Omegatropic

by Stephen Baxter

Fiction, and reflections on science and science fiction.

Genres: Nonfiction, Science

256 pages, Paperback

First published June 28, 2001

About the author

Stephen Baxter is a trained engineer with degrees from Cambridge (mathematics) and Southampton Universities (doctorate in aeroengineering research). Baxter is the winner of the British Science Fiction Award and the Locus Award, as well as being a nominee for an Arthur C. Clarke Award, most recently for Manifold: Time. His novel Voyage won the Sidewise Award for Best Alternate History Novel of the Year; he also won the John W. Campbell Award and the Philip K. Dick Award for his novel The Time Ships. He is currently working on his next novel, a collaboration with Sir Arthur C. Clarke. Mr. Baxter lives in Prestwood, England.

Reviews

[Arthur Chappell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of essays and commentaries on the science fiction genre, with two of Baxter's short stories included. He looks at the importance of research, the value of hard science knowledge, and explores themes like writing in collaboration with other authors and writing sequels to another writer's classic books. Good features on the way the Moon, time travel, Titan, etc are treated in the genre. Useful as an insight into the writer's mind and offering creative writing tips too.