An Author's Guide to Setting Design: Worldbuilding & Cartography

by Adam Bassett, Braken (Illustrator), Jack Shepherd (Illustrator)

A map at the beginning of a book is a sure sign of adventure, discovery, and a story to get lost in. This reference book helps you bring fictional settings to life, whether you're trying to improve your story's worldbuilding or illustrating a map for it.

To do this, we must ask how the story affects the map. What cultures, magic, advanced technology, or alien life might play a role in shaping the world? The story and map should be intricately connected.

This reference book includes over 100 illustrated examples of maps both real and fictional. It is a love letter to science fiction & fantasy, and a guidebook for authors who seek to immerse readers in new worlds.

Featuring authors and cartographers including Adrian M. Gibson, Aiden Chan, A.J. Calvin, Amber Toro, Ben Galley, Blake Penn, Daniël Hasenbos, Dave Lawson, Dewi Hargreaves, Eliza Leone, Emory Glass, Isaac Stewart, Jack Shepherd, Janice E. Sheen, Kate Korsak, Kiersten Michele, K.M. Alexander, Konstance, Lamia N. Bayen, J.L. Odom, Michael R. Fletcher, MistyBeee, N.J. Alexander, Philip Chase, P.L. Stuart, Raven Penn, Salinee Goldenberg, S.J. Lee, Steven Raaymakers, Taylor Frymier, Tori Tecken, and Z.S. Diamanti.

Unknown Binding

About the author

Author of the Copper & Ash series, the Digital Extremities series, and other short fiction. Big fan of storytelling and worldbuilding.