Writing the Magic : Essays on Crafting Fantasy Fiction : 4

Author: Dan Coxon

Literature: history & criticism

Published on 18 September 2025 by Dead Ink Books in the United Kingdom as part of 'the Writing the...' series.

Paperback | 272 pages
197 x 129 x 22mm | 238g

From Lord of the Rings to Game of Thrones, over the last hundred years few genres have captured the public imagination as powerfully as fantasy. Whether it's epic quests of dwarves and elves, wizards and paladins, or the influential childhood classics of Alan Garner and C.S. Lewis, the appetite among readers for all things magical seems insatiable.

Pulling together a fellowship of some of the best writers of modern fantasy fiction, Writing the Magic invites you to step through the portal and discover what gives these tales such enduring appeal. Writers such as Jeff Noon, Hannah Kaner, RJ Barker and Jen Williams pull back the curtain on how they write fantasy, demystifying topics such as worldbuilding, sources of magic, creating authenticity, and how best to deploy your dragons.

An essential map for anyone wanting to write their own world into being, Writing the Magic explores the perilous realms of fantasy fiction – and arms novice writers with everything they need to embark on their own adventure. Featuring essays from: Francesco Dimitri, Hannah Kaner, RJ Barker, Kritika H. Rao, Juliet E. McKenna, Jen Williams, Jeff Noon, Alex Pheby, J.L. Worrad, Richard Strachan, Charlotte Bond Katherine Langrish and Lucy Holland.