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Finalist in
The People’s Book Prize 2022

With a breathtakingly simple and yet profound handful of symbols, Conrad has created a flexible and precise system for analyzing the inner structure of stories. With this lens he lays bare the absolute essence of all the imaginable story forms, from fairy tales and quest stories to tragedies, riddles and koans. It’s a powerful tool for storytellers and scholars and will change forever how you view the simple but profound act of saying “Once upon a time..”

Christopher Vogler,
Author of The Writer's Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers

Winner in the New Book Category

BREW Book Excellence Awards, 2023

Winner in the Non-fiction Category

BREW Book Excellence Awards, 2023

Winner of a Seal of Excellence

BREW Book Excellence Awards, 2023

“incredibly ambitious ...
... surprisingly accessible.”

IPNE Book of the Year 2022

Winner
Book of the Year Award
Informational Nonfiction Award Winner

IPNE Awards

“Better Books For a Better World”

Nautilus Book Awards

Silver Award Winner

Creativity & Innovation: Writing category

Nautilus Book Awards

Leon Conrad takes readers around the world to look at eighteen distinct story structures – from Quest to Tricksters,
from Rags-to-Riches to Death-and-Rebirth.
The idea that stories can be mapped using six symbols is fascinating.
Yes, there are rules and laws that govern every story that’s ever been told.
Anyone who loves to read stories – or loves to write them – will find much to learn and amuse in STORY AND STRUCTURE

Lisa See, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author

Photo: Asís G. Ayerbe - Wikimedia Commons

Firebird
Book Award Winner 2022

New Nonfiction Category

A scholarly and intricately detailed analysis
of the writing process

Joan Singleton

Screenwriter/producer

2022 Nonfiction Authors’ Association (NFA)
Nonfiction Book Awards

Gold Winner

Readers’ Choice
Book Awards
Bronze Award Winner

November 2022

2022 Independent Author Network (IAN)
Book of the Year Awards
Finalist

November 2022

2022 Foreword INDIES
Book of the Year Awards
Finalist

March 2023

Conrad spent years doing the heavy lifting of studying classic texts from around the world and pulling out the narrative and structural rules that any writer needs to know. Buy this book, read it, study it and write better stories inspired by the classic themes and structures.

Rich Krevolin

Filmmaker, playwright, artist, story lover

... unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community, and academic library Writing/Publishing instructional reference collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists.

Internet Bookwatch - Jim Cox Report

November 2022

extraordinary book ... twenty-two detailed chapters ... a simple and easy-to-understand visualization of story structures
Leon Conrad is passionate about stories ... He effortlessly depicts the link between stories and life. His dedication ... is evident. Nobody can deny that the book is well-researched.
The way Conrad uses story structures to analyze poetic forms ... is admirable.
One of my favorite chapters in this book would be the one on tragedy ... Conrad includes three original stories in this section. Though short, the stories rang a bell for me. This is a testament to Conrad’s talent as an author. I would love to read some of his fiction stories.
... an enlightening read ... bound to teach you a lot about stories and life.
The thought-provoking illustrations by Jason Chuang add a special edge to this special book.
I highly recommend Leon Conrad’s book to writers and academics.
Overall rating: 5 out of 5

Book review excerpt | Kajori Sheryl Paul | The Chrysalis BREW Project

January 2023