About the Book Ever get the midnight creeps? Ever find yourself in the thorny grip of mortal terror? Ever hear the tale of a woman who said when she was a child, a strange tree tried to eat her? Scarred for life and plagued by nightmares, she returns to her abandoned village to face her childhood fears. Meet Morty the Sly and he’ll introduce you to his “little lovelies” and the curse of Newport. Or sail far and deep to a lonely island inhabited only by an eccentric seafarer and his unique nautical exhibits, just don’t get too close to the tanks. Read the story of the odd Silver Baden and the woodchipper. Sometimes, you must nip evil in the bud. Ever hear the legend of the terrifying Frogman of New Hampshire? Do you dare join the expedition up the mountain in the night? Don’t forget your camera and follow Claudius the cryptozoologist, but don’t be too rattled, for who fears a beast with no mouth to speak of? Hear the story of Gretta Garrabrandts, a brave young girl who took on a devastating and malevolent alien entity on her own. Meet a man with a dark and twisted mind, tortured by devilish dreams, cryptic whispers in the night, and the scratching within the walls. Just heed one warning: the content of this book is not for everyone. If you start to feel strange as you read, as if you’re going through some sort of transformation, quickly close the book and distance yourself from it, for there is a strong possibility the reader just might end up like one of the characters in the stories, just as the author has. About the Author Jeff Medeiros was born in Newport, RI in 1971. He has enjoyed reading ghost stories since he was a child, and even claims to have lived in several haunted locations. He spent part of his youth writing poetry, action adventure, science fiction, even lyrics to songs he would hear in his head until he found his true niche in the horror genre. Three of these stories in the first book are songs he wrote years before: “Night Things,” “Shark on the Shore,” and “The Eye of Cy.” An amazingly talented artist, Sasha Kouznetsov, also of Newport, was inspired to illustrate each story. Medeiros is also passionate at woodworking, taking much pride in making picture frames for the many illustrations, as well as several baby sized coffins, copper inlay and all, in which he carries his books about. His main inspirations are the great Edgar Allan Poe and H.P. Lovecraft. His stories are dark and weird, but remember, without weirdness there is no originality. Medeiros resides in Tiverton with his wife, Stephanie Bennett, and his cat Samwise, and is proud to have most of Maurice Sendak’s monsters tattooed on his back.

Taram Zhod is one of the hottest dancers on the planet, and he has millions of female fans. But two of them are a royal pain—Queen Gelydia and Queen Scaldera. Each one claims to be the rightful ruler of the United Realms of Mariga and both are desperate to win public approval, using any means necessary. Hoping to score a propaganda coup, Scaldera orders her soldiers to kidnap Taram and bring him down South for a command performance, but Gelydia sends her own army to intercept them, vowing that Taram will dance to HER tune instead. Taram has no desire to be a pawn in a civil war, but with two sets of soldiers on his trail, as well as alien gangsters, foreign assassins and absinthe-guzzling socialites, he'll really have to keep on his toes if he hopes to stay one step ahead of them all.

Even before the enormous success of A Game of Thrones, George R. R. Martin had secured his reputation as one of the most exciting storytellers of our time. The second of two thrilling collections, Dreamsongs: Volume II continues the story of his amazing journey from a young writer to a #1 New York Times bestselling force of nature. Whether writing about werewolves, wizards, or outer space, George R. R. Martin is renowned for his versatility and expansive talent, as demonstrated in this dazzling collection. Dreamsongs: Volume II contains acclaimed stories such as the World Fantasy Award winner “The Skin Trade,” as well as the first novella in the Ice and Fire universe, The Hedge Knight—plus two early screenplays. Featuring extensive author commentary, Dreamsongs: Volume II is an invaluable chronicle of a writer at the height of his creativity—and an unforgettable reading experience for fans old and new. “Science fiction, fantasy and horror fans alike will be blown away by the diversity and quality of stories. . . . This extraordinary collection is one to cherish.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review) “Dreamsongs is the ideal way to discover . . . a master of science fiction, fantasy and horror. . . . Martin is a writer like no other.”—The Guardian (U.K.) PRAISE FOR GEORGE R. R. MARTIN “Of those who work in the grand epic-fantasy tradition, Martin is by far the best. In fact . . . this is as good a time as any to proclaim him the American Tolkien.”—Time “Long live George Martin . . . a literary dervish, enthralled by complicated characters and vivid language, and bursting with the wild vision of the very best tale tellers.”—The New York Times “I always expect the best from George R. R. Martin, and he always delivers.”—Robert Jordan

Continuing the definitive space opera anthology series. Today's most popular writers produce new stories in their most famous universes, alongside essential and seminal short fiction from past masters. The definitive collection of explorers and soldiers, charting the dark frontiers of our expanding universe. Amongst the infinite stars we find epic sagas of wars, tales of innermost humanity, and the most powerful of desires - our need to create a better world. The second volume of seminal short science fiction, featuring twenty-six new stories from series such as Wayfarers, Confederation, The Lost Fleet, Waypoint Kangaroo, Ender, Dream Park, the Polity and more. Alongside work from tomorrow's legends, revisit works by masters who helped define the genre: Arthur C. Clarke, Jack Campbell, Becky Chambers, Robert Heinlein, George R.R. Martin, Susan R. Matthews, Orson Scott Card, James Blish, E.E. "Doc" Smith, Tanya Huff, Curtis C. Chen, Seanan McGuire, Sharon Lee and Steve Miller, Larry Niven and Steven Barnes, Gardner Dozois, David Farland, Mike Shepherd, C.L. Moore, Neal Asher, Weston Ochse, Brenda Cooper, Alan Dean Foster, Kristine Kathryn Rusch, Kevin J. Anderson, David Weber and C.J. Cherryh. Infinite Stars: Dark Frontiers brings you the essential work from past, present, and future bestsellers as well as Grand Masters of science fiction.

Long before A Game of Thrones became an international phenomenon, #1 New York Times bestselling author George R. R. Martin had taken his loyal readers across the cosmos. Now back in print after almost ten years, Tuf Voyaging is the story of quirky and endearing Haviland Tuf, an unlikely hero just trying to do right by the galaxy, one planet at a time. Haviland Tuf is an honest space-trader who likes cats. So how is it that, in competition with the worst villains the universe has to offer, he’s become the proud owner of a seedship, the last remnant of Earth’s legendary Ecological Engineering Corps? Never mind; just be thankful that the most powerful weapon in human space is in good hands—hands which now have the godlike ability to control the genetic material of thousands of outlandish creatures. Armed with this unique equipment, Tuf is set to tackle the problems that human settlers have created in colonizing far-flung worlds: hosts of hostile monsters, a population hooked on procreation, a dictator who unleashes plagues to get his own way . . . and in every case, the only thing that stands between the colonists and disaster is Tuf’s ingenuity—and his reputation as a man of integrity in a universe of rogues. “A rich blend of adventure, humor, compassion and all the other things that make being human worthwhile.”—Analog “A new facet of Martin’s manysided talent.”—Asimov’s

Even before A Game of Thrones, George R. R. Martin had already established himself as a giant in the field of fantasy literature. Now in one exclusive eBook edition are both volumes of Dreamsongs, featuring the very best of Martin’s early works. This convenient bundle provides a rare treat for Martin’s devoted readers, offering fascinating insights into his journey from a young writer to the #1 New York Times bestselling force of nature. “Dreamsongs is the ideal way to discover . . . a master of science fiction, fantasy and horror. . . . Martin is a writer like no other.”—The Guardian (U.K.) Whether writing about werewolves, wizards, or outer space, George R. R. Martin is renowned for his versatility and expansive talent, as demonstrated in this dazzling two-volume collection. Gathered in Dreamsongs: Volume I are some of George R. R. Martin’s most time-honored tales, including Hugo, Nebula, and Bram Stoker award–winning stories, cool fan pieces, and the original novella The Ice Dragon. Dreamsongs: Volume II contains acclaimed stories such as the World Fantasy Award winner “The Skin Trade,” as well as the first novella in the Ice and Fire universe, The Hedge Knight—plus two early screenplays. Featuring a dazzling array of subjects and styles, Dreamsongs is the perfect collection for both Martin devotees and a new generation of fans. PRAISE FOR GEORGE R. R. MARTIN “Of those who work in the grand epic-fantasy tradition, Martin is by far the best. In fact . . . this is as good a time as any to proclaim him the American Tolkien.”—Time “Long live George Martin . . . a literary dervish, enthralled by complicated characters and vivid language, and bursting with the wild vision of the very best tale tellers.”—The New York Times “I always expect the best from George R. R. Martin, and he always delivers.”—Robert Jordan

Inside this book are written weird tales of the macabre and supernatural, and if you dare to read them, they just might take you to a place you wish not to go. You might find yourself in the mystical land of the Killerpillar. You might suffer the venomous sting of the gruesome Homunculus. You might find yourself shivering in an ancient chair you wish you had never sat down in, for you will find no comfort in those cushions, only the dreadful clutches of doom and a slithering through your soul slowly dragging you to madness. Ever wake up in a strange graveyard? Ever find some curious object and bring it home only to curse the day you found it? Well, the choice is yours. Take it home and read it if you dare, but don't claim you haven't been warned, for madness lurks in deep, dark holes, and evil lives where no man should go. The sliver moon peeks from behind drifting gray clouds, and you swear you saw a set of shining bright eyes watching you from the bushes. But never forget, it doesn't have to be the witching hour or even dark for the creeps to do what they goddamned do.

This volume collects 8 pioneering essays (and a humorous epistolary exchange) by the late H.P. Lovecraft scholar, George T. Wetzel. This is the largest single volume of Wetzel's nonfiction ever published. Included are: "Biographic Notes on Lovecraft" (from HPL, 1971) "The Mechanistic Supernatural of Lovecraft" (from Fresco, 1958) "The Cthulhu Mythos: A Study" (from HPL: Memoirs, Critiques and Bibliographies, 1971) "A Lovecraft Profile" (from Nyctalops #8, April 1973) "The Pseudonymous Lovecraft" (from The Lovecraft Scholar, 1983) "Lovecraft's Literary Executor" (from The Lovecraft Scholar, 1983) "Copyright Problems of the Lovecraft Literary Estate (from The Lovecraft Scholar, 1983) "A Memoir of Jack Grill" (from Huitloxopetl, 1972) "Letters of George Wetzel" (from Fan-Fare, 1951-1953)