Adam Bassett

@adamcbassett.com

1903 Followers 708 Following

šŸ Based in Vermont. šŸŽØ UX/UI designer. šŸ“˜ SFF author & map illustrator (šŸš« no AI). šŸ“š Occasional book reviews. šŸ‘‹ He/Him.

A book review graphic for KILLSWITCH PROTOCOL by M.J. Kuhn: "Killswitch Protocol is a deeply character-driven story, with a quick pace, delivered through a fantastic cyberpunk setting. Perhaps most importantly, it leads with hope." Full review is on FanFiAddict.
AN AUTHOR'S GUIDE TO SETTING DESIGN, Adam's reference guide for worldbuilding and map design inspiration, is out now (eBook only)! You can pre-order the hardcover from select locations (more to come soon).
A step-by-step explainer graphic for map commissions, with the first step being to contact Adam via email (provided on website). Most project prices begin at $300 USD but vary based on the complexity of it. No AI is used in the creation of Adam's maps. Maps are on sale through August 4th, 2026.
A map showcase featuring the fantasy town map of Ember from THE WOLF IN THE LANTERN by Iseult Murphy.
A graphic that displays three maps Adam's made for various fantasy books. The graphic is an announcement that Adam is offering $50 off new map commissions purchased until August 4, 2026.
A book review graphic that contains the cover for THIS MACHINE KILLS BILLIONAIRES by TR Napper: "THIS MACHINE KILLS BILLIONAIRES contains a novella and three short stories, all of which relate to themes of revolution and at times the morality of that revolution. The stand-out is the novella THE HIDDEN GOD, in which an AI construct debates the ethics of an extreme trolley problem."
CSOL is on sale internationally as an eBook from Lunar Books, 50% off. Paperbacks are available at 20% off from Lunar Books (Australia, New Zealand) and from the author's shop (US).
A review of CSOL from Goodreads: "Not only is this unique, but itā€™s also a short [novel]. Iā€™m a fan of chonky books as much as the next person, but sometimes a well written, well paced shorter story to fit in between just feels right. This will hit for fans of genre blends, dystopian or post apocalypse stories that still feature hope, and fantasy and scifi readers."
A graphic that reads "What readers are saying about COPPER SKIN, OAKEN LUNGS, a post-apocalyptic fantasy novel. The book is on sale.
AN AUTHOR'S GUIDE TO SETTING DESIGN, Adam's reference guide for worldbuilding and map design inspiration, is out now (eBook only)! You can pre-order the hardcover from select locations (more to come soon).
A step-by-step explainer graphic for map commissions, with the first step being to contact Adam via email (provided on website). Most project prices begin at $300 USD but vary based on the complexity of it. No AI is used in the creation of Adam's maps.
A graphic featuring the map of the Isle with VISPILIO and MILITIS by Audrey D. DeBoer book cover art on the side.
A graphic showcasing AN AUTHOR'S GUIDE TO SETTING DESIGN, now available as an eBook, hardcovers coming soon. The book contains worldbuilding inspiration and practical map design tips written by a fantasy & sci-fi map designer, with commentart from dozens of others including Isaac Stewart, Brandon Sanderson's map designer.
An excerpt of AN AUTHOR'S GUIDE TO SETTING DESIGN which describes Z.S. Diamanti's experience creating his own maps for the Stone & Sky series, and how those maps expanded or changed as the story did.
A graphic encouraging you to follow for more book reviews and writing/publishing updates. Also, a thanks to the bookish space for being so welcoming. <3
The books Adam has published this year: COPPER SKIN, OAKEN LUNGS (post-apocalyptic fantasy) and AN AUTHOR'S GUIDE TO SETTING DESIGN: WORLDBUILDING & CARTOGRAPHY (eBook only) (non-fiction reference guide). The hardcover of AGSD is coming soon. The sequel to COPPER SKIN, OAKEN LUNGS is in editing, and a secret project is in an early concept phase.
Adam's favorite 6 books of 2026 so far, in no particular order: BOUDICCA'S DAUGHTER by Elodie Harper, THE WRECKING SQUAD by Nick Snape, DEATH SHOW COLOSSUS by Bill Adams, FIRE IN THE HEARTH by Steven Raaymakers, VISPILIO by Audrey D. DeBoer, and GHOST OF THE NEON GOD by TR Napper.
A graphic announcing Adam's mid-year (2026) reading & writing/publishing check-in.
A photo of Adam's books in a shipping box. Adam's sent more books to The Crafty Bookstore and Imaginary Adventures Bookshop.
AN AUTHOR'S GUIDE TO SETTING DESIGN is available in eBook now across all major eBook storefronts & at indie bookstore Lunar Books
An excerpt from AN AUTHOR'S GUIDE TO SETTING DESIGN: WORLDBUILDING & CARTOGRAPHY: "Adrian M. Gibson and his father designed his map of ā€œGreater Neo Kinokoā€ to be a road map from the beginning. "[It is] a roadmap for where my main character, Henrietta Hofmann, goes as she traverses the city in pursuit of answers to a brutal murder. Having the map of Neo Kinoko provides extra context for key locations, which also offered me a clearer sense of my charactersā€™ movements when writing." (Adrian M. Gibson) Adrian went in with clear goals [for the map]. In addition, the city is based on Tokyo c. 1990, which affected the way he planned out the shape of the city ... [also] inspired by 90s maps of Tokyo and the art of Hishikawa Moronobu."
Adam is attending the Local Author Open House at The Eloquent Page in St. Albans City Vermont on Saturday July 11.
A step-by-step explainer graphic for map commissions, with the first step being to contact Adam via email (provided on website). Most project prices begin at $300 USD but vary based on the complexity of it. No AI is used in the creation of Adam's maps.
A graphic featuring the left half of the DEAD MALLS mall directory map (lower level) with the DEAD MALLS by Darby Harn book cover art on the side.
A graphic showcasing the cover of COPPER SKIN, OAKEN LUNGS, a short fantasy novel by Adam Bassett. It contains horror elements, strong female leads, a blended family, immersive worldbuilding, a tight-knit small town, and a blend of magic & technology. Available on sale from Lunar Books. eBooks available worldwide, paperbacks on sale with delivery to Australia and New Zealand only.
A graphic that contains an excerpt from AN AUTHOR'S GUIDE TO SETTING DESIGN: "Making your own creation myth for the world can be a fun way to approach making itā€”thatā€™s exactly what Kate Korsak did for her series The Vellichor Epic. In a prologue to the first book, Guardian, Kate describes how the gods Adoni and Orisis share the responsibility of forging the world. "A war between the gods resulted in the loss of magic [previously granted by Adoni]. Orisis created and Adoni destroyed, and [the world] responded to that imbalance. As a result, the land itself fractured, and formed the many islands found during the time The Vellichor Epic takes place. The very shape of the land is a result of imbalance, and each of these islands has become a pocket of history where those who search for ancient magic can attempt to find it." (Kate Korsak)"
A map showcase of the fictional "Raoin Sea" illustrated by Adam Bassett for B.H. Pierce's UNDER A PIRATE FLAG. The map displays the political borders of a region around a central sea.
An excerpt from AN AUTHOR'S GUIDE TO SETTING DESIGN by Adam Bassett: "Atlantis was part of the inspiration for P.L. Stuartā€™s The Drowned Kingdom Saga. His version of the island, Atlantyx, casts a massive shadow across the books and informs many of the ways that the survivors interact throughout the series. "Part of the culture & religion of the new kingdom is very much based on the motherland [Atlantyx], interspersed with the native culture and religion of the continent where the new kingdom is established. Moreover, the main characterā€™s value systems and beliefs all originate in Atlantyx, and that plays a huge role in the series. So [the island] will always be in the forefront of the readerā€™s mind, even though itā€™s long gone by the time we get to book seven of the series." (P.L. Stuart)"
A graphic showcasing plates from Adam's June 2026 newsletter: AN AUTHOR'S GUIDE TO SETTING DESIGN is out now (eBook), his books are now available at a new indie shop, upcoming events in the US, Copper & Ash series updates and a sale on book 1, and a roundup of Adam's recent book reviews / indie author news.
A graphic showcasing the eBook of AN AUTHOR'S GUIDE TO SETTING DESIGN: WORLDBUILDING & CARTOGRAPHY, available across all major eBook retailers now. Hardcover edition coming later this year.
A graphic showcasing the cover art of AN AUTHOR's GUIDE TO SETTING DESIGN: WORLDBUILDING & CARTOGRAPHY, a non-fiction reference book on worldbuilding and map design for speculative fiction. The eBook is out tomorrow June 30, with hardcovers to follow later.
A graphic that showcases a snippett of AN AUTHOR'S GUIDE TO SETTING DESIGN: WORLDBUILDING & CARTOGRAPHY by Adam Bassett. Inside, this non-fiction reference book contains sections on worldbuilding, the life that exists in a setting, and map design for SFF. Artifexian (Edgar Grunewald) has praised it as "a must-have resource for authors." eBook out June 30, with hardcover editions coming soon.
A map of The Nine Kreisons of Ectair from THE ASCENDITURE by Robyn Dabney.
A map of Finlestia, Land of Tarrine from STONE & SKY by Z.S. Diamanti.
A map of Greater Neo Kinoko from MUSHROOM BLUES by Adrian M. Gibson.
A map of Helesia from the Godeater series by Rob J. Hayes.
A graphic showing all the books Adam read in June 2026: DEATH SHOW COLOSSUS by Bill Adams, GHOST OF THE NEON GOD by TR Napper, BUTCHER'S FOLLY by Nick Snape, and THIS IS HOW YOU LOSE THE TIME WAR by Amal El-Mohtar & Max Gladstone.
A graphic announcing that Adam will be at Dragonsteel Nexus 2026 in Salt Lake City, Utah, December 3ā€“5 as an exhibiting author.
AN AUTHOR'S GUIDE TO SETTING DESIGN, Adam's reference guide for worldbuilding and map design inspiration, is coming soon! You can pre-order it from select locations (more to come soon).
A step-by-step explainer graphic for map commissions, with the first step being to contact Adam via email (provided on website). Most project prices begin at $300 USD but vary based on the complexity of it. No AI is used in the creation of Adam's maps.
A graphic showcasing the full color general reference map Adam illustrated for SEED OF THE BLACK OAK by Christian Chiakulas of a wide peninsula lined by large mountain ranges.
A graphic featuring the book BUTCHER'S FOLLY by Nick Snape, which Adam recommends: "Butcherā€™s Folly takes things in a slightly different direction, balancing diplomacy and action, while expanding the universe. Itā€™s a worthy sequel to one of my favorite reads of 2026 (so far)." The full review is on the FanFiAddict blog.
A graphic showing chapter pages from AN AUTHOR'S GUIDE TO SETTING DESIGN: WORLDBUILDING & CARTOGRAPHY featuring illustrations by Marta Riva. The illustrations are of navigational equipment, a skull and luna moth, and some stones and sticks.
A graphic that showcases a snippett of AN AUTHOR'S GUIDE TO SETTING DESIGN: WORLDBUILDING & CARTOGRAPHY by Adam Bassett. Inside, this non-fiction reference book contains sections on worldbuilding, the life that exists in a setting, and map design for SFF. Artifexian (Edgar Grunewald) has praised it as "a must-have resource for authors." eBook out June 30, with hardcover editions coming soon.
A graphic showcasing Adam's book review of GHOST OF THE NEON GOD by TR Napper: "Ghost of the Neon God is a thrilling, contemplative, and atmospheric novella. Itā€™s a human story told through the lens of T.R. Napperā€™s gritty cyberpunk world." Full review on the FanFiAddict blog.
A graphic that showcases some character art by Ahmed Elgharabawy (Red Pharaoh) of the main characters from ANIMUS PARADOX.
A graphic showcasing the books ANIMUS PARADOX and DIGITAL EXTREMITIES, an which are available 15% off during June 14ā€“17, 2026 through Adam's direct storefront. Sale applies to both individual sales of ANIMUS PARADOX ($12.74 after discount) and bundle sales of the Digital Extremities series ($25.49 after discount). This is part of the Indieverse Awards Group Sale, which includes dozens of books available on sale. Paperback sales are US only.
A graphic showcasing the book DEATH SHOW COLOSSUS by Bill Adams, which Adam recommended: "Death Show Colossus is a brutal, action-packed story of survival and rebellion. Itā€™s got a lot of heart, and itā€™s quippy, and while it doesnā€™t break new groundā€”itā€™s not trying to. Itā€™s just a damn good time." Full review on FanFiAddict.
A graphic showcasing the book ANIMUS PARADOX, an action/thriller cyberpunk novel that's available for less than a dollar across all eBook storefronts during June 14ā€“17, 2026. This is part of the Indieverse Awards Group Sale, which includes dozens of books available on sale.