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Contemporary Fantasy

Contemporary fantasy is a subgenre that blends magical or supernatural elements with modern-day settings. These stories are typically set in the real world or a close analog, often taking place in familiar urban, suburban, or rural environments. The fantastical elements—whether they be magic, mythical beings, or alternate dimensions—exist alongside modern technology, culture, and social norms, creating an intriguing tension between the mundane and the mystical.

Distinct from urban fantasy, which tends to emphasize gritty cityscapes, action-driven plots, and often features a noir tone, contemporary fantasy encompasses a wider range of tones and locales. It may be whimsical, mysterious, eerie, or romantic, with magic often hidden from or subtly integrated into the everyday world. Protagonists are usually ordinary people who encounter or discover extraordinary aspects of reality.

This subgenre appeals to readers who enjoy seeing how magic might realistically manifest in the modern world. It offers a sense of wonder and possibility, using the contrast between the familiar and the fantastic to explore themes like identity, secrecy, belief, and transformation. Whether through magical realism, portal crossings, or supernatural investigations, contemporary fantasy invites us to look more closely at the hidden corners of our world.

What is Contemporary Fantasy?

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History 

Contemporary fantasy as a literary genre began gaining traction in the latter half of the 20th century. However, its origins can be traced to earlier speculative fiction that embedded the strange within familiar settings. Works like Shirley Jackson's The Haunting of Hill House (1959) and Ray Bradbury's Something Wicked This Way Comes (1962) paved the way for narratives where the magical creeps into the everyday.


The genre gained greater definition and popularity in the 1980s and 1990s, with authors such as Charles de Lint and Emma Bull pioneering modern fantasies set in urban and suburban environments. Their works explored the intersection of folklore, music, and myth with contemporary life, emphasising emotional depth and character-driven plots. Neil Gaiman’s Neverwhere (1996) and American Gods (2001) became milestones in modern fantasy, blending myth, magic, and social commentary.


By the early 21st century, contemporary fantasy had diversified into various subtypes, including cosy supernatural mysteries, coming-of-age stories with magical elements, and paranormal romances. Series like J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter (1997–2007) introduced readers to a hidden magical world parallel to the mundane, reinforcing the idea that magic might dwell just beyond the corner of everyday life.

Contemporary fantasy has since evolved to include a wide array of cultural voices and mythologies. Authors such as Nnedi Okorafor, Silvia Moreno-Garcia, and T.J. Klune have utilised the genre to explore identity, community, and the fantastical aspects of the modern experience. In film and television, stories like Stranger Things, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and The Magicians have brought contemporary fantasy to mass audiences, blending realism with the fantastical to significant effect.


Today, contemporary fantasy remains a vibrant, adaptive genre that offers fresh ways of reimagining the world. Its mix of realism and wonder continues to resonate with readers eager to believe that magic might live alongside the ordinary.

Tropes

  • Hidden Magic: Magical forces or beings exist secretly within the modern world.

  • Reluctant Protagonist: An ordinary person drawn into a supernatural or magical realm.

  • Supernatural Intrusion: The real world is disrupted by magical events or creatures.

  • Magical Realism: Subtle magic accepted as part of everyday life.

  • Secret Societies: Hidden groups that monitor or control magical phenomena.

  • Portal Locations: Mundane settings conceal gateways to magical dimensions.

  • Dual Worlds: Characters move between the real world and a hidden magical one.

Key Reads

  • Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman (1996, BBC Books)
    A dark, whimsical journey through a magical underground London.

  • American Gods by Neil Gaiman (2001, William Morrow)
    A mythic, multi-layered look at belief and divinity in modern America.

  • The Raven Cycle by Maggie Stiefvater (2012–2016, Scholastic Press)
    A blend of myth, magic, and friendship set in contemporary Virginia.

  • The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune (2020, Tor Books)
    A heartwarming tale about magical children and found family.

Writing Prompts

  1. A barista discovers they can hear the true thoughts of customers—but only on Tuesdays.

  2. A crumbling bookstore hides a portal to a world shaped by imagination.

  3. A town’s streetlights are powered by trapped will-o’-the-wisps.

  4. A teenager inherits a key that unlocks forgotten magical places across the city.

  5. A group of strangers receives mysterious invitations to a magical support group.

  6. A rideshare driver picks up a talking cat that won’t stop giving prophetic advice.

  7. An abandoned train station reactivates—and leads to a hidden world.

  8. A librarian discovers that the books in the special collection whisper real secrets.

  9. A family's heirloom mirror begins showing events from an alternate timeline.

  10. A school janitor is secretly protecting students from nightly incursions of magic.

  11. A new app grants wishes—but only after completing unsettling tasks.

  12. A child’s imaginary friend returns years later, claiming the world is ending.

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