Posted
6:57 pm
by Ken
Is Science Fiction Past Its Sell-By Date?
This announcement is itself almost past its sell-by date, I know -- but here it is: tomorrow evening, Wednesday 18 May at 7.30, I'll be making a short introduction to
a discussion of the above topic for Weegie Wednesday, Glasgow's writing network, at
The Terrace Bar,
CCA Glasgow, 350 Sauchiehall Street.
(Spoilers: no, it isn't, but not for the reasons you may think!)
Labels: local, public engagement, skiffy
Posted
8:56 pm
by Ken
Cell Culture - Examining how science and literature interact
I've been remiss in not proclaiming earlier that I'm taking part in an event this Saturday, 14.00 to 15.45, at the
Scottish Storytelling Centre on the High Street:
How accurately does modern literature portray the life sciences? In what way is the use of science within fiction evolving to create new genres such as “lab-lit”? Is there more in common, than is often imagined, between the way in which both writers and scientists work?
These are some of the fascinating topics that are up for discussion in an afternoon of fact and fiction examining how fiction portrays life sciences and genetics. The event is being produced by the ESRC Genomics Policy and Research Forum, in conjunction with the Scottish Storytelling Centre, on Saturday 3 November 2012.
Cell Culture will feature participants including: Dr Jennifer Rohn, cell biologist, editor of Lablit.com and author of Experimental Heart and The Honest Look; Ken MacLeod, celebrated science fiction author; and Pippa Goldschmidt, short story writer and former writer-in-residence at the Genomics Forum.
The authors will read from their work before engaging in a public discussion which will be chaired Professor Stuart Monro, Scientific Director of Dynamic Earth.
Tickets £5 - booking details
here.
Finally, speaking of events, a wee reminder that Iain Banks and I are manifesting on Friday evening
at the Linlithgow Book Festival.
Labels: bookfestival, coming attractions, genomics, local, public engagement, self-promotion
Posted
9:03 am
by Ken
Intrusion longlisted for Wellcome Trust Book Prize
Here. A strong list, of five novels and nine non-fiction books, and very good company for
my book to be in. Needless to say, I'm well chuffed.
Labels: genomics, public engagement, self-promotion, skiffy, writing
Posted
6:52 am
by Ken
Stem cell comic hits the spot, say scientists

European stem cell research consortium
OptiStem yesterday
launched Hope Beyond Hype, a short educational comic that tells the story of stem cells from discovery to therapy. The comic, now
available online and as attractive hard-copy
'starts with the true life story of two badly burned boys being treated with stem cell generated skin grafts in 1983. We then follow the successes and setbacks of a group of researchers working together to use stem cells to cure blindness, whilst being introduced to knotty issues that are part of the process, including stem cell regulation and the controversial ethical issues surrounding the subject. Whilst some of the story lines sound like science fiction they are in fact all true, despite the fact the script was written by the well-known Scottish Science Fiction writer, Ken Macleod. Comic book artist Edward Ross illustrated the script with his clear, friendly and attractive artwork, whilst stem cell researchers from OptiStem provided the real-life examples of their research and experiences.'
The comic was produced by a team led by Cathy Southworth, Optistem and EuroSyStem's Public Engagement, Outreach and Communications Manager, who works at the
MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine. She came up with the idea, recruited the team, showed us around the marvellous building in which the Centre is housed, introduced us to her colleagues, and arranged the immense privilege of an hour for us all with stem cell pioneer
Professor Michele De Luca.

Cathy and I consulted graphic-novel guru
David Bishop at Napier, who explained how comics scripts are written and suggested books to read. I went off and read them, then wrote the script. Comics artist
Edward Ross and his colleague, Glasgow University PhD student Jamie Hall, did the design and artwork. Meanwhile Edward and Jamie were just finishing
a rather longer comic on malaria, and Edward and his wife were expecting a happy event (now happily eventuated, as you can see from the pram handle in the picture below), but they took it all in their stride. The script (and some panels - none of us will forget the blastocyst picture) went through several iterations, as we and some of Cathy's colleagues tore successive drafts to shreds.
For all that, we finished on time and in budget, and it was a proud moment when we all got the finished article in our hands.

Labels: coming attractions, public engagement, writing