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...
Creative email subscriber magnets for fantasy authors

Creative email subscriber magnets for fantasy authors

So you’ve taken the leap and built your very own snazzy author website. It’s very ‘Look out, world’ with a side of chic. You even have some reader traffic finding their way onto your home page. But now, how do you grab and keep their attention? By building up that...
How to use AI in your worldbuilding

How to use AI in your worldbuilding

AI gets a lot of flack from writers. It’s a new technology, barely out of its infancy. We are only just starting to understand and debate the legal ramifications and the uses of programs like ChatGPT. Some authors are up in arms. How dare software companies use their...
High fantasy versus low fantasy: what’s the difference?

High fantasy versus low fantasy: what’s the difference?

We love fantasy in all its facets: epic fantasy, cosy fantasy, magical realism, sword-and-sorcery, dark fantasy, urban fantasy, fantasy with beasties and ghoulies and valiant heroes of all shapes and sizes. When you think about it, ‘fantasy’ is actually a huge...