Books like The fantasy fiction formula by Deborah Chester

A curated collection of Isaac Asimov’s short stories and essays that explore fantasy fiction, authorship and the genre’s history, featuring tales such as "The Time Traveler," "Magic" and essays on Tolkien and fairy tales.

Wonderbook is Jeff VanderMeer’s illustrated guide that blends drawings, maps and exercises to help writers craft vivid, imaginative fiction, featuring essays from genre luminaries like Martin, Gaiman and Ford.

A biography of Anne McCaffrey, celebrated American fantasy and science‑fiction author known for her Pern world and dragon stories, written by her son Todd McCaffrey.

The Writer's Complete Fantasy Reference is an A–Z guide packed with vivid, detailed descriptions of legendary humans, animals, societies, and religions for writers of fantasy, horror, science fiction, and historical fiction.

"This collection of more than twenty-five critical essays, speeches, and biographical pieces written and/or chosen by Diana Wynne Jones will be required reading for the author's many fans and for students and teachers of the genre. Reflections includes insightful literary criticism alongside autobiographical anecdotes about reading tours (including an account of the author's famous travel jinx), revelations about the origins of the author's books, and thoughts in general about the life of an author and the value of writing. The longest autobiographical piece, "Something About the Author," details Diana's extraordinary childhood and is illustrated with family photographs. Reflections is essential reading for anyone interested in Diana Wynne Jones's work, fantasy, or creative writing. With a foreword by Neil Gaiman, introduction and interview by Charlie Butler, bibliography, and index. "Various threads run through this collection, but by far the strongest is that of the need for fantasy in all its many facets and its value for children and adults alike. It is my hope that some of these items will be of use to people."-Diana Wynne Jones "Her writings assembled in one place tell us how she thought about literature and the reasons for literature, about the place of children's fiction in the world, about the circumstances that shaped her and her own understanding and vision of who she was and what she did. It is ferociously intelligent, astonishingly readable, and as with so much that Diana Wynne Jones did, she makes each thing she writes, each explanation for why the world is as it is, look so easy."-Neil Gaiman"--

A companion guide to Margaret Weis’s world‑building, featuring biographical interviews with Weis and co‑author Rick Hickman, plus five comprehensive concordances that catalog every character, event and element in their Dragons series.

Inside the world of the Black Dagger Brotherhood: character dossiers, author interviews, deleted scenes, a novella featuring Zsadist and Bella, and a look ahead to the next series installment.

Curt Siodmak, famed for Hollywood horror classics like *The Wolf Man*, shares his personal journey from Nazi‑ruled Germany to the American film industry, revealing how war, immigration, and literary exploration shaped his life and work.

A richly illustrated companion guide to Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series, offering synopses, character trees, Gaelic glossaries, time‑travel theory, and new excerpts from forthcoming novels.

Interviews with Ursula K. Le Guin offering insights into her craft, aesthetics, philosophy, and views on genre, patriarchy, nature, and writing.

Adam Roberts guides aspiring writers through the distinct tropes of science fiction and fantasy, offering strategies to generate compelling, original stories.