Jack Dann Books

A comprehensive guide to the speculative sub-genre of alternate history fiction, this book maps the unique terrain of this vibrant mode of storytelling and then explains how to write it. First giving a concise conceptual overview and the critical tools to differentiate the different forms of counterfactual fiction, Jack Dann lays out the 'tricks of the trade' such 'Heinleining', how to create recognizable 'divergent points' and how to employ paratextual elements and 'layering' to overcome readers' unfamiliarity with invented counterfactual events and cultures. Alongside this, Dann takes you step-by-step through a complete short story to demonstrate, line-by-line, how alternative history fiction works. As well as Dann's exacting methodology for writing professional quality alternate history stories, this book also features a live-on-the-page Q&A with some of the most esteemed alternate history writers working today, including Kim Stanley Robinson, John Birmingham and Lisa Goldstein among many others, who will detail their own particular hacks, theories, processes, methods and strategies. Combining extensive and deep knowledge of the field with accessible writing advice, this is the ultimate guidebook to the broad and complex sub-genre of counterfactual and alterative history fiction.

This anthology showcases thirty-five exceptional Australian authors, each contributing original tales that promise to shock, astound, and delight readers. Featuring a diverse range of voices, including bestselling writers like Garth Nix and Trudi Canavan, the collection highlights the vibrant and imaginative landscape of contemporary Australian fiction. With a focus on fantasy, these stories reflect the unique cultural context of Australia while pushing the boundaries of the genre.

A Chilling new anthology of all-original tales of horrorIncludes New Stories by:Ray BradburyGraham JoycePeter CrowtherKim NewmanSara DouglassThomas TessierM. John HarrisonGahan WilsonThe anthology market these days is awash with small, themed works focused on very specific markets, like vampire erotica and tales of werewolves, or it features best of the year reprints. It has been years since anyone has dared to bring out a broad-reaching anthology that seeks to define the current state of the genre with all original tales from both masters and hot new writers.

Tells the stories of an unusual swim meet, the union of a mermaid and a mortal man, an Irish merrow, a selkie or were-seal, surgically created amphibious humans, and nereids

Never before published stories by New York Times bestselling authors Jonathan Stroud, Gregory Maguire, Garth Nix, Diana Gabaldon, and others. Whether portrayed as fire-breathing reptilian beasts at war with humanity or as noble creatures capable of speech and mystically bonded to the warriors who ride them, dragons have been found in nearly every culture's mythology. In modern times, they can be found far from their medieval settings in locales as mundane as suburbia or as barren as post-apocalyptic landscapes—and in The Dragon Book, today's greatest fantasists reignite the fire with legendary tales that will consume readers' imaginations.Includes the following stories: Dragon’s Deep - Cecelia Holland Vici - Naomi Novik Bob Choi’s Last Job - Johnathan StroudAre You Afflicted with Dragons? - Kage BakerThe Tsar’s Dragons - Jane Yolen and Adam StempleThe Dragon of Direfell - Liz Williams Oakland Dragon Blues - Peter S. Beagle Humane Killer - Diana Gabaldon and Samuel Sykes Stop! - Garth NixUngentle Fire - Sean Williams A Stark and Wormy Knight - Tad Williams None So Blind - Harry Turtledove JoBoy - Diana Wynne JonesPuz_le - Gregory MaguireAfter the Third Kiss - Bruce CovilleThe War That Winter Is - Tanith LeeThe Dragon’s Tale - Tamore PierceDragon’s Storm - Mary RosenblumThe Dragaman’s Bride - Andy Duncan

“I won’t be a figment of your dream,” Ned said aloud, staring ahead, looking to see if there was an end to this dream that contained him. And he remembered what Ahasuerus had said: “. . . You found little happiness in that world which was built on the dreams of the dead. It was a tiny cosmos of old thoughts. But even then you were dreaming of Hell . . .”When Ned Wheeler sets out on a journey from the overly pious yet ribald community that is Junction—situated on the outskirts of Hell—he has a nagging doubt that all is not right with the world. The appearance of ‘a winged and many-eyed bird beast’ had been seen by the god-fearing townsfolk as a portent of ‘the end of days’ and their fears and suspicions, directed toward Ned, persuade him to follow the beast into Hell itself. Little can he imagine the consequences of his actions, let alone comprehend the ensuing events . . . events that will cause him to question the very fabric of his existence and the reality of the world around him.

An anthology of Vietnam War stories from writers in the Science Fiction community. A unique anthology.

In this fictional tale, da Vinci is just beginning his creative period in Florence, with his world controlled by the Medicis and surrounded by famous contemporaries. When a plot against him is revealed, he sets out on a mythic journey over a single lost year -- and finds the destiny that could have been.

Long before there was Dolly the sheep, there were brilliant science fiction authors speculating on the power and potential, the temptations and the terrors, of cloning.Join them as they explore the ideas, the implications, and the thrilling dramatic possibilities in this collection of stories by Ursula K. LeGuin, Joe Haldeman, John Varley, and others...ContentsThe Extra • (1990) • novelette by Greg EganThe Phantom of Kansas • [Eight Worlds] • (1976) • novelette by John VarleyNine Lives • (1969) • novelette by Ursula K. Le GuinPast Magic • (1990) • shortstory by Ian R. MacLeodWhere Late the Sweet Birds Sang • (1974) • novella by Kate WilhelmOut of Copyright • (1989) • shortstory by Charles SheffieldMary • (1964) • novelette by Damon KnightClone Sister • (1973) • novelette by Pamela SargentBlood Sisters • (1979) • novelette by Joe HaldemanPreface (Clones!) • (1998) • essay by Jack Dann and Gardner Dozois

The collection features seventeen original stories set in a captivating steampunk universe filled with mystery and atmospheric tension. Each tale explores unique characters and intricate plots, immersing readers in a world where technology meets Victorian aesthetics, all while navigating themes of fear and adventure.