IvanMalikhov
Registered User
- Joined
- Sep 24, 2026
- Messages
- 11
Hey everyone,
I'm currently working on my very first novel—a hard science fiction story set on a lunar base. As I dig deeper into the writing process, I’ve hit a bit of a dilemma that I’m sure many speculative fiction writers face.
Hard Sci-Fi feels like a very specific, niche genre these days. Readers often lean toward fast-paced space operas, litRPG, or softer sci-fi with fantasy elements. Meanwhile, trying to write strictly within the laws of physics requires an immense amount of legwork.
In the spirit of Andy Weir's The Martian, I spend hours verifying orbital mechanics, structural engineering, environmental controls, exact timelines, and making sure every single "Chekhov’s gun" is grounded in real-world science.
The main challenge is that without a large team of beta readers or immediate technical feedback, it's tough to gauge whether the balance between rigorous realism and dramatic narrative holds up.
How do you guys approach this? For those writing (or reading) Hard SF, do you feel the audience for highly technical, realistic stories is shrinking, or is it just harder to connect with the right niche? How much scientific detail do you usually include before worrying about losing the reader's momentum?
Would love to hear your thoughts!
I'm currently working on my very first novel—a hard science fiction story set on a lunar base. As I dig deeper into the writing process, I’ve hit a bit of a dilemma that I’m sure many speculative fiction writers face.
Hard Sci-Fi feels like a very specific, niche genre these days. Readers often lean toward fast-paced space operas, litRPG, or softer sci-fi with fantasy elements. Meanwhile, trying to write strictly within the laws of physics requires an immense amount of legwork.
In the spirit of Andy Weir's The Martian, I spend hours verifying orbital mechanics, structural engineering, environmental controls, exact timelines, and making sure every single "Chekhov’s gun" is grounded in real-world science.
The main challenge is that without a large team of beta readers or immediate technical feedback, it's tough to gauge whether the balance between rigorous realism and dramatic narrative holds up.
How do you guys approach this? For those writing (or reading) Hard SF, do you feel the audience for highly technical, realistic stories is shrinking, or is it just harder to connect with the right niche? How much scientific detail do you usually include before worrying about losing the reader's momentum?
Would love to hear your thoughts!
