title: Writer's Complete Fantasy Reference: An Indispensible Compendium of Myth and Magic
author: Writers Digest
description: The fantasy writer has a lot to keep track of: fantasy cultures and races, magic, mythological creatures, unusual punishments, castles and fortifications, and more. Plus, though fantasy writing "must be grounded in both truth and life experience if it is to work," says Terry Brooks (<i><a href="/exec/obidos/ASIN/0345379632/${0}">A Knight of the Word</a></i>) in his introduction here, it must also be "as inventive and creative as the writer can make it." Find your groundedness elsewhere. This is the place to turn for all the other stuff. Need a refresher on the difference between <i>aleuromancy</i> (fortune cookies) and <i>alomancy</i> (fortune-telling by salt)? Can't remember the term for starting a new witches' coven (hiving off)? Need a glossary of particularly gruesome punishments from the Middle Ages? It's all here, and more. With illustrations of architectural structures, Maori weapons, and various types of dress and armor; and references to many more sources, should you crave even greater detail. <i>--Jane Steinberg</i>
zlib_text: This Ace Fantasy Book contains the complete text of the original trade
  edition.
  
  
  It has been completely reset in a typeface designed for easy reading, and was
  printed from new film.
  
  
  MYTH DIRECTIONS
  
  
  An Ace Fantasy Book / published by arrangement with Starblaze Editions of The
  Donning Company / Publishers PRINTING HISTORY
  
  
  Starblaze edition published 1982
  
  
  Ace edition / June 1985
  
  
  Second printing / September 1985
  
  
  All rights reserved.
  
  
  Copyright © 1982 by Robert L. Asprin
  
  
  Cover art by Walter Velez
  
  
  This book may not be reproduced in whole or in part, by mimeograph or any
  other means, without permission.
  
  
  For information address: The Donning Company/Publishers 5659 Virginia Beach
  Blvd., Norfolk, Virginia 23502.
  
  
  ISBN: 0-441-55527-6
  
  
  Ace Fantasy Books are published by The Berkley Publishing Group, 200 Madison
  Avenue, New York, New York 10016.
  
  
  PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Chapter One:
  
  
  "Dragons and Demons and Kings,
  
  
  Oh my!"
  
  
  —THE COWARDLY KLAHD
  
  
  "THIS place