The Cognitive Realm

The cover of Project Hail Mary that reads "What Fantasy Can Learn from Science Fiction"
Mar 23, 2026
Andy Weir doesn’t waste time expositing. As his character solves problems, he recalls fragments of his past, each relevant to the science mysteries he is solving. The first memories reveal his name, Ryland Grace, and his name is the password to access the next room on the ship. The parallels between both timelines keep the story moving, and revealing information piece by piece helps exposition land without long narrative breaks for lore dumping.
Self-Made Gnome: Will Wight from Cradle to Kickstarter
Mar 09, 2026
The stories Will tells have become beloved for millions of readers. While it was his writing that won me over, our conversation took me from interested party to life-long fan. If Will Wight isn't already on your favorites shelf or your TBR, he's about to be.
Pierce Brown enjoys a comfortable chair and a bottle of water.
Dec 04, 2025
A sneak preview at Pierce’s next pet project: a Red Rising Collectors' Edition with new art and beautiful covers.
It’s Hard to Have a Dream: Tomi Adeyemi’s Journey of Perseverance and Magic
Aug 05, 2025
Team Dragonsteel caught up with Tomi Adeyami during C2E2 to talk about her legendary career.
The Modern Author: How to Market Your Book in 2025
Jan 30, 2025
The most successful authors today are strategic marketers of their work. This might sound daunting,...
a photo of robin hobb giving writing advice to fans at Dragonsteel Nexus
Dec 19, 2024
Get insights from Robin Hobb, acclaimed author of The Realm of the Elderlings series, on how to write a villain. Click here to learn more about her process.