A beginners guide to writing science fiction, fantasy, etc for male literary fiction writers who have decided to give it a go, possibly for financial reasons, despite having no real knowledge of, or interest in, the form. 

Lesson Eight. Stealing Other People’s Ideas

So you have knocked out a science fiction book but Hollywood hasn’t called. Don’t panic. Here is a list of stuff that is due a reboot. Could you write a script for one of them? Then, when Hollywood does call and says they really like the planet dogs idea but don’t really see how you could make a film of it but what else have you got, you could say, have you ever thought about rebooting…

• Star Fleet
• Bucky O’Hare
• Button Moon
• The Last Starfighter
• Hawk the Slayer
• Future Sport
• Ulysses 31
• The Legend of the Rangers
• Eerie Indiana
• The Day the Earth Caught Fire
• Innerspace
• Krull