Matkaopas mahdolliseen (rough translation: Travel guide to the possible) is a Finnish scifi writing guide book published by Suomen tieteis- ja fantasiakirjoittajat ry and contains articles on a variety of topics related to science fiction writing by Emmi Itäranta, Jenny Kangasvuo, Camilla Kantola, Jussi Katajala, Kaisa Kortekallio, Markus Koskimies, Lily Laine, Anne Leinonen, Elli Leppä, Venla Lintunen, Mia Myllymäki, Tiina Raevaara, Mikko Rauhala, Toni Saarinen, Markku Soikkeli and Reetta Vuokko-Syrjänen.
I bought my copy at the book publishing event at Finncon 2026.
The book is split to four main parts:
- Language and philosophy
- Body and life
- Power and society
- Physics and technology
All of them contain 3-4 articles from aforementioned authors. After each article, there are writing exercises related to the topic of the article.
Introduction
The book starts with a great introduction to novum, a concept in science fiction that refers to a technological innovation or difference with our reality that creates the unique environment the world of the story is building upon. Markku Soikkeli explains the concept and how to construct one and use it efficiently in your writing — even providing good comparison on how to differentiate creating your novum depending on whether you’re writing to general audience or to hardcore scifi fans.
Language and philosophy
Tiina Raevaara opens the first main section with an article on science and its relationship with scifi. Science not only provides a platform for science fiction writers to expand on and imagine new directions and possibilities within the realm of scientific innovation but the relationship also works the other way: scifi providing ideas for scientists to explore. Good understanding of scientific model and its applications builds a good starting point for writing credible scifi.
She also writes about how the early science fiction usually stemmed from technical sciences, the novums of modern stories are found from much wider selection of sciences like social sciences, environmental sciences or gender studies, expanding the sources for the “what if” questions.
Looking at science fiction and the novum question from the perspective of which sciences have not been explored yet offers a lot of new potential for writers.
I really liked this article as it paints a picture of what the relationship is about, asks questions that makes your imagination race and ties it all together through examples and grounded ideas.
Review in progress
I’m currently reading through this book and writing my thoughts on this note chapter by chapter. Check back later to see more!