How to get started writing short speculative fiction

How to get started writing short speculative fiction

The short story market is booming, with fantasy and science fiction leading the pack. Not to mention, you can make some serious money if your short story is accepted by a high-ranking SFF magazine, you’ll get your name circulating in the literary world, and you’ll...
How to use relics and other special objects in your story

How to use relics and other special objects in your story

Special items and relics have a long and illustrious history in both fantasy and science fiction. Sigurd used the magical sword Gram to slay the dragon Fafnir, and Greek myths are full of examples of heroes being given shiny bits of kit by various gods and goddesses....
What is a draft zero? And how it can unlock your story

What is a draft zero? And how it can unlock your story

Do you have a great idea for a story, but find the writing process a little intimidating? You’re not alone. Committing words to a page can be hard – what if the scenes you have in your head end up being lifeless and flat? Or you can’t find the right words to express...
7 steps to structure a story that comes full circle

7 steps to structure a story that comes full circle

What does that mean to you, to come full circle? On its surface, to come full circle refers to ending up where you started. It reminds me of hiking in the woods, following the maps, markers, and stars, only to end up in the same spot as the day before. Frustrating to...
Manipulative characters 101: A guide to slippery b*stards

Manipulative characters 101: A guide to slippery b*stards

Across the genre, fantasy has more than its fair share of shifty, manipulative types pulling strings from the shadows. Little Finger, Sand dan Glokta, Lord Vetinari. But how do you write a character like that? Unless you spend your days in the political halls of power...
20+ contests for science fiction and fantasy writers

20+ contests for science fiction and fantasy writers

Hey writers! Have you written a story that you think is the absolute cat’s pyjamas? Maybe it has vibrant, detailed worldbuilding or transcendent turns of phrase. Now, you want to stand on the nearest rooftop and shout its glory to the world. The next step in your...
That critical second draft

That critical second draft

Congratulations! If this is your first finished novel, extra congratulations. Now close the desktop or notebook folder your manuscript is in and don’t open it for at least two weeks. Minimum. A month will be even better. Do whatever it takes to forget that novel...
Top tips on writing fantasy from 21 successful novelists

Top tips on writing fantasy from 21 successful novelists

The internet has no shortage of advice from writers on writing, but fantasy-specific tips can be harder to come by. That’s why we asked 21 published authors to give their top tip on writing in the genre. From paranormal romance to grimdark, you’ll find most subgenres...