Anthologies

Welcome to an uncharted galaxy of stars...welcome to the worlds of the woman science fiction writer! This exciting collection takes you on a tour of the wondrous visions of award-winning masters and promising newcomers - from their alien landscapes in far-distant worlds, to high adventure among the stars, to startling - and terrifying technological possibilities... Join Ursula K. LeGuin, Sydney J. Van Scyoc, Joan D. Vinge, and many more acclaimed women writers who have broken new ground in science fiction. And who have made a "space of their own". Welcome to an uncharted galaxy of stars...welcome to the worlds of the woman science fiction writer! This exciting collection takes you on a 17-tale tour of the wondrous visions of award-winning masters and promising newcomers - from their alien landscapes in far-distant worlds, to high adventure among the stars, to startling - and terrifying - ... more »technological possibilities... Join Ursula K. LeGuin, Sydney J. Van Scyoc, Joan D. Vinge, and many more acclaimed women writers who have broken new ground in science fiction. And who have made a "space of their own". Contents The Sidon in the Mirror (1983) novelette by Connie Willis A Letter from the Clearys (1982) shortstory by Connie Willis The Crystal Sunlight, the Bright Air (1983) shortstory by Mary Gentle Belling Martha (1983) novelette by Leigh Kennedy Fire-Caller (1983) novelette by Sydney J. Van Scyoc The Ascent of the North Face (1983) shortstory by Ursula K. Le Guin Heavenly Flowers (1983) shortstory by Pamela Sargent Exorcycle (1982) shortstory by Joan D. Vinge Miles to Go Before I Sleep (1982) shortstory by Julie Stevens Night of the Fifth Sun (1982) shortstory by Mildred Downey Broxon The Examination of Ex-Emperor Ming (1982) shortstory by Cyn Mason Missing (1982) shortstory by P. A. Kagan Shadows from a Small Template (1982) shortstory by Sharon Webb The Sorceress in Spite of Herself (1982) shortstory by Pat Cadigan The Jarabon (1981) shortstory by Lee Killough Packing Up (1981) shortstory by P. J. MacQuarrie La Reine Blanche (1983) shortstory by Tanith Lee Blue Heart (1982) shortstory by Stephanie A. Smith $CALL LINK4(CATHY) (1983) shortstory by Cherie Wilkerson The Horn of Elfland [Pshrinks Anonymous] shortstory by Janet Asimov [as by Janet O. Jeppson ] Stargrazing (1982) poem by Beverly Grant Ancient Document (1982) poem by Hope Athearn Editor's Note (Isaac Asimov's Space of Her Own) essay by Shawna McCarthy

In the Library of the Conspiracy, many theories are pursued in rare books and documents supplied by a caste of white-gloved librarians. Many wild-eyed researchers piece together their elaborate nonsense of Templars, vampires, and Illuminati. But one theory weaves like a constant thread of darkness through human history. The rumour of an ancient race, more powerful than we are: elusive, terrifying, offering sexual frenzy but bringing madness and early death. These are the tales of the Weerde. They gather at the edges of our settlements, they appear nightly on TV. They are not werewolves. But they are the shape-shifting predators of which occult legend speaks. They are plausible, charming, different... and very, very dangerous. The Weerde contains eleven chilling stories that expose the terrifying truth behind the conspiracy. Their authors are: Prologue: The Lady and/or the Tiger: I, by Neil Gaiman and Roz Kaveney. A Wolf to Man, by Roz Kaveney. Sunflower Pump, by Paul Cornell. Rain, by Christopher Amies. What God Abandoned, by Mary Gentle. To the Bad, by Brian Stableford. A Strange Sort of Friend, by Josephine Saxton. Railway Mania, by Michael Fearn. Blind Fate, by Liz Holliday. A Change of Season, by Storm Constantine. Going to the Black Bear, by Colin Greenland. Ancient of Days, by Charles Stross. Epilogue: The Lady and/or the Tiger: II, by Neil Gaiman and Roz Kaveney.

Weerde are creatures which are shape changers, vampires and elves. In this story they are the second intelligent life form on Earth, descended from mammals they developed shape changing skills as a response to the challenge posed by the dinosaurs. Prologue: Raised Voices in a Reading Room: I short fiction by Roz Kaveney Imaginary Time short story by Stephen Baxter The Girl Who Changed Everything novelette by Colin Greenland Deep in the Native Land short story by Michael Ibeji Ignorance of Perfect Reason novella by Roz Kaveney Sounds and Sweet Airs novelette by Graham Higgins Serpent's Blood short story by Molly Brown Cover Story novella by Liz Holliday The If Game novelette by Paula Wakefield The Lions in the Desert short story by David Langford The Missing Martian novelette by Marcus L. Rowland The Deconstruction of the Known World novelette by Elizabeth M. Young Red, Hot and Dark novelette by Charles Stross Epilogue: Raised Voices in a Reading Room: II short fiction by Roz Kaveney

Fantasy has come to mean different things to different people - for some it is a descent into the unconscious, an expression of repressed fears or desires; for others it is an exploration of new territories, frightening and fertile landscapes inhabited by playful and provocative beings who draw the reader into a fascinating web of morality and myth. In her challenging Introduction, Joanna Russ describes Fantasy as 'the most realistic of all the arts, expressing as it does the contents of human souls directly'. This anthology aims to show that Fantasy has also been an important vehicle for women, who have used it to express their creative diversity, without having to be boxed in and categorized by a male-dominated literary establishment.

From fantastic legends and science fictional futures come compelling tales of powerful women—or those who discover strength they did not know they possessed—who fight because they must, for what they believe in, for those they love, to simply survive, or who glory in battle itself. Fierce or fearful, they are courageous and honorable—occasionally unscrupulous and tainted—but all warriors worthy of the name!