Edited by Linda Shea and S. T. Joshi. Cover art by Michael Whelan. Additional interior artwork by Alan Clark, Allen Koszowski, Jon Stewart, and Steve Gilberts.
Michael Shea (1946–2014) was one of the most distinguished, respected,
and beloved figures in the fields of fantasy, horror, and science
fiction. He won two World Fantasy Awards, and his Nifft the Lean series of fantasy adventure novels attracted a wide audience. He also
wrote powerful tales of supernatural horror, including several tales
elaborating upon H. P. Lovecraft’s Cthulhu Mythos.
This first major volume of writings and tributes to appear after his
untimely death presents an array of fiction, poetry, and other writings
that demonstrate Shea’s effortless skill in different genres and styles. Four substantial tales — including the unpublished novella “Credit Card”
and the award-winning “The Growlimb” — lead off the volume. There follows
an array of weird and fantastic poetry, published and unpublished,
including verses that appeared at key moments in his novels and stories.
The volume features tributes to Shea’s unique personal and literary
gifts by such figures as Laird Barron, Cody Goodfellow, Marc Laidlaw,
Jessica Amanda Salmonson, and Jason V Brock, as well as a portfolio of
artwork illustrating Shea’s writings by such artists as Michael Whelan,
Alan Clark, John Stewart, Allen Koszowski, and Steve Gilbert. The book
concludes with a comprehensive bibliography of Shea’s writings.
This book is a poignant testimonial to the imperishable imprint that
Michael Shea left upon the domain of imaginative fiction, and upon the
individuals whose lives he touched.
