Story and Structure tells the untold story of how story works. Using just six primary symbols, author Leon Conrad outlines eighteen story structures and shows how they all optimally solve the problems which give rise to them. The book also demonstrates the much wider application of story, presenting new insights into story as a dynamic force of life, allowing the reader to access more harmony and flow in their life. Writers, storytellers, creative writing teachers, folklorists, narrative therapists, anthropologists, poets, and readers interested in how story works will all find this book useful and informative. Rethink your idea of story. 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 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 A scholarly and intricately detailed analysis of the writing process. Joan Singleton, screenwriter/producer 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 An ideal textbook for Creative Writing courses and workshops ... unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community, and academic library Writing/Publishing instructional reference collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists. Midwest Book Review ... extraordinary book ... an enlightening read ... I highly recommend Leon Conrad's book Kajori Sheryl Paul, The Chrysalis BREW Project After reading this book, you will never see a story in the same way again. Loved it! Alice Bennett, Reedsy Discovery I resisted the impulse to eject the book through the nearest window, and pressed on. And I'm glad I did ... I would unreservedly recommend this book. John Issitt, Facts & Fiction Magazine A fascinating and often thought-provoking insight into the structure of storytelling. The Wishing Shelf Book Awards An interesting analysis of the story structure. I would recommend this book to new authors or English teachers wishing to develop a better understanding of how a story works. Wishing Shelf Award Reviewer, February 2023 It's always fascinating to look beyond the story to its origins and how it all works. I particularly liked the author's worldly approach to the subject. It's a little complex in parts so, if you happen to be a laymen on the subject, you'll need to work hard to keep up. But I was happy to do just that. Wishing Shelf Award Reviewer, February 2023 Excellent resource for novelists, poets, and teachers of creative writing. It's rather wordy, and it's not the sort of book you can just breeze through. I'd suggest pen, paper, and highlighter at the ready! It 's a fascinating study put together by an author who seems to not only know the subject, but revel in it. Wishing Shelf Award Reviewer, February 2023 The text is thought-provoking and enlightening. I learnt a lot reading this. Wishing Shelf Award Reviewer, February 2023 Winner of the IPNE Book of the Year Award 2022 ("incredibly ambitious... surprisingly accessible") Winner of the IPNE Information Nonfiction Award 2022 INDIES Book of the Year Award Finalist 2022 BREW Book Excellence Award New Book Award Winner 2023 BREW Book Excellence Award Nonfiction Book Award Winner 2023 ​​​Winner of a Storytelling World Award 2022 Winner of a Firebird Award for New Nonfiction Winner of a Gold Award for Writing from the Nonfiction Authors' Association IAN Book of the Year Awards Finalist Readers' Choice Book Awards Finalist ​Honourable Mention in the South Carolina Book Festival Awards Shortlisted for The People's Book Prize 2022 Leon Conrad is author of History Riddles, Odyssey: Dynamic Learning System (with David Pinto), and Aesop the Storyteller . He is a storyteller and story structure consultant, based in London, UK.