When Authors and Map Designers Join Forces

You know that feeling when you’re totally immersed in a fantasy novel, following the characters in the story, forgetting about the rest of your world? For me, what really deepens that experience is the map tucked into the pages. It’s like a secret guide, helping you visualize the journey and feel like you’re right there, exploring alongside them.

I still remember the first time I saw a map in one of my favorite books. It was as if I could trace my finger along the paths the characters had walked, see the world the author had crafted more clearly, understand the decisions that characters had decided to take. The impact a well-crafted map can have on a reader’s experience is powerful.

Over the years of working closely with authors, I’ve really come to see how much heart and thought they put into building the worlds in their stories - worlds they want their readers to understand, see, feel as if they were real.

One of the funniest projects I worked on was for an author who had crafter a huge world. The challenge wasn’t just to lay it out geographically, but to capture its culture, history, conflicts. What I love most about maps in novels is that they’re not just a way to show locations—they’re an extension of the world itself. A great map hints at political tensions, forgotten places, and those eerie, unexplored regions that characters might avoid. When the map was finally done, it felt like we had captured not just a landscape but the very heart of the story. It was incredible to see how readers responded—they weren’t just reading the book; they were experiencing the world in full.

What I really love about maps in books is that they’re not just about showing you where things are—they’re an extension of the world itself. A great map can reveal the political struggles between kingdoms, hint at forgotten ruins, or give you a peek into the places characters are too scared to go.

Imagine a desert lying between two warring nations—the map wouldn’t just show miles of sand. It could reveal a lost city buried beneath the dunes, or the only source of water for miles, making it a key part of the story. My job as a mapmaker is to take the author’s vision and bring out those layers, so the map adds to the story, not just decorates it.

I love working on fantasy novels because the worlds often play by their own rules, which makes designing maps a lot of fun. You can create floating islands, enchanted forests, treacherous seas—sometimes all in one book!

One of my favorite parts of the process is when I get to ask the author about their world’s history. What creatures roam these lands? Why are the settlements there, and not here? Is there magic in the world? These questions help draw a map that feels like it belongs within the narrative. Working with authors on these maps is all about collaboration.

I always start by talking to the author about their vision. We go over the big things—like major cities, oceans, mountain ranges—but we also dive into the details. What’s the weather like in this region? How does the geography influence the way people live? Are there any significant landmarks that play a key role in the story? These details help me build a map that doesn’t just look good but feels authentic to the world the author has created.

It’s a real back-and-forth process, which is what makes it so rewarding. The author brings the world to life with their writing, and I get to take that and enhance it with the visuals. When everything clicks, it’s something truly special.

What I’ve come to realize is that maps in stories aren’t just about showing where things are. They pull you deeper into the world and give you a better understanding of where the characters are going—and what’s driving them. They’re tools that help readers connect more deeply with the story, and for me, they’re a way to take the magic of a narrative and make it just a little more real.

If you’ve ever found yourself swept away by a map in a novel, you know what I’m talking about. Maps have this timeless magic—they’re guides, whether in real life or in a story. And that’s what I love about my work. It’s not just about drawing lines; it’s about helping create worlds that people can get lost in, whether it’s for a few hours or a lifetime. That's the reason I love what I do.

Perhaps you're looking for a map for your own novel! If that's the case, don't hesitate to contact me. I'd love to help you!