to many SF podcasts.
- The Science Fiction and Fantasy Research Database indexes more than 100,000 books in SF. Organized by Texas A&M University Library this free online resource will help students and researchers locate many SF sources to study.
- ‘Science in Sci-Fi, Fact in Fantasy’ is a blog series and a useful resource for SF writers, put together by SF author, Dan Koboldt.
Space & Robotic Resources:
- The US government agency NASA’s website provides a wealth of information and inspiration sources for SF writers. There are also separate site sections on Mars exploration, the International Space Station, and much more.
- Find inspiration through images and videos of space, along with the latest breaking news regarding space at Space dot com.
- The Academy for Future Science is a non-profit corporation that examines new scientific discoveries. You can find fascinating information on the latest space exploration discoveries.
- If you plan to incorporate robots and Artificial Intelligence into your novel, NASA’s Robotic Alliance Project provides basic information on AI and additional resources.
Science Fiction Writing Websites:
- N.K. Jemison teaches a Masterclass on Fantasy & Science Fiction Writing. Masterclass does require an annual subscription fee to access classes.
- On SFF World you can read interviews with (and reviews of) authors who write science fiction, discussion forums, and informational articles.
- The sci-fi writing subreddit on Reddit is a place where you can test out your plot or world-building ideas on other Redditors and share links to your favorite SF resources for writers.
- Robert J. Sawyer, a science fiction writer who has many international awards, provides practical tips on technical aspects of craft for aspiring sci-fi writers.
- ‘The Hundred Best Sci-fi Movies’ according to Time Out magazine provides many options for finding inspiration for your science fiction writing.
- If you get ideas from visuals, you’re likely to enjoy Sci-Fi-O-Rama. This is a design and illustration blog focusing on all things sci-fi and fantasy.
- Paranormal Encyclopedia dot com is a free online encyclopedia.
- Sci-Fi name generator is a useful tool for generating names for characters.
- Roberta Osborn’s post on ‘using invented language in your novel’ offers practical pointers on creating a unique communication for a new alien race.
SF Magazines Open Submissions:
There are lots of great places buying speculative fiction these days. Here are some professionally paying science fiction magazines and markets taking submissions.
- Apex Magazine
- Fantasy & Science Fiction
- Strange Horizons
- Hiraeth Publishing has many sci-fi magazines and contests. Investigate them here.
- The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction publishes sci-fi. In addition, the magazine accepts stories up to 25,000 words long and pays for using them.
- Locus Magazine provides a chronological listing of sci-fi and fantasy conventions, conferences, and symposia; author events; sci-fi awards database. And a comprehensive sci-fi index (i.e. books, magazines, anthologies, collections).
- Asimov’s Science Fiction is the world’s leading SF magazine.
Science Fiction Writing Associations:
- The Science Fiction & Fantasy Poetry Association (SFPA) was founded as the Science Fiction Poetry Association in 1978 to bring together poets and readers interested in speculative poetry. In addition, SFPA’s founder, Suzette Haden Elgin, shared her thoughts on sci-fi poetry in “About Science Fiction Poetry.”
- The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA) is a professional organization for writers in these genres. In addition to hosting the prestigious Nebula Awards, the SFWA provides forums and educational resources for sci-fi.
- The Science Fiction Research Association was founded in 1970 for the study of sci-fi. In addition to providing information on conferences. Moreover, the website provides information about several SF-oriented publications that aspiring science fiction writers can subscribe to.
- The Speculative Literature Foundation Offers the latest speculative fiction news, forums, and even issues writing grants for aspiring SF writers.
There are lots of great resources out there, but these top science fiction websites for writers are ones that I think are useful and I’ve used many of them myself. However, don’t forget Wikipedia either, as it has really gotten pretty good on a lot of scientific and sci-fi topics, or YouTube.com, which has clips from a lot of good documentaries.
For more inspiration, check out Top 15 Tips for Writing Sci-Fi.