The Art of World Building

Creating a unique, immersive setting one idea at a time

A guide for authors and hobbyists

The Art of World Building is a three-volume set of books that are teach aspiring authors, game designers, gamers, and hobbyists how to build believable worlds using time-saving advice, templates, and relevant research so you can make informed decisions. You’ll learn how much to build for each scenario, when to do it, and how it can be used in your work.

The books have a new site dedicated to them.

Release Date: May 2, 2017

Endorsement from Bestselling Author Piers Anthony

“I read Creating Life (The Art of World Building, #1), by Randy Ellefson…It is exhaustive, well written, and knowledgeable…I, as a successful science fiction and fantasy writer, have generated many worlds, so this material is familiar, but it would have been easier and probably better had I had a reference like this. It is realistic, recognizing that the average writer may not have the patience to work out all the details before getting into the action…”

Endorsement from Ed Greenwood, Creator of The Forgotten Realms® and a dozen other imaginary worlds

“Worldbuilding—creating a fictional setting—is THE biggest job of a storyteller. It can be done badly or minimally, but doing so risks robbing a tale of richness and impact, by leaving the audience uncaring or making “the stakes” less clear or dramatic.

So, after “once upon a time,” where to begin this devastatingly big job? With CREATING LIFE by Randy Ellefson, even the first volume of which is THOROUGH. This book raises ALL the points, and asks all the questions. Not just recommended: essential!”

The Books

Volume 1 – Creating Life Gods Species and races Plants Animals Monsters Heroes and villains Undead And more… Get It Now!

Volume 2 – Creating Places Continents Land features (forests, mountains) Sovereign powers (kingdoms) Settlements Travel estimates Time and history Maps And more…

Volume 3 – Cultures and Beyond Culture Languages Religions The supernatural A system of magic Magic items Naming everything And more…