Everything But the Map: A Worldbuilding Workbook for Fantasy Authors
Because your world is more than mountains and borders.
Before you start worldbuilding, you’ll need graph paper, a ruler, a compass, a protractor, a pantograph, an astrolabe, a sextant...
Just kidding. This is not that kind of worldbuilding.
Stories are about people, not settings. The physical details of your world provide a stage, but it’s culture, magic, mythology, and the history of power that have the most dynamic impact on your characters and shape how your story unfolds.
As a developmental editor specializing in epic and mythic fantasy, I’ve learned that good worldbuilding doesn’t need to be exhaustive. What you really need is not a map, but a compass — a clear vision of what truly matters in your world to guide you through writing your novel.
Inside this workbook:
Six guided sections with thought-provoking prompts to help you explore:
The World’s Backbone — the foundational truths and laws that define reality
Wonder & Magic — how magic feels, costs, and shapes daily life
Power & Society — who holds power, who’s excluded, and what happens when rules break
Culture & Daily Life — the rituals, art, and textures that make your world feel lived-in
Conflict & Change — the tensions and transformations driving your story forward
Emotion & Meaning — the sacred truths and hopes that capture your world’s soul
Plus: A World Snapshot Worksheet to capture your world’s essence in vivid, evocative detail.
Bring your fantasy world to life with depth, breath, and beating heart.
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