Short Story Collections

Henry Vickers leads an expedition of big game hunters back into time in order to hunt dinosaurs

FROM THE HEART OF DARKNESS come no gentle wraiths, no pastel fantasies of bittersweet, seductive evil. This horror slams like a muzzle blast into its victim's awareness, carves its image with razor claws of violence as vivid as graphic as uncensored imagination. This horror comes from the center of the man soul, FROM THE HEART OF DARKNESS. Contents : Children of the Forest (1976) The Barrow Troll (1975) Smokie Joe (1977) The Shortest Way (1974) Dragons' Teeth (1975) Men Like Us (1980) The Automatic Rifleman (1980) Something Had to Be Done (1975) Out of Africa (1983) Best of Luck (1978) The Hunting Ground (1976) Than Curse the Darkness (1980) Blood Debt (1976) The Dancer in the Flames (1982) The Red Leer (1979) Firefight (1976)

In an alternate world during the Vietnam War, an armored battalion is forced to confront a deadly alien enemy that is older than humanity itself, and when they storm its prison camp, they learn about a fate worse than death. Original.

A collection of science fiction shorts includes tales of paratrooper goblins, space cops and their politically correct alien supervisor, a band of mercenary elves, and a collaboration with Larry Niven.

A prime volume of stories by the best-selling author David Drake explores a future world where the police have cameras watching everybody, everywhere, then introduces the man who watches the watchmen. And another future where the Fleet preserves the peace in the galaxy-in theory, at least; and at a high price. And much more.

Balefires is the long-awaited collection of David Drake's weird and fantastic fiction. Before Drake was a best-selling author of military science fiction, he was a prolific writer of horror and fantasy short fiction. Balefires collects some of his earliest professional sales (including his first sale to Arkham House.) In addition, Balefires brings together many stories set in the worlds of his fantasy novels (Ranks of Bronze, Lord of the Isles, etc.) and contains original fiction. More than just a collection of stories, Balefires features extensive story notes that chronicle the development of the writing career of one of the science fiction's most popular writers, and provides detailed snapshots of the larger than life editors, publishers and writers that Drake has worked with throughout his career. Skyhorse Publishing, under our Night Shade and Talos imprints, is proud to publish a broad range of titles for readers interested in science fiction (space opera, time travel, hard SF, alien invasion, near-future dystopia), fantasy (grimdark, sword and sorcery, contemporary urban fantasy, steampunk, alternative history), and horror (zombies, vampires, and the occult and supernatural), and much more. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller, a national bestseller, or a Hugo or Nebula award-winner, we are committed to publishing quality books from a diverse group of authors.

A collection of horrific, weird, and fantastic tales by a master storyteller and creator of best-selling military science fiction series including Hammer’s Slammers. Introductions on each story provide detailed snapshots of the larger-than-life editors, publishers, and writers with whom Drake has worked throughout his career. Here are weird stories set in the present, along with alternative histories filled with gritty realism and exacting detail as well as an assortment of horrors and monsters. Most of all, here are the tough heroes who throughout time master their own fears and face the very real terrors that haunt existence. Sometimes these heroes win a partial victory. Sometimes it’s enough to go down fighting. Before Drake was a best-selling author of military science fiction, he was a prolific writer of horror and fantasy short fiction. “Denkirch,” Drake’s first sale, is here, and well as many stories set in the worlds of his fantasy novels ( Ranks of Bronze, Lord of the Isles, and others). More than just a collection of stories, Night & Demons features extensive story notes that chronicle the development of one of science fiction's most popular writers, and provide detailed snapshots of the larger-than-life editors, publishers, and writers with whom Drake has worked throughout his career. A bout David Drake: “[T]he way Drake takes a tried formula and turns it on its ear is what makes him one of the modern masters of SF.” – Otherwhere Gazette “[P]rose as cold and hard s the metal alloy of a tank … rivals Crane and Remarque …” – Chicago Sun-Times “Drake couldn’t write a bad action scene at gunpoint.” – Booklist About David Drake’s RCN series: “[R]ousing old-fashioned space opera.” -- Publishers Weekly on the “RCN” series. “The fun is in the telling, and Mr. Drake has a strong voice. I want more!” – Philadelphia Weekly Press “[S]pace opera is alive and well. This series is getting better as the author goes along…character development combined with first-rate action and memorable world designs.” – SFReader.com