Dr. Una McCormack is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling science fiction author known for bringing depth, politics, and humanity to some of the genre’s most beloved universes.

With more than twenty novels, she has written acclaimed stories for Star Trek, Doctor Who, and Firefly, including Star Trek: Picard – The Last Best Hope and the autobiographies of Spock and Kathryn Janeway.

An academic with a PhD in sociology and a longtime lecturer in creative writing, Una blends rigorous thought with compelling storytelling, exploring themes of identity, power, and culture within science fiction worlds. Her work has earned numerous award nominations and widespread praise from fans and critics alike, making her one of the most respected voices writing in modern science fiction tie-in fiction today.

On this episode, we talk with Una about the craft of writing in iconic universes, what makes Star Trek such fertile ground for storytelling, and how great science fiction can illuminate the world we live in.