These were recently posted on io9 and I thought I'd share them round. Yeah, they're listicles, but they're quite interesting anyway.

First: How to write a great science fiction in 7 easy steps:

http://io9.com/how-to-write-a-great-science-fiction-novel-in-7-easy-st-1565393502

Also: 10 Science Fiction and Fantasy stories that editors are tired of seeing: (there's a few horror tropes in here as well)

http://io9.com/10-science-fiction-and-fantasy-stories-that-editors-are-1566121756

"Note: If your idea involves time travel, follow steps in the order of your choice, taking care not to invalidate any future step (relative to you: past step). If you do accidentally invalidate a step, please cease to exist, at least in this timeline."