Stories of tomorrow

Amateur writers discuss sci-fi topics at a workshop held in Beijing. [Photo by Xing Yi/China Daily]

The company has around 20 employees. They maintain an online daily newsletter called Non-Exist, publishing original Chinese sci-fi works and translated works, sci-fi criticism, and popular science articles.

Right now, their online accounts on various social media platforms, such as Sina Weibo and WeChat, have gathered more than 1 million followers.

They also keep contact with around 70 sci-fi writers at home and abroad.

"The number of sci-fi writers in China is still too few," Ji says. "And established writers are not so diligent in producing new works, as most of them only write part time."

In June, the company released a project with Liu, called The Three-Body Cosmos, encouraging amateur writers to submit stories against the backdrop of Liu's Three-Body series.

They have also organized tours for sci-fi writers to watch rocket launches, visit laboratories, and talk with scientists at the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Last year, they led a group to Guizhou province to see FAST, the world's largest radio telescope which probes gravitational waves and dark matter, and listens for any transmissions from alien civilizations, if there are any.

"We try to widen the views of our sci-fi writers, so that they can write eye-opening stories for readers," Ji says.

To become the idea generator for Chinese science fiction is the goal for Ji and her company.