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W E D N E S D A Y

Most science fiction is lousy. Why? Because most sci-fi writers can’t rise to their genre’s most important challenge: creating believable, compelling future worlds through which to thread a narrative. Hence the flood of authors writing successful (and frequently worthwhile) books based on the environments of Star Trek, Star Wars, and the like. For those tinkering with their own geeky sci-fi ideas but unenthusiastic about working James Tiberius Kirk into the story, Hugo Award-nominated author James P. Hogan and illustrator David Cherry will discuss “Creating the Worlds of Science Fiction” tonight at 6 p.m. at the Museum of Natural History’s Baird Auditorium, 10th & Constitution Ave. NW. $15. For reservations call (202) 357-3030. $15. (Steve Kuhn)