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7 Figure Fiction: How to Use Universal Fantasy to Sell Your Books to Anyone
There are only, in my humble opinion, two kinds of readers: Readers who love your books and readers who don’t know they love your books yet. But how do you reach those readers in the second category, no matter what kind of writer you are?
The answer to that question is…Universal Fantasy
Universal Fantasy is why my sales tripled when I “accidentally” wrote three books that landed in the Amazon Top 100.
Universal Fantasy is why some authors get gobs of gushing reviews and some authors who write “way better” get crickets.
Universal Fantasy is the answer to many of the questions you might have thought were unanswerable or simply up to luck, like…
• Will this sell?
• Why is that selling?
• Why didn’t this sell?
• Will readers like what I am writing?
• Why do I love the TV shows/books/entertainments I do?
• Why did I buy that thing I bought when I didn’t intend to buy it?
BE WARNED…once known, Universal Fantasy cannot be undiscovered. Leave this book be if you’re truly satisfied with your current writing life.
But if you’re not afraid—if you’re ready to know the secret hidden inside all bestselling stories, open this gift and find out how to use UNIVERSAL FANTASY to write and market books that SELL to ANYONE.
The answer to that question is…Universal Fantasy
Universal Fantasy is why my sales tripled when I “accidentally” wrote three books that landed in the Amazon Top 100.
Universal Fantasy is why some authors get gobs of gushing reviews and some authors who write “way better” get crickets.
Universal Fantasy is the answer to many of the questions you might have thought were unanswerable or simply up to luck, like…
• Will this sell?
• Why is that selling?
• Why didn’t this sell?
• Will readers like what I am writing?
• Why do I love the TV shows/books/entertainments I do?
• Why did I buy that thing I bought when I didn’t intend to buy it?
BE WARNED…once known, Universal Fantasy cannot be undiscovered. Leave this book be if you’re truly satisfied with your current writing life.
But if you’re not afraid—if you’re ready to know the secret hidden inside all bestselling stories, open this gift and find out how to use UNIVERSAL FANTASY to write and market books that SELL to ANYONE.
180 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 16, 2021
230 people are currently reading
678 people want to read
About the author
T. Taylor
3 books19 followersTheodora Taylor is the bestselling author of the 50 Loving States Series. Despite writing within a niche genre (interracial romance), she has earned six KDP All-Star bonuses and grown a fanbase of rabid readers through the power of Universal Fantasy.
Her book, 7 FIGURE FICTION: How to Use Universal Fantasy to SELL Your Books to ANYONE was an instant #1 non-fiction bestseller in the Writing Category on Amazon and has since been certified as Great by the world’s largest online bookseller.
Most importantly, this book has become a valued and treasured resource for writers around the world.
Theodora has been invited to give presentations on Universal Fantasy by NINC (Novelists Inc.) Conference, RAM (Romance Author Mastermind), and Inker’s Con. She’s also a highly sought-after podcast guest. She’s made appearances on The Creative Penn (hosted by Joanna Penn), Six Figure Authors, #AmWriting, Wish I’d Known Then, and SPA Girls.
She adores talking about Universal Fantasy and can’t wait to tell you all about it.
Her book, 7 FIGURE FICTION: How to Use Universal Fantasy to SELL Your Books to ANYONE was an instant #1 non-fiction bestseller in the Writing Category on Amazon and has since been certified as Great by the world’s largest online bookseller.
Most importantly, this book has become a valued and treasured resource for writers around the world.
Theodora has been invited to give presentations on Universal Fantasy by NINC (Novelists Inc.) Conference, RAM (Romance Author Mastermind), and Inker’s Con. She’s also a highly sought-after podcast guest. She’s made appearances on The Creative Penn (hosted by Joanna Penn), Six Figure Authors, #AmWriting, Wish I’d Known Then, and SPA Girls.
She adores talking about Universal Fantasy and can’t wait to tell you all about it.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 246 reviews
October 7, 2021
What did I think?
One thing is sure, this author knows how to engender a completely useless hype, and even prices that stupid thing so high, she probably earns herself a packet with it. Exploiting fellow authors the while, of course. And insofar - well done indeed! (I hope people grasp that this was a cynical statement?)
That said, I couldn't get anything out of this. Firstly, it was so firmly US-centric that it doesn't make much sense to anyone coming from or preferring a different culture. With that I do not at all mean the interracial aspects of her writing and suggestions, I mean the fact that she uses Disney and Grey's Anatomy (of all things!) to make her points on tropes and clichés she has cheekily renamed "Ultimate Fantasies" as a means to hard-sell her booklet.
Secondly, the author is completely unaware of the actual European background (and folktale truths) behind the Disney versions of "The Beauty and the Beast" or "Cinderella" and the likes. She also seems to think that people in general like US movies and TV, and what the US culture stands for these days. Which means she reaches conclusions which - for a large part of the world - aren't exactly correct.
Lastly - the core of this book tries to sell me tropes such as "Bully Romance", alphaholes, abductions, toxic masculinity, Edward Cullen (and the entire Twilight stuff) as well as the trash of FSoG as the revelation on making money and writing fabulous books. I mean, bloody hell! These are the tropes I do my damndest best to AVOID!
Yes, I was aware of the fact that such pulpy trash still sells. No, that doesn't mean even more authors should write it. It means even less that you end up with good fiction of ANY kind if you seek out very tired, misogynist bullshit and incorporate it into whatever project is on your mind.
And for roughly 70% of this allegedly so enlightening book I was grumbling "will-ya come to the point already?", because that was how much hot air was pumped into it to fluff it up to sell-worthy proportions. As a side note - I gained weight simply by the repetition of the word "butter".
So no, I can't recommend this. There's certainly not anything in this which would tell you anything new or noteworthy.
March 26, 2025
AHHHH. SO. GOOD. I’ve already rewritten (rough drafts) of my three latest books *blurbs* (aka the descriptions, not the actual books haha) plus my main bestseller with UFs and was SHOCKED by how much I love them more already. I have stayed up late to finish reading so will have to review my work in the morning but while I definitely haven’t perfected or even fully ingested this new idea yet, I’m obsessed. Wish I’d read this way sooner.
March 8, 2022
I saw this book recommended in a writing group when someone was asking for help with writing blurbs. I've read a couple of books specifically on that topic and am always looking for new ways to approach it, so I thought I'd give 7 Figure Fiction a try. It's not specifically for writing blurbs, but understanding the concepts of Universal Fantasy can supposedly help with writing them... as well as pitch letters, outlines, and first drafts.
The problem is, after reading this book, I still don't completely understand what a Universal Fantasy is.
The author describes it thusly:
Got that? I still don't. The author claims that trope is not Universal Fantasy. She gives examples of tropes:
• fish-out-of-water
• opposites attract
• secret baby
Later in the book, she gives examples of Universal Fantasy:
• fish-out-of-international-water
• opposite sides of the tracks first love
• secrets
Am I the only one who doesn't see much of a meaningful difference?
I guess you might argue that not all tropes are Universal Fantasies, but it seems to me that all Universal Fantasies could be classed as tropes.
Whatever.
I will be going through my own work and my blurbs to see if I've included enough UF "butter" (you know, the thing that makes everything taste better). It's certainly not going to hurt.
One thing to note is that this book is heavily (and I mean heavily) focused on romance. I don't write romance, so I'm having a bit of trouble trying to figure out the Universal Fantasies for my own genre. I see tropes but, again, I'm not exactly sure if that's what I'm looking for. And readers (especially younger ones) need to be aware that Chapter 16 is rated R. The Universal Fantasies of sex are described in graphic detail, complete with words that would be bleeped on network TV and a seeming glee on the part of the author that made me a little uncomfortable. (If I want to read the word "come" that much, I'll pick up some erotica.) I was not expecting that in a book on writing, and it seemed quite jarring for the content to suddenly go from "Suitable for most audiences" to "Won't somebody think of the children?!".
Anyway, aside from that one weird sex chapter, there are some interesting nuggets here. I guess it remains to be seen if adding more UF to my blurbs (and stories) will make a difference. But in the self-publishing game, experimentation is sometimes required. This is just one more thing to try.
The problem is, after reading this book, I still don't completely understand what a Universal Fantasy is.
The author describes it thusly:
Trope is your story's WHAT IT IS.
Universal Fantasy is your trope's WHY IT'S GOOD.
Got that? I still don't. The author claims that trope is not Universal Fantasy. She gives examples of tropes:
• fish-out-of-water
• opposites attract
• secret baby
Later in the book, she gives examples of Universal Fantasy:
• fish-out-of-international-water
• opposite sides of the tracks first love
• secrets
Am I the only one who doesn't see much of a meaningful difference?
I guess you might argue that not all tropes are Universal Fantasies, but it seems to me that all Universal Fantasies could be classed as tropes.
Whatever.
I will be going through my own work and my blurbs to see if I've included enough UF "butter" (you know, the thing that makes everything taste better). It's certainly not going to hurt.
One thing to note is that this book is heavily (and I mean heavily) focused on romance. I don't write romance, so I'm having a bit of trouble trying to figure out the Universal Fantasies for my own genre. I see tropes but, again, I'm not exactly sure if that's what I'm looking for. And readers (especially younger ones) need to be aware that Chapter 16 is rated R. The Universal Fantasies of sex are described in graphic detail, complete with words that would be bleeped on network TV and a seeming glee on the part of the author that made me a little uncomfortable. (If I want to read the word "come" that much, I'll pick up some erotica.) I was not expecting that in a book on writing, and it seemed quite jarring for the content to suddenly go from "Suitable for most audiences" to "Won't somebody think of the children?!".
Anyway, aside from that one weird sex chapter, there are some interesting nuggets here. I guess it remains to be seen if adding more UF to my blurbs (and stories) will make a difference. But in the self-publishing game, experimentation is sometimes required. This is just one more thing to try.
June 18, 2024
I'm writing this review only because I care about my fellow authors and want to save them time and money. Skip this book.
If I had known T. Taylor was an erotica/dark romance writer, I wouldn't have wasted my time. People who write in those genres are dealing to addicts, not regular readers. Their marketing strategies don't apply to the rest of us.
There is nothing new here. Taylor literally just renamed tropes and pretended she invented the concept herself. Universal Fantasies(tm, yeah she trademarked that) are just whatever tropes you, as the author, think your readers will drool over.
She tries to tell us there's a difference, but there isn't.
Also, if you're not a romance writer, there's nothing for you here. Taylor tried to convince us she wrote this for all fiction writers, but as a dystopian writer, I spent the whole book wracking my brain to try to see how I could apply what she was talking about. Practically all the tropes she emphasized are romance-exclusive.
What's more, this book actively promotes all the toxic relationship tropes. After all, they are Universal Fantasies (tm) Don't we all have Stockholm Syndrome? Pretty universal, right? These are the keys to bestseller success!
And if you have any scruples about--anything there are a couple of whole sections you should skip. By the time they came around, I wasn't surprised, but woman, this is a marketing book.
But don't bother skimming. Don't bother buying. The ebook was a whole ten dollars. Not worth it. And T. Taylor doesn't need your support. She's doing great with her scores of trashy romances powered by her secret sauce of problematic cliches.
If I had known T. Taylor was an erotica/dark romance writer, I wouldn't have wasted my time. People who write in those genres are dealing to addicts, not regular readers. Their marketing strategies don't apply to the rest of us.
There is nothing new here. Taylor literally just renamed tropes and pretended she invented the concept herself. Universal Fantasies(tm, yeah she trademarked that) are just whatever tropes you, as the author, think your readers will drool over.
She tries to tell us there's a difference, but there isn't.
Also, if you're not a romance writer, there's nothing for you here. Taylor tried to convince us she wrote this for all fiction writers, but as a dystopian writer, I spent the whole book wracking my brain to try to see how I could apply what she was talking about. Practically all the tropes she emphasized are romance-exclusive.
What's more, this book actively promotes all the toxic relationship tropes. After all, they are Universal Fantasies (tm) Don't we all have Stockholm Syndrome? Pretty universal, right? These are the keys to bestseller success!
And if you have any scruples about--anything there are a couple of whole sections you should skip. By the time they came around, I wasn't surprised, but woman, this is a marketing book.
But don't bother skimming. Don't bother buying. The ebook was a whole ten dollars. Not worth it. And T. Taylor doesn't need your support. She's doing great with her scores of trashy romances powered by her secret sauce of problematic cliches.
September 20, 2021
Hugely recommend this book.
I was lucky enough to attend a session on Universal Fantasies by Theodora Taylor at Romance Author Mastermind in 2020, and it blew my mind.
Why do some books sell more than authors? What is it about them that makes readers unable to put them down? What makes *you* the author excited about writing the book?
How do you make your ads hit? How do you make your blurbs a hit?
Enter... Universal Fantasies.
Or more specifically, Theodora's take on it.
The book is written in an easy to understand, compelling way with heaps of examples. You can almost hear the author's excitement coming through the pages. While I was lucky enough to get the session at RAM, this book was like a refresher for me. Something I can go back to when I'm rewriting blurbs, or setting up ads, or even writing my next book.
I'd definitely put it in my top five favourite non-fiction writerly reads.
I will note that Theodora writes romance, so a lot of the examples tend toward romantic examples. That being said, I think anyone who writes in other genres will get the gist of it.
I was lucky enough to attend a session on Universal Fantasies by Theodora Taylor at Romance Author Mastermind in 2020, and it blew my mind.
Why do some books sell more than authors? What is it about them that makes readers unable to put them down? What makes *you* the author excited about writing the book?
How do you make your ads hit? How do you make your blurbs a hit?
Enter... Universal Fantasies.
Or more specifically, Theodora's take on it.
The book is written in an easy to understand, compelling way with heaps of examples. You can almost hear the author's excitement coming through the pages. While I was lucky enough to get the session at RAM, this book was like a refresher for me. Something I can go back to when I'm rewriting blurbs, or setting up ads, or even writing my next book.
I'd definitely put it in my top five favourite non-fiction writerly reads.
I will note that Theodora writes romance, so a lot of the examples tend toward romantic examples. That being said, I think anyone who writes in other genres will get the gist of it.
September 28, 2021
Ugh, this one's difficult to rate. I got sucked in through an author FB group that was raving over this and well, I usually do my due diligence and think it through a little more, but I bought the paperback with a one click because everyone was saying they were highlighting it up and I was in a rush of deadlines and just bought it and went back to work. I would have rather bought the ebook, since this is a one read rather than a go back to resource as some were saying--at least for me.
Is the information good? Yes. Can you find this elsewhere in say posts on writer type blogs or if you've been around the block writing have you already heard this? yes. It really is as the author says, a good conference class, and I'm sure I would have enjoyed this class better than many others at writer conference classes I have attended because it's the type of class to get you excited to write and could help you gain some vision if you're stuck or if you're chasing trad, why you keep getting rejections though you're writing craft has been honed. And for the price tag of the book over what you'd pay to attend the conference class... it's worth it in that regard. But by the raving, I really expected revolutionary info over what I already know just framed a bit different--though framing it different might make it click for someone. Is it a good thing to remind yourself of when your WIP feels stale or you're not excited about the book you're currently writing/contemplating? sure. Might also reenergize some advanced writers who've just forgotten some basics because they've just been beat up and burned out by the whole process. Basically, this is stuff I've often told beginning writers that I work with, if you're not excited about what you're writing/procrastinating writing the next scene/feel something's off but don't know what it is, stop and brainstorm something to put in there that makes you excited to GET TO write that scene. Now, she's gotten a little more specific than "something that excites" so maybe that might help someone figure that out/make it click better. She does point out a lot of what those exciting things are (for her genres).
Maybe this was just a case of I was expecting it to be far greater than it was because of the hype and it didn't fit my needs as much as I was hoping for/having other writers declare. However, at the same time, I'm about to start a new book and am in the plotting phase and have wondered if what I have written down already is "enough" to start writing and will use this thought as I go back over it and do expect it to help me feel better about the story before I start, and I intend to go back and revisit the blurbs I have control over and see if I can tweak according to this, so it's not like it's not helpful.
It is very specific to steamy romance, so all other genres can glean from the idea but it won't be as useful because you'll have to create the list of things yourself, and frankly, that's fine, because not only are some of these items on her lists extreme turn offs for me and my audience, forcing you to go create your own lists is a good idea. Go to your bookshelf of keepers (I sure hope you have those because you're an avid reader of your own genre) and figure out your own list of why those have awesomesauce. Use your own gleaned list when you're contemplating starting a new book, when you're in the middle of a book and you're feeling something's off/boring, or when you're writing marketing copy.
Caveat: Because it's very specific to steamy romance, this is not a "clean" read, in regard to there being a section on sex that is a far more graphic read than I want to read in ...well, anything I read, but can't fault the writer for that, for once again, I didn't do my due diligence, but I'm not sure that it would be totally clear by the packaging either. There is also coarse language in the book. Not that it was annoyingly slathered in it, but it's not mild language either.
Is the information good? Yes. Can you find this elsewhere in say posts on writer type blogs or if you've been around the block writing have you already heard this? yes. It really is as the author says, a good conference class, and I'm sure I would have enjoyed this class better than many others at writer conference classes I have attended because it's the type of class to get you excited to write and could help you gain some vision if you're stuck or if you're chasing trad, why you keep getting rejections though you're writing craft has been honed. And for the price tag of the book over what you'd pay to attend the conference class... it's worth it in that regard. But by the raving, I really expected revolutionary info over what I already know just framed a bit different--though framing it different might make it click for someone. Is it a good thing to remind yourself of when your WIP feels stale or you're not excited about the book you're currently writing/contemplating? sure. Might also reenergize some advanced writers who've just forgotten some basics because they've just been beat up and burned out by the whole process. Basically, this is stuff I've often told beginning writers that I work with, if you're not excited about what you're writing/procrastinating writing the next scene/feel something's off but don't know what it is, stop and brainstorm something to put in there that makes you excited to GET TO write that scene. Now, she's gotten a little more specific than "something that excites" so maybe that might help someone figure that out/make it click better. She does point out a lot of what those exciting things are (for her genres).
Maybe this was just a case of I was expecting it to be far greater than it was because of the hype and it didn't fit my needs as much as I was hoping for/having other writers declare. However, at the same time, I'm about to start a new book and am in the plotting phase and have wondered if what I have written down already is "enough" to start writing and will use this thought as I go back over it and do expect it to help me feel better about the story before I start, and I intend to go back and revisit the blurbs I have control over and see if I can tweak according to this, so it's not like it's not helpful.
It is very specific to steamy romance, so all other genres can glean from the idea but it won't be as useful because you'll have to create the list of things yourself, and frankly, that's fine, because not only are some of these items on her lists extreme turn offs for me and my audience, forcing you to go create your own lists is a good idea. Go to your bookshelf of keepers (I sure hope you have those because you're an avid reader of your own genre) and figure out your own list of why those have awesomesauce. Use your own gleaned list when you're contemplating starting a new book, when you're in the middle of a book and you're feeling something's off/boring, or when you're writing marketing copy.
Caveat: Because it's very specific to steamy romance, this is not a "clean" read, in regard to there being a section on sex that is a far more graphic read than I want to read in ...well, anything I read, but can't fault the writer for that, for once again, I didn't do my due diligence, but I'm not sure that it would be totally clear by the packaging either. There is also coarse language in the book. Not that it was annoyingly slathered in it, but it's not mild language either.
December 2, 2022
I'm not sure I got much meaningful information from this book. As a romance writer, I could at least identify with much of what was said. I'm not sure I understand how universal fantasy is different than tropes, even though the author attempted to explain it.
I'm also wary of the writer's apparent belief that "most" readers want to act out "naughty" fantasies in their reading that they wouldn't do in real life. I think there is a certain subset of readers who feel this way, and if smut romance is what you're writing, this book may be perfect for you. For the rest of you, the useful information will be minimal. Especially if you write a genre other than romance.
Since many who read my reviews are Christian writers, be aware that there was one chapter on writing sex scenes that I had to entirely skip as well as other parts that made me rather squeamish.
This book came highly recommended at a seminar I attended, and I wish I would have read more reviews before purchasing. I would have passed.
I'm also wary of the writer's apparent belief that "most" readers want to act out "naughty" fantasies in their reading that they wouldn't do in real life. I think there is a certain subset of readers who feel this way, and if smut romance is what you're writing, this book may be perfect for you. For the rest of you, the useful information will be minimal. Especially if you write a genre other than romance.
Since many who read my reviews are Christian writers, be aware that there was one chapter on writing sex scenes that I had to entirely skip as well as other parts that made me rather squeamish.
This book came highly recommended at a seminar I attended, and I wish I would have read more reviews before purchasing. I would have passed.
September 19, 2021
WARNING for content-sensitive/conservative readers: this book contains some strong language, as well as sections with topical discussion and information about various romance fiction subgenres, tropes, and subject matter that may be considered offensive, abusive, inappropriate, or graphic to some readers. There was one particular section I was pretty uncomfortable reading and ended up skimming through most of those bits to get back to the sort of info that is helpful to the sorts of books I write (closed-door romance.)
That being said, there is some really good (nonsexual) info in this book, as well as productive writing exercises, and food for thought for writers looking for ways to make their fiction really resonate with readers.
That being said, there is some really good (nonsexual) info in this book, as well as productive writing exercises, and food for thought for writers looking for ways to make their fiction really resonate with readers.
September 30, 2021
This book is an excellent resource for romance authors!
Otherwise it's a pass.
TL;DR
Identify the eternal tropes within your genre and why they make readers feel specific emotions, and then use that to your advantage when designing each chapter to ensure the reader gets that emotional hit they're after.
Otherwise it's a pass.
TL;DR
Identify the eternal tropes within your genre and why they make readers feel specific emotions, and then use that to your advantage when designing each chapter to ensure the reader gets that emotional hit they're after.
January 12, 2023
One of the best craft books I've read in awhile. I plan to reference this book each time I want to outline a new story.
November 19, 2021
Not writing romance? Pass on this one.
I would have loved the blurb to mention that this book was marketed for romance authors so I wouldn't have bought it.
Of course, certains ideas may apply to every genre but all the examples are specifically for romances fantasies. Also, the book is way too long for the content it has to offer. I would say the first 5 chapters are beating around the bush, trying to get the reader excited about what's to come. A big no for me. Get to the point already. A few examples meant absolutely nothing to me because I didn't watch the series it related to.
So, will I use what I learned in this book to write future books? Probably not. Will it help me to rewrite my blurb to stimulate universal fantasies for an eventual reader? Maybe.
By the way, I DNF this one. Stopped reading at 75% when it became obvious that I wasn't gonna get anything useful from the book.
I would have loved the blurb to mention that this book was marketed for romance authors so I wouldn't have bought it.
Of course, certains ideas may apply to every genre but all the examples are specifically for romances fantasies. Also, the book is way too long for the content it has to offer. I would say the first 5 chapters are beating around the bush, trying to get the reader excited about what's to come. A big no for me. Get to the point already. A few examples meant absolutely nothing to me because I didn't watch the series it related to.
So, will I use what I learned in this book to write future books? Probably not. Will it help me to rewrite my blurb to stimulate universal fantasies for an eventual reader? Maybe.
By the way, I DNF this one. Stopped reading at 75% when it became obvious that I wasn't gonna get anything useful from the book.
Read
July 15, 2025Reread
September 17, 2021
Step aside, literary merit. In the real world, readers (not critics) buy books.
7-Figure Fiction answers the most pressing question every multi-published author grapples with: why do certain books sell while others flop? Taylor's exploration of universal fantasies distills the psychology of readers to its most useful terms. This craft manual, which is bound to become a modern classic, is an essential read for any author of genre fiction.
The book provides:
-A robust definition and overview of universal fantasies
-Examples of popular stories that contain them and where/how they manifest
-Top-down and bottom-up approaches for how to identify and use them in story
-Examples of how they can be integrated into ads and blurbs
-A perspective on finding your personal compass for how far into fantasy to go
A five-star read!
7-Figure Fiction answers the most pressing question every multi-published author grapples with: why do certain books sell while others flop? Taylor's exploration of universal fantasies distills the psychology of readers to its most useful terms. This craft manual, which is bound to become a modern classic, is an essential read for any author of genre fiction.
The book provides:
-A robust definition and overview of universal fantasies
-Examples of popular stories that contain them and where/how they manifest
-Top-down and bottom-up approaches for how to identify and use them in story
-Examples of how they can be integrated into ads and blurbs
-A perspective on finding your personal compass for how far into fantasy to go
A five-star read!
December 28, 2021
A total game-changer. Thank you.
Read
October 4, 2021I hesitated on this one because I got mixed reviews then I thought, why the heck not?
Let me start with the one con: this book is not limited to but is especially relevant to romance.
Now for the pros: One, Taylor's voice is a delight and made reading this book a joy. Two, I had never really thought about Universal Fantasy before, and I can definitely see her point. There *is* a difference between fantasy and trope. As to the con, I would say that you can still use this book if you think about the universal fantasies that apply to your particular genre. Ex. I write women's fiction. Reuniting siblings is mentioned as a Universal Fantasy in this book, but I think it definitely applies to WF as well as Romance.
One last caveat: Taylor does not shy away from forbidden fantasies. In doing so, she gives the best example of why Twilight and 50 Shades of Grey are so popular. They both tap into several universal fantasies, some of which are SO NOT MINE, but...they are the fantasies of other people. And books are a better place to explore that guy who's obsessed with you than real life, so to each their own.
Anyhoo, I learned some things, mainly why my books haven't hit the same kind of popularity as other works. I often work AGAINST Universal Fantasies. Oh well. Maybe I'll tap into one someday.
Let me start with the one con: this book is not limited to but is especially relevant to romance.
Now for the pros: One, Taylor's voice is a delight and made reading this book a joy. Two, I had never really thought about Universal Fantasy before, and I can definitely see her point. There *is* a difference between fantasy and trope. As to the con, I would say that you can still use this book if you think about the universal fantasies that apply to your particular genre. Ex. I write women's fiction. Reuniting siblings is mentioned as a Universal Fantasy in this book, but I think it definitely applies to WF as well as Romance.
One last caveat: Taylor does not shy away from forbidden fantasies. In doing so, she gives the best example of why Twilight and 50 Shades of Grey are so popular. They both tap into several universal fantasies, some of which are SO NOT MINE, but...they are the fantasies of other people. And books are a better place to explore that guy who's obsessed with you than real life, so to each their own.
Anyhoo, I learned some things, mainly why my books haven't hit the same kind of popularity as other works. I often work AGAINST Universal Fantasies. Oh well. Maybe I'll tap into one someday.
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December 30, 2021The core idea is that popular stories are full of fantasies which appeal to universal human nature. If you want to be successful, you must actively employ universal fantasies.
I found this moderately helpful as an alternative to conflict-first, protagonist-passion-first narratology.
To say "She is interesting because readers will empathize with her desire to do well in school despite being told she never could because of circumstances she can't control" is far more interesting to me than to say "She is interesting because she wants to do well in school and every circumstance is trying to keep her from it."
In short, the concept calls back to Brian McDonald's Golden Theme: "We are all the same." That makes sense to me.
Unfortunately, this book is less, well, universal than the description reads. The first 26% is just trying to convince you to buy into the book. The rest of it lays out example fantasies from different popular movies and TV shows, all focused around the author's wheelhouse of steamy romance.
The actual theory of the book could be covered in a long-ish article. Beyond that, it points out how many readers want toxic or problematic sex and romance in novels because that's safer than living them out in real life, and how it's a good thing to indulge these within your own comfort zone.
I'm very biased against praising unhealthy interpersonal relationships, especially sexual ones, so unfortunately this soured most of the book for me and I don't know that I recommend it.
If you're still interested, maybe watch/listen to this hour-long interview where the author talks about universal fantasy.
I found this moderately helpful as an alternative to conflict-first, protagonist-passion-first narratology.
To say "She is interesting because readers will empathize with her desire to do well in school despite being told she never could because of circumstances she can't control" is far more interesting to me than to say "She is interesting because she wants to do well in school and every circumstance is trying to keep her from it."
In short, the concept calls back to Brian McDonald's Golden Theme: "We are all the same." That makes sense to me.
Unfortunately, this book is less, well, universal than the description reads. The first 26% is just trying to convince you to buy into the book. The rest of it lays out example fantasies from different popular movies and TV shows, all focused around the author's wheelhouse of steamy romance.
The actual theory of the book could be covered in a long-ish article. Beyond that, it points out how many readers want toxic or problematic sex and romance in novels because that's safer than living them out in real life, and how it's a good thing to indulge these within your own comfort zone.
I'm very biased against praising unhealthy interpersonal relationships, especially sexual ones, so unfortunately this soured most of the book for me and I don't know that I recommend it.
If you're still interested, maybe watch/listen to this hour-long interview where the author talks about universal fantasy.
September 18, 2021
I hate craft books for writers. Nine times out of ten, the authors of those how-tos follow a strict, writing-class formula that produces books that don't sell to actual readers out in the wild, which makes them (the craft books *and* the stories written using those as guidelines) about as useful as gum stuck to the bottom of your shoe.
This author gets it. She understands what makes a story tick because she's a *real* author (i.e. not solely someone who teaches writing), one who earns a living from figuring out exactly that.
While the main emphasis is on Universal Fantasies for Romance, it's dead useful for authors in non-romance genres, even those who don't want a Romance of any kind in their stories.
There's one thing that bothered me: Taylor's dismissal of books written by "dead white men." She's so open about authors reading and consuming entertainment from outside their chosen genres, then completely disses some of the foundational Western literature as not worthwhile simply because of the race and sex of the authors. So much for being "inclusive," a point she repeatedly belabors.
That was one little blip, the ONLY one, and it doesn't detract from the overall usefulness of the book.
If you're an author and you want to actually earn a living from your fiction, get this book. Devour it. Implement it on all levels. It may be the thing that catapults you from wannabe to full-time living.
This author gets it. She understands what makes a story tick because she's a *real* author (i.e. not solely someone who teaches writing), one who earns a living from figuring out exactly that.
While the main emphasis is on Universal Fantasies for Romance, it's dead useful for authors in non-romance genres, even those who don't want a Romance of any kind in their stories.
There's one thing that bothered me: Taylor's dismissal of books written by "dead white men." She's so open about authors reading and consuming entertainment from outside their chosen genres, then completely disses some of the foundational Western literature as not worthwhile simply because of the race and sex of the authors. So much for being "inclusive," a point she repeatedly belabors.
That was one little blip, the ONLY one, and it doesn't detract from the overall usefulness of the book.
If you're an author and you want to actually earn a living from your fiction, get this book. Devour it. Implement it on all levels. It may be the thing that catapults you from wannabe to full-time living.
October 6, 2021
This isn't a ground-breaking craft book, but if you're fairly new to writing and are trying to wrap your head around how to use tropes and clichés to worm your way into the readers' hearts, this'll explain it in a solid manner.
If you're an excellent cook, however, and are aware that both fat and salt are necessary to make a delicious dish? Then this might be wasted on you.
Additional note: not just for romance writers, but mostly aimed at romance writers.
If you're an excellent cook, however, and are aware that both fat and salt are necessary to make a delicious dish? Then this might be wasted on you.
Additional note: not just for romance writers, but mostly aimed at romance writers.
September 28, 2021
I heard Theodora speak at the NINC conference, and she was fabulous! I write mystery, but every concept she discusses for romance novels can be applied to other genres. If you have ever wondered why a certain book has become a mega bestseller despite flaws in the writing or glaring plot holes, look for the universal fantasy at its core. You'll find it every time. 50 Shades of Gray--a bad man is saved by the love of a good woman (also the fantasy behind Jane Eyre). Where the Crawdads Sing-an abandoned orphan underdog triumphs. A Gentleman in Moscow (a book that I found tediously slow and preposterous)--a man is ripped from his everyday life and sent to a new world. Now, to apply these techniques to MY books!
November 1, 2021
This book helped me determine why certain novels were such as success. I had some guesses already, but this book broke it down element by element and had clear examples. After a while, I wished there was a long list of the Universal Fantasies, but then I realized that it would be impossible. I am super excited about the book I'm writing because I plan to incorporate what I've learned from this craft book.
There are people who say that this provides the same ole same. . .meanwhile, I wonder if they're selling books. Authors have to be life-learners and continue to consume.
And for any interracial romance authors, this is a must read just to learn her process and journey in the genre.
There are people who say that this provides the same ole same. . .meanwhile, I wonder if they're selling books. Authors have to be life-learners and continue to consume.
And for any interracial romance authors, this is a must read just to learn her process and journey in the genre.
June 23, 2025
This book isn’t 200 pages long and it took the author roughly 100 pages to tell us what Universal Fantasy is. Unlike the author, I don’t want you to waste your time so here - you’re welcome:
Universal Fantasy is 3-5 tropes brought together. Ta-da! That’s it. That’s what makes Best-Sellers best sellers.
Go and reread your favorite books, count the tropes (forbidden love, huge secret, enemies to lovers, etc…) smoosh them together and enjoy.
Universal Fantasy is 3-5 tropes brought together. Ta-da! That’s it. That’s what makes Best-Sellers best sellers.
Go and reread your favorite books, count the tropes (forbidden love, huge secret, enemies to lovers, etc…) smoosh them together and enjoy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 9, 2023
A book for romance writers pretending to be useful to any genre so it sells more.
Basically the writer calls Universal Fantasy a lot of abusive/toxic tropes from popular romance stories and tries to incentive you to use it. Those tropes she calls Universal Fantasy are the reason I don't read romance books, so I will not use them in another genre of book.
Basically the writer calls Universal Fantasy a lot of abusive/toxic tropes from popular romance stories and tries to incentive you to use it. Those tropes she calls Universal Fantasy are the reason I don't read romance books, so I will not use them in another genre of book.
November 7, 2021
There was enough content here to fill a one-hour session at a writing conference, but Taylor tried (unsuccessfully) to stretch it out to fill an entire book. There's a ton of fluff and hyperbole and bragging but not many actual ideas.
Read
July 11, 2023Helpful - I do wish there was a warning of just how much sexual content was included, though.
Read
February 26, 2022I liked the ideas in this, though it's definitely something I'll have to revisit a few times. (I plan to utilise its tips for my next book proposal. Depending on how that goes, I might update this, haha.) Recommended by a writing friend, and I think, useful for romance authors looking to expand the tools in their writing toolbox.
October 16, 2021
Writer, BUY THIS BOOK!
My current project felt...meh.
Maybe I was just out of practice, I told myself.
Thank you, Theodora!
Turns out I had forgotten the butter.
This was the right book at the right time for me and I plan on using all of it!
My current project felt...meh.
Maybe I was just out of practice, I told myself.
Thank you, Theodora!
Turns out I had forgotten the butter.
This was the right book at the right time for me and I plan on using all of it!
June 29, 2022
Still confused as to what UFis, as the author explains its not a trope but then uses examples at the back that makes it a trope. I’m not sure there is any new theme or viewpoint uncovered in this book—anyone who writes a blurb would have come up with what she refers to as UFs. I was a little disappointed, but the authors writing style is engaging.
October 4, 2021
Informative and the author's voice is entertaining at the same time in this book, too. Lots to think about!
May 13, 2022
I wasn’t the target audience
If I wrote romance, this probably would have been 5 stars. Since the stories I write have little to no romantic inclinations, I got much less out of this book. It still has good ideas, but in my opinion, what she calls universal fantasy just seems to be another label for story tropes.
So long story short, if you write romance, this is an excellent book. If you’re not, you’ll need to put some work in to see any benefit to the information provided.
If I wrote romance, this probably would have been 5 stars. Since the stories I write have little to no romantic inclinations, I got much less out of this book. It still has good ideas, but in my opinion, what she calls universal fantasy just seems to be another label for story tropes.
So long story short, if you write romance, this is an excellent book. If you’re not, you’ll need to put some work in to see any benefit to the information provided.
March 4, 2022
Extremely helpful. No, more than extremely.
I write space opera and have failed to make any income from it, so I started writing sci-fi and fantasy reverse harem romance in another pen name. I enjoyed my RH series and just put all four books up for pre-order. Thank the heavens I read this before writing my blurbs! I wrote four blurbs in a day after noting all the universal fantasies I could mine. I think the blurbs should pull some heart strings, thanks to the butter.
I'll try to find the butter in jy space opera books, too, but most importantly plan or panst butter enriched recipes. Don't understand the butter metaphore? Read this book. It's increased my confidence a million fold.
I write space opera and have failed to make any income from it, so I started writing sci-fi and fantasy reverse harem romance in another pen name. I enjoyed my RH series and just put all four books up for pre-order. Thank the heavens I read this before writing my blurbs! I wrote four blurbs in a day after noting all the universal fantasies I could mine. I think the blurbs should pull some heart strings, thanks to the butter.
I'll try to find the butter in jy space opera books, too, but most importantly plan or panst butter enriched recipes. Don't understand the butter metaphore? Read this book. It's increased my confidence a million fold.
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