As everyone knows, science is one of the core elements of science fiction. Sometimes of horror and fantasy as well. But how much science are current fantastic genre authors actually drawing on? And what kind? Far from the hardcore approach, but increasingly concerned about accuracy and the serious possibilities of speculation, the four authors participating in this discussion have recently published works that reflect their interest in bringing together narrative and scientific outreach. Cristina Jurado, the queen of the Spanish weird genre, touched on themes such as technology and mental health in depicting the all-too-human superheroes of Limítrofes [Borders]; Cádiz-born author Maya G. Vinuesa’s Genes a la carta [Genes A La Carte] explored the challenges of bioethics against the backdrop of genome editing; Madrid’s Daniel Badosa drew on anthropology, palaeontology and even epistemology to invent, in Así fue la muerte del cazador [So Died the Hunter], the prehistoric origins of the science of storytelling; and finally, Celia Corral-Vázquez, whose Ripley Award-winning Intermnemosis explored the intersections between ecology and neurobiology, recently appeared in Droids & Druids’ anthology Hopepunk with El Cuello [The Neck], a story featuring exobotany and climatic elements. Moderated by Pablo Mallorquí, the four guests will share their approaches in using science to achieve a successful narrative.

Guests:

Cristina Jurado

Maya G. Vinuesa

Celia Corral-Vázquez

Daniel Badosa Moriyama

Moderator:

Pablo Mallorquí