He was also a prominent writer of science fiction in Bengali or any Indian language for that matter. The science fiction stories of
Professor Shonku are presented as a diary discovered after the scientist himself had mysteriously disappeared. In his story "The Astronaut's Diary" (Byomjatrir diary) Ray introduced Professor Shonku, the protagonist of his science-fiction stories who often gets involved in mysterious sci-fi adventures with lots of twists and turns where he confronts the Aliens and bizarre incidents and saved the good guys and battle with the bad ones by his incredible line of
inventions. Ray wrote 40 stories of Shanku (last 2 are uncomplicated). Though Ray didn't go for any celluloid version (perhaps cause of his all sorts of limitations at his time) believe me...personally I think this series has the great potentiality to become a worldwide sensation if it gets the proper film adaptation with the latest touch of special effects.
Ray's illustration and cover arts of Prof. Shonku stories & books.
Besides Feluda & Shonku, Ray's short stories give full reign to his interest in the macabre, in suspense and other aspects that he avoided in film, making for an interesting psychological study. Most of his stories centered on the very common and down to earth people who like to lives a simple trouble free life but suddenly or occasionally get engaged with extraordinary events and adventures. Ray's writing techniques are so easy & comfortable that there's been no readers I have ever heard that left his story unfinished after starting to read it once.
An illustration from his short story 'Professor Hizbizbizzz'
Satyajit Ray designed four typefaces for roman script named Ray Roman, Ray Bizarre, Daphnis, and Holiday Script, apart from numerous Bengali ones for the Sandesh magazine. Ray Roman and Ray Biazarre won an international competition in 1971. In certain circles of Kolkata, Ray continued to be known as an eminent graphic designer, well into his film career. Ray illustrated all his books and designed covers for them, as well as creating all publicity material for his films. He also designed covers of several books by other authors.