Howard, creator of Conan the Barbarian, and J. R. R. Tolkein, who captivated readers worldwide with The Lord of the Rings; and such contemporary masters of the craft as Terry Pratchett, Michael Moorcock, David Eddings, David Gemmell, Tanith Lee, and Ursula K. LeGuin. Compiled by Mike Ashley, the esteemed editor of the popular Mammoth Comic Fantasy trilogy, this new Mammoth anthology explores the realms of the bizarre, extraordinary, and impossible in more than two dozen ingeniously fashioned tales. Among them stand such classics as Theodore Sturgeon's "Yesterday Was Monday," in which a man wakes to discover he has lost more than a Tuesday; Cleveland Moffett's "The Mysterious Card," a tale chillingly and brilliantly contrived out of opposing perceptions; and "The Wall Around the World," Theodore Cogswell's story of a young boy who masters flight in order to escape the world that has entrapped him. Offering a wide and varied selection of fantasy tales, Mike Ashley's newest anthology promises adventures, journeys, passages, and quests sure to delight readers of every type of fantasy fiction—from the ardent fans of J. R. R. Tolkein to the exuberant followers of Harry Potter.

    The editor selected by SFWA's anthology committee (chaired by Mike Resnick) is two-time Nebula winner, Catherine Asaro. This year's volume includes stories and excerpts by Connie Willis, Jo Walton, Kij Johnson, Geoff Ryman, John Clute, Carolyn Ives Gilman, Ferrett Steinmetz, Ken Liu, Nancy Fulda, Delia Sherman, Amal El-Mohtar, C. S. E. Cooney, David Goldman, Katherine Sparrow, E. Lily Yu, and Brad R. Torgersen.Contents11 • A Harmony of Thoughts • (2013) • essay by Catherine Asaro29 • The Paper Menagerie • (2011) • shortstory by Ken Liu43 • The Ice Owl • [The Twenty Planets] • (2011) • novella by Carolyn Ives Gilman91 • Ado • (1988) • shortstory by Connie Willis100 • The Migratory Pattern of Dancers • (2011) • novelette by Katherine Sparrow121 • Peach-Creamed Honey • (2010) • poem by Amal El-Mohtar (variant of Peach Creamed Honey)123 • The Axiom of Choice • (2011) • shortstory by David W. Goldman149 • Club Story • (2011) • essay by John Clute157 • What We Found • (2011) • novelette by Geoff Ryman188 • Among Others (excerpt) • (2011) • shortfiction by Jo Walton206 • Movement • (2011) • shortstory by Nancy Fulda217 • Sauerkraut Station • (2011) • novelette by Ferrett Steinmetz267 • The Cartographer Wasps and the Anarchist Bees • (2011) • shortstory by E. Lily Yu277 • Ray of Light • (2011) • novelette by Brad R. Torgersen299 • The Freedom Maze (excerpt) • (2011) • shortfiction by Delia Sherman327 • The Sea King's Second Bride • (2010) • poem by C. S. E. Cooney334 • The Man Who Bridged the Mist • (2011) • novella by Kij Johnson405 • 2012 Nebula Awards Winners, Nominees, and Honorees • essay by uncredited409 • Past Nebula Awards Winners • essay by uncredited

    Answers the demand for new Dragonlance tales and reunites many of the writers of the first Tales series, including Douglas Niles, Richard A. Knaak, Nancy Varian Berberick, and others.

    Some of the legendary monsters are funny and mischievous, others are downright frightening, and a number of them are wild and unpredictable. There's a dragon made of ice, another that takes refuge in the General Post Office, a scaly creature that carries off the largest elephant in a zoo, and even a dragon whose gentle purring comforts a tiny tot.And who challenges these amazing creatures? Why, daring heroes, of course, as well as a wicked prince, and even an entire soccer team — which, unfortunately, meets its fate with a fire-breathing brute that flies out of the pages of an enchanted book.E. (Edith) Nesbit (1858–1924) was one of the pioneers of fantasy fiction for children. Her classic novels — such as The Railway Children and Five Children and It — have remained popular for more than a century. 24 illustrations.

    Determined warriors, hideous creatures, wicked sorceries, tricksy villains and cunning lovers abound as fantasy’s finest imaginations do their best and their worst. James Barclay reveals the origins of his elite mercenary band The Raven, Adrian Tchaikovsky unveils new aspects of the realm of the Apt, Tanith Lee, Joe Abercrombie, Storm Constantine, Stan Nicholls, Juliet E McKenna and more weave their magic as only they can. Produced in cooperation with the David Gemmell Awards, Legends will, in part, act as a fund-raiser for the awards. Steel yourself, throw caution to the wind, and dare to enter the realm of Legends: Contents:1. Introduction – Stan Nicholls2. Or So Legend has It – James Barclay3. A Blade to the Heart – Gaie Sebold4. Return to Arden Falls – Ian Whates5. The Drake Lords of Kyla – Storm Constantine6. A Tower of Arkrondurl – Tanith Lee7. Who Walks With Death – Jonathan Green8. Skipping Town – Joe Abercrombie9. The Land of the Eagle – Juliet E. McKenna10. All Hail to the Oak – Anne Nicholls11. Swords and Circle – Adrian Tchaikovsky 12. Fairyland – Jan Siegel13. Mountain Tea – Sandra Unerman14. The League of Resolve – Stan Nicholls15. About the Authors

    The table of contents has been slightly modified: "Phalaenopsis" has been replaced by "Her Mother's Ghosts," which first appeared in 2004 in The Rose and Twelve Petals and Other Stories, released by Small Beer Press."The Rose in Twelve Petals""Professor Berkowitz Stands on the Threshold""The Rapid Advance of Sorrow""Lily, With Clouds""Miss Emily Gray""In the Forest of Forgetting""Sleeping with Bears""Letters from Budapest""The Wings of Meister Wilhelm""Conrad""A Statement in the Case""Death Comes for Ervina""The Belt""Her Mother's Ghosts""Pip and the Fairies""Lessons with Miss Gray"

    ColemanJamaica • novelette by Orson Scott CardAudition • short story by Steve PerryBack Door Magic • [A Witch & Familiar Situation • 1] • short story by Phaedra Weldon [as by Phaedra M. Weldon]Occupational Hazard • [Harry the Book] • short story by Mike ResnickTies That Bind • short story by Annie ReedHostile Takeover • short story by Nina Kiriki HoffmanA Different Way into the Life • short story by Jay LakeDisaster Relief • [Winston & Ruby] • short fiction by Kristine Kathryn RuschKidPro • short story by Laura Anne GilmanStocks and Bondage • novelette by Esther M. FriesnerThe Keeper of the Morals • novelette by Dean Wesley SmithCosmic Balances Inc. • short story by Kristine Kathryn Rusch [as by Kristine Grayson]Theobroma • juvenile • [Young Wizards] • novelette by Diane DuaneChocolate Alchemy • (2007) • short story by Lisa SilverthorneNo Rest for the Wicked • [Trick Molloy] • short story by Michael A. Stackpole

    They are sword-wielding defenders or sorcerous spell-casters - roles too often considered the exclusive province of men.In 26 original stories of bold and talented women, Diana Paxson, Deborah Wheeler, Elisabeth Waters, Adrienne Martine-Barnes and their fellow word-weavers lead their readers through bespelled realms of the imagination into dangers both physical and sorcerous, where all the powers of Avalon lie in a woman's hands...a talisman of love can banish a demon's deadly threat...an otherworldly hunter catches different game than she bargained for...a mother's scorn begets a daughter's magic...The Bargain • (1997) • short story by Laura J. UnderwoodThe Impression of Power • (1997) • short story by Lee MartindaleThe Naming of Names • (1997) • short story by Adrienne Martine-BarnesChangelings • (1997) • short story by Diana L. PaxsonDeath-Hunt • (1997) • short story by Raul ReyesA Single Soul • (1997) • short story by Deborah WheelerThe Needle and the Sword • (1997) • short story by Jessie D. EakerSmall Considertions • (1997) • short story by Judith Fielder LeggettIf You Can't Stand the Heat… • (1997) • short story by P.E. CunninghamSilver Bands • (1997) • short story by Syne MitchellThe Hand of a Lady • (1997) • short story by Anne CutrellTo Have and To Hold • (1997) • short story by K.D. BarnesA Knight on Tower Hill • (1997) • short story by Kathrina BoodThe Longest Night • (1997) • short story by Lisa S. SilverthorneBlood Moon • (1997) • novelette by Cynthia WardBy the Skin of her Teeth • (1997) • short story by Heather Rose JonesFriends in High Places • (1997) • short fiction by Christina KruegerThe Blade of Unmaking • (1997) • novelette by Elisabeth WatersThe Stone-Weaver's Tale • (1997) • short story by Cynthia McQuillinThe Hollow Dancer • (1997) • short story by Mary Soon LeeLa Faie Suiateih • (1997) • short story by Lisa DeasonVengeance • (1997) • short story by Dorothy J. HeydtThe Moongate Troll • (1997) • short story by Patricia Duffy NovakLifestone • (1997) • short story by Mary CatelliWhite Elephants • (1997) • short story by Christopher KempkeTraveler's Aide • (1997) • short story by Kathi ThompsonAfterword: The Last Word (Sword & Sorceress XIV) • (1997) • essay by Rachel E. Holmen

    The bestselling Sword and Sorceress series continues with this exciting 20th edition of all-new stories. It's all here: hard-hitting action, spellbinding magic, butt-kicking heroines... and some of the most popular names in fantasy today.

    Campbell Award for Best New Writer, Locus Awards for Best Novella and Best Critic, and numerous other awards. Twenty-four of his 30 books are still in print, in 10 languages. His short work has appeared in magazines around the planet, from Omni and Analog to Xhurnal Izobretatel i Rationalizator (Moscow), and in numerous anthologies. His most recent books are the novels Callahan's Key, and The Free Lunch.Contents:God Is an Iron (1979)In the Olden Days (1984)Local Champ (1979)Melancholy Elephants (1982)Not Fade Away (1982)Orphans of Eden (1996)Rubber Soul (1982)Soul Search (1979)Stardance (1977) with Jeanne RobinsonThe Magnificent Conspiracy (1977)

    Legends persist of their presence, and this collection of stories muse on the Knights' arrival at history's turning points to guide destiny in Good's eternal war against Evil. Original.1 • Introduction (Crusade of Fire: Mystical Tales of the Knights Templar) • essay by Katherine Kurtz7 • White Knights • novelette by Katherine Kurtz36 • Interlude One • essay by uncredited40 • Harvest of Souls • novelette by Deborah Turner Harris75 • Interlude Two • essay by uncredited77 • In the Presence of Mine Enemies • novelette by Susan Shwartz106 • Interlude Three • essay by uncredited109 • The Last Voyage • novelette by Patricia Kennealy-Morrison148 • Interlude Four • essay by uncredited150 • Bones of Contention • novelette by Richard Woods185 • Interlude Five • essay by uncredited186 • Occam's Treasure • novelette by Robert Reginald216 • Interlude Six • essay by uncredited217 • Stella Maris • novelette by Scott MacMillan254 • Interlude Seven • essay by uncredited256 • Sleeping Kings • novella by Debra Doyle and James D. Macdonald280 • A Partial Templar Bibliography (Crusade of Fire: Mystical Tales of the Knights Templar) • essay by uncredited282 • About the Authors (Crusade of Fire: Mystical Tales of the Knights Templar) • essay by uncredited

    Anderson has cleared away the dross and shown us the golden roots of fantasy before it became a genre.”–Michael Moorcock, author of The Eternal ChampionMany of today’s top names in fantasy acknowledge J.R.R. Tolkien as the author whose work inspired them to create their own epics. But which writers influenced Tolkien himself? In a collection destined to become a classic in its own right, internationally recognized Tolkien expert Douglas A. Anderson, editor of The Annotated Hobbit, has gathered the fiction of the many gifted authors who sparked Tolkien’s imagination. Included are Andrew Lang’s romantic swashbuckler “The Story of Sigurd,” which features magic rings and a ferocious dragon; an excerpt from E. A. Wyke-Smith’s The Marvelous Land of Snergs, about creatures who were precursors to Tolkien’s hobbits; and a never-before-published gem by David Lindsay, author of A Voyage to Arcturus, a novel that Tolkien praised highly both as a thriller and as a work of philosophy, religion, and morality.In stories packed with magical journeys, conflicted heroes, and terrible beasts, this extraordinary volume is one that no fan of fantasy or Tolkien should be without. These tales just might inspire a new generation of creative writers.

    In all of fantasy's far-flung realms, women of power - whether trained in the ways of the warrior or in the deepest secrets of sorcery - rally against those who seek to conquer and enslave.Join today's most visionary fantasy writers - Mercedes Lackey, Diana Paxson, Josepha Sherman, and their comrades in words - as they lead you on quests for:shape-changers who prowl the night in search of unsuspecting prey;a sword whose cost could prove far greater than gold;a dragon whose magic may seem more of a curse than a blessing - and countless other adventures where one miscast spell or off-target arrow could see the forces of darkness invading all the magic's lands...Introduction (Sword And Sorceress IX) • (1992) • essay by Marion Zimmer BradleySlave to the Sword • (1992) • short story by Tanya BeatyShadows Do Not Bleed • (1992) • short story by Bruce D. ArthursBeastly! • (1992) • short story by Lynne Armstrong-JonesPiper • (1992) • short story by Susan Hanniford CrowleyStopthrust • (1992) • short story by Diana L. PaxsonElynne Dragonchild • (1992) • short story by Phil BrucatoFreeing Souls • (1992) • short story by Lisa DeasonBlademistress • (1992) • short story by Jessie D. EakerSorcerers' Gate • (1992) • short story by Patricia Duffy NovakThe Birthday Gift • (1992) • short story by Elisabeth WatersTangled Webs • (1992) • short story by Laura J. UnderwoodWinterwood • (1992) • short story by Stephanie D. ShaverRed Wings • (1992) • short story by Josepha ShermanAbove the Ground • (1992) • short story by Eric HainesOn a Night Like Any Other • (1992) • short story by Mark TompkinsA Woman's Weapon • (1992) • short story by Mercedes LackeyBehind the Waterfall • (1992) • short story by Mary FreyHoard • (1992) • short story by Steven PiziksQueen of the Dead • (1992) • short story by Dorothy J. HeydtThe Flower that Does Not Wither • (1992) • short story by Dave SmedsTo Have and to Hold • (1992) • short story by Linda GordonThe Catalyst • (1992) • short story by Lee Ann MartinsBreaking Walls • (1992) • short story by Leslie Ann MillerThe Enchanted Frog • (1992) • novelette by Cynthia L. WardThe Price of the Gods • (1992) • short story by Roxana PiersonTiger's Eye • (1992) • short fiction by Syne Mitchell

    Here are 25 tales created especially for this volume by some of today's most imaginative crafters of the fantastic.WOODWORK – Humor and ingenuity are part of the job requirementsThe Forest's Not for Burning by Katherine Lawrence"I'll Give You Three Wishes...." by Kevin Andrew MurphyThe Triple Death by Ken St. AndreOut of the Woods by Lawrence Watt-EvansSPEAKING WORDS – The view from the branchesViridescence by Connie HirschFiat Silva by Jack OakleyWeeds by Brook West and Julia H. WestBenbow by Nancy EtchemendyINHERITANCES – Different dances to a single tuneThe Prism of Memory by Jo ClaytonThe Force That Through the Green Fuse by Mark KreighbaumMy Soul Into the Boughs by Teresa EdgertonTHE SCARS OF WAR – Echoes in flesh and woodThese Shoes Strangers Have Died Of by Bruce Holland RogersThe Clearing by Lois TiltonVICTORIAN VARIATIONS – New shoots from an old trunkHow the Ant Made a Bargain by Karawynn LongIn Fear of Little Nell by Gregory FeeleyTHE NEW WORLD THAT NEVER WAS – Branchings from historyWood Song by Kate DanielVirginia Woods by Janni Lee SimnerIMPOSSIBLE LOVES – Joy comes in many shapesTies of Love short fiction by Lawrence SchimelThe Heart of the Forest by Dave SmedsHoly Ground by Thomas S. RocheGhostwood novelette by Michelle WestSANCTUARY – There is danger in the Forest but also peaceThe Monsters of Mill Creek Park novelette by Susan ShwartzThe Memory of Peace novelette by Kate ElliottEverything Has a Place by Barbara A. DenzTrees Perpetual of Sleep by Nina Kiriki Hoffman

    Valente, and many others. Selecting the best fiction from Asimov's, F&SF, Strange Horizons, Subterranean, Tor.com, and other top venues, The Year's Best Science Fiction & Fantasy is your guide to magical realms and worlds beyond tomorrow.