Some books are serials, not to be mistaken for anything else. 'The Two Towers,' for example, ought never to be read in isolation. Edward M. Lerner bookisolationmistake Change image and share on social
Lots of science fiction deals with distant times and places. Intrepid prospectors in the Asteroid Belt. Interstellar epics. Galactic empires. Trips to the remote past or future. Edward M. Lerner asteroidbeltdeal Change image and share on social
History buffs expect historical background in historical fiction. Mystery readers expect forensics and police procedure in crime fiction. Westerns - gasp - describe the West. Techno-thriller readers expect to learn something about technology from their fiction. Edward M. Lerner backgroundbuffcrime share on social
Readers and viewers will differ about what's totally standalone, what's totally serially dependent, and what's merely enriched by reading/viewing in a particular order. Edward M. Lerner dependentdifferenrich Change image and share on social
Many a fine SF story uses science or technology merely as backdrop. Many a fine SF story presumes a technological breakthrough and explores its implications without attempting to predict how the thing might actual work. Edward M. Lerner actualattemptbackdrop share on social
The biggest fatal flaw in most fictional portrayals of nanotech - what sends those books arcing across the room - is ignoring that the nanobots need energy to do... anything. Edward M. Lerner arcebigbook Change image and share on social
I want to believe humanity has not forgotten how to explore. Edward M. Lerner exploreforgethumanity Change image and share on social
Too much detail can bog down any story. Enough with the history of gunpowder, the geology of Hawaii, the processes of whaling, and cactus and tumbleweed. Edward M. Lerner bogcactusdetail Change image and share on social
One of the bedrock principles of physics is the conservation of energy. In this universe, energy can be neither created nor destroyed. Edward M. Lerner bedrockconservationcreate Change image and share on social
Happily, researchphilia is not the problem it once was. The Internet makes just-in-time research very practical. Edward M. Lerner happilyinternetmake Change image and share on social
