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Jeff VanderMeer

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Wonderbook: The Illustrated Guide to Creating Imaginative Fiction Paperback – October 15, 2013

by Jeff VanderMeer (Author), Jeremy Zerfoss (Illustrator)

351 ratings

Editors' pick Best Science Fiction & Fantasy

Locus AwardWinner, 2014

This all-new definitive guide to writing imaginative fiction takes a completely novel approach and fully exploits the visual nature of fantasy through original drawings, maps, renderings, and exercises to create a spectacularly beautiful and inspiring object. Employing an accessible, example-rich approach, Wonderbook energizes and motivates while also providing practical, nuts-and-bolts information needed to improve as a writer. Aimed at aspiring and intermediate-level writers, Wonderbook includes helpful sidebars and essays from some of the biggest names in fantasy today, such as George R. R. Martin, Lev Grossman, Neil Gaiman, Michael Moorcock, Catherynne M. Valente, and Karen Joy Fowler, to name a few.

Praise for Wonderbook:

“Jammed with storytelling wisdom.” —Fast Company’s Co.Create blog

“This is the kind of book you leave sitting out for all to see . . . and the kind of book you will find yourself picking up again and again.” —Kirkus Reviews online

“If you’re looking for a handy guide to not just crafting imaginative fiction like sci-fi, fantasy, and horror, but to writing in general, be sure to pick up a copy of Steampunk Bible author Jeff Vandermeer’s lovingly compiled Wonderbook." —Flavorwire

“Jeff Vandermeer and Jeremy Zerfoss have created a kaleidoscopically rich and beautiful book about fiction writing.” —Star Tribune

“Because it is so layered and filled with text, tips, and links to online extras, this book can be read again and again by both those who want to learn the craft of writing and those interested in the process of others.” —Library Journal

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Jeff VanderMeer is the author of more than 20 books and a two-time winner of the World Fantasy Award. His books have made the year’s-best lists of Publishers Weekly, LA Weekly, the Washington Post, Amazon, the San Francisco Chronicle, and many more. He is the cofounder and codirector of Shared Worlds, a unique writing camp for teenagers, and has taught at Clarion, the world’s premiere fantasy/sci-fi workshop for adults. VanderMeer is based in Tallahassee, Florida.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Abrams Image; First Edition (October 15, 2013)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 352 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1419704427
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1419704420
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.3 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7 x 1 x 10 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #106,813 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #103 in Words, Language & Grammar Reference
- #219 in Fiction Writing Reference (Books)
- #265 in Essays (Books)

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351 ratings

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Jeff VanderMeer

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Called “the weird Thoreau” by the New Yorker, NYT bestseller Jeff VanderMeer has been a published writer since age 14. His most recent fiction is the critically acclaimed novel BORNE, which has received raves from the NYTBR, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, and many more. Paramount Pictures has optioned BORNE for film.

VanderMeer's Southern Reach trilogy was one of the publishing events of 2014, the trilogy made more than thirty year’s best lists, including Entertainment Weekly’s top 10. Paramount Pictures has made a movie out of the first volume of the Southern Reach, Annihilation, slated for release in 2018 and starring Tessa Thompson, Oscar Isaac, Gina Rodriguez, Natalie Portman, and Jennifer Jason Leigh.

His nonfiction appears in the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, the Guardian, and the Atlantic.com. VanderMeer also wrote the world’s first fully illustrated creative-writing guide, Wonderbook. With his wife, Ann VanderMeer, he has edited may iconic anthologies. He lives in Tallahassee, Florida, with two wonderful cats. His hobbies include hiking, reading, and bird watching.

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Customer reviews

351 global ratings

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Customers find the book well-illustrated and appreciate its beautiful layout, with brief interviews with various writers providing practical information. Moreover, the book is fun to read, and customers consider it worth the money, with one noting its heavy stock pages.

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Visual content Inspiration Writing ability Enjoyment Value for money Sturdiness

98 customers mention "Visual content"95 positive3 negative

Customers appreciate the book's visual content, noting its well-illustrated pages, beautiful layout, and how it serves as a great guide to stimulating creativity.

"...those interested in fabulist, spec fic, sf, fantasy, wild, surreal, audacious, wonderful, imaginative fiction (American realism *yawn* so last week)..." Read more

"...The book looked pretty cool just from the look inside feature on Amazon, but holding it and looking at it, it is one of the most remarkable, amazing..." Read more

"...For one, it's beautiful. Vandermeer teams up with some amazing artists to create things that are visually stunning and informative...." Read more

"...It's gorgeous to look at. (I don't actually watch Dr. Who (please don't kill me), but that catchphrase about the Tardis does come to mind. &#..." Read more

82 customers mention "Inspiration"78 positive4 negative

Customers find the book inspiring and appreciate its practical information, with one customer noting it provides new ways to view stories.

"...It uses examples from some of the most interesting writers (Karen Joy Fowler, Ursula K. Le Guin, Rikki Ducornet, Elizabeth Hand) and it gets you..." Read more

"...The information it presents on writing imaginative fiction is extremely helpful--I've been writing, mainly for myself, for twenty years, and I don't..." Read more

"...I especially appreciated the way he discussed inspiration, as that's not something I feel like many authors address...." Read more

"...It exhaustively discusses the particulars of a written work's moving parts, and does this from many different angles whenever possible...." Read more

32 customers mention "Writing ability"32 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's writing ability, noting it serves as an excellent resource for both beginning and professional fiction writers, with brief interviews with various authors and original essays from literary giants.

"...It uses examples from some of the most interesting writers (Karen Joy Fowler, Ursula K. Le Guin, Rikki Ducornet, Elizabeth Hand) and it gets you..." Read more

"...between all the helpful tips, writings prompts, and interviews with other authors, not to mention the illustrations, one of the most beautiful..." Read more

"This is the most useful book about writing that I have ever bought...." Read more

"...I also loved the brief interviews with a variety of writers, and I got a bunch of new names of writers to read, which is always a plus for me...." Read more

18 customers mention "Enjoyment"18 positive0 negative

Customers find the book enjoyable, describing it as super fun with fun shorter pieces, and one customer mentions it's an entertaining way to learn about writing.

"...gets the "read this for all writers" recommendation because it's entertaining and inspiring as well as delivering the goods...." Read more

"...It's a fun book to have even if you just want to flip through and look at pictures...." Read more

"...some of the information in the text was necessary, it certainly was enjoyable, and perhaps more visual learners would find some of the diagrams very..." Read more

"...not only serves its purpose as a guide for writers, but is also an entertaining and informative read for anyone interested in the craft of..." Read more

14 customers mention "Value for money"14 positive0 negative

Customers find the book worth the money, with one describing it as an amazing treasure.

"...in fabulist, spec fic, sf, fantasy, wild, surreal, audacious, wonderful, imaginative fiction (American realism *yawn* so last week) this is a slam..." Read more

"...I am surprised the book is so reasonably priced considering what an amazing treasure it is...." Read more

"...But this is a great supplemental product and an amazingly novel concept...." Read more

"...I'm amazed it was so inexpensive. The images alone are incredible. Definitely a book for the shelf. I don't buy many books in paper anymore...." Read more

7 customers mention "Sturdiness"5 positive2 negative

Customers appreciate the book's sturdiness, with one mentioning its heavy stock pages.

"...is a large format 10"x7" softcover, nice quality binding and heavy stock pages that do justice to the beautiful illustrations...." Read more

"...I was surprised by the size of it! It's a very weighty tome as well as a bit of eye candy. The illustrations are gorgeous!..." Read more

"...Because it is voluminous, and you need to remember a lot. It has writing exercises, take the most important parts...." Read more

"What I love about this book is how colorful and thick it is. The paper is amazing! The contents are excellent as well...." Read more

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Sheltopia
Yes, you want this and, yes, get it for your writer.
Reviewed in the United States on November 28, 2014
Verified Purchase

So, let's say you started out your path to writing by reading a lot of books about writing, then you earned a couple of fiction writing certificates, and you got an MFA in fiction and you read a lot of craft books then, too. So, "Writing Fiction: A Guide to Narrative Craft," "The Triggering Town," "Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life," "On Writing: 10th Anniversary Edition: A Memoir of the Craft," "The Writer's Journey" etc. you name it check, check, check, check.

And then you spot "Wonderbook: The Illustrated Guide to Creating Imaginative Fiction". Whoa, just what you need, right? Another writing book! *facepalm*. But, gosh, it looks pretty and didn't you love "The Third Bear" by Jeff VanderMeer and don't you always want the anthologies (The New Weird, Steampunk II: Steampunk Reloaded ) edited by Ann and Jeff VanderMeer over at Tachyon Publications (coolest books ever)! And, wow, is that one pretty looking book and check out the website, wonderbooknow.com.

So, you get the book. You have to, right? But you don't read it right away because, c'mon.

Then, one day, the writing maybe isn't flowing so well and you're feeling discouraged, but, hey, pretty book. Cheered up. And, wow, is the best book ever? It is! Just what you need. And, was it mentioned? Very pretty.

So, yes, a lot of this information sounded familiar (and no matter what, you always have a tendency to read the chapters about fun stuff like character carefully and then skim the ones you really need like point of view), but it was presented in new ways (and sometimes it's hearing something just in the right way, at the right time that makes it click). It uses examples from some of the most interesting writers (Karen Joy Fowler, Ursula K. Le Guin, Rikki Ducornet, Elizabeth Hand) and it gets you adding to your to-read list wildly. And if you like writing prompts, it's got those. Fun ones.

It's also unique among craft books in that it actually generates creativity as well as giving writers the info and tools. It does not bore. It does inspire.

For a new writer (who maybe has not read every other how to writing book under the sun) and particularly those interested in fabulist, spec fic, sf, fantasy, wild, surreal, audacious, wonderful, imaginative fiction (American realism *yawn* so last week) this is a slam dunk.

And it really gets the "read this for all writers" recommendation because it's entertaining and inspiring as well as delivering the goods. And, it was mentioned: very, very pretty. If Jeff VanderMeer is not your editor *alas*, here's the next best thing. Happy writing.

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Wendy Clements
Wonderbook: The Illustrated Guide to Creating Imaginative Fiction
Reviewed in the United States on January 5, 2014
Verified Purchase
I have only had this book for a couple of days, but it has far exceeded my expectations. In fact, at first it left me entirely speechless, I was so overwhelmed with the wealth of information and the glorious illustrations. There are innumerable books on writing, some by writers I have a great respect for. Everyone has their own tastes, and they may work fantastically for others, but it is next to impossible for me to sit and read pages and pages of text on writing. Looking, mesmerized, through Wonderbook, I realized what the problem has always been: I'm a visual learner, and I needed the information integrated with illustrations--and what illustrations! The book looked pretty cool just from the look inside feature on Amazon, but holding it and looking at it, it is one of the most remarkable, amazing, and stunning books I have ever seen. The information it presents on writing imaginative fiction is extremely helpful--I've been writing, mainly for myself, for twenty years, and I don't consider myself inexperienced (I'm also a content editor), but the way the steps are presented they seem fresh and new and most importantly, they make sense. I can't see myself ever buying another book on writing imaginative fiction again, because I think Jeff VanderMeer has created, between all the helpful tips, writings prompts, and interviews with other authors, not to mention the illustrations, one of the most beautiful books I own. And this is one to own in print, not on a kindle (I don't remember is that was an option or not). Some books just don't work on a kindle.

I actually found this book on a list addressing that topic, I think it was BuzzFeed, about 19 reasons books wouldn't die due to the popularity of eBooks. I found the article by chance and Wonderbook was the first book listed. The article was definitely right on this one, and this is a purchase I will not regret. I am surprised the book is so reasonably priced considering what an amazing treasure it is. As I said, everyone has their own preferences when it comes to learning styles, but I can't recommend this book highly enough.

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21 people found this helpful

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Leanna
A great resource for all fiction writers!
Reviewed in the United States on November 12, 2015
Verified Purchase
I am SO glad I bought Wonderbook! I'm an amateur writer myself, and while I think I have a good foundation I purchased Wonderbook because a) I can always improve! and b) I love Jeff Vandermeer's writing. I started reading with an open mind and no expectations, and loved everything about this book.

For one, it's beautiful. Vandermeer teams up with some amazing artists to create things that are visually stunning and informative. I found myself taking pictures of parts of the book with my phone to send to another Vandermeer friend I know, just because I knew she'd like the look (and I was convincing her to buy herself a copy). I'd pause and show things to my fiance as well, even though he's not a writer and has never read anything by Vandermeer. It's a fun book to have even if you just want to flip through and look at pictures.

But this book isn't just pretty, it's educational AND interesting. Vandermeer talks about writing in an honest way, and gives a perspective on it I hadn't heard before. I especially appreciated the way he discussed inspiration, as that's not something I feel like many authors address. And I liked how he broke things down into sections, so that when I myself am writing I can go back and re-read portions relevant to what part of a novel I'm working on at that moment.

This book also covers so many examples that anyone is sure to find something that interests them. He talks about everyone from Neil Gaiman to indie authors to the OuLiPo.

In a nutshell, I loved everything about this book. I would give it more than five stars if I could. This is a book I'll keep forever and read numerous times (although probably not cover to cover again). I can't recommend it enough to fellow writers.

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Charlotte
More rewarding than you may think!
Reviewed in Germany on April 30, 2016
Verified Purchase

"Wonderbook" isn't a purelypractical guide, so aspiring writers will have to find that somewhere else. However, there are boatloads of examples, essays by authors, graphs and drawings... that get you on the way well. The real magic happens when you re-read it again and again, once your writing starts to take off. The information stays relevant, and often gets new meanings as I develop as a writer. You'll enjoy this book your while writing-career long.

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Libro de maravillas
Reviewed in Mexico on September 27, 2016
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Obra extraordinaria para practicar la creación literaria en serio. Existen cientos de obras que prometen ayudarte a escribir mejor, y muchas de ellas lo cumplen, pero Wonderbook es superior a todas ellas por varios motivos:

1) El autor es un escritor sobresaliente; sus consejos tienen el sustento de alguien que sabe de lo que habla.
2) El libro va dirigido a los autores de género fantástico (horror y ciencia ficción también), por lo que los temas tratados se enfocan en cómo resolver situaciones específicas de este género.
3) Mientras que los autores de obras de ficción literaria miran con recelo a las obras de género, los autores de género se sienten tan cómodos en un mundo como en otro. Jeff Vandermeer es un ejemplo de lo anterior, y este libro te permitirá analizar tus obra desde una visión (supuestamente) más literaria, y desde el género que practiques.
4) Cuando Jeff Vandermeer sugiere una forma de resolver cierto tipo de situaciones, también ofrece las alternativas de otros autores, incluso más importantes y sobresalientes que él, lo que no es poca cosa.
5) El libro está organizado de forma que te permite trabajar cada parte del proceso de creación sin perderte ni confundirte, desde la idea de tu relato hasta el diseño narrativo, pasando por la elección de la voz narrativa y el estilo.
6) El libro es tan grande que te obligará a considerar elementos que ni siquiera habías pensado que existían durante el proceso de creación literaria.

Eso no es todo. A lo largo del libro, encontraremos ilustraciones y esquemas que nos permitirán apreciar los temas desde un punto de vista novedoso, pero siempre claro, así como cientos de dibujos y pinturas que dispararán nuestra imaginación hacia terrenos inesperados.

Wonderbook es un libro básico para el escritor, incluso para autores realistas que no temen usar su imaginación.

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a good read plus very usufull
Reviewed in France on May 5, 2018
Verified Purchase
is impecable high quality materials love it a nice book .. inteligent as well , a fgood read indeed love it

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Luca Albani
Pensate alle vostre storie come a creature vive, le scriverete meglio
Reviewed in Italy on January 17, 2014
Verified Purchase
Consiglio questo manuale in lingua inglese a chi ama inventare storie fantastiche per il suo approccio "naturalistico"; Vandermeer è bravo a descrivere il processo creativo legato alla scrittura passo passo, paragonando una storia a un animale in crescita, alternando spiegazioni, aneddoti, prove pratiche e testimonianze di scrittori affermati (da Gaiman a Martin). Wonderbook è inoltre un libro illustrato a tutti gli effetti con tavole originali di valenti disegnatori.

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M.F.
This is a great help for new writers.
Reviewed in Canada on January 12, 2016
Verified Purchase
Excellent aid for creative writers. The illustrations and the sheer variety of input really help stir the imagination. Don't be fooled though, this isn't just a pretty book. Jeff Vandermeer is an excellent author with tremendous knowledge on the nuts and bolts of a story. This book is full of practical information that will help guide you towards better fiction.

If you're a budding writer with an interest in imaginative fiction, I couldn't recommend this book more.

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Wonderbook: The Illustrated Guide to Creating Imaginative Fiction Paperback – October 15, 2013

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Top reviews from the United States

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5.0 out of 5 stars Yes, you want this and, yes, get it for your writer.

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderbook: The Illustrated Guide to Creating Imaginative Fiction

5.0 out of 5 stars A great resource for all fiction writers!

Top reviews from other countries

5.0 out of 5 stars More rewarding than you may think!

5.0 out of 5 stars Libro de maravillas

5.0 out of 5 stars a good read plus very usufull

5.0 out of 5 stars Pensate alle vostre storie come a creature vive, le scriverete meglio

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a great help for new writers.

Yes, you want this and, yes, get it for your writer.

Wonderbook: The Illustrated Guide to Creating Imaginative Fiction

A great resource for all fiction writers!

More rewarding than you may think!

Libro de maravillas

a good read plus very usufull

Pensate alle vostre storie come a creature vive, le scriverete meglio

This is a great help for new writers.