New authors and collections. Somewhere between epic historical fantasy, sword and sorcery and Tolkien-esque fantasy exists a thick vein of storytelling that would make Robert E Howard and H.G. Wells proud. Following the great success of our Gothic Fantasy, deluxe edition short story compilations, Ghosts, Horror, Science Fiction, Murder Mayhem and Crime & Mystery we present a compilation of savage swordplay, and high magic, of daring deeds and gaudy battles, in a blazing mix of classic and brand new writing, with authors from the US, Canada, and the UK. New, contemporary and notable writers featured are: Susan Murrie Macdonald, Beth Dawkins, Kate O'Connor, Voss Foster, Joanna Michal Hoyt, Lauren C. Teffeau, A. Creg Peters, Alexandra Renwick, Amy Power Jansen, Tony Pi, Therese Arkenberg , David Busboom, Erin Gitchell, M. Elizabeth Ticknor, Zach Chapman, and Michael Haynes. These appear alongside classic stories by authors such as Homer, John Buchan, A. Merritt, William Morris, and Clark Ashton Smith.

George R.R. Martin drew on Tolkien, who was inspired by William Morris, Medieval epics, and Norse mythology. This new collection of epic fantasy tales explores the classic themes of good vs evil, the low-born hero, and the arrogant overlord, and laced them with a taste of sorcery that reaches back to the early sources, and stirs them in with the brand new storytellers of today. This new title in our successful Gothic Fantasy Short Stories collection contains a fabulous mix of classic and brand new writing, with contemporary authors from the US, Canada, and the UK. Contemporary authors include Brian Bogart, Ramsey Campbell, Evey Brett, Leah Cypess, Kate Dollarhyde, Lucinda Gunnin, Joshua K. Haarstad, Anne Leonard, E.H. Mann, Alison McBain, Emily McCosh, Dan Micklethwaite, Wendy Nikel, Mary O'Donnell, Aimee Ogden, Cassandra Taylor, M. Elizabeth Ticknor and Nemma Wollenfang. These feature alongside classic stories by authors such as Andrew Lang, George MacDonald, William Morris, Edith Nesbit and Clark Ashton Smith.

"Gilgamesh, Odysseus, Achilles, Beowulf! Kull, Conan, Kane! The stories of heroes are born, but they never die. They become legends; they become myths. Bitter Steel is a collection of new myths, new heroic adventures told in the ancient tradition. So come! Gather with me around the fire where the smoke stings our eyes. We'll listen to the drums beat in time with our hearts. We'll drink from the common bowl as it passes among us. The darkness whispers outside our camp, but we have no fear. There are heroes among us. Let us hear their tales"--Page 4 of cover.

Following the great success of 2015's Gothic Fantasy, deluxe edition short story compilations, Ghosts, Horror and Science Fiction, this latest in the series is packed with hard-boiled detectives, monsters, psychopaths and a high body count. Tales of death and destruction from classic authors are cast with previously unpublished stories by exciting contemporary hardcore crime writers. New, contemporary and notable writers featured are: Sara Dobie Bauer, Michael Cebula, Carolyn Charron, James Dorr, Tim Foley, Steven Thor Gunnin, Kate Heartfield, David M. Hoenig, Liam Hogan, Patrick J. Hurley, Michelle Ann King, Claude Lalumière, Gerri Leen, K.A. Mielke, Alexandra Camille Renwick, Fred Senese, Donald Jacob Uitvlugt, Dean H. Wild, and Nemma Wollenfang. These appear alongside classic stories by authors such as Ambrose Bierce, Wilkie Collins, Dick Donovan, Edith Nesbit, Edgar Allan Poe and Bram Stoker.

Africa south of the Sahara is a land of wide-ranging traditions and varying cultures. Despite the diversity and the lack of early written records, the continent possesses a rich body of folk tales and legends that have been passed down through the strong custom of storytelling and which often share similar elements, characters and ideas between peoples. So this collection offers a hefty selection of legends and tales – stories of the gods, creation and origins, trickster exploits, animal fables and stories which entertain and edify – from ‘Obatala Creates Mankind’, from the Yoruba people of west Africa, to ‘The Girl Of The Early Race, Who Made Stars’, from the San people of southern Africa, all collected in a gorgeous gold-foiled and embossed hardback to treasure.

Stories contained in this book: The Swords of Faerie Jack of all Arts: William Morris Two Men in One: Lord Dunsany Eldritch Yankee Gentleman: H. P. Lovecraft Superman in a Bowler: E. R. Eddison The Miscast Barbarian: Robert E. Howard Parallel Worlds: Fletcher Pratt Sierran Shaman: Clark Ashton Smith Merlin in Tweeds: J. R. R. Tolkien The Architect of Camelot: T. H. White Conan's Compeers