For decades, the literary world was dominated by two extremes: the cold, detached irony of Postmodernism and the brutal, "everything-is-terrible" grit of Grimdark . But as we move through 2026, a seismic shift has occurred. Readers are no longer looking for stories that simply tear things down; they are looking for stories that show how to build them back up. This shift is known as Metamodernism , and it has birthed two of the most influential "sub-movements" of our decade: N

If you’ve ever spent time in a writing workshop or a critique group, you’ve likely had these three words thrown at you like a mantra: “Show, don’t tell.” It is perhaps the most famous piece of writing advice in history, famously attributed to the Russian playwright Anton Chekhov , who purportedly said: “Don’t tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass.” But while the concept sounds simple, mastering it is what separates amateur prose from professi

We all know the classic story: a farm boy discovers a legendary sword, leaves his village, defeats a dark lord, and returns as a king. This is the Hero’s Journey , a narrative structure so deeply embedded in our DNA that we recognize its beats instinctively. But in recent years, a different kind of traveller has taken centre stage. They don’t have a shining sword, and their motives are… messy. They are the Anti-Hero . While they follow a similar road, their footsteps sound di

Fantasy writing is one of the most exciting genres because it allows us to invent entire worlds, characters, and histories! But the true challenge isn’t just in establishing dragons, castles, or ancient spells. It’s in telling a story that feels real and authentic  despite its impossible elements. The best fantasy operates on two levels: the epic scale of the impossible and the intimate scale of the human. Here are a few practical tips we compiled to help inspire your fantas