Launches of Fever Medicine

Just a quick heads-up for two imminent launch events for Fever Medicine, a graphics-heavy short novel by Shawn Harmon.

I was lightly involved in making suggestions for the first draft, so I'm biased, but I don't think I went too far when I described it as  

'without a doubt, the best Edinburgh-set near-future cyberpunk tartan noir comic-style-illustrated short novel on medical ethics and public health policy … well, ever. It really is very good. With a vivid, violent and fast-moving plot, interspersed with well-placed boxes of factual information and challenging questions, it’s educational as well as entertaining. The illustrations and graphic design were done by highly talented students at the Edinburgh College of Art, and are a credit to the artists and the college.'

Details (with thanks to Joe Gordon and Jennyg):


Where: Pulp Fiction, Bread Street, Edinburgh

When: Friday, 24 January 2014, 19:00-20:00

‘Human Enhancement and Fever Medicine – Launch of an Illustrated Novel’


Shawn Harmon, the author of Fever Medicine, will introduce the genesis of this illustrated novel, followed by a brief reading, and will then invite those present to participate in a dialogue around the ethics of human enhancement. The discussion will be followed by wine and nibbles. Numbers for this event are limited.

Free tickets can be obtained through Event Brite.

Copies of Fever Medicine can be purchased on the evening.

Where: Playfair Library, Old College, University of Edinburgh

When: Monday, 27 January 2014, 18:00-20:00

The University of Edinburgh’s J Kenyon Mason Institute for Medicine, Life Sciences and Law is pleased to announce the following public event:

Title: ‘The Art and Science of Science Communication Through Arts: The Case of Fever Medicine, an Illustrated Novel’

A panel of experts chaired by Professor Jonathan Gibbs of the Edinburgh College of Art will discuss fiction and the arts in science and law communication. Shawn Harmon, law lecturer and author of Fever Medicine, will speak about the creative process which resulted in Fever Medicine, an illustrated novel that explores a range of legal and bioethical issues in a near-future setting. Award winning Scottish author, Ken MacLeod, will talk about the fiction writing process and the science fiction ‘toolkit’. Catherine Southworth, teacher and Communications and Outreach Manager for two EU-funded stem cell research consortia, will discuss science communication and her experience in the development of ‘Hope Beyond Hype’, a comic book format stem cell science teaching tool.

The panel presentation will be followed by an open discussion and thereafter by a wine reception. Numbers for this event are limited.

 Free tickets can be obtained through Event Brite.

Copies of Fever Medicine can be purchased on the evening.