How to use humour in fantasy

How to use humour in fantasy

Pratchett aside, fantasy isn’t a genre that immediately screams out ‘funny’. If you consider the grim-faced barbarians in Robert E. Howard’s stories, Moorcock’s tragic Elric, or indeed the epic scale of Tolkien’s work… well, it all seems a bit serious, doesn’t it?...
Cosy fantasy: what it is and how to write it

Cosy fantasy: what it is and how to write it

Are you getting weary of writing about political intrigue, violence, or long, complicated events that impact the lives of many people? I don’t blame you. We get enough of that in real life. But is there a market for any other kind of fantasy? Writers, take hope! An...
The power of an older protagonist

The power of an older protagonist

In fantasy, a youth finding their power and destiny is an archetype deeply entrenched in our storytelling. In science fiction, the young hero discovering the truth of their place in the world (and what else is out there!) is similarly harnessed. This classic...
How to bring a fresh twist to old tropes

How to bring a fresh twist to old tropes

One of the great things about fantasy writing is that it feels comfortable and familiar, while at the same time offering worlds of untapped potential. We often come across the same distinctive character archetypes and greet them like old friends. But what happens when...
30 top fantasy and science fiction literary agents

30 top fantasy and science fiction literary agents

Hoping to be traditionally published? Being represented by a literary agent can greatly increase your chances. Agents use their extensive contacts to pitch your manuscript to the most suitable publishers, present it in the most appealing light, and negotiate the best...
How to create the perfect monsters for your worldbuilding

How to create the perfect monsters for your worldbuilding

The monster is a staple of fantasy and science-fiction worldbuilding, from Tolkien’s dragons and Balrogs to Hyperion’s Shrike. It is something other and strange, often terrifying, and normally far beyond the capability or experience of normal humans – a monster is not...
15 top fantasy and science fiction publishers

15 top fantasy and science fiction publishers

If you’re considering publication for your finished novel or work-in-progress, you’ve probably learned a thing or two about your options. That might include the two most commonly discussed paths: (1) self-publishing or (2) securing a literary agent, who, for a...
This prologue welcomes you absolutely

This prologue welcomes you absolutely

‘Come inside and meet the prologue,’ begins Catherynne M. Valente’s science-fiction novel Radiance, from which this article takes its title. ‘The prologue is patient. She has been told often that she is wholly unnecessary, a growth upon the story that the wise doctor...