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Notes from
other worlds.
Book recommendations, mythology, science fiction, favorite tropes, and occasional dispatches from behind the stories.
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What Is LitRPG? A Fantasy Writer Goes Down the Rabbit Hole
Book Recommendations · Fantasy Deep Dives
What is LitRPG? Where it came from, the first LitRPG book, how it differs from GameLit and progression fantasy, and what’s on my to-read list.
LATEST FROM MSK
Keep exploring.
Choose a doorway: deep water, distant planets, beloved tropes, or the stories behind the stories.
Book Recommendations · Mermaids & Ocean Fantasy
Mermaid Mythology Around the World: The Legends Behind Modern Fantasy
From Greek sirens to West African water spirits to Japanese ningyo — how mermaid mythology from around the world shaped […]
Tropes & Worldbuilding
What Your Favorite Fantasy Tropes Say About You
Let's play a game. I am going to list several of the most favorite fantasy book tropes in YA fiction. […]
Harry Potter
If You Love Hogwarts, Try These Fantasy Academy Books Next
Okay, I get it. You've probably reread the Harry Potter series so many times you could sort yourself into a […]
Fantasy Deep Dives · Mermaids & Ocean Fantasy
When Urban Fantasy Villains Steal the Show
Let’s be honest, you have a favorite urban fantasy villain…
Mermaids & Ocean Fantasy · Uncategorized
From Nautical Thriller to Mermaid Fantasy: The Accidental Origin of The Atlantis Twins
Writers are often asked, "Where do you get your ideas?" Usually, the answer is a mix of "I had a […]
Fantasy Deep Dives
YA Fantasy Cover Design: Why I Need to Up My Game
You know that feeling when you walk past a bookstore window and immediately recognize a YA fantasy novel without even […]
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