Secrets to Writing a Fantasy

by K. Stanley, L. Cooke

Unlock the secrets to writing a bestselling fantasy novel. This book reveals the intricate structure specific to fantasy novels, showing you the essential elements that make these stories captivating and engaging.

The following books have entertained millions of readers, and we show you why. 

●  Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

●  Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

●  The Unbroken by C. L. Clark

●  A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

●  Legendborn by Tracy Deonn

●  A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin

Discover genre-specific patterns that appear in commercially successful fantasy novels. Create an external and supernatural story arc. Learn how the story arcs are woven together to drive a story forward.

You'll be guided through an actionable, flexible process, so you can build the foundation of your fantasy novel and write your story as you read this book.

As with all the books in the Write Novels that Sell series, we give you the theory—the why behind our recommendations—and you use the actionable advice to write and edit your novels.

Praise for Secrets to Writing a Fantasy

A Clear & Practical Guide For Fantasy This book offers a clear and straightforward approach to writing a fantasy novel, breaking down (what can sometimes be) complex storytelling elements into smaller, more manageable steps. K. Stanley and L. Cooke explain not only what makes fantasy novels work but also why each element matters to the bigger story—and they support their methodology with relevant examples from bestselling fantasy novels, too. Like their previous writing guides, this book combines practical instruction with clear explanations, making it an essential resource for both aspiring and experienced fantasy writers. Highly recommend! Savannah Gilbo,  Developmental Editor and Book Coach.

K. Stanley and L. Cooke have written the definitive guide to structuring a fantasy novel! USA Today Bestselling Author Kit Morgan

Genres: Nonfiction

367 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 14, 2025

About the author

DESCENT shortlisted for the 2014 Crime Writers of Canada Unhanged Arthur award. BLAZE shortlisted for the 2014 Crime Writers' Association Debut Dagger. Short Story "When a Friendship Fails" won the 2014 Capital Crime Writers' best short story.

CEO Fictionary School for Writers & Editors https://fictionary.circle.so/

Reviews

[Nadia Sinanan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is definitely a book worth having to help with the craft of writing in the fantasy genre. If you're a plotter, this book is a godsend, helping you figure out what needs to go where and why, with both the external and supernatural plots. The breakdown of a number of popular fantasy novels really helps demonstrate what the authors are explaining. If you are a pantser, this book will help give direction if (when) you get lost in your ideas. It's easy to follow, gives clear, practical steps to follow and checklists at each stage to help ensure you are meeting reader expectations.
Highly recommended!

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great resource to help write a fantasy. The additional sections following on from previous books by the authors make this so much more specific for fantasy authors, particularly the supernatural arc concept.
The example breakdowns are spot on and help frame the book contents perfectly. The multiple
POV, group protagonist example breakdown of GOT was particularly impressive. Highly recommend this and the other books in the series. These guys really know what they are doing!

[L. O'Donnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

To say "Wow" about this book is doing it a disservice. This is Book 4 in a series of books K. Stanley and L.Cooke have written for writers. It's a must for any writer's bookshelf. The authors dissect commercially successful fantasy novels to show the patterns in their structure, making it easy for aspiring writers to apply the principles to their own writing. Following the examples they carefully lay out, writers can follow along and grasp the structure that successful authors use when writing fantasy.

In most cases, there is more than one plot present in a fantasy novel. Kristina and Lucy cover this by focusing on the supernatural plot--the one with mythical creatures and/or magic systems--as well as the external plot. They methodically lay the groundwork for your book's structure, specifying the scenes that fantasy readers have come to expect in a book and presenting examples from six popular fantasy books.

By following their strategies and seeing the structure displayed in well-known published works, any writer can grasp the concepts needed to write a great fantasy novel. I highly recommend this book and all of the books this pair has written to help writers.

**I reviewed an ARC copy of this book**

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been studying story structure for a few years. I later learned that genres have their own expectations. This book explains the genre expectations and gives a roadmap to write your unique fantasy novel. As soon as I read the simple fact that there is an external plot points and a supernatural/magical/mythical creature plot point it intuitively made sense I've read fantasy forever, and unknowingly had these same expectations. Definitely useful read with actionable homework in each chapter.

[Dee G · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is yet another brilliant book on editing from authors K. Stanley and L. Cooke, and approaches writing a fantasy novel in such a unique manner - developing and tracking a story arc for the supernatural/magical in a fantasy novel along with the main story arc.
They break down what makes a fantasy novel work and walk you step by step through the process – starting from a skeleton blurbs for the main story, supernatural story and subplots, to key reader-expected scenes, to how to weave it all together. Each chapter includes examples from best-sellers showing how that step has been applied to a story with a single protagonist, combined/dual protagonists, or a group protagonist.
The real brilliance to the book, like the others in their Write Novels that Sell series, is that it gives you, the writer, a structure to underpin YOUR creativity.
If you want to take your fantasy novels to a whole new level, this is the book for you. It’s engaging to read and provides clear direction and an explanation of the importance of each step.
And anyone writing a fantasy series (isn’t that most of us?) should check out Secrets to Writing a Series. Also by Stanley and Cooke!

[Antony Stanton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given "Secrets to Writing a Fantasy" as an advanced reader copy to review for K. Stanley and L. Cooke. As expected, Stanley and Cooke have knocked it out of the park. This book is gold-dust for anyone who likes to plot their novel. It gives a thorough framework for authors to work within, it helps keep you on track, it ensures you don't miss out on any of those all-important scenes or moments in your fantasy novel, and it does all this whilst being entertaining and easy to read.
Not only will this book help authors structure their novel correctly and write a book that is engaging for readers, it will also save you a LOT of time, and time, as we all know, is often the most valuable of resources.
Although this book is titled for fantasy authors, I would also recommend the basic ideas within for authors of any novel of any genre. The principles remain the same, and it will help all fiction authors write a book that sells.
In short, highly recommended. Do yourself a favour, save yourself a load of time and buy this book.

[Julie Krohn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative! I was thoroughly impressed with “Secrets to Writing a Fantasy.” I appreciated how it took an analytical approach towards story structure in an easy to understand format. I found it to be versatile to any stage of writing, from outlining to the editing stages, and was filled with fun tasks and checklists. Throughout the book, I loved the idea of the story vault and how every step in the creative process was a building block for future events. Also, the inclusion of popular novel examples helped to make the book even better. Sometimes it helps to see the story structure analysis breakdown with real examples. As I read this book, I took away a great deal of valuable information and found myself applying it to my own work every step along the way. Definitely deserves five stars! Highly recommend!

[Robinette Waterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantasy writers take note!
Secrets to Writing a Fantasy

This is Stanley and Cooke's latest book in their series on the craft of writing. Secrets to Writing A Fantasy is straightforward, encouraging, and eye opening. This book presents suggestions that are specific, comprehensive, and actionable for a writer working in the fantasy genre, providing a strong foundation for a structurally powerful story. The advice is easy to follow and motivational.
In particular I found the chapters addressing the kinds of scenes a fantasy reader expects find in their genre to be thought provoking. I recommend this book for anyone writing, or thinking about writing, in the fantasy category.

[Carla Rieger · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a fantasy author, I found this book very helpful in structuring a novel for this specific genre. The book clarifies the fantasy genre and differentiates it from other types genres by outlining the reader expected scenes. These are scenes that, if you don't include them, make your reader feel like something is missing. It teaches you about 5 external story arc scenes and the 5 supernatural story arc scenes so that you include them both. Once you master the steps, the appendix at the back is a great resource for applying it over and over again to other books. It's packed with actionable exercises and examples from successful fantasy novels while providing a clear roadmap for crafting a compelling story.

[GiGi Huntley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect timing to get this book on fantasy structure--I published the first of a witch series in October under a pseudonym and am currently halfway through the second. This book has helped me form that sequel into one that will deliver more of what fantasy readers want.

I'm a writer who used to just sit and dash out words, hoping for inspiration. Through the years, I've learned I should give myself at least a summary of the story to work from so I don't meander. As more of a literary fiction author, I am learning what fantasy readers look for in stories. It's helped me write better AND read better. Honestly, I've missed my college professors and the coursework that gave me structure. Finding the series that K. Stanley and L. Cooke published is like being back in the classroom.

[Elaine Canyon · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a romantasy author, I was keen to get my hands on this book. I've gained valuable insight into my writing from all of Stanley & Cooke's books in their Write Novels That Sell series, and this Fantasy edition didn't disappoint. The authors break down the key elements that readers expect in fantasy novels, and teach you how to deliver a book that will keep readers turning pages while still allowing your imagination to write the story that's spilling out onto the pages. Whether you're an outliner or a discovery writer, there are tools and methods in this book to help you create a fantasy novel that will delight readers into buying your next book!

[Jaida · Rating 5 out of 5]

Secrets to Writing a Fantasy is a book that every fantasy writer should have on their bookshelf! It's chockfull of helpful, relevant information and best-selling examples for those writing in the fantasy genre. I have definitely learned so much from reading this book and cannot wait to take what I've learned and apply it to my own writing!

[Daannamae · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a writer of Fantsay and have read a lot craft books on the topic. But this book is the best one since it goes over every aspect of fantsay for beginners and experinced writers. Pick this one up and learn more than you could imagine.

[Laura Kunigėlytė · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is great resource for anyone who writes or plan to write a fantasy. I'm definitely re-reading this book again together with "Secrets to Writing a Series" while working on my fantasy series.

[Sue Still · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous book. I will be reading and rereading this a LOT!