This self-help book uses an 18-step program designed to guide prospective authors through creating their own speculative fiction story, that is, a science fiction, fantasy, or horror story. Designed for self-paced work, this book draws on excerpts from dozens of speculative fiction authors and writing experts. It gives detailed information about genre, cultural world building, physical world building, plot, character, character arc, heroes, villains, sidekicks, bystanders, description, conflict and tension, editing and revising, "your first chapter," voice, words and worldview, science fiction, fantasy, and horror. Each chapter in the course contains exercises for learners in addition to guiding the creating of an individual short story.