The Del Rey Book of Science Fiction and Fantasy · Sixteen Original Works by Speculative Fiction's Finest Voices

With original stories by Jeffrey Ford, Pat Cadigan, Elizabeth Bear, Margo Lanagan, and others

From Del Rey Books and award-winning editor Ellen Datlow, two of the most respected names in science fiction and fantasy, comes a collection of fifteen all-new short stories, plus a science fiction novella, that could count as a virtual “best of the year” anthology. Here you will find slyly twisted alternate histories, fractured fairy tales, topical science fiction, and edgy urban fantasy.

In “Daltharee,” World Fantasy Award-winning author Jeffrey Ford spins a chilling tale of a city in a bottle–and the demented genius who put it there. In “Sonny Liston Takes the Fall,” John W. Campbell Award-winning author Elizabeth Bear pens a poignant and eerie requiem for the heavyweight forever associated with his controversial loss to Cassius Clay. From hot new writer Margo Lanagan comes “The Goosle,” a dark, astonishing take on Hansel and Gretel. In the novella “Prisoners of the Action,” Paul MccAuley and Kim Newman take a trip down a rabbit hole that leads to a Guantanamo-like prison whose inmates are not just illegal but extraterrestrial.

Many of the writers you’ll recognize. Others you may not. But one thing is certain: These stars of today and tomorrow demonstrate that the field of speculative fiction is not only alive and well–it’s better than ever.

The Elephant Ironclads • shortfiction by Jason Stoddard

Ardent clouds • shortfiction by Lucy Sussex

Gather • shortfiction by Christopher Rowe

Sonny Liston Takes the Fall • shortfiction by Elizabeth Bear

North American Lake Monsters • shortfiction by Nathan Ballingrud

All Washed Up While Looking for a Better World • shortfiction by Carol Emshwiller

Special Economics • novelette by Maureen F. McHugh

Aka St. Mark's Place • shortfiction by Richard Bowes

The Goosle • shortfiction by Margo Lanagan

Shira • shortfiction by Lavie Tidhar

The Passion of Azazel • shortfiction by Barry N. Malzberg

The Lagerstätte • shortfiction by Laird Barron

Gladiolu Exposed • shortfiction by Anna Tambour

Daltharee • shortfiction by Jeffrey Ford

Jimmy • shortfiction by Pat Cadigan

Prisoners of the Action • shortfiction by Paul J. McAuley and Kim Newman [as by Paul McAuley and Kim Newman ]