A Worldbuilder's Guide to Societies: Essentials for Writers, Game Developers and Dungeon Masters

by Brent A. Stypczynski

Overview

In fantastic worlds like Gondor, Westeros, Ankh-Morpork, Waterdeep, and Hogsmeade, the societies that inhabit them play important roles in capturing the feel of their settings. Societies create characters and plots, provide space for action, and reflect history. Building vibrant and interesting societies is a core element of worldbuilding in the fantasy genres.

This guide walks the reader through different aspects of societies to help construct fictional worlds with greater ease. Examples of societies built by numerous authors in the fantasy, urban/modern fantasy, and paranormal romance genres are interwoven to illustrate concepts. Throughout, this book is descriptive and suggestive rather than prescriptive, and is intended to inform as well as inspire the worldbuilder.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781476693637
Publisher:	McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers
Publication date:	09/29/2023
Pages:	244
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.49(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Brent A. Stypczynski is an independent scholar with specialties in medieval, YA, and fantasy literature. He is the author of multiple books, and his articles have appeared in Extrapolation and The Journal of the Fantastic in the Arts. He lives in Columbus, Ohio.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Introduction
 1. Concept
 2. History
 3. Governments
 4. Religion
 5. Magic
 6. Technology
 7. Education
 8. Species
 9. Language
10. Sex and Gender
11. Organizations
12. Geography
13. Places
14. Finishing Touches
Appendix A: Divine Spheres of Influence
Appendix B: Recommended Resources
Appendix C: Selected Primary Texts and Series
Chapter Notes
Bibliography
Index

Editorial Reviews

Stypczynski offers an ordered, categorized, and academic approach to help aspiring writers, game developers, and game players construct fantastical societies and transform their ideas into fully realized and immersive worlds. He makes frequent reference to his own experiences as a writer and also highlights the notable world building of other creatives, as well as their advice and suggestions for further reading. Stypczynski is careful to prompt aspiring word builders with thought-provoking questions rather than supply them with a one-size-fits-all approach. ...[He] expertly guides readers through techniques for how to craft both the broad strokes and detailed minutiae that make up an immersive fantasy world.”—Booklist

From the Publisher