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Are You Ready for Some Out-of-This-World Diplomacy?

Extraterrestrials. First contact. Aliens. These ideas tend to scare people, or at least make them glance suspiciously at the sky and reconsider that astronomy club membership.

But here’s the thing: the truth is probably far more interesting — and much weirder — than anything we’ve imagined. Humans have been dreaming up aliens since we first looked at the stars and thought, “I bet something out there is judging us.” And honestly, who could...

The next time you’re on a flight and the seat-belt sign clicks off, glance out the window. Six miles below, the landscape looks peaceful and small. Now picture a single rock—silent, ancient—so massive it could stretch from the ground up to that cruising altitude. That was the size of the asteroid that ended the dinosaurs’ reign.

That kind of disaster isn’t just ancient history. Every couple of weeks, something big enough to flash across the sky as a brilliant fireball—astronomers call it a “...

Are non-human animals conscious?

Let’s say you’ve just caught your cat gazing into the mirror—or your dog staring into space like they’re having deep thoughts. And you wonder: Is anyone home in there?

Science has wondered the same thing. In July 2012, a group of neuroscientists signed what’s now called the Cambridge Declaration on Consciousness. Their conclusion? Let’s call it revolutionary:

“The absence of a neocortex does not appear to preclude an organism...

The best stories sneak into your brain and take root before you realize it. You leave the theater feeling like something clicked, even if you can’t explain why.

One likely reason? The Rule of Three.

In storytelling, the Rule of Three suggests that things presented in threes—ideas, actions, reveals—are inherently more satisfying. It’s everywhere, from fairy tales to sitcoms to epic sci-fi blockbusters. Three builds a rhythm. It sets up an expectation, escalates it, then delivers a twist or...

I’m not just here to write and sell awesome science fiction.

My characters live in worlds where consciousness, intuition, and the power of summative epiphany are vital factors in everyday survival. Along with them, I routinely marvel at the universe and consciousness. And I’ve been asking myself if you might as well.

Do you delight in some of the small, beautiful things nature has to offer? Honeybees. A mineral crystal’s perfect symmetry? The comical way those squirrels steal from your bird...

One of my students saw my last article on writing book reviews and asked, “I have some overdue homework. How do you write a detailed point paper?”

Naturally, I started thinking: what if someone like President Trump or Elon Musk called me up and said, “Hey, Scott! Can you help us improve government efficiency?”

Why Trump? Well, love him or hate him, he’s never been afraid of bold, sometimes out-there ideas.

And me? I live for out-there ideas.

So here we are. This article includes a full sample...

Writing a book review shouldn’t be a chore. And it shouldn’t take more than five minutes, plus or minus. You either liked the book or didn’t. Maybe you loved it and read the whole book. Maybe, just maybe, you couldn’t get past a certain point and deleted the book or put it down. Either way, the author would like some feedback.

The fact is, good or bad, the more reviews a book has, the better for everyone concerned.

A few words will do. A paragraph would be outstanding! And more is even...

“Warning. Do Not Enter! Deadly Force Authorized!”

That’s what the sign said, but if you’re a writer, you might be surprised at some of the doors you can stroll right on through. While my non-disclosure agreement prevents saying where you might find Time Expeditionary Unit One (TEU-1), once there, one of the first things you’ll notice is that the Marine detachment carries loaded weapons and 50,000-volt Tasers.

Our guide had to be twice my size. Broad shoulders. Shaggy hair. Trimmed beard. Eyes,...

Question: What music do I listen to when I write?

Answer: My musical preferences revolve around atmospheric, electronic, and emotionally evocative tracks. I favor ethereal female vocalists, synth-driven beats, and moody, cinematic soundscapes — perfect for writing and setting emotional tones. At the back of each of my books, I post an epigraph listing vocalists who routinely help my thoughts flow.

As you’ll see, I have a strong affinity for vocalists like: Geike Arnaert, Lotti Benardout,...

Scott Azmus: Welcome and we’re looking forward to gaining some insights into your narration process, voice techniques, and career. Please tell us a little about yourself.

Murdoch McRae: Ah, Scott, my lad, always a pleasure. Aye, let’s get into it. Well, where to begin? I’m 64 years young, though my knees might argue otherwise. Spent a good chunk of my life in the U.S. Navy, which led me to some… unusual assignments. Most folks don’t realize time travel’s not just for the pages of books. I had...

My first story (“Starphires”) came out in late 1994, and I switched to writing novels in 2015. Each story’s daily research often takes me down interesting avenues, and I love predicting future technologies and cultural adaptations. I also enjoy piecing together new worlds from clues and character subtext. Along the way, I’ve come to respect intuition, serendipity, and the power of summative epiphany.

The fun thing is — I’ve traveled all over the planet — and I’ve rarely met anyone who reads...

Here are my 42 favorite quotes. Why 42? The number 42 holds special significance for me because I’ve always been a fan of Douglas Adams’ The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. And there, 42 is the answer a supercomputer provides to “the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything.”

So, here we go!

“Reality is a crutch for people who can’t handle science fiction.” ― Gene Wolfe

*****

“Love is that condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own.” — Robert...

Please tell us a little about yourself.

Hi Alexa! Thanks so much for taking the time to conduct these interviews!

I’ve had several jobs over the years. Navy officer. Field geologist. Bookstore owner. AP Physics teacher. Now, when away from my writing desk, I train sled dogs, tend my honeybee sanctuary, and enjoy public outreach astronomy. I attended the University of Colorado (Boulder) and Oregon State University (Corvallis). I live in southeast Wisconsin, and my wife and I recently celebrated...

Going as far back as 1951’s The Day the Earth Stood Still, here are my favorite characters from some science-fiction films. The links lead to each movie’s IMDb page. When writing science fiction, I often ask what these heroes might do in a sticky situation.

• Commander Adams, Forbidden Planet (Leslie Nielsen). Commander John Adams from Forbidden Planet is a classic science fiction leader, embodying the qualities of bravery, intellect, and responsibility while navigating the dangers of an...

I wish I could list ALL my favorite characters from TV, but here are a few. Most links lead to each actor’s IMDb link.

• Lyta Alexander, Babylon 5 (Patricia Tallman). Lyta Alexander is one of Babylon 5’s most tragic and powerful figures, evolving from a hopeful, principled telepath into a hardened, almost messianic force. Her journey is one of exploitation and self-discovery, as she struggles against the Psi Corps, the Vorlons, and the immense power she gains at great personal cost. Unlike...

I’d love to tell you about my short story and novel writing, but this isn’t about me. It’s about you. That is, if you ever intend to write science fiction, read a book, or watch a movie ... or a TV show.

Repeat after me: “Holy cow! I need to drop everything and tune into this right now!”

Whether you are a writer or a reader, every story must revolve around character and character change. That’s what helps us understand ourselves and what it means to be human. Now, for this to be super useful, I...