Blazing Reader,

Here's how Thomas Umstattd Jr. describes the sci-fi story formula: "You take near-future politics, combine it with an ancient historical context, and set it in a far-future setting."

Having written a fair bit of sci-fi (both published and yet-to-be published), I can confirm that a lot of historical research goes into these seemingly far-fetched stories.

As Umstattd demonstrates:

"These aren't the Romans; they are Romulans named after Romulus, who founded Rome. These are not WWII-era Japanese warriors; they are Klingons. These aren't Arab warriors pouring out of the desert in a holy war against the weak and decadent urban population of the 7th century; they are the Desert Fremen of Dune."

And let's not forget the Daleks from Doctor Who: plunger raised in the Nazi salute, yelling "Exterminate!"

But I do disagree about the Klingons. They seemed far more like Russians to me. And the whole "neutral zone" treaty they had going with the Federation reminded me more of the Cold War than the Second World War.

Otherwise, I think Omstattd is on to something.

He concludes: "By playing with your setting a bit, you can explore current-day issues with ancient history, and most readers won't realize what you are doing or why they love your writing."

Read the rest of Thomas Umstattd Jr.'s brilliant article on how and why "The Sci-Fi Zeitgeist Has Shifted" (or listen to the podcast adaptation) at AuthorMedia.com.

John C.A. Manley

P.S. Let me know any ancient history meets near-future novels, movies or TV shows you can think of.

P.P.S. My near-future science fiction explores ancient themes of genocide and assimilation, taking place on September 11, 2045. Check out the free sample at AlltheHumansAreSleeping.com.

John C. A. Manley is the author of Much Ado About Corona, All The Humans Are Sleeping and other works of philosophical fiction that are "so completely engaging that you find yourself alternately laughing, gasping, hanging on for dear life." Get free samples of his stories by becoming a Blazing Pine Cone email subscriber.