Wonderbook : The Illustrated Guide to Creating Imaginative Fiction

From New York Times bestselling author Jeff VanderMeer, Wonderbook is the definitive guide to writing science fiction and fantasy, offering an accessible, example-rich, illustrated approach for writers and would-be writers that emphasizes the importance of playfulness as well as pragmatism.

“If worldbuilding gives you an S-class migraine, never fear. There’s one book that every speculative fiction writer should read to learn about proper worldbuilding: Wonderbook.” ―Bustle

“Aspiring writers of ‘imaginative fiction’―whether science fiction, fantasy or other kinds―are in for a treat.” ―Space.com

Jeff VanderMeer’s modern masterpiece of instruction exploits the visual nature of genre culture and employs bold, full-color drawings, maps, renderings, and visualizations to stimulate creative thinking.

A true objet d’art, this overstuffed, full-color illustrated book features glorious Lovecraftian artwork of all sorts of outrageous monsters, as well as a host of advice winding their ways around the edges of the pages like marginalia in an illuminated monk’s script. Yes, it’s practical advice, useful to writers, but it also deserves a place on your coffee table for visitors to flip through and for you to look at again and again.

This revised and expanded edition features an additional 50 pages of diagrams, illustrations, and writing exercises creating the ultimate volume of inspiring advice that is also a stunning and inspiring object.

In addition, the book features sidebars and essays from some of the biggest names working in the field today, including:

• George R. R. Martin
• Lev Grossman
• Neil Gaiman
• Michael Moorcock
• Kim Stanley Robinson
• Charles Yu
• Karen Joy Fowler
• And more!

Jeff VanderMeer is the New York Times bestselling author of more than twenty books, including the internationally acclaimed Southern Reach series, beginning with Annihilation, winner of the Nebula and Shirley Jackson Awards and the basis for the major motion picture directed by Alex Garland. His other works include Authority, Acceptance, Borne, Dead Astronauts, and Hummingbird Salamander. A four-time World Fantasy Award winner, VanderMeer has also been a finalist for the Hugo Award and has edited influential anthologies including The Weird. He co-founded and directed the Shared Worlds science fiction and fantasy writing camp for teens.