We explore a diversity of disciplines in this pack, across science-fiction and comics, novels and short stories, with a focus on building the world within a story.

Our colleague Sarah Bower talks to Abi Daré about her Desmond Elliott Prize Shortlisted novel Girl With the Louding Voice, which reflects rural Nigeria through the voice of the book’s heroine. Abi talks about building place via its characters and how second language, translation and watching her young daughter learn to speak all inspired the inventive language of the book.

Meanwhile, our colleague Simon talks to comics writer Kieron Gillen on how he researches and develops his worlds, both for his own projects and when working with the Marvel and Star Wars franchises.

Writer and editor Farhana Shaikh shares the 8 top tips invaluable to every short story writer, showing that a limited word count shouldn’t limit the vivid world of the story.

We also share Ian Nettleton’s brilliant online course on world building within science fiction.

Happy writing!
Laura Stimson,