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Posted on Feb 21, 2025
What Is Cozy Fantasy? Definition and Popular Examples
Isabella Peralta
A writer and editor, Isabella coordinates "Prompts," Reedsy's weekly short story competition. Originally from the Philippines, she is a graduate of the University of Cambridge.
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Dario Villirilli
Managing Editor of the Reedsy blog, Dario is a graduate of Mälardalen University. As a freelance writer, he has written for many esteemed outlets aimed at writers. A traveler at heart, he can be found roaming the world and working from his laptop.
View profile →Cozy fantasy is a subgenre of fantasy that focuses on comforting, low-stakes storytelling. Recently, the publishing industry has seen a boom in demand for these healing, whimsical tales, so your favorite bookstore probably carries a few in-demand titles — if not an entire table or shelf’s worth.
In this post, we’ll look into the main elements of cozy fantasy, as well as some popular examples for anyone hoping to snuggle up with a hot beverage and craft their own cozy fantasy story!
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What is cozy fantasy?
Cozy fantasy centers around lighter fantasy stories that highlight character journeys over epic adventures. Readers of this subgenre look for slow-paced, feel-good reading experiences that dive into relationship-building, community, and positive, slice-of-life vibes. They offer the perfect fictional escape from the everyday stresses of the world.
The term “cozy fantasy” has surged in popularity recently because of — surprise, surprise — BookTok, Bookstagram, and other online reading communities. With bestselling books such as Travis Baldree’s Legends & Lattes in the spotlight, cozy fantasy is currently having its moment and isn’t going away anytime soon.
Comforting, low-stakes fantasy books, however, have been around for decades. For example, Diana Wynne Jones’ Howl's Moving Castle, which inspired the renowned Hayao Miyazaki film of the same name, was published back in 1986. Now, decades later, readers around the world can’t seem to get enough of cozy fantasy.
Whether you’re looking for your next slice-of-life read or want to write your own story, read on to find out more about the key elements of this popular subgenre.
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The 5 main elements of cozy fantasy
Cozy fantasies, when stripped to their bare bones, are essentially fantasy stories, so they must contain otherworldly elements, a fantastical setting, and a magic system. But what differentiates a book like Legends & Lattes from an epic high fantasy novel such as The Lord of the Rings? Let’s take a deeper look…
1. Give your story low stakes
Readers who turn to cozy fantasy expect a safe space and a comforting atmosphere. You won’t find any perilous battles, gruesome events, or world-altering quests here! Instead of tense scenes, expect moments of whimsy, joy, and small victories.
Q: How can I ensure my magic system has consistent internal logic and limitations?
Suggested answer
The first thing to do is, simply, keep track of everything you write down in relation to your magic system. Especially if you're a 'pantser', you may not have thought a great deal about your magic system in advance (and that's fine), but set up a spot where you can note down everything you establish as you draft. This can be as informal as a notebook at your desk or as formal as an excel sheet, but keeping track of what your characters are doing and what the magic system is guided by/how your magic system works can save you a lot of time in advance, especially if you make sure to note down where rules are established so that you can refer back to them.
As you keep notes, don't limit yourself to the 'rules'--write down those rules, certainly, but also right down the effects of spells/magic, the ingredients/steps to making something happen or change within your magic system, how characters react or sense magic, how the world governs (or fails to govern) magic use, and anything else that comes up in relation to the magic system. Writing all of this down will help you keep in mind the history of what you've written as you're compiling this informal style sheet for your magic system, and you may even manage to head off contradictions before they get drafted into your novel.
Then, hire a developmental editor. Writers are close to their novels, and especially when a magic system is being established, there's a good chance you'll be too close to the worldbuilding and magic to see small slips in logic and any limitations which will prove to be issues. That's where a developmental editor comes in. Especially if you're moving into a series or writing a stand-alone, hiring a good developmental editor with experience in SFF can be incredibly helpful. And if you're writing a series, you may not need them to chime in on the second/third/fourth book in your series, but having had their input on the first book, prior to publication, will save you a world of headaches as you keep developing the system forward.
Jennifer is available to hire on Reedsy ⏺
To keep a magic system in place consistently, decide its rules, limits, and cost in advance and stick to them throughout the story. Consider the consequences of how magic affects society, culture, and character choices—magic must have its price. Avoid using magic as a plot convenience; challenges must be met through real effort or cleverness within the system.
Consistency also derives from being careful with exceptions: if it is going to break a rule, it must have a clear, credible motivation. Well-constructed systems feel real because characters behave within its limitations, and readers can expect how it influences conflict and resolution.
John is available to hire on Reedsy ⏺
While cozy fantasies do have challenges, they’re always of the personal, smaller-scale kind. Your characters won’t be facing any life-or-death situations; instead, their struggles would probably be centered around everyday — yet still important — things, from managing a small business or navigating a relationship to solving a local mystery.
Example: The Tea Dragon Society
If you're looking for a charming, low-stakes story with gorgeous illustrations, look no further than The Tea Dragon Society by Katie O'Neill, which offers a whimsical fictional world in which dragons grow tea leaves. These tiny tea dragons are cared for and cultivated by their kind owners, and the novel mainly centers around a young blacksmith apprentice named Greta who becomes friends with a group of these individuals. While learning about their traditions and the importance of friendship and caring for others, Greta starts to question her role in the family business and starts considering a life beyond blacksmithing. Not quite a heart-pumping challenge, but still very meaningful and relatable to anyone who’s ever felt lost in life.
2. Keep it lighthearted and whimsical
For a cozy fantasy to stand out, it shouldn’t just have a relatable protagonist or compelling setting — it also needs unique, fanciful elements to keep readers engaged! Talking creatures or enchanted homes, for example, can set a cozy fantasy apart from so many other similar titles by adding a sense of fun and wonder without overcomplicating the plot.
Q: What's your number one tip for authors dealing with burnout or writer’s block?
Suggested answer
Refill your creative well! Go watch TV, listen to your favorite songs, play a video game—do whatever you need to do to separate yourself from the book, even if only for a little bit. I've found that a small bit of distance can go a long way towards combating burnout/writer's block.
However, if the block is extremely pervasive (and you're not on deadline), it can also be helpful to briefly shelve a book and work on something that doesn't make you want to slam your head against the wall!
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My number-one tip to combat writer's block is to experiment.
Whatever routine you've built for yourself as a writer, try getting out of that routine and see how it affects your ability to write.
If you normally write on your desktop computer, try using a tablet or even writing longhand. Maybe the blank page is affecting you, and dictation will be something worth trying. If you normally write at night after everyone else in your family has gone to bed, try getting up early and writing then, or even snatching breaks during the day for writing time. If you write in longer chunks of time at home, try a coffee shop or restaurant, or if you like to write in coffee shops, try writing at home or in a local park. If you normally write in silence, try putting on music in the background.
Generally speaking, routine is a good thing for most writers, but some books/ideas demand a change of pace, and since we as writers change by virtue of changing as people and growing in our craft, that sometimes mean a routine will change.
Jennifer is available to hire on Reedsy ⏺
When writer's block or burnout arrives, move away from the page without shame. Creativity is not a faucet but a well that must be refilled. Do something that reminds you why you love about stories to begin with: Take a walk, read a treasured book, watch a film that moves you, or simply sleep. Inspiration has a way of returning once you stop trying to make it happen. Be kind to yourself in the process—writing is done most naturally when you permit your mind and spirit to gasp for air.
John is available to hire on Reedsy ⏺
Take a break from the project and do something relaxing that gives you pleasure, especially something physical like a long walk. Sometimes, if you stop thinking about a book, you'll find ideas pop into your head anyway. I'd also advise doing a rough plan of how you see the next part of your book progressing -- this will make the actual writing part easier and less stressful.
John is available to hire on Reedsy ⏺
Another way cozy fantasy keeps it playful is by incorporating subtle or quirky humor. Certain characters might have an eccentric sense of humor, for instance, or the main character might engage in playful banter or experience a series of unexpected magical mishaps. Don’t forget: one of the main goals for a cozy fantasy story is to make readers smile and provide a relaxing, comforting reading experience, even when things aren’t always going according to plan!
Example: Howl’s Moving Castle
In Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones, the overall vibe of the novel is light and playful — there’s an unpredictable, constantly roaming castle in here, after all! And in addition to the book’s other fanciful elements, such as its magic door that opens to various locations and the fire demon Calcifer, who is bound to the castle's hearth, the interactions between characters such as Sophie and Howl are filled with charming lines and witty banter (Howl can be quite self-absorbed, which irks Sophie to no end!).
Howl himself is a memorable character in the cozy fantasy subgenre, with his dramatic personality, magical quirks, and combination of both arrogance and vulnerability.
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3. Focus on growth or healing
Even though cozy fantasies are primarily fanciful, low-risk stories, that doesn’t mean they can’t have characters who undergo transformative journeys! You can still have a protagonist who grows and heals from internal struggles — without the requirement to fight a dragon or save an entire village.
Characters who strive to overcome past traumas, discover who they are, and find peace within themselves or their surroundings are just what a cozy fantasy needs. Readers expect a gentle unfolding of life lessons or self-discovery, and it’s all the more satisfying by the end of a cozy fantasy if the protagonist they’ve been rooting for finally achieves their dreams and changes for the better.
Example: Rewitched
Rewitched emphasizes the theme of growth in a way that feels nurturing, rewarding, and comforting — perfect for readers looking for stories where healing happens not in spite of, but because of, the journey itself.
4. Emphasize a sense of community
There are certain kinds of novels out there that focus on an individual’s long, solitary path to self-betterment — and cozy fantasy isn’t one of them! Much like writing, one’s journey to improvement shouldn’t be a solitary act. In fact, a close-knit community should actually be a driving force for a protagonist, helping them grow, heal, and learn even more than they would have on their own!
That’s why you’ll often see towns, villages, or communities in cozy fantasies with people who are warm, welcoming, and — despite their quirks — care deeply about everyone around them. Having kooky (yet well-intentioned!) friends, neighbors, or supporting characters is notably a great way to create a sense of belonging and comfort. In fact, in cozy fantasy, there’s a genuine sense that no one is ever truly alone, and both the protagonist and the reader can feel safe and reassured, knowing that they’re in good hands (and company).
Q: What are false stakes in storytelling, and how do I avoid them?
Suggested answer
False stakes occur when a story presents a threat or punishment that doesn't really affect the characters or the story. Readers are told something is crucial, but nothing changes when it's resolved or ignored. It releases tension and kills trust. To avoid false stakes, make each threat relate directly to your main character's goals, connections, or personal growth. If they fail, there must be an outcome worth achieving—emotional, physical, or moral. Actual stakes have long-term consequences, even in a passing moment. Rather than crafting random danger or melodrama, link the stakes to the character's greatest desire or fear. When it matters to them, it will matter to the reader.
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Example: Legends & Lattes
Will Viv find success in the business of her dreams, or will she have to give it all up and spend the rest of her days fighting until she dies in battle, the way other orcs before her have gone? You’ll have to read to find out!
5. Have a happy ending
It wouldn’t make sense for a comforting, heartwarming read to end on a sad note, now would it? Cozy fantasies need a satisfying conclusion as much as they need all the other elements previously listed — so personal struggles should be overcome, relationships should be mended or strengthened, and the world should seem brighter, more peaceful, and more hopeful. Every cozy fantasy needs to leave readers with a warm, uplifting feeling of joy and contentedness.
Example: The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches
Mika also pursues her dream of starting a magical tea shop, which quickly becomes a success. By the end of the novel, there’s a huge celebration, and Mika happily reflects on how her life has changed in just a few months. A sweet ending to a sweet story!
Now, you’re all set with a deeper understanding of cozy fantasy, including its growing appeal, essential elements, and notable works in mostly contemporary literature. For anyone feeling inspired to write their own cozy fantasy, check out our free course on creating captivating fantasy fiction. Wishing you the best of luck with your writing journey!
