Sword and Sorceress series

The Sword and Sorceress series is a series of fantasy anthologies edited by Marion Zimmer Bradley. As she explained in the foreword to the first volume, she created the anthology to redress the lack of strong female protagonists in the sub-genre of sword and sorcery. At the time, most female characters in sword and sorcery were little more than stock damsels in distress, or pawns who were distributed at the conclusion of the story as "bad-conduct prizes" (MZB's term) for the male protagonists. Many of the early sword-and-sorcery works featured attitudes toward women that Bradley considered appalling.

Although Bradley had some difficulty filling the first few volumes of the Sword and Sorceress series, as they grew in popularity with readers, she began to receive increasing numbers of excellent submissions. As a result, she had to become more selective, and to shorten her reading periods accordingly. For the eighteenth volume, which she was editing at the time of her death, she made reading by invitation only. After her death, it was decided to take as many as possible of the stories she had tentatively chosen and publish them in three annual volumes, thus extending the series. After volume twenty was published, the publisher decided to extend an invitation for an additional volume under Diana L. Paxson, an editor who had worked with Bradley, with the possibility of additional volumes being published if it became a success.

The Sword and Sorceress series is noteworthy not only for its introduction of strong female protagonists into a sub-genre previously dominated by male characters, but for its financial success. Unlike most anthologies of original fantasy short fiction, they routinely earned out their advances and continued to pay their authors royalties for years afterward, often on foreign sales. In addition, many authors who made their first professional sales in the Sword and Sorceress anthologies subsequently enjoyed successful careers as novelists.

In February 2007, the Marion Zimmer Bradley Literary Works Trust, which holds her copyrights, negotiated a contract with Norilana Books to publish a new volume and proceed to elicit submissions. The book was published in November 2007, and the editor was Elisabeth Waters.

The Books

Sword And Sorceress I

Published in 1984 (ISBN 0-88677-359-8)

• With Four Lean Hounds — Pat Murphy
• The Valley of the Troll — Charles de Lint
• Things Come in Threes — Dorothy J. Heydt
• Taking Heart — Stephen L. Burns
• Sword of Yraine — Diana L. Paxson
• Severed Heads — Glen Cook
• The Rending Dark — Emma Bull
• Imperatrix — Deborah Wheeler
• House in the Forest — Anodea Judith
• Gimmile's Songs — Charles R. Saunders
• Gate of the Damned — Janet Fox
• The Garnet and the Glory — Phyllis Ann Karr
• Daton and the Dead Things — Michael Ward
• Child of Orcus — Robin W. Bailey
• Blood of Sorcery — Jennifer Roberson

Sword And Sorceress II

Published in 1985 (ISBN 0-88677-041-6), reissued 1989 (ISBN 0-88677-360-1)

• Wound on the Moon — Vera Nazarian
• The Unshadowed Land — C. J. Cherryh
• Unicorn's Blood — Bruce D. Arthurs
• Sword of the Mother — Dana Kramer-Rolls
• Shimenege's Mask — Charles Saunders
• Shadow Wood — Diana L. Paxson
• Red Pearls — Richard Corwin
• The Red Guild — Rachel Pollock
• On First Looking into Bradley's Guidelines — Elizabeth Thompson
• A Night at Two Inns — Phyllis Ann Karr
• The Lady and the Tiger — Jennifer Roberson
• Hunger — Russ Garrison
• Fireweb — Deborah Wheeler
• Cold Blows the Wind — Charles de Lint
• The Chosen Maiden — Raul Reyes
• The Black Tower — Stephen Burns

Sword And Sorceress III

Published in 1986 (ISBN 0-88677-302-4)

Novelettes

• Sword-Sworn — Mercedes Lackey

Short Fiction

• A Woman's Privilege — Elisabeth Waters
• Valley of the Shadow — Jennifer Roberson
• Tupilak — Terry Tafoya
• Talla — J. Edwin Andrews
• A Tale from Hendry's Mill — Melissa Carpenter
• The Song and the Flute — Dorothy J. Heydt
• Scarlet Eyes — Millea Kenin
• S.A.R. — Patricia B. Cirone
• The River of Tears — Anodea Judith
• Orpheus — Mary Frances Zambreno
• More's the Pity — L. D. Woeltjen
• The Mist on the Moor — Diana L. Paxson
• Marwe's Forest — Charles R. Saunders
• Journeytime — Dana Kramer-Rolls
• The Hunters — Mavis J. Andrews
• Fresh Blood — Polly B. Johnson
• Enter the Wolf — A. D. Overstreet
• Dragon-Amber — Deborah Wheeler
• Bargains — Elizabeth Moon

Essays/Articles

• The Evolution of Women's Fantasy — Marion Zimmer Bradley

Sword and Sorceress IV

Published in 1987 (ISBN 0-88677-210-9), reissued 1989 (ISBN 0-88677-412-8)

• The Woodland of Zarad-Thra — Robin W. Bailey
• The Weeping Oak — Charles de Lint
• The Tree-Wife of Arketh — Syn Ferguson
• A Tale of Heroes — Mercedes Lackey
• Storm God — Deborah Wheeler
• Spell of Binding — Richard Cornell
• Rite of Passage — Jennifer Roberson
• The Ring of Lifari — Josepha Sherman
• Redeemer's Riddle — Stephen L. Burns
• The Noonday Witch — Dorothy J. Heydt
• Kayli's Fire — Paula Helm Murray
• Gullrider — Dave Smeds
• Fate and the Dreamer — Millea Kenin
• The Eyes of the Gods — Richard Corwin
• Die Like a Man — L. D. Woeltjen
• Death and the Ugly Woman — Bruce D. Arthurs
• Bloodstones — Deborah M. Vogel
• Blood Dancer — Diana L. Paxson

Sword And Sorceress V

Published in 1988 (ISBN 0-88677-288-5)

Short Fiction

• Warrior's Way — A. D. Overstreet
• Sword Singer — Laura J. Underwood
• Stormbringer — Steve Tymon
• Spoils of War — Jennifer Roberson
• Sorceress of the Gulls — Dave Smeds
• Sorcerer's Pet — Margaret L. Carter
• Runaways — Josepha Sherman
• Rite of Vengeance — Deborah Wheeler
• Revised Standard Virgin — Rick Cook
• Peet's Bride — Dana Kramer-Rolls
• One Night at the Inn — Millea Kenin
• Keys — Mercedes Lackey
• Jewels — Linda Gordon
• Into the Green — Charles de Lint
• The Golden Egg — Morning Glory Zell
• Eyes of the Laemi — Janet Fox
• The Eye of Toyur — Diana L. Paxson
• Drum Duel — Gerald Perkins
• Dragon Lovers — Cynthia Drolet
• Dance of the Healer — M. R. Hildebrand
• Cholin of Carnel — B. A. Rolls
• Bloodstone — Mary Frances Zambreno

Essays/Articles

• Introduction or Something — Marion Zimmer Bradley

Sword And Sorceress VI

Published in 1990 (ISBN 0-88677-423-3)

Short Stories

• Wolfrunner — Mary E. Choo
• Wolf Hunt — Bobbi Miller
• Until We Meet Again — J. A. Brebner
• Stone of Light — Linda Gordon
• The Starry King — Vera Nazarian
• Sleeping Dogs — Jennifer Roberson
• Shadowlands — Elisabeth Waters
• Ratsbane — Dorothy J. Heydt
• Name of the Demoness — Jessie D. Eaker
• Mirror Image — Nina Boal
• The Making of a Legend — Mercedes Lackey
• A Lesser of Evils — Morning Glory Zell
• Hands — Lois Tilton
• The Hand of Fatima — Shariann Lewitt
• Equona's Mare — Diana L. Paxson
• Commencement — Lynne Armstrong-Jones
• Change of Command — Nancy Jane Moore
• Burnt Offerings — Mary Fenoglio
• Black Wolf — Gemma Tarlach
• And Sáavüld Danced... — Kier Neustaedter

Short Fiction

• Pearl — Carl Thelen

Essays/Articles

• Introduction — Marion Zimmer Bradley

Sword And Sorceress VII

Published in 1990 (ISBN 0-88677-457-8)

Short Stories

• The Talisman — Mercedes Lackey

Short Fiction

• A Wolf in the Fold — Deborah Wheeler
• Winterkill — Laurell K. Hamilton
• Winter's Daughter — Diane Burrell
• Widow — Kathleen A. Vernado
• Waterwise — Mary Frey
• Warrior's Oath — Lynne Armstrong-Jones
• The Thorny Path to Wizardry — Lawrence Schimel
• A Thing of Love — Vera Nazarian
• The Sword Slave — Diana L. Paxson
• Staying Behind — Jessie D. Eaker
• St. George and the Dragon — Nancy Jane Moore
• The Second Song — I. F. Cole
• Mending Wounds — Gary Jonas
• Lost Souls — Alison Brooks
• Just Desserts — Elizabeth McCoy
• Her Father's Daughter — Sue Isle
• Heart of the Matter — Rowna A. Bathgate
• Hawk's Hill — Gary Herring
• Grim Calling — Patricia B. Cirone
• Festival Gatherers — Diann Partridge
• The Cloud of Evil — Mark Tompkins
• The Buddy System — Laura Thurston
• The Bridge Over Darikill Fel — Stephen L. Burns
• At the Tolling of Midnight — Stephanie Shaver

Sword And Sorceress VIII

Published in 1991 (ISBN 0-88677-486-1)

Short Stories

• Ytarra's Mirror — Diana L. Paxson
• Wings of Fire — Mercedes Lackey
• Trading Swords — Dave Smeds
• A Throw of the Dice — Nancy L. Pine
• Stained Glass — Linda Gordon
• Spellbinder — eluki bes shahar
• Song of the Dragon — Andrea Pelleschi
• She Who Shields — Gary W. Herring
• Shards of Crystal — Stephanie Shaver
• Retirement Plan — Margaret Howes
• The Price of the Wind — Josepha Sherman
• Out of the Frying Pan — Elisabeth Waters
• The Opal Skull — Cynthia Ward
• Marayd's Escape — Rima Saret
• Kayli Kidnapped — Paula Helm Murray
• Heart's Desires — Walter L. Kleine
• Geese — Laurell K. Hamilton
• Fair Play — Jennifer Roberson
• Edyth Among the Trolls — Lois Tilton
• East of the Dawn — Jere Dunham
• Beauty and His Beast — Vera Nazarian

Short Fiction

• Masks — Deborah Burros

Essays/Articles

• Introduction — Marion Zimmer Bradley

Sword and Sorceress IX

Published in 1992 (ISBN 0-88677-509-4)

Sword And Sorceress X

Published in 1993 (ISBN 0-88677-552-3)

Short Stories

• Bonds of Light — Vera Nazarian
• Taking Shape — Lisa Deason
• Boys Will Be Girls — Vicki Kirchhoff
• Just Reward — Karen Luk
• Smile of the Goddess — Lorina J. Stephens
• Ether and the Skeptic — Katy Huth Jones
• Mage-Sight — Lynne Alisse Witten
• The Sorceress' Apprentice — Deborah Wheeler
• Her Mother's Sword — Stephanie Shaver
• In Sheep's Clothing — Lawrence Schimel
• Old Age and Treachery... — Nancy L. Pine
• A Run in the Forest — David A. Pillard
• The Phoenix Medallion — Diann Partridge
• Double Vision — Lucas K. Law
• Oaths — Leslie Ann Miller
• Night, Who Creeps Through Keyholes — Francesca Myman
• Robes — Patricia Duffy Novak
• Hunt for the Queen's Beast — J. M. Cressy
• Fealty — Kati Dougherty
• Earth, Air, Fire, and Water — Kirsten M. Corby
• Dance of Death — Donna Bocian Currie
• Heart in a Box — Lynne Armstrong-Jones
• Friendly Fire — Mercedes Lackey featuring the ever-popular Tarma & Kethry
• The Gift of Minerva — Dorothy J. Heydt
• The Proper Balance — Robyn McGrew
• Falcon's Shadow — Diana L. Paxson
• Lorelei — Tina Good

Short Fiction

• Justice Is Mine — Carolee J. Edwards
• The Limwitch — Rebekah Jensen

Essays/Articles

• Introduction — Marion Zimmer Bradley

Sword And Sorceress XI

Published in 1994 (ISBN 0-88677-614-7)

Sword And Sorceress XII

Published in 1995 (ISBN 0-88677-657-0)

• Demon in Glass — John P. Buentello
• Dragonskin Boots — Lisa S. Silverthorne
• Promise to Angel — Stephanie Shaver
• Does the Show Fit You Now? — Carolyn J. Bahr
• A Lynx & a Bastard — Karen Luk
• Truth — Lynne Armstrong-Jones
• Skins — Heather Rose Jones
• Though the World Is Darkness — Lisa Deason
• Hemparius the Trader — Valerie Atkinson Gawthorp
• Chance — Tom Gallier
• Touched By the Gods — Deborah Millitello
• Shadow Harper — Cynthia McQuillin
• The Stone Face, the Giant, & the Paradox — Vera Nazarian
• Wormwood — Laura J. Underwood
• Silverblade — Deborah Wheeler
• A Dragon in Distress — Mercedes Lackey & Elisabeth Waters
• Stone Spirit — Diana L. Paxson
• Garden of Glories — Jennifer Roberson
• Stealing the Power — Linda J. Dunn
• The Lost Path — Patricia Duffy Novak
• Winter Roses — Patricia Sayre McCoy
• Amber — Syne Mitchell

Sword And Sorceress XIII

Published in 1996 (ISBN 0-88677-703-8)

Short Stories

• The Choosing — John P Buentello
• Patience — Jo Clayton
• The Comforter — Jean Marie Egger
• Catriona's Daughters — Andrea Horlick
• More Than One Way — Heather Rose Jones
• Spirit Quest — Kathryne Anne Kennedy
• Daelith's Bargain — Cynthia McQuillin
• Personal Need — Lynn Michals
• Sun Dancer — Leslie Ann Miller
• Patchwork Magic — P. Andrew Miller
• Double Blind — Syne Mitchell
• The Werewolf's Final Lesson — Joette Rozanski
• Crow Feathers — Lawrence Schimel
• Jewel-Bright — Stephanie Shaver
• The Whisht Hound's Bone — Laura J. Underwood
• Dual — Quinn E. Weller
• The Spirit Arrow — Deborah Wheeler
• What the Gods Will — Kathleen Dalton-Woodbury

Novelettes

• The Curse of Tanit — Dorothy J. Heydt
• Twilight — Diana L. Paxson
• Spider's Offer — Charles M. Saplak
• Tortoise Weeps — Marella Sands

Essay

• Introduction — Marion Zimmer Bradley

Sword And Sorceress XIV

Published in 1997 (ISBN 0-88677-741-0)

• To Have and to Hold — Karen Barnes
• A Knight On Tower Hill — Kathrina Bood
• Lifestone — Mary Catelli
• If You Can't Stand the Heat... — P.E. Cunningham
• The Hand of a Lady — Anne Cutrell
• La Faie Suiateih — Lisa Deason
• The Needle and the Sword — Jessie D. Eaker
• Vengeance — Dorothy J. Heydt
• By the Skin of Her Teeth — Heather Rose Jones
• White Elephants — Christopher Kempke
• Friends in High Places — Christina Krueger
• The Hollow Dancer — Mary Soon Lee
• Small Considerations — Judith Fielder Leggett
• The Naming of Names — Adrienne Martine-Barnes
• The Impression of Power — Lee Martindale
• The Stone-Weaver's Tale — Cynthia McQuillin
• Silver Bands — Syne Mitchell
• The Moongate Troll — Patricia Duffy Novak
• The Changelings — Diana L. Paxson
• Death Hunt — Raul S. Reyes
• The Longest Night — Lisa Silverthorne
• Traveler's Aide — Kathleen Thomson
• The Bargain — Laura J. Underwood
• Blood Moon — Cynthia Ward
• The Blade of Unmaking — Elisabeth Waters
• A Single Soul — Deborah Wheeler

Sword And Sorceress XV

Published in 1998 (ISBN 0-88677-768-2)

• "With a Warrior's Soul" — John P. Buentello
• "Perseverance" — Deborah Burros
• "Where there is Smoke" — Mary Catelli
• "Unbinding Spell" — Andrea Chodan
• "Cecropia" — Susan Hanniford Crowley
• "To Live Forever" — Jessie D. Eaker
• "Queen's Anvil" — Sarah Lyons
• "The Sick Rose" — Dorothy J. Heydt
• "Skin-Deep" — Heather Rose Jones
• "One Last Time, One Last Dragon — Cath Mcbride
• "Under Her Wing" — Devon Monk
• "Shimmering Scythe" — Vera Nazarian
• "Spring Snow" — Diana L. Paxson
• "Oaths" — Lynn Morgan Rosser
• "Something Precious" — Carol Tompkins
• "All These Days" — Peter Trachtenberg
• "His Heart of Stone" — Laura J. Underwood
• "A Matter of Names" — Cynthia Ward
• "The Dragon's Horde" — Elisabeth Waters and Raul S. Reyes
• "The Phoenix Blade" — Deborah Wheeler
• "The Smell of Magic" — Kathleen Dalton-Woodbury
• "Seal-Woman's Power" — Paul Edwin Zimmer

Sword And Sorceress XVI

Published in 1999 (ISBN 0-88677-843-3)

Sword And Sorceress XVII

Published in 2000 (ISBN 0-88677-891-3)

Sword And Sorceress XVIII

Published in 2001 (ISBN 0-88677-996-0)

Sword And Sorceress XIX

Published in 2002 (ISBN 0-7564-0049-X)

Sword and Sorceress XX

Published in 2003 (ISBN 0-7564-0142-9)

Sword and Sorceress XXI

Published in 2004 (ISBN 0-7564-0195-X). Edited by Diana L. Paxson.

Sword and Sorceress XXII

Published in 2007 (ISBN 978-1-934169-90-2). Edited by Elisabeth Waters.

• "Edra's Arrow" — Esther M. Friesner
• "A Nose for Trouble" — Patricia B. Cirone
• "Night Watches" — Catherine Soto
• "Vanishing Village" — Margaret L. Carter
• "Pearl of Fire" — Deborah J. Ross
• "The Ironwood Box" — Kimberly L. Maughan
• "Bearing Shadows" — Dave Smeds
• "Black Ghost, Red Ghost" — Jonathan Moeller
• "The Decisive Princess" — Catherine Mintz
• "Child of the Father" — Alanna Morland
• "Child of Ice, Child of Flame" — Marian Allen
• "Skin & Bones" — Heather Rose Jones
• "Crosswort Puzzle" — Michael Spence & Elisabeth Waters
• "Fairy Debt" — T. Borregaard
• "Tontine" — Robert E. Vardeman
• "The Menagerie" — Sarah Dozier

External links

• Series listing at SciFan
• Series listing at ISFDB
• Review of latest volume S&S XXII