Annwn Cycle Series by Shawn Speakman, Tad Williams, Naomi Novik, Megan Lindholm, John Gwynne, David Anthony Durham, Katherine Arden, Callie Bates, Jason Denzel, Carrie Vaughn, Deborah A. Wolf, Anna Stephens, Patrick Swenson, Ramon Terrell, Peter Orullian, Terry Brooks, Lev Grossman, Seanan McGuire, Delilah S. Dawson, Mark Lawrence, Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson, Brandon Sanderson, Robert Jordan, Todd Lockwood, Cat Rambo, Robert V.S. Redick, Ken Scholes, Scott Sigler, Anna Smith Spark, Marc Turner, Adrian Collins, Michael R. Fletcher, T. Frohock, Alex Marshall, Mark Alder, Adrian Tchaikovsky, Janny Wurts, Jeff Salyards, Kaaron Warren, Courtney Schafer, Bradley P. Beaulieu, E.V. Morrigan, Matthew Ward, Brian Staveley, Mazarkis Williams, R. Scott Bakker, Jim Butcher, Charlaine Harris, Michael J. Sullivan, Aidan Moher, Erin Lindsey, John A. Pitts, Anthony Ryan, Django Wexler, Rachel Caine, Sarah Beth Durst, David Farland, Patrick Rothfuss, Jacqueline Carey, R.A. Salvatore, Geno Salvatore, Peter V. Brett, Daniel Abraham, Blake Charlton, Eldon Thompson, Kevin Hearne, Jennifer Bosworth, J.M. Martin, Richard Lee Byers, Joseph R. Lallo, Snorri Kristjansson, Paul S. Kemp, James A. Moore, Jon Sprunk, Anton Strout, David Dalglish, Carol Berg, Lian Hearn, Laura Resnick, Tim Marquitz, John Marco, Kat Richardson, Sam Sykes, Kristen Britain, Harry Connolly, Jason M. Hough, Mary Robinette Kowal, Joe Abercrombie

Beneath the streets of Seattle, a long-forgotten war is about to be renewed…Richard McAllister, a spiritually destitute homeless man and Knight of the Yn Saith, protects one of seven portals linking his world to that of Annwn, where the fey Tuatha de Dannan of antiquity have been relegated by a long-running religious war.Unknown to Richard though, powerful forces are aligning against him and all he stands to keep safe... moreBeneath the streets of Seattle, a long-forgotten war is about to be renewed…Richard McAllister, a spiritually destitute homeless man and Knight of the Yn Saith, protects one of seven portals linking his world to that of Annwn, where the fey Tuatha de Dannan of antiquity have been relegated by a long-running religious war.Unknown to Richard though, powerful forces are aligning against him and all he stands to keep safe. In the wilds of a discarded world, Philip Plantagenet, son of Henry II, moves to claim a birthright nine centuries in the making, one that drives him to eliminate the Tuatha de Dannan–at any cost to both worlds.In the halls of Vatican City, Cardinal Vicar Cormac Pell O’Connor schemes to control the Heliwr–the Unfettered Knight–one who possesses the great power known as the Dark Thorn.The three men are on a collision course with history–and their futures. For in the wilds of Annwn, death comes as easily as magic.Haunted by a past he can’t forget and a knightly responsibility he can’t shun, Richard is drawn into levels of machinations–and two worlds–far darker than any he has prepared for. less

What if an innocent boy discovered an ancient book and it possessed dark magic? Would that boy be able to control it? Or would the book subjugate his inherent goodness? And what if that book was UNFETTERED? THE UNLOCKED TOME is a short story—only 2800 words—that features the origin story of Lachlan Wood, a boy from a broken home who will figure prominently in a future Annwn Cycle novel... moreWhat if an innocent boy discovered an ancient book and it possessed dark magic? Would that boy be able to control it? Or would the book subjugate his inherent goodness? And what if that book was UNFETTERED? THE UNLOCKED TOME is a short story—only 2800 words—that features the origin story of Lachlan Wood, a boy from a broken home who will figure prominently in a future Annwn Cycle novel. The short story will open the Signed & Numbered edition of UNFETTERED, an anthology featuring tales from some of the best fantasy writers working today. Since the regular editions of UNFETTERED do not include THE UNLOCKED TOME, the short story is presented here for everyone to enjoy. Return to Old World Tales! less

SIGNED EDITION! RARE AND HIGHLY COLLECTIBLE: Signed by writer Shawn Speakman! Cloth-bound with beautiful cover by Todd Lockwood! Upon finishing his debut novel, The Dark Thorn, author Shawn Speakman knew he would return to its world of Annwn. He does that here in The Twilight Dragon & Other Tales of Annwn... moreSIGNED EDITION! RARE AND HIGHLY COLLECTIBLE: Signed by writer Shawn Speakman! Cloth-bound with beautiful cover by Todd Lockwood! Upon finishing his debut novel, The Dark Thorn, author Shawn Speakman knew he would return to its world of Annwn. He does that here in The Twilight Dragon & Other Tales of Annwn. Four short stories anchor this collection of magic and darkness, conflict and shadows: Where an ancient dragon seeking a cure for his dying race returns to the Misty Isles of his birth--to devastating result. Where an unfettered knight enters Rome's Vatican to end the threat of a vampire--who bears the darkest of secrets. Where an Arch Druid tracks a witch--who in turn chases a thief who has stolen dangerous books of shadow magic. Where a musician is coerced to return to a past she abhors--to confront a shattered gargoyle whose past is just as hated. All four short stories play a role in and are preludes to The Everwinter Wraith, the sequel novel to The Dark Thorn. As a bonus, the first three chapters of The Everwinter Wraith are also included in this collection. Annwn will never be the same again. less

Lacking health insurance when he was diagnosed with cancer, Shawn Speakman asked friends in the science fiction and fantasy writing community to donate short stories he could use to counter mounting medical debt. The result was Unfettered, an anthology offering tales from some of the best authors working today.Now, in Unfettered III, Speakman continues to pay forward the aid he received, raising money to combat medical debt for SF&F artists and authors... moreLacking health insurance when he was diagnosed with cancer, Shawn Speakman asked friends in the science fiction and fantasy writing community to donate short stories he could use to counter mounting medical debt. The result was Unfettered, an anthology offering tales from some of the best authors working today.Now, in Unfettered III, Speakman continues to pay forward the aid he received, raising money to combat medical debt for SF&F artists and authors. He has gathered together a great mix of new and favorite writers―free to write what they like―the result a powerful new anthology perfect for all readers.Be haunted by the chilling ghost story of Megan Lindholm. Revisit the world of the Magicians with Lev Grossman. Return to Osten Ard in an epic first look at Tad Williams’s Empire of Grass. Callie Bates shares a heartfelt story of magical loss and gain. Cross the sands of the desert planet Dune with Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson. Travel the Ways with Robert Jordan & Brandon Sanderson. And many more stories, all wondrous alongside beautiful art by Todd Lockwood and Kaitlund Zupanic!Unfettered III is sure to astound with the magic bound within its pages. All the while raising money for a charitable cause.Because protecting our artists and authors is as important as the stories they tell. less

Experience your favourite fantasy worlds through some of the most fearsome, devious, and brutal antagonists in fantasy. Villains take centre stage in nineteen dark and magical stories that will have you cheering for all the wrong heroes as they perform savage deeds towards wicked ends. And why not? They are the champions of their own stories—evil is a matter of perspective. Authors: R... moreExperience your favourite fantasy worlds through some of the most fearsome, devious, and brutal antagonists in fantasy. Villains take centre stage in nineteen dark and magical stories that will have you cheering for all the wrong heroes as they perform savage deeds towards wicked ends. And why not? They are the champions of their own stories—evil is a matter of perspective. Authors: R. Scott Bakker (The Second Apocalypse) Adrian Tchaikovsky (Shadows of the Apt, The Tiger and the Wolf) Michael R. Fletcher (Manifest Delusions) Shawn Speakman (The Annwn Cycles) Teresa Frohock (Los Nefilim) Kaaron Warren (The Gate Theory, Mistification) Courtney Schafer (The Shattered Sigil) Marc Turner (Chronicles of the Exile) Jeff Salyards (Bloodsounder's Arc) Mazarkis Williams (The Tower & Knife) Deborah A. Wolf (The Dragon's Legacy) Brian Staveley (Chronicle of the Unhewn Throne) Alex Marshall (Crimson Empire) Bradley P. Beaulieu (The Song of the Shattered Sands, The Lays of Anuskaya) Matthew Ward (Shadow of the Raven, Coldharbour) Mark Alder (Banners of Blood) Janny Wurts (The Wars of Light and Shadow, The Empire Trilogy) E.V. Morrigan (Glyph War world) Peter Orullian (The Vault of Heaven) Artists: Tommy Arnold (cover) Jason Deem (interior art) Shawn King (design) less

Life can kick us when we are down.In Shawn Speakman’s case, he is fighting back.Lacking health insurance and diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2011, Speakman beat the disease as well as the massive medical debt he amassed from its treatment. He did this by publishing Unfettered, an anthology featuring short stories donated by some of the best science fiction and fantasy writers working today.The fight will not stop there... moreLife can kick us when we are down.In Shawn Speakman’s case, he is fighting back.Lacking health insurance and diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2011, Speakman beat the disease as well as the massive medical debt he amassed from its treatment. He did this by publishing Unfettered, an anthology featuring short stories donated by some of the best science fiction and fantasy writers working today.The fight will not stop there. In an effort to pay forward the aid he received—and to memorialize his mother who passed away from stomach cancer in early 2016—Speakman has again collaborated with celebrated genre authors to publish Unfettered II. All proceeds from the anthology will either help eliminate medical debt for other authors or be donated to cancer research hubs around the world.Twenty-one original new tales comprise this amazing collection and, as the title suggests, the writers were again free to contribute whatever they wished.Here is the line-up for Unfettered II: Foreword by Terry Brooks "Brightwine in the Garden of Tsitsian Village" by Bradley P. Beaulieu (Song of Shattered Sands) “Day One” by Jim Butcher (Dresden Files) “Figures” by Rachel Caine “The Hedgewitch” by Sarah Beth Durst (The Queens of Renthia) “The King’s Despatcher” by David Farland (Runelords) “The Gunnie” by Charlaine Harris “Bulletproof” by Mark Lawrence (Gunlaw) “The Raven” by Erin Lindsey (Bloodbound) “And Men Will Mine the Mountain for Our Souls” by Seanan McGuire “The Red-Rimmed Eyes of Tóu Mǎ” by Aidan Moher “Castle Coeurlieu” by Naomi Novik “A Slow Kill” by Peter Orullian (Vault of Heaven) “Aokigahara” by J.A. Pitts “A Duel of Evils” by Anthony Ryan (Raven’s Shadow) “The Thrill” by Brandon Sanderson (Stormlight Archive) “Victim with a Capital V” by Scott Sigler “The Last Flowers of the Spring Witch” by Shawn Speakman (Annwn Cycle) “Little Wren and the Big Forest” by Michael J. Sullivan (The Legends of the First Empire) “Magic Beans” by Django Wexler “The Decoy” by Janny Wurts (Wars of Light and Shadow) Todd Lockwood (Cover Artist) Don Maitz (Interior Illustrator)With the help of New York Times bestselling authors as well as talented newcomers, Speakman has taken the platform Unfettered created to not only confront medical debt but to support the battle against one of our gravest illnesses. Unfettered II is a fantastic sequel anthology but it is more than that; it is proof that we are stronger together than we are apart.After all, isn’t that what genre fiction is all about? less

You define life or it defines you.In Shawn Speakman’s case, it was both.Lacking health insurance and diagnosed with Hogdkin’s lymphoma in 2011, Shawn quickly accrued a massive medical debt that he did not have the ability to pay. That’s when New York Times best-selling author Terry Brooks offered to donate a short story Shawn could sell toward alleviating those bills—and suggested Shawn ask the same of his other friends... moreYou define life or it defines you.In Shawn Speakman’s case, it was both.Lacking health insurance and diagnosed with Hogdkin’s lymphoma in 2011, Shawn quickly accrued a massive medical debt that he did not have the ability to pay. That’s when New York Times best-selling author Terry Brooks offered to donate a short story Shawn could sell toward alleviating those bills—and suggested Shawn ask the same of his other friends.Unfettered is the result, an anthology built to relieve that debt, featuring short stories by some of the best fantasy writers in the genre.Every story in this volume is new and, like the title suggests, the writers were free to write whatever they wished. Authors contributing are -Walker and the Shade of Allanon by Terry Brooks (a Shannara tale)-Imaginary Friends by Terry Brooks (a precursor to the Word/Void trilogy)-How Old Holly Came To Be by Patrick Rothfuss (a Four Corners tale)-River of Souls by Robert Jordan & Brandon Sanderson (a Wheel of Time tale)-The Old Scale Game by Tad Williams-Martyr of the Roses by Jacqueline Carey (a precursor to the Kushiel series)-Dogs by Daniel Abraham-Mudboy by Peter V. Brett (a Demon Cycle tale)-Nocturne by Robert V. S. Redick-The Sound of Broken Absolutes by Peter Orullian (a Vault of Heaven tale)-The Coach with Big Teeth by R.A. Salvatore-Keeper of Memory by Todd Lockwood (a Summer Dragon tale)-Game of Chance by Carrie Vaughn-The Lasting Doubts of Joaquin Lopez by Blake Charlton-The Chapel Perilous by Kevin Hearne (an Iron Druid tale)-Select Mode by Mark Lawrence (a Broken Empire tale)-All the Girls Love Michael Stein by David Anthony Durham-Strange Rain by Jennifer Bosworth (a Struck epilogue tale)-Unbowed by Eldon Thompson (a Legend of Asahiel tale)-In Favour with Their Stars by Naomi Novik (a Temeraire tale)-The Jester by Michael J. Sullivan (a Riyria Chronicles tale)-The Duel by Lev Grossman (a Magicians tale)-The Unfettered Knight by Shawn Speakman (an Annwn Cycle tale)and artist Todd Lockwood, who donated artwork as well as a story.With the help of stalwart friends and these wonderful short stories, Shawn has taken the gravest of life hardships and created something magical. Unfettered is not only a fantastic anthology in its own right but it’s a testament to the generosity found in the science fiction and fantasy community—proof that humanity can give beyond itself when the need arises.After all, isn’t that the driving narrative in fantasy literature? less

Librarian note: An older edition for this ISBN can be found here.ROGUES. ASSASSINS. MERCENARIES.Coin is their master, and their trade, more often than not, is blood. These are BLACKGUARDS.Whether by coin or by blood...YOU WILL PAY.Swift from the shadows, comes an 'edgy' anthology, edited by J.M. MARTIN, featuring sundry tales of roguish types—assassins, mercenaries, thieves—many of whom are already established in well-known fantasy series... moreLibrarian note: An older edition for this ISBN can be found here.ROGUES. ASSASSINS. MERCENARIES.Coin is their master, and their trade, more often than not, is blood. These are BLACKGUARDS.Whether by coin or by blood...YOU WILL PAY.Swift from the shadows, comes an 'edgy' anthology, edited by J.M. MARTIN, featuring sundry tales of roguish types—assassins, mercenaries, thieves—many of whom are already established in well-known fantasy series. Interior artwork by David Alvarez, Orion Zangara and Oksana Dmitrienko. A full roster of authors from indie sensations to New York Times bestsellers: Foreword by Glen Cook Introduction by J.M. Martin JEAN RABE, "Mainon" (Original tale) * BRADLEY P. BEAULIEU, "Irindai" (Shattered Sands) * CAT RAMBO, "The Subtler Art" (Serendib) CAROL BERG, "Seeds" (Lighthouse Duet) KENNY SOWARD, "Jancy's Justice" (GnomeSaga) MICHAEL J. SULLIVAN, "Professional Integrity" (Riyria) RICHARD LEE BYERS, "Troll Trouble" (Plague Knight) PAUL S. KEMP, "A Better Man" (Egil and Nix) * DJANGO WEXLER, "First Kill" (Shadow Campaigns) MARK SMYLIE, "Manhunt" (The Known World) JOHN GWYNNE, "Better to Live than to Die" (Faithful Fallen) MARK LAWRENCE, "The Secret" (Broken Empire) LAURA RESNICK, "Friendship" (Silerian Chronicles) CLAY SANGER, "The First Kiss" ** SHAWN SPEAKMAN, "The White Rose Thief" (The Dark Thorn) PETER ORULLIAN, "A Length of Cherrywood" (Aeshau Vaal) TIM MARQUITZ, "A Taste of Agony" (Prodigy series) JAMES A. MOORE, "What Gods Demand" (Seven Forges) DAVID DALGLISH, "Take You Home" (Shadowdance) JOSEPH R. LALLO, "Seeking the Shadow" (Book of Deacon) JON SPRUNK, "Sun and Steel" (Shadow Saga) S.R. CAMBRIDGE, "The Betyár and the Magus" ** SNORRI KRISTJANSSON, "A Kingdom and a Horse" (Valhalla Saga) JAMES ENGE, "Thieves at the Gate" (Morlock) LIAN HEARN, "His Kikuta Hands" (Tales of the Otori) ANTHONY RYAN, "The Lord Collector" (Raven's Shadow novella)* ANTON STROUT, "Scream" (Simon Canderous Chronicles) * stretch goal achieved** open submissions winners less

Not bound, as a book. Free. Like Unfettered before it, the contributing writers of Unbound were allowed to submit the tales they wished fans of genre to read—without the constraints of a shackling theme. The result is magical. Twenty-three all-original stories are sure to captivate you—some will move you to tears while others will keep you turning the pages long into the night. The power of Unbound lies in its variety of tales and the voices behind them... moreNot bound, as a book. Free. Like Unfettered before it, the contributing writers of Unbound were allowed to submit the tales they wished fans of genre to read—without the constraints of a shackling theme. The result is magical. Twenty-three all-original stories are sure to captivate you—some will move you to tears while others will keep you turning the pages long into the night. The power of Unbound lies in its variety of tales and the voices behind them. If you are a fan of discovering new writers or reading the works of beloved authors, Unbound is for you. Return to Landover with Terry Brooks. Go to trial with Harry Dresden and Jim Butcher. Enter the Citadel and become remade with Rachel Caine. Survive a plague with John Marco and his robot companion Echo. Be painted among the stars by Mary Robinette Kowal. These tales and the others that comprise the anthology are only bound by how enchanting and enthralling they are. Unbound is filled with spectacularly wonderful stories, each one as diverse as its creator. You will be changed upon finishing it. And that is the point. Like Unfettered before it, the contributing writers of Unbound were allowed to submit the tales they wished fans of genre to read—without the constraints of a theme. It is an anthology filled some spectacularly wonderful stories, each one as diverse as its creator.Here is the Unbound line-up: Terry Brooks (intro) | Kristen Britain | Jim Butcher | Rachel Caine | Harry Connolly | Delilah S. Dawson | David Anthony Durham | Jason M. Hough | Mary Robinette Kowal | Mark Lawrence | John Marco | Tim Marquitz | Seanan McGuire | Peter Orullian | Kat Richardson | Anthony Ryan | Shawn Speakman | Brian Staveley | Michael J. Sullivan | Sam Sykes | Mazarkis Williams“Madwalls” by Rachel Caine“Stories Are Gods” by Peter Orullian“River and Echo” by John Marco“A Dichotomy of Paradigms” by Mary Robinette Kowal“Son of Crimea” by Jason M. Hough“An Unfortunate Influx of Filipians” by Terry Brooks“The Way into Oblivion” by Harry Connolly“Uncharming” by Delilah S. Dawson“A Good Name” by Mark Lawrence“All in a Night’s Work” by David Anthony Durham“Seven Tongues” by Tim Marquitz“Fiber” by Seanan McGuire“The Hall of the Diamond Queen” by Anthony Ryan“The Farmboy Prince” by Brian Staveley“Heart’s Desire” by Kat Richardson“The Game” by Michael J. Sullivan“The Ethical Heresy” by Sam Sykes.“Small Kindnesses” by Joe Abercrombie“The Rat” by Mazarkis Williams“The Siege of Tilpur” by Brian McClellan“Mr. Island” by Kristen Britain“Jury Duty” by Jim Butcher“The Dead’s Revenant” by Shawn Speakman less