Worldbuilding Magazine

22/08/2024

A quote from one of our upcoming articles by Dan Griliopoulos. Look forward to reading this piece, "Babysteps in Belief Building," in our new issue on Philosophy. Coming soon!

16/04/2024

Worldbuilding Magazine is gearing up for VOLUME 7 ISSUE 2: PHILOSOPHY & INTELLECTUAL PURSUITS!

If you're interested in volunteering as an editor, or would like to submit your worldbuilding fiction, non-fiction, or visual art, submit your work at htpps://www.worldbuildingmagazine.com/submit/

Works that do not conform to the issue's theme are also welcome, though adhering to the theme makes submissions more likely to be successful. We also accept serialized fiction as long as the entire story is completed and we can read it, and we accept reprints as long as authors retain the rights to their work.

We hope to hear from you soon!

01/03/2024

After an extended hiatus, the staff of Worldbuilding Magazine is happy to announce our return! Refreshed and reinvigorated, we are proud to make the latest issue of WBMag available—as always, fully and freely—on the magazine’s website. During the chaos of the pandemic, we restructured in order to keep publishing the world’s premier worldbuilding magazine, and we hope you are as excited as we are about the results.

This issue includes:
🌊 Two in-depth articles about taking ports and rivers into account when worldbuilding, with real-world case studies as their basis.
✨ Four original short stories from independent writers.
🎨 A collection of worldbuilding art from artists in the Worldbuilding Magazine community, including explanations of their crafts.
❓An Ask Us Anything where your questions are answered by our resident mage: Prof. Percival Aluminius Illumnius.
📚 Recommendations for worldbuilding media compiled from our staff.

READ NOW: https://www.worldbuildingmagazine.com/2024/03/waterways/

🥳We will be hosting a release party on the magazine’s Discord server tonight 03/01/2024 at 6:30 PM EST, so please join us as we pop the corks and light the fireworks!🥳

Ever since we first published WBMag way back in 2017, we have made it our primary goal to package art, stories, articles, interviews, all in one convenient publication. Our goal remains the same, as does our vision for achieving it: a magazine made by worldbuilders, for worldbuilders. If you or your friends would like to add your voice to the growing chorus—whether by submitting fiction, articles, art, or by volunteering as an editor—reach out to us on our server or by email!

Stay worldbuilding,
—The WBMag Team

Website: worldbuildingmagazine.com
Discord: discord.gg/NwANMCr
Email: [email protected]

05/10/2022

Staff writer Cassidy Hammersmith has been featured on Campfire Writing's blog for her essay on disaster & myth in 🥳

The article was originally published in our 2022 issue on Disasters & Apocalypses for Worldbuilding Magazine 🌋☣️

🔗 If you haven't read the new issue yet: https://www.worldbuildingmagazine.com/2022/09/disasters-apocalypses/

🪐 Fantasy , what is the cause of major events in your world?

✨ Are they spurred on by legends & myths…

⚔️ Or are they brought about by more worldly causes?

💥 Worldbuilding Magazine staff writer Cassidy Hammersmith makes a case for both in her essay on how disaster creates myth, featuring an excerpt from the world of her story, “Fallow.”



🔗 to full article: https://bit.ly/3EiQNh3

03/09/2022

NEW 2022 WORLDBUILDING MAGAZINE ISSUE! 🥳

Worldbuilding Magazine is proud to present our 2022 issue: Disasters & Apocalypses 🌪️🌋☢️

This issue includes:

🪐 Four amazing articles on worldbuilding theory and practice.
📖 Two short stories about endings, big and small.
👥 An interview with Joe Mallozzi, writer and producer of television shows like "Stargate" and "Dark Matter", in which we learn of the secrets for creating worlds that keep bringing viewers back.
⛰ An art showcase featuring Trevor Roberts’ spectacular Mystery Flesh Pit National Park, the natural wonder that you won’t want to miss.
⚔️ An interview with Jason Massey of the Dungeons and Randomness podcast showcasing their setting, Theria.
📝 Reviews and analyses of four books that feature outstanding q***r worldbuilding.
📯 Staff picks for the things that we’re reading and watching, and your questions answered in our Ask Us Anything column!

Also, thanks to Ghranze for this issue's epic cover art ❤️

Read for FREE at 👉https://www.worldbuildingmagazine.com/2022/09/disasters-apocalypses/

✨ JOIN WBM / WORLDCASTING ✨

If you enjoy our work and want to help us continue making it, ask about volunteering with us! We’re always seeking new people to help us write, edit, illustrate, or otherwise produce the magazine. If podcasting is more your thing, ask about how to get involved with audio editing! Reach us at worldbuildingmagazine.com/contact.

Special thanks to the writers, artists, editors, and everyone else who makes the magazine and podcast possible. We couldn’t do this without you! And to those of you who read or listen to us—we hope it helps you worldbuild some truly awesome settings.

Happy worldbuilding! 💜

19/07/2022

We talked about magic again. 🧙

Thanks to the hosts Devin, Jack, Zaivy, and our guest Clark R Rowenson! We had a great time discussing magic systems with you. :)

https://anchor.fm/worldcasting0/episodes/Another-Magic-Episode-with-C-R--Rowenson-e1lbjen

24/05/2022

A new episode of Worldcasting dropped this morning, feat. Claire "Shoom'lah" Hummel! We talk about character design, outfits, and even take a peek into the games industry a bit. Listen now on your podcast platform of choice.

https://anchor.fm/worldcasting0/episodes/Character-Design-with-Claire-Hummel-e1ivajb

10/05/2022

Ashley Warren of the Storytelling Collective joined us for a new episode of the podcast to talk about collaboration and using games in your worldbuilding. You can listen now on (basically) any platform where you get your podcasts!

Listen here: https://anchor.fm/worldcasting0/episodes/Collaboration-and-Games-with-Ashley-Warren-e1i71d1

26/04/2022

In today's episode of Worldcating, Tim Hickson drops some hot takes on the cyberpunk genre. Plus, we debate whether or not various science fiction media are actually cyberpunk! It's live pretty much everywhere you listen to podcasts now!



🎙️ Listen now: https://anchor.fm/worldcasting0/episodes/Is-It-Cyberpunk--with-Tim-Hickson-e1dbm3c

12/04/2022

It's new podcast tuesday, my friends! We were thrilled to have YouTuber and author of the ongoing LAWFUL TIMES series Daniel Greene on this one. We talked about the things writers often don’t think about in regards to war and conflict, as well as some insights into his journeys through self-publishing. Check it out below, or on your favorite podcatcher app👇

https://anchor.fm/worldcasting0/episodes/Conflict-and-Self-Publishing-with-Daniel-Greene-e1h2jom

29/03/2022

A new episode of Worldcasting is out now!

Adam, Cathy, Devin, and returning guest Chris Solo discuss retconning and rebooting projects. There are ways we’ve seen it done well, and ways in which it has seemed rushed or forced. Plus, some insight into examples of when our hosts had to retcon or reboot projects in order to fix issues or tell the story better. Edited by Dave Leek.

Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and most other podcatchers.

https://anchor.fm/worldcasting0/episodes/Retconning--Rebooting-with-Chris-Solo-e1gbthh

16/03/2022

We met up with Benji of Tale Foundry to discuss the broad topic of story themes.

Themes can add to your story and provide a valuable structure to your work, but themes can also prove dangerous when followed too strictly. Listen in on what we’ve learned in utilizing or observing themes in media.



https://anchor.fm/worldcasting0/episodes/Story-Themes-with-Benjamin-Cook-e1dbnkn

01/03/2022

Does science have a place in fantasy stories? We think so. New episode of Worldcasting is out right now featuring Rachel Emma Shaw!



🎙️ https://anchor.fm/worldcasting0/episodes/Science-in-Fantasy-with-Rachel-Shaw-e1f1m32

15/02/2022

NEW PODCAST EP. We were thrilled to speak with Greg Kasavin about his work writing for Pyre and Hades with Supergiant Games. The full episode is available now on lots of podcasting platforms—you know the drill. 👇



https://anchor.fm/worldcasting0/episodes/Game-Writing--Mythologies-with-Greg-Kasavin-e1du5c0

01/02/2022

We were thrilled to speak with Orbit Books UK editor and poet Nadia Saward for our first episode of our new season. Check it out for some thoughts on publishing—and poetry's place in worldbuilding!

New episodes every other week (until the season ends)—so subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and follow us here to get notified when a new episode is up! Trust us, you don't want to miss the next one. 👀



https://anchor.fm/worldcasting0/episodes/Publishing-and-Poetry-with-Nadia-Saward-e1dbp0i

31/01/2022

We're back! Worldcasting season 4 was an absolute joy to put together as we brought in some of your favorite guests from prior seasons + a bunch of new voices.

Season 4 kicks of TOMORROW with Nadia Saward, a poet and editor from Orbit UK.

New episodes every other week. Catch us at https://www.worldbuildingmagazine.com/worldcasting/ or subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform.

24/01/2022

It's time for our annual community survey! If you've got a few minutes, consider filling out this form so we can get a better idea of who is reading the magazine, listening to the podcast, and what you want to see from us!

Worldbuilding Magazine and our podcast, Worldcasting is part of an online community and many of us connect through our Discord or on Twitter/Facebook. We want to know more about you. Survey responses will be anonymous and all questions are optional, though we would like to encourage you to answer al...

21/01/2022

Have you checked out the lastest issue of Worldbuilding Magazine yet? It's free to download, and contains a fantastic interview with Helena Real about their IDGN-backed ttrpg Wall Mapu.

Art by Claudio Huenchumil Cruz.



https://www.worldbuildingmagazine.com/2021/12/social-etiquette-expectations/

13/12/2021

Hello, worldbuilders!

Worldbuilding Magazine is proud to present our final issue for 2021: Social Etiquette & Expectations. This issue contains new articles to help you improve your worldbuilding, as well as a number of short stories. Plus, the winners from World Anvil’s latest challenge and new interviews. You can download it right now for free at: https://www.worldbuildingmagazine.com/2021/12/social-etiquette-expectations/

This year our team published another four issues of Worldbuilding Magazine, all of which we’re incredibly proud of. However, as much as we love this project, it is a commitment. We’re all volunteers, and some of our key people are leaving to start families, or pursue careers/personal projects. While we’re thrilled for them, the fact remains that Worldbuilding Magazine will not continue in its current form (and may cease entirely) if we do not find new volunteers who want to keep this amazing community project going.

The magazine has gone on for five years now. That’s far longer than any of us expected back in 2017, and we’re proud of what we’ve accomplished together. Despite this news, we’re hopeful for our future. The next season of our podcast will return in early 2022, and there will be at least one more magazine issue next year (release TBD). While we create it, we’ll be seeking to onboard new layout designers, artists, editors, and anyone else who wants to volunteer.

If you would like to learn more about how you can volunteer for the magazine (or podcast) send us an email or inquire at our Discord server.

To the staff and contributors who got us this far, thank you. To everyone reading, we hope you’ve found something to inspire you in this year’s issues of Worldbuilding Magazine.

09/12/2021

Things are going to get busier around here soon. Getting ready to start releasing new podcast episodes early next year, and later this month we'll have a new issue of the magazine (+ an important announcement). Stay tuned, stay safe, and keep on . ♥️

03/11/2021

13/10/2021

🪐 Wednesday is upon us again and with it, another chance to tell us what or worlds you are currently building! ✨

🔮What are some stories that the inhabitants of your world(s) tell each other as legends or myths that are actually real or close to being true?🛸

💜 Let us know in the comments below or join us in the discussion on Discord! 🔗 in bio!

06/10/2021

It's Worldbuilding Wednesday, Worldbuilders! This week, we want to know:

🔮 Is magic regulated in any way in your or world(s)? By the gods, government, academia, religion, vigilantes, cosmic horror, etc? 💫

💜 Let us know in the comments below or join us in the discussion on Discord! 🔗 in bio.

Happy Worldbuilding! 😏

15/09/2021

🪐 It’s that time of week worldbuilders — Wednesday! Tell us about the cultures that shape your or world ✨

What are some unique ways your world’s populace stays healthy—Food? Exercise? 💫MAGIC?💫 Are there traditions that are unknowingly harmful?

Let us know in the comments below or join us in the discussion on Discord! 🔗 Link in bio.

13/09/2021

Hello, worldbuilders! In our third issue of 2021, Crime & Justice, we're looking at systems of law, punishment, and some of the things that surround these issues—plus more contest winners and interviews! Full Post

13/09/2021

NEW WBM ISSUE!

Worldbuilding Magazine is proud to present our September 2021 issue: Crime & Justice. We’re taking an objective look at systems of law, punishment, and some of the things that surround them in this issue. Plus, we’ve got the winners from World Anvil’s latest challenge and new interviews:

• Four new worldbuilding articles featuring discussions on systems of law and justice!
• An interview with Cobblepathgames, best known for their mystery and horror roleplay game Locus.
• An interview with C. D. Tavenor, a science fiction and fantasy author who also acts as the Director of Editorial Services at Two Doctors Media Collaborative.
• Plus, the winners from World Anvil's Peculiar Plants challenge, and your questions answered in our Ask Us Anything column!

Also, thanks to Lyanna ( on Twitter) for this issue's lovely cover art

04/09/2021

🛡️Who is up for the challenge?!🗡️

The new CHALLENGE is here! 🥳 We challenge you to write about a ship with a map of its layout. 🗺🚀 The winners will get a DungeonFog membership and a Worldbuilding Magazine feature! 😍

⛵ Check out the details here 👉 https://www.worldanvil.com/community/challenge/shipwright_challenge/homepage

25/08/2021

🪐 Happy Wednesday, worldbuilders!! Tell us — in your or world, which ethical/moral decisions are the province of religion and which are not?

Let us know in the comments below or join us in the discussion on Discord! Link in bio. 💫

16/08/2021

Have you heard? 🗣️👂 Submissions for our final issue of 2021 are open... Indeed!

🎩 The Topic? Social Etiquette & Expectations

🧐 Deadline for submissions: Saturday, Sept. 11th

✨Do you want the chance to be featured in or work with an established publication?
✨Do you have a on social structures in or worlds?
✨Do you want to be the talk of the season? 😏

We do hope you'll write to us ;)

📨If you have any questions about the submission process or what we look for, please contact us at:
[email protected]

💜Or reach out to us through Discord! (link in bio)

15/08/2021

We’re just a few weeks away from another issue of Worldbuilding Magazine! ✨

⚖️ Featuring stunning cover art from staff artist, Lyanna, our Fall issue of 2021 explores themes of crime, justice, and structures of authority in .

Among the submissions we received, our Jr. Writing Director, J.D. Venner, wrote a piece about crafting a police force unique to your or world!

To ease the wait until release day, tell us in the comments below, worldbuilders—does your world have a policing force? If so, what is it like?

🔔Want to be notified when the next issue drops? 📜Sign-up for our newsletter! Link in bio.