Novels
- my novels & books
- Empire Ship novel
- dropping on my Patreon now! - hybrid fiction collection & writing guide
- coming Spring 2026!
Short Fiction
- "Ashes of Exploding Suns, Monuments to Dust"
- winner of the AnLab Readers' Award!
Poetry
Nonfiction & Articles
- A Basic Science Fiction Library
- a list of influential SF books - Defining "Science Fiction"
- what is science fiction, and why study it? - Nonfiction and Articles
- my nonfiction bibliography - SF Essays by McKitterick and James Gunn
- read our SF essays online
- World Literature Today
International SF Issue
- guest editor and writer
Current Workshops
- Speculative Fiction Writing Workshop
June 2026 - apply now!
- Learn how to write SF that sells. Using the short-story form, McKitterick helps you master the elements that create great stories. Annual two-week residential workshop with special guest authors. Since 1992
- "Repeat Offenders" Advanced Speculative Fiction Writing Workshop
June - July 2026 - apply now!
- Return to the scene of the crime to reinforce the lessons from your workshop, and reconnect with other alums. Also with special guest authors. Since 2016
- Ad Astra Universe-ity spring courses - apply now!
- We now offer an additional seven literature and writing courses available through the Ad Astra Institute! Offered by fantastic teachers. Check 'em out!
- "Writing Spec-Fic Humor" Writing Workshop
Oct - Dec 2026 - apply this summer
- With literary and STEM experts, we use the short-story form to help you develop ideas and master fiction elements to create great, informed stories. Two weekends and weekly discussions over eight weeks. Since 2022
About
- Biography
- Work Bio
- Curriculum Vitae (.pdf)
On the Interwebs
- Academia.edu
- Ad Astra Institute for Science Fiction & the Speculative Imagination
- Bluesky
- Cohost
- Dreamwidth
- Facebook (active-ish)
- Goodreads
- Internet Speculative Fiction Database
- Linktree
- LiveJournal
- Mastodon
- Patreon (read my stuff! support me and Ad Astra!)
- Pillowfort
- SFWA Speaker's Bureau
- Tumblr (primary hangout)
- Xitter
- YouTube (some vids, many playlists)
- Wikipedia
- Blog Index
Appearances
- Ad Astra SF Institute events
- lots! 2022-present
- ConStellation 15: March 6–8, 2026
- Author Guest of Honor, plus launch of a new book!
- ConQuesT
- panels, readings, and more. 1993-present
- Campbell Conference
- presentations, discussions, and more. 1992-2020
- China Science Fiction Convention 2019
- Special Guest for China's biggest convention in Beijing. Workshops, talks, signings, panels, and more in a beautiful setting surrounded with SF movie memorabilia!
- ConStellation 8
- Special Guest for Lincoln's regional convention. Workshop, talks, signings, panels - lovely!
- The Science of Science Fiction
- Kickoff event for the Lawrence Public Library's 2016 Read Across Lawrence event. Presentation: "Exploring Mars: The Red Planet Through History"
- WorldCon 2016 (MidAmeriCon) in Kansas City
- Hosted Campbell Conference academic-program track
- University of Iowa Medical Science Training Program 2015 Conference
- keynote: "Positive Feedback Loops: Science and Science Fiction"
- Southwest Philosophical Society
2014 Conference
- keynote remarks on science fiction
- Reading: Don Allmon, Ben Cartwright, and Chris McKitterick
- Other Worlds
- 2014, at The Raven Book Store
- NPR:
- - The Future Is Now: How 2015 Stacks Up Against Predictions
- - Science Fiction and Science Fact
in Interstellar
- - Science Fiction Conference Explores Reality
and Imagination
- - The best SF novels for your summer reading list
- - What did SF writers predict for 2012?
- Beecher's Day of the Dead Reading at
the Raven Bookstore
- Streaming online on KJHK
- WorldCons
- Science on Tap
- World SF Annual Conference, St. Teresa's College, Kochi, Kerala, India
- Prospero's Books Readings
- UCO
Liberal Arts Symposium
- keynote: "Science Fiction: Mythologies for a Changing Age"
- SFRA-Eaton Conference
- Hastings Bookstore Readings
- Heinlein Centennial
- Langston Hughes Fest, occasional since 2002
- ICFA, occasional since 1998
- Nebula Awards, occasional since 1997
- NorWesCon, occasional since 1996
- OryCon, occasional since 1996
- SFRA Conference, occasional since 1994
- VikingCon
- World Fantasy
More Classes & Workshops
- Science Fiction & the Popular Media
- Go on a journey of exploration as we investigate how SF changes and evolves while embracing (and being embraced by) various media forms. Since 2014
- Intensive
Institute on Science Fiction:
The SF Short Story
The SF Novel
- Become fluent in SF by studying some of the most-influential works that shaped the genre - two versions. Since 1992
- Science, Technology,
& Society:
Examining the Future Through a Science-Fiction Lens
- Explore the future through reading and discussing nonfiction and extrapolative work. Since 2005
- Views of Science Fiction:
Critical Approaches to Speculative Fiction Studies
- Define and hone your scholarly approach to SF. Since 2015
- The Power of Narrative
- short workshop for NPR's Harvest Public Media and KCUR writing staff
-
Writing Master Class with Kij Johnson and Chris McKitterick
- for Houston Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers
- ShowMeWriters Masterclass
- "The Power of Speculative Fiction: Writing the Literature of Change," University of Missouri
- Houston Speculative-Fiction Writing Workshop
- Full weekend of workshopping with a dozen talented authors. Plus a VIP tour of NASA's Johnson Space Center!
speaking, workshops, writing, and editing email: cmckit@gmail.com
science fiction centers and teaching-related email: cmckit.SF@gmail.com
title image-letter tool created by Erik Kastner
site updated Jan 29, 2026
thanks for visiting!
Science Fiction Stuff
- A Basic Science Fiction Library
- an ever-growing, go-to list of important and influential science fiction books, by James Gunn and Chris McKitterick
- Ad Astra Institute for Science Fiction & the Speculative Imagination
- Ad Astra Universe-ity
(comprehensive program in SF lit & writing!)
- Campbell Memorial Award for Best SF Novel
- James Gunn's Ad Astra magazine
- Original Gunn Center for Study of SF
(1982-2021 archives)
- Sturgeon Memorial Award for Best Short SF
- Speculative Fiction Writing Workshop Resources
Vehicle Stuff
- 1966 Chrysler Newport
- undergoing transformation to digital fuel injection - 1968 Chevelle SS396
- restomod now for sale
- Motorcycles and Scooters
- 1978 BMW R100S undergoing restomod
