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Wonderbook (Revised and Expanded): The Illustrated Guide to Creating Imaginative Fiction

by Jeff VanderMeer

A visual toolkit for imaginative fiction

Critically Recognized
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Awards & Recognition

  • Author recognition

    Jeff VanderMeer, described as a New York Times bestselling author

    The metadata describes Jeff VanderMeer as a New York Times bestselling author; this is an author-level claim, no...

  • Critical praise

    Bustle recommends Wonderbook for speculative fiction writers

    Bustle recommends Wonderbook as a book speculative fiction writers should read to learn about worldbuilding.

AlbakiReads Editorial

A visual toolkit for imaginative fiction

Jeff VanderMeer’s guide approaches speculative-fiction craft through both written instruction and visual material. Diagrams, maps, illustrations, and writing exercises make creative practice part of the book’s structure, while its advice combines experimentation with practical considerations. The scope includes science fiction, fantasy, and other forms of imaginative fiction. Sidebars and essays by writers including George R. R. Martin, Neil Gaiman, and Karen Joy Fowler add perspectives from across the field. In this revised and expanded edition, the added material includes 50 pages of diagrams, illustrations, and exercises, giving the guide a reference-book format that invites browsing as well as focused use.

Good fit for readers who enjoy

  • Writers developing science fiction, fantasy, or other imaginative fiction
  • Aspiring writers who value visual prompts and practical exercises
  • Readers interested in craft perspectives from multiple writers

Themes

Imaginative-fiction craftWorldbuildingCreative play and practical techniqueVisual approaches to writing

Based on publisher information and book metadata.

Book overview

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!
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Customer reviews

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AlbakiReads
Malaika Taylor

I highly recommend to for anyone looking for inner clarity

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Thomas DiMassa

Great service and fast service

Great shopping experience! The book arrived quickly, was well packaged, and matched the description perfectly. I would definitely shop with you again

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Olivia

Smooth.