When sleep finally comes, it is unkind. It’s the same dream, but for the first time, there are differences.  I’m crouched in a wide clearing at dusk, leaning against a towering stone figure that looms above me. My fingers press into the rough surface, and I feel as though this carved giant is the only thing keeping me from drifting off into the purple sky.

I used to think time flowed. One moment leads to the next in a river rushing forward. That’s the simplest story we tell ourselves: the past is gone, the future’s out of reach, and we are stuck in the present. But I’ve seen enough to know that time doesn’t flow at all. I believe it’s more of a solid block—a four-dimensional tapestry where past, present, and future all exist simultaneously.

The desert scrub gradually gives way to drier, barren plains. Hills flatten into endless stretches of cracked earth. Here, the wind sweeps across the desolate land, whispering of dangers yet to come. Dust clings to my sweat-dampened skin, forming a gritty layer that stings with every movement. We are heading west, further from the Imperial Army’s reach, although I don't know how far this new legion’s influence stretches or how determined they will be to find us.

Darkness presses in as Xia and I move cautiously through the narrow street. The night amplifies every sound—the rustling of fabric, the crunch of our footsteps on uneven ground, the distant murmur of voices. We hunch low, staying out of sight.   Torchlight casts distorted shapes along the alley's edges, making it harder to judge how close the soldiers are. The rhythmic thudding of their boots echoes in my ears. 

A soft rustle pulls me from the fog of sleep. Xia must be moving about the house. I blink, trying to clear the grit clinging to my vision as it adjusts to the pale shafts of morning light filtering through thin slats in the window. Each inhalation sends a sharp, fiery reminder through my side. The discomfort is a constant testament to my weakness, a state I loathe.

Tonight, my mission reaches its culmination. For the past two years I have waited, observed, and blended into the darkness. I finally have the opportunity to kill the Emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang. The Phylax's information is infallible. Qin has been traveling across China for months, just as they said he would, inspecting his empire—but the inspections are only a pretense.

When you think of science fiction, you probably picture sleek starships, androids wrestling with morality, or dystopian futures filled with neon rain. But let’s be honest—no story feels complete without a dog. Loyal, brave, occasionally hilarious, dogs in science fiction remind us that even when humanity ventures to the stars, we still want a wagging tail by our side. From genetically modified canines to faithful Earth-born companions, sci-fi dogs aren’t just background pets.

Science fiction can feel like a boys’ club – but that perception is more myth than reality. From the genre’s birth to its modern multiverses, women have shaped, driven and redefined science fiction. This post explores the history of science fiction females – the trailblazing authors and characters who pushed boundaries, the iconic film and television heroines who captivated audiences, and the innovators who are building a more inclusive future.

Marketing a book sometimes feels like herding caffeinated kittens. Between social posts, newsletters, ad campaigns, reviewer outreach, podcasts, giveaways, spreadsheets, and the occasional existential crisis, there’s barely time left to, you know, write. That’s why I lean heavily on Zapier book marketing automations. In this guide I’ll (1) explain what Zapier is, and (2) hand you 21 battle-tested workflows—including my personal favorite that slurps new Amazon reviews into shiny social media posts.

I still remember slipping a battered paperback into my jacket pocket for the bus ride to high school—a ritual as sacred as morning coffee. Those dog-eared pages felt like a time machine … which, in a sense, they were. But how did we get from oral epics around campfires to streaming audiobooks on smart speakers? Buckle up! In this friendly (and occasionally cheeky) tour, I’m diving deep into the history of the novel—its roots, revolutions, and recklessly fun future.

A vow of silence. A mission across centuries. We have all been fed lies that keep us from becoming our fullest, fiercest selves—but the deceptions that cut me carved scars through the centuries themselves. The lies I was told run so deep, it’s almost unthinkable. My name is Adam Foster. I didn't choose silence; the Phylax forced it on me. From childhood, they taught me obedience, discipline, and pushed me into mute submission.

Are you an indie fiction author – especially one writing sci-fi – looking to get interviewed and promote your work? One of the smartest ways to boost your visibility is by appearing on blogs for author interviews. Many book blogs and literary sites actively accept interview submissions from indie authors, giving you a chance to share your story, writing process, and latest book with a wider audience.

Picture this: you’re at a lively community hall, dauber poised, heart racing as the caller rattles through numbers. Someone shouts “Bingo!”—but if you peek at their card, chances are the winning line runs horizontally, not vertically. That surprising reality is what mathematicians call the Bingo Paradox. When lots of people play, a row win is more than three times as likely as a column win, leaping to 73.73 percent if you’re using the classic “free” center square.

“I'm Adam Foster—a time-slipping assassin forged in silence. When I was five, the Phylax pinned me to a chair, cut my arm open to implant an ‘Anchor,’ seared the wound with a glowing brand, then fastened a shock collar to my throat so every whimper scorched my nerves . They told me the pain proved I was chosen to guard history, and for years I ghosted through centuries—killing in Qin’s camp one day and haunting Byzantine corridors the next—believing every blade served the greater good.

If you type marketing sci fi into Google, you’ll cycle through the usual suspects: bargain newsletters, pay-to-play blast services, and generic “run Facebook ads” advice. Helpful? Sometimes—but it often feels like shouting into a solar storm. For independent science-fiction writers, the sweet spot is unexpected, conversation-worthy visibility that costs more imagination than money. Below are field-tested, happily nerdy tactics (no Bargain Booksy or similar paid promos!) to help your book slip past spam filters and straight into the hyperspace of reader enthusiasm.

Independent authors—especially those writing in the sci-fi genre—often find marketing to be one of their biggest challenges. In a crowded market, finding the best book promotions and platforms can make the difference in reaching new readers. This comprehensive guide covers the top promotional websites, services, and strategies for self-published authors (with a focus on science fiction, though most apply across genres).

Young writers love to share what they think—just listen to their passionate debates about the best pizza topping or whether recess should be longer! Opinion writing harnesses that natural enthusiasm, teaching children to state a claim, back it up with reasons, and write persuasively. The keyword opinion writing prompts for kids is more than a search term—it’s a gateway to confident self-expression and stronger communication skills.

Are you on the hunt for the best sci-fi book blogs to fuel your science fiction reading habit? Look no further. We’ve compiled a comprehensive list of 50 outstanding English-language science fiction blogs that primarily focus on sci-fi books – from independent review blogs to large fan sites and publisher-backed platforms. These blogs deliver everything a sci-fi enthusiast could want: book reviews, author interviews, genre news, essays, and even the occasional dive into sci-fi movies or games.

Ever fallen in love with a fictional hero who felt real? The secret is often a writer’s behind-the-scenes template. A thorough worksheet helps you: keep personalities consistent over hundreds of pages, spark organic plot twists (because real people surprise us!), and speed up revision—no more hunting for eye-color notes in chapter 4. The Super-Detailed Character Template Raise your right hand and promise to have fun, then dive in:

Ask any author or publisher what nudges a browsing reader into clicking Buy Now and they’ll say the same thing: authentic reviews. A thoughtful review isn’t just stars on a screen; it’s a conversation that helps stories find their perfect readers, improves an author’s craft, and lets fellow bookworms discover new obsessions. Ready to join in? Below you’ll find everything you need—from snagging advance copies to a plug-and-play review template—with plenty of encouragement sprinkled in.

With around 90 percent of online book purchases starting on Amazon, reviews are now the social proof that can make (or quietly bury) an indie release. Unfortunately, Amazon’s ever-tightening anti-spam rules mean it’s no longer enough to hand out digital copies and hope readers remember to post. The services below were chosen because they ✔ Comply with Amazon’s Community Guidelines…

Grab some popcorn and charge your imagination processors—because the universe of public-domain science-fiction movies is bigger, weirder, and far more accessible than most fans realize. Whether you’re hunting for plot sparks for your next novel, craving a retro movie night, or simply curious about the genre’s roots, the titles below are 100 percent free to watch (and—bonus!—safe to remix in your own creative projects).

Why Craft Elements in Writing Matter Writers often hear that storytelling magic is “in the revisions,” but the real secret sauce lies in understanding—and delighting in—the craft elements in writing before you revise. Think of these elements as the bright threads in a tapestry: when you know how each one works and how they interlock, your story becomes vibrant, strong, and utterly unputdownable.

Time machines whir and paradoxes beckon—nothing fires a writer’s imagination like a dash through the centuries. Whether you’re plotting an epic sci-fi saga, drafting a witty short story, or simply flexing your creativity before breakfast, these writing prompts time travel concepts will catapult you across eras and possibilities. I’ve gathered 50 of them and arranged them into five playful categories so you can leap straight to the flavor that excites you most.