We've explored themes and workshopped story sparks. Now it's time to go deeper — share what's inspiring you, present your ideas, and commit to making something real.
Come with at least one thing to share in the lightning round. It can be any of these:
A concept, a trope, a world, a "what if" — something from science fiction that you think is important, underexplored, or especially relevant right now. Write it on a post-it when you arrive.
Something you came across recently — a story, an article, a paper, a technology demo, a headline — that felt like science fiction bleeding into reality. Share it with the room.
We're setting aside time for 3–4 participants to give short presentations to the group. This could be a story concept you're developing, a piece of research, a creative demo, a provocation — anything you want to share that takes more than a post-it. Submissions welcome ahead of the session.
Submit to Present →Everyone shares one thing — a sci-fi idea you love, a story you'd want to see written, or a sci-fi/sci-fact encounter from the real world. Post-its go up on the wall. Quick, punchy, one minute each. We're building a map of what's on everyone's mind.
3–4 participants who submitted ahead of time present something they've been working on or thinking about. A story concept, a research thread, a creative experiment, a provocation. 5 minutes to present, a few minutes for questions and reactions from the room.
This is where it gets real. Everyone in the room makes a creative commitment — something you'll bring back to the group. Pick your level, write it down, say it out loud. We'll pair up for accountability. The wall of commitments stays up.
Find your accountability partner, continue conversations, make plans. The structured part is done — the creative part is just beginning.
We're three sessions in. The conversations have been incredible — but conversations alone don't make science fiction. Session 3 is where we shift from exploring to committing. Pick a tier, write your pledge on a card, and put it on the wall.
Bring a 1-page concept to Session 4. A premise, a world, a character, a question — the seed of something you want to make. One page, no polish required.
Bring a rough draft or outline to Session 4. A short story draft, a screenplay beat sheet, a world-building document, a storyboard. Something with shape.
Sign up to give a 5-minute presentation at Session 4. Share your work in progress — a reading, a demo, a visual treatment. Put it in front of the room.
Before you leave, pair up with someone in the room. Exchange contacts. Check in before Session 4. The point isn't pressure — it's momentum. Having one person who knows what you said you'd do makes it real.
You made a commitment. Now bring it back. Session 4 is where we share what we've made — drafts, concepts, presentations — and push each other's work forward.
THE SFSF SALON
BIWEEKLY · BAY AREA · 2026
MACHINE CINEMA