When you use actual scientific or historical facts in your story, you can include the source in a bibliography or perhaps individually as footnotes. This is particularly helpful if you’re using your story to make a certain point. This shows that any substantiating data you’ve included is real and may give your story a bit more punch and credibility.

If you do so, you’ll want to include a note to that effect on the copyright page or perhaps a page of its own to alert the readers that the footnotes are real, not a creative device. If done correctly, this can provide an even stronger “what if” to your story’s premise. It you’re trying to make a political statement or bring attention to something, such as a rare disease, or the plight of a certain social group, this is not only a good way to show that you’ve done your homework, but perhaps even gather support, official or otherwise, from those you’re highlighting.