For the last few months, in amongst other happy commitments, I have been working on an exciting new project which is just about finished. Fearsome Journeys: The New Solaris Book of Fantasy is an anthology of adventure fantasy, with a slight emphasis on military fantasy and swords and sorcery. The working title for the book, Reap the Whirlwind, hinted at the energy I hoped to capture in the book, but Fearsome Journeys fits it best.
Here’s how Jonathan Oliver and the talented team at Solaris Books describe the anthology:
An amazing array of the most popular and exciting names in Fantasy are set to appear in the first in a brand new series of Fantasy anthologies featuring original fiction, from the master editor Jonathan Strahan. The authors appearing in the launch volume include Trudi Canavan, Elizabeth Bear, Daniel Abraham, Kate Elliott, Saladin Ahmed, Glen Cook, Scott Lynch, Ellen Klages, Ellen Kushner & Ysabeau Wilce, Jeffrey Ford, Robert Redick and KJ Parker.
I am delighted with the book, the stories, the cover, and the idea that this could potentially be the first in new semi-regular series of original fantasy anthologies. That, of course, will depend on how Fearsome Journeys does, but I’m very hopeful for it. And with publication in June, I’m working hard to get it finished and off to Jonathan & co.
Here’s the table of contents for the book (running order subject to change):
- Introduction, Jonathan Strahan
- “The Effigy Engine: A Tale of the Red Hatsâ€, Scott Lynch
- “Amethyst, Shadow, and Light “, Saladin Ahmed
- “Camp Followerâ€, Trudi Canavan
- “The Dragonslayer of Merebarton “, K J Parker
- “leaf and branch and grass and vineâ€, Kate Eliot
- “Spirits of Salt: A Tale of the Coral Heartâ€, Jeffrey Ford
- “Forever Peopleâ€, Robert V S Redick
- “Sponda the Suet Girl and the Secret of the French Pearlâ€, Ellen Klages
- “Shaggy Dog Bridge: A Black Company Storyâ€, Glen Cook
- “The Ghost Makersâ€, Elizabeth Bear
- “One Last, Great Adventureâ€, Ellen Kushner & Ysabeau Wilce
- “The High King Dreamingâ€, Daniel Abraham
All in all, I think it’s a terrific book. The publisher has put together a very handy page that allows you to pre-order the paperback or ebook editions from your preferred retailer. Pre-ordering is a good thing.
An intriguing set of authors you’ve got here, Jonathan. And if someone wanted to count heads, (and some people do), half female authors, roughly.
Also, some unexpected. Ellen Klages is not exactly the sort of author I’d expect in a volume like this–but that’s the sort of trick you’ve done before, as I recall. :)
This one looks great! I enjoyed Edge of Infinity and it will be fun to read an anthology with these authors focused on fantasy.
You had me at K.J. Parker, one of my favorite writers. The anthology looks great and I am glad to see another such collection from Solaris Books after their 2007 “The Solaris Book of New Fantasy”. I am looking forward to read your anthology, sir!
A new Black Company story? Count me in! Looking forward to reading this collection very much.