How to write fantastic fantasy
When made-up worlds feel real
Welcome to genre month here at Jericho Writers! We’re kicking things off with a focus on Sci-Fi and Fantasy, but be sure to check out all webinars this month for your genre. We’ve also got a special announcement for those of you who would LOVE to write/edit alongside a mentor.
MENTORING: New price-points added (Discount for members)
You can now buy time with our world-leading mentors in blocks of 10, 20 and 30 hours. If you’re writing or editing and would like one-to-one support and feedback from a prize-winning author or commissioning editor, do check this out.
This week at Jericho Writers:
WEBINAR: The Spec Element: Writing Sci-Fi and Fantasy with Amy Borg (Member exclusive)
TODAY! Whether you’re playing with spells, wormholes, or mutant powers, your speculative element is the key to new worlds in sci-fi and fantasy. Members will look at techniques for creating magic and technology that goes beyond flashy gimmick to become a vital, living aspect of your storytelling and your world.
BLOG: How to have ideas for worldbuilding in fiction
Whatever genre you’re in love with – historical fantasy, urban fantasy, hard or soft science-fiction, or something else – here are some general guidelines from us and an overview to consider.
MASTERCLASS: What makes a good fantasy novel? (FREE for members)
What makes a good fantasy novel? Join literary agent Julie Crisp as she reveals the secrets to writing a novel in another land. She also reveals the secrets of publishing in this increasingly competitive market.
5 Fantasy/Sci-Fi sub-genres it might be useful to know
Not all fantasy is Lord of the Rings-style high fantasy. Below are some sub-genres you might already be writing.
1) Magical Realism: Your world might look and work exactly like our own, but with one magic element. This one is found in more novels than you might think! Example: One Hundred Years of Solitude.
2) Urban Fantasy: I see this one in quite a few of your cover letters. Similar to magic realism, in that it’s often set in a familiar world, but with an (often gritty) urban feel to them. Example: City of Bones.
3) Paranormal: Popularly known in crossover with ‘romance’, this fantasy type features ghosts, werewolves and the supernatural. This was HUGE in YA a decade or so ago. Example: Twilight.
4) Fairy Tale Retellings: Perhaps set in an entirely non-magical setting, these stories take influence from classic stories, perhaps twisting them for a modern audience. Example: Surface Breaks.
5) Speculative fiction: Not technically a sub-genre, but related. This super-genre is a combined term for the likes of sci-fi-fantasy; space operas; dystopian and alternate reality fiction. Example: The Handmaid’s Tale.
Are you writing in some of these sub-genre categories? Do you have another you’d like to add to the list (there are a fair few)? Sign up for free and share in the Townhouse here.
Sarah x
Plus, don’t miss:
New agent one-to-one slots have dropped! (Discounts available for members)
Book a fifteen-minute call with a top literary agent or book doctor. Available worldwide, these slots ALWAYS fill up fast. Be warned and get in there quick to secure yours!
Manuscript Assessment (Discounts available for members)
Our most popular editorial service matches you to your dream editor and gives you tailored feedback on your work. It doesn’t get better than that.
Agent Submission Pack review service (Discounts available for members)
Get professional feedback on your opening 10,000 words, your cover letter, and your synopsis from one of our expert editors.
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