by Dan Koboldt
First published 2022
Fantasy writers face a challenge: creating believable worlds without sacrificing magic. Dan Koboldt tackles this problem by assembling historians, linguists, martial artists, and other specialists who share their knowledge. These experts explain how to name horse anatomy correctly, handle noble forms of address, and construct realistic military forces. The book combines popular entries from Koboldt's Fact in Fantasy blog with new essays written specifically for this collection. Writers learn to ground their invented worlds in authentic historical details and cultural practices. The contributors show how real-world knowledge becomes the foundation for more convincing fantasy storytelling. Both beginning and experienced authors gain access to research that transforms generic fantasy into richly detailed fiction.
Genres: reference, fantasy, non-fiction, academic
Vibes: thought-provoking
Tropes: educational, informative
352 pages · Paperback · Writer's Digest Books