The New Voices of Fantasy

A Booklist Top 10 Science Fiction/Fantasy title July-Aug 2017
Selected for the io9 August Reading List
AGeekiverse 8 Hot Sci-fi and Fantasy Releases
A Bookish Hot New Release

[STARRED REVIEW] "A companion piece of sorts to Beagle's critically acclaimed anthology, The Secret History of Fantasy (2010)-a collection of stories that transcended the conventions and cliches of contemporary fantasy-Beagle and Weisman's latest contains 19 comparable stories from some of the genre's most innovative and exciting new voices.Although most of the authors included here may not be household names like the ones in the earlier collection (which featured works from Stephen King, Neil Gaiman, and Octavia E. Butler, among others), the quality of the stories is undeniable. Also undeniable is the impressive diversity of storylines, which range from the whimsy of Ben Loory's "The Duck," about a bird who falls hopelessly in love with a rock, to the horror of Carmen Maria Machado's Nebula Award-nominated "The Husband Stitch," a darkly lyrical and deeply disturbing look at a woman with a penchant for storytelling whose life becomes a twisted tale. E. Lily Yu's "The Cartographer Wasps and the Anarchist Bees" is particularly memorable. A political fable that works on multiple levels, it chronicles a conflict between a nest of imperialistic wasps and a colony of peaceful bees. A few young bees begin questioning the violent new world order and plot rebellion. Other standout selections include "Tornado's Siren" by Brooke Bolander, a love story featuring a tornado and a girl, and Alyssa Wong's Nebula and World Fantasy Award-winning "Hungry Daughters and Starving Mothers," which puts an innovative twist on the vampire mythos with a story about a young woman who, after realizing she can find sustenance consuming people's thoughts, becomes addicted to eating the darkest. While all 19 pieces are exceptional, the anthology's title is a bit of a misnomer; some stories were originally published as far back as 2012. A stellar anthology that proves not only that fantasy is alive and well, but that it will be for years to come."
-Kirkus

[STARRED REVIEW] "This excellent anthology showcases up-and-coming speculative fiction writers, many of whom have received award nominations and critical attention to support their status as future influencers of the genre. The anthology opens with Alyssa Wong's Nebula-winning "Hungry Daughters of Starving Mothers," a gripping story of creatures who walk among humans and feed on ugliness. The stories vary in tone: Amal El-Mohtar's "Wing" is lyrical, A.C. Wise's "The Practical Witch's Guide to Acquiring Real Estate" is gently humorous, and Carmen Maria Machado's "The Husband Stitch" is haunting. Some, such as E. Lily Yu's beautiful "The Cartographer Wasps and the Anarchist Bees," eschew the well-worn Western setting that is the English-language-fantasy default; others, such as Brooke Bolander's "Tornado's Siren," thoughtfully embrace their American and European settings. Fantasy legend Beagle and Tachyon publisher Weisman have provided a valuable snapshot of SF/F's newest generation of writers."
-Publishers Weekly

[STARRED REVIEW] "This anthology represents some of the most exciting and interesting work in the fantasy field today, and anyone interested in the genre should read it immediately."
-Booklist

"For readers who are anticipating the end of HBO's Game of Thrones and looking for new fantasy authors to follow, this 19-story-strong collection provides plenty to sample."
-Library Journal

"Delightful and discomforting, indelible and self-assured, the stories of [The] New Voices of Fantasy take our familiar old world and imagine it anew. In amongst the dancing buildings, lovelorn tornadoes, and domesticated vampires, we find our deepest truths dressed in fresh and unexpected garments. Rest easy, lovers of the genre: the future is in excellent hands."
-Helene Wecker, author of The Golem and the Jinni

"The New Voices of Fantasy is a fabulous collection of vivid, surprising, and remarkable stories. Highly recommended."
-Kate Elliott, author of Poisoned Blade and The Very Best of Kate Elliott

"These stories give me hope."
-Michael Swanwick, author of Bones of the Earth and Not So Much, Said the Cat

"The key word in this anthology's title is new, and if that doesn't quicken your heart, a sampling of the impressively diverse voices will."
-See the Elephant

"What Beagle does with this anthology is an elegant passing of the writing pen to a younger generation of fantasy writers . . . I recommend this anthology to anyone who loves fantasy."
-Infinite Text

"Perfect, bite-sized pieces of beautifully-crafted fantasy morsels."
-Fictionist

"If these ladies and gentlemen represent the future of fantasy we are in for a wild and terrific ride. 10/10 stars"
-Fantasy Faction

"Overall, The New Voices of Fantasy is a very strong collection and one that I wouldn't hesitate to recommend. It is perfect for anyone who looking to discover some of the newest talent in the genre, as well as for anyone who just loves a good story."
-The Illustrated Page

"The quality of the writing and the ideas presented is unbelievably high . . . I defy anyone to not find at least one gem inside that makes this box of treasures worthwhile."
-A. M. Steiner, author of The Censor's Hand

"Each [story] is a shining example of the genre, featuring gorgeous sentences, images that stick in the mind, and heartbreaking loss."
-World Literature Today

"There are some exquisitely written pieces in this anthology. All of them are worthy."
-Nonstop Reader

"This anthology is without any kind of doubt one of the best anthologies of the year."
-Risingshadow

"Peter S. Beagle and Jacob Weisman bring together a wide selection of talent, with a broad range of topics-there is something for everyone in this collection-to create a stunning collection that will just draw you in. A perfect way to find new writers in the fantasy genre."
-The Flutterby Room


Praise for anthologies edited by Jacob Weisman and Peter S. Beagle

On The Secret History of Fantasy edited by Peter S. Beagle

"All 17 stories eschew all or most of the conventions of commercial fantasy . . . Start reading and expect to enjoy."
-Booklist

"Set[s] out to rewrite our concept of fantasy, and with the help of some of the world's best writers, succeeds admirably."
-The Agony Column

"This is a very well-done collection: The stories are all, in many different ways, pleasures to read."
-The Civilian Reader

On Invaders: 22 Tales from the Outer Limits of Literature edited by Jacob Weisman

A Kirkus Science Fiction and Fantasy Book You'll Want to Read in July
A 2016 Publishers Weekly Best Summer Read

[STARRED REVIEW] "In this very fine reprint anthology, Weisman has brought together 22 SF stories by authors who, although not generally associated with the genre, are clearly fellow travelers (not the ominous invaders suggested by the title) . . . This volume is a treasure trove of stories that draw equally from SF and literary fiction, and they are superlative in either context."
-Publishers Weekly, starred review

"Invaders is a playful and imaginative exploration of what it means to write in the field of science fiction."
-AV Club

"From the first page to the last, Invaders surprised and intoxicated me, offering one stirring, visionary, warm-hearted, funny, probing story after another."
-Kevin Brockmeier, author of A Few Seconds of Radiant Filmstrip