New Releases by Fritz Leiber

This XpressRead Cram Edition of Conjure wife pairs the complete original text with carefully prepared study materials, designed for deeper engagement with this classic. Delve into the chilling world of Fritz Leiber''s "Conjure Wife," a classic tale where horror and science fiction intertwine with the unsettling realities of marriage. This meticulously prepared print edition resurrects a timeless story exploring the supernatural forces at play beneath the surface of everyday life. When a college professor stumbles upon evidence of witchcraft, he unwittingly unravels a web of occult practices hidden among the faculty and their wives. As he investigates further, he discovers that these seemingly ordinary women are engaged in a silent, secret battle, wielding ancient powers to gain advantage in their husbands'' careers and their own social standing. This unsettling exploration of power, paranoia, and the hidden lives of spouses blends psychological suspense with elements of the occult. "Conjure Wife" remains a captivating read, offering a glimpse into a world where the supernatural lurks just beneath the veneer of normalcy. A chilling examination of relationships and the unseen forces that shape our lives.

In "The Green Millennium," Fritz Leiber masterfully weaves a narrative that oscillates between science fiction and dark fantasy, set against the backdrop of a near-future Earth transformed by environmental calamities. Leiber''s prose is both lyrical and incisive, deftly exploring themes of identity, humanity''s relationship with nature, and the consequences of technological advancement. The plot centers on a mysterious green cat that catalyzes a series of surreal events, leading the protagonist into a labyrinth of existential reflections and moral dilemmas. The novel serves as a rich commentary on the 1960s zeitgeist, grappling with ecological anxieties and the burgeoning counterculture movement, all while employing a vibrant, almost hallucinatory literary style that invites deep engagement from the reader. Fritz Leiber, a prominent figure in 20th-century speculative fiction, brought to bear his extensive knowledge of mythology and philosophy, as well as his personal experiences with urban life and nature, into this work. His unique background''Äîrooted in a theatrical upbringing and a lifelong engagement with the fantastic''Äîshapes the emotional depth and complexity found within "The Green Millennium." This novel reflects his belief in the power of literature to challenge norms and provoke thought about urgent societal issues. For readers who crave a profound exploration of ecological themes wrapped in an evocative narrative, "The Green Millennium" is an essential addition to the canon of speculative fiction. Leiber''Äôs imaginative storytelling invites readers to reflect on their own place within an ever-changing world, encouraging both introspection and deeper consideration of humanity''s role in the ecological balance. This engaging work will appeal not only to fans of science fiction but also to those interested in philosophical questions that resonate in today''s urgent climate discourse. In this enriched edition, we have carefully created added value for your reading experience: - A succinct Introduction situates the work''s timeless appeal and themes. - The Synopsis outlines the central plot, highlighting key developments without spoiling critical twists. - A detailed Historical Context immerses you in the era''s events and influences that shaped the writing. - A thorough Analysis dissects symbols, motifs, and character arcs to unearth underlying meanings. - Reflection questions prompt you to engage personally with the work''s messages, connecting them to modern life. - Hand‐picked Memorable Quotes shine a spotlight on moments of literary brilliance. - Interactive footnotes clarify unusual references, historical allusions, and archaic phrases for an effortless, more informed read.

The Probability Engine made differing timelines a reality: alternate universes real enough to exist side by side...and to be invaded.... Destiny Times Three is a classic alternate-timeline science fiction novel by American writer Fritz Leiber. It first appeared in Astounding Science Fiction as a twopart serial from March to April, 1945.

Our 81st issue is among our best so far, if I do say so myself. We have an original mystery by H.K. Slade (courtesy of Acquiring Editor Michael Bracken), a great modern tale by Ann Aptaker (courtesy of Acquiring Editor Barb Goffman), and a pair of mystery novels—Bruce Campbell’s The Mystery of the Iron Box, featuring Ken Holt (by special request of one of our readers), and The Girl Who Had to Die, by Elisabeth Sanxay Holding. And no issue would be complete without a solve-it-yourself mystery by Hal Charles. On the science fiction and fantasy side, we have a classic novel by Fritz Leiber: Conjure Wife, originally published in 1943. Don’t miss the introduction, which puts it into historical context. If that’s not enough, we also have an entry in Phyllis Ann Karr’s “Frostflower & Thorn” series and classic science fiction stories by George O. Smith, Kendell Foster Crossen, and Lu Kella. Fun! Here’s this issue’s complete lineup: Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “House in the Snow” by H.K. Slade [Michael Bracken Presents short story] “Death Visits Campus” by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] “Red Nocturne,” by Ann Aptaker [Barb Goffman Presents short story] The Mystery of the Iron Box, by Bruce Campbell [novel] The Girl Who Had to Die, by Elisabeth Sanxay Holding [novel] Science Fiction & Fantasy: “The Dragon, the Unicorn, and the Teddy Bear,” by Phyllis Ann Karr [Frostflower & Thorn short story] “The Dreamers,” by Lu Kella [short story] “Booby Prize,” by George O. Smith [novelet] “The Agile Algolian,” by Kendell Foster Crossen [novelet] Conjure Wife, by Fritz Leiber [novel]

Tansy Saylor is the wife of an up-and-coming young sociology professor at a small, conservative American college. She is also a witch. Her husband, Norman, discovers this one day while rummaging through her dressing table: he finds vials of graveyard dirt, packets of hair and fingernail clippings from their acquaintances, and other evidence of her witchcraft. He confronts Tansy, and manages to convince her that her faith in magic is a result of superstition and neurosis. Tansy burns her charms; and Norman''s luck immediately goes sour. He realizes that he had been protected, up till now, by Tansy''s charms, and that as a result of his meddling, they are both now powerless to counteract the spells and charms of the other witches all around them.

The machine was not perfect. It could be tricked. It could make mistakes. And—it could learn!

"An excellent collection" of vampire stories, from authors such as Harlan Ellison, Dan Simmons , Gahan Wilson, Tanith Lee, and Fritz Leiber ( Publishers Weekly). Renowned editor Ellen Datlow has gathered seventeen variations on vampirism ranging from classically Gothic to postmodern satire, from horrific to erotic. These stories reflect the evolution of vampire literature from Bram Stoker to Anne Rice and beyond, resulting in a deeper exploration of their inner lives. Expanding the concept of vampirism to include the draining of a person''s will or life force, Datlow''s collection transcends the traditional "black capes and teeth marks on the neck" to reinvent an eternally fascinating subgenre of horror. In Harlan Ellison''s "Try a Dull Knife," an empath stumbles bleeding into a nightclub, on the run from emotional vampires. A Broadway actress steals the emotions of her fellow performers in ". . . To Feel Another''s Woe" by Chet Williamson. And in "The Sea Was Wet as Wet Could Be," Gahan Wilson offers his own surreal twist on Lewis Carroll''s "The Walrus and the Carpenter," as two strangers on a beach lure intoxicated picnickers to a different kind of picnic . . . Blood Is Not Enough includes contributions by Dan Simmons, Gahan Wilson, Garry Kilworth, Harlan Ellison, Scott Baker, Leonid Andreyev, Harvey Jacobs, S. N. Dyer, Edward Bryant, Fritz Leiber, Tanith Lee, Susan Casper, Steve Rasnic Tem, Gardner Dozois and Jack Dann, Chet Williamson, Joe Haldeman, and Pat Cadigan.

From a Grand Master of Science Fiction and Fantasy, the Hugo and Nebula Award–winning sword and sorcery series. Long before George R. R. Martin''s Game of Thrones became a worldwide phenomenon, Fritz Leiber ruled the literary universe of sword and sorcery. This novel and two short story collections chronicle the adventures of Leiber''s endearing and groundbreaking antiheroes: the barbarian Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser, a former wizard''s apprentice—featuring the Hugo Award–nominated novellas "Scylla''s Daughter" and "Stardock." Swords Against Wizardry: Bold Fafhrd and the sly Gray Mouser find adventure wherever they tread quick and lightly, whether it be in consulting a witch for advice, climbing Nehwon''s highest peak in search of riches, discovering that they may not actually be the greatest thieves in Lankhmar, or working both sides of a royal battle for the throne of Quarmall. The Swords of Lankhmar: With a plague of rats teeming in Lankhmar, Fafhrd and the Mouser are hired by the city to guard a shipment of grain overseas. But when the duo returns, they discover the sentient vermin have taken over Lankhmar for themselves! And now it''s up to the barbarian and the thief to build a better rat trap. Swords and Ice Magic: Fafhrd and Gray Mouser make their way by sword and stealth as they face death in many forms, earn the ire of gods whose names they rarely even speak in vain anymore, lazily drift on the Great Equatorial Current, and venture far into the icy wastes of the Rime Isle to confront a pair of deities and a pillaging fleet in this World Fantasy Award nominee.

The Hugo and Nebula Award–winning series of swords and sorcery, featuring two unorthodox heroes, from a Grand Master of Science Fiction and Fantasy. Many decades before George R. R. Martin''s Game of Thrones, Grand Master Fritz Leiber ruled the sword-and-sorcery universe. These three short story collections chronicle the unconventional adventures of Leiber''s endearing antiheroes: barbarian Fafhrd and former wizard''s apprentice, the Gray Mouser. Swords and Deviltry: Fafhrd, a handsome barbarian of the Steppes, is seduced by a beautiful prostitute and her equally intoxicating city, while the Gray Mouser, a slum rat wizard-in-training, is tempted by the dark arts. The two men meet on a night of multiple thieveries and an enduring partnership is born. Swords Against Death: Rogue swordsmen and devoted companions Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser pursue ill-gotten fortunes within the confines of Lankhmar. They cross paths with two wizards, Sheelba of the Eyeless Face and Ningauble of the Seven Eyes, and a most violent clash ensues. Eventually, following further adventures, the two antiheroes end up as indentured swordsman servants to their former foes. Swords in the Mist: A cloud of concentrated hatred and lean times in Lankhmar compels Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser to temporarily depart the most corrupt metropolis in all of Nehwon as they seek adventure in the realm of the Sea-King—and on a different world entirely. This must-read collection of Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser short stories features multiple Hugo and Nebula Award–nominated tales, and includes the acclaimed novella Ill Met in Lankhmar.

The dark star passed, bringing with it eternal night and turning history into incredible myth in a single generation! In this story of desperation and courage a family believing themselves to be the last humans alive on Earth must fight daily against a cold uncaring universe. Fritz Leiber won multiple Hugo, Nebula, and World Fantasy awards. This story shows him at the height of his prowess.

Wysten Turner is a Brit visiting America after it''s great war with Russia. He meets a woman with a tale of woe in the streets of New York. Her boyfriend is a professional wrestler who beats her. She begs Turner to help her escape him, but is the situation as straight forward as it seems? Nominated for a Retro Hugo Award.

A swashbuckling story collection in the genre-defining sword-and-sorcery series from the Hugo and Nebula Award–winning Grand Master of Science Fiction. Fafhrd and Mouse are not innocents; their world is no land of honor and righteousness. It is a world of human complexities and violent action, of discovery and mystery, of swords and sorcery. With Swords Against Wizardry, the story unfolds behind the curtain "In the Witch''s Tent". Fafhrd and Gray Mouser are there to consult a sorceress who holds the secret to their escape, but when would they ever need to escape? Would they need this knowledge when they journey to "Stardock"? Where is there to escape up there? No doubt the icy seduction of the cruel one, with her greed for both gore and graciousness, could offer them several ways out. Their luck has been good so far; one way out should work. Their luck continues as thieves. They are "The Two Best Thieves in Lankhmar" until better positions arise: "The Lords of Quarmall." Gray Mouser and Fafhrd steal a kingdom within a hill and declare themselves lords. Drawing on themes from Shakespeare, Edgar Allan Poe, and H. P. Lovecraft, master manipulator Fritz Leiber is a worldwide legend within the fantasy genre and actually coined the term Sword and Sorcery that describes the subgenre he helped create. "Fritz Leiber''s tales of Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser are virtually a genre unto themselves. Urbane, idiosyncratic, comic, erotic, and human, spiked with believable action and the eerie creations of a master fantasist." —Harlan Ellison

A classic sword and sorcery novel featuring the Hugo and Nebula Award–winning Grand Master of Science Fiction''s unorthodox and unpredictable antiheroes. The Swords of Lankhmar finds the city characteristically plagued by rats. Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser are in the employ of Glipkerio, the overlord, to guard a grain ship on its journey. Along the way, the rats onboard stage a rebellion and threaten to take the ship until a two-headed sea monster saves the day. If only there were two-headed sea monsters everywhere, Lankhmar would be safe, too. Alas, upon returning to the city, the two discover that Lankhmar is controlled by rats. It is a city known for its thieves and swine, but even the city''s muddiest bottom feeders have never seen pillaging and plundering like this. And only the sorcerers Sheelba of the Eyeless Face and Ningauble of the Seven Eyes can scare this scourge. Mouser must shrink into the rat''s world and Fafhrd must unleash the feared feline War Cats. Then the fun really begins. "Fritz Leiber''s tales of Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser are virtually a genre unto themselves. Urbane, idiosyncratic, comic, erotic, and human, spiked with believable action and the eerie creations of a master fantasist." —Harlan Ellison

The final book in the seminal sword-and-sorcery series from the Hugo and Nebula Award–winning Grand Master of Science Fiction and Fantasy. After their adventures in Swords and Ice Magic, Fafhrd the barbarian and Gray Mouser the thief remain on Rime Isle with their loves, seeking lives of respectability and peace. Fafhrd works to regain his archery skills after losing his left hand to Odin in battle. Meanwhile, the Gray Mouser embarks on a trading expedition aboard the ship Seahawk. But their respite will soon come to an end—for on the world of Nehwon, a brother and sister plot to regain the treasures stolen from them by the pirates of Rime Isle. Soon Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser, alone and together, are plagued by dreams and curses that will force them to confront the vengeful siblings, destructive temptations, sea demons, and ancient obsessions as "one of the great works of fantasy in this century" comes to its climactic end ( Publishers Weekly). "The greatest living writer of supernatural horror fiction." —Ramsey Campbell, World Fantasy Award–winning author

From a Grand Master of Science Fiction and Fantasy: In a post-apocalyptic future, a priest must fight the forces of evil in order to bring freedom to humanity. Three-hundred and sixty years after a nuclear holocaust ravaged mankind, the world is fraught with chaos and superstition. Endowed with scientific knowledge lost to the rest of humanity, Techno-priests of the Great God now rule. Jarles, originally of peasant descent, rises to become a priest of the Great God. He knows that the gospel is nothing but trickery propagated by non-believers. One day, he defies his priestly training and attempts to incite the peasants to rebel—but Jarles is not the only dissenter trying to bring down the priesthood—witchcraft is slowly gaining strength and support among the populace. Little does Jarles know his rebellion is about to throw him headlong into the middle of the greatest holy war the world has ever seen.

A horror author is drawn into a mysterious curse in this World Fantasy Award–winning novel from the author of the Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser series. Fritz Leiber may be best known as a fantasy writer, but he published widely and successfully in the horror and science fiction fields. His fiction won the Hugo, Nebula, Derleth, Gandalf, Lovecraft, and World Fantasy Awards, and he was honored with the Life Achievement Lovecraft Award and the Grand Master Nebula Award. One of his best novels is the classic dark fantasy Our Lady of Darkness, winner of the 1978 World Fantasy Award. Our Lady of Darkness introduces San Francisco horror writer Franz Westen. While studying his beloved city through binoculars from his apartment window, he is astonished to see a mysterious figure waving at him from a hilltop two miles away. He walks to Corona Heights and looks back at his building to discover the figure waving at him from his apartment window—and to find himself caught in a century‐spanning curse that may have destroyed Clark Ashton Smith and Jack London.

A collection of fifteen tales of horror by the award-winning Grand Master of Science Fiction and Fantasy and author of the Lankhmar series. In Horrible Imaginings, buckle up for a disturbing ride. Meet a mysterious woman in black, a gun with a score to settle, a man who seeks eternal life, a peculiar painting of a dead woman, and more . . . Assembled from magazine submissions, fanzines, and even "lost" manuscripts discovered among the author''s personal papers, this book features two Nebula Award finalists: "Horrible Imaginings" and "Answering Service," as well as the stories "The Automatic Pistol," "Crazy Annaoj," "The Hound," "Alice and the Allergy," "Skinny''s Wonderful," "Scream Wolf," "Mysterious Doings in the Metropolitan Museum," "When Brahma Wakes," "The Glove," "The Girl With the Hungry Eyes," "While Set Fled," "Diary in the Snow," and "The Ghost Light." Find out why Fritz Leiber is a must-read for any fan of science fiction, fantasy, or horror. Suspense, surprise, wit, and weirdness—they''re all here for fans both old and new. Praise for Fritz Leiber "For anyone who loves great literature, Fritz Leiber walked on water." —Harlan Ellison, author of I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream "A master . . . The prose should be savored." — Locus "High quality." — The New York Times

A collection of supernatural horror stories from the SFWA Grand Master and Hugo and Nebula Award–winning author of the Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser novels. Assembled here is a selection of Mr. Leiber''s best horrific tales, many of which have been virtually unobtainable for decades. From the riveting "Spider Mansion" and "The Phantom Slayer" from Weird Tales to the more recent "Lie Still, Snow White" and "Black Has Its Charms" from rare, small‐press magazines, this collection provides an overview of Leiber''s fifty‐plus years as an acknowledged master of the weird tale. This edition was edited by John Pelan and Steve Savile.

The Big Time is a story involving only a few characters, but with a vast, cosmic back story. The storyline features members of one of two factions, both capable of time travel, engaged in a long-term conflict called "The Change War". Their method of battle involves changing the outcomes of events throughout history.

This volume assembled six of Leiber''s classic works: "Dr. Kometevsky''s Day," "The Big Trek," "The Enchanted Forest," "Deadly Moon," "The Snowbank Orbit," and "The Ship Sails at Midnight."

Sent by a witch on a foolhardy journey, Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser return to the icy reaches of the north in search of dubious treasure. There, they are seduced by the glittering attractions of an ice woman, who brings them with her to her shadowy lair. Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser-brothers in arms-are overwhelmed by intimations of power and rise to become the overlords of Quarmall, a dangerous region of lies, magic, and swords.

Collected in this volume are three of Fritz Leiber''s works: the short novel "The Creature from Cleveland Depths" (originally published in "Galaxy" magazine in 1962); the humorous "Bread Overhead" (originally published in "Galaxy" magazine in 1958); and the short novel "No Great Magic" (originally published in "Galaxy" magazine in 1963). "No Great Magic" is part of Leiber''s Change War series.

While Howard Phillips Lovecraft was closing the final chapter of his writing career, Fritz Reuter Leiber was only beginning to open his own. The year was 1936 and Jonquil Leiber, Fritz''s first wife, sent a letter on her own initiative to Lovecraft, knowing that her husband had been an avid admirer of his work, ever since his first reading of "The Colour out of Space" and hoping that Lovecraft''s presence in Fritz''s slow-paced writing career might be the source of inspiration he so dearly needed. Lovecraft replied promptly on November 2 of that year, the seed of an invigorating correspondence, which lasted till Lovecraft''s passing. Fritz Leiber and H.P. Lovecraft: Writers of the Dark presents Lovecraft''s letters to Leiber, an impressive selection of Leiber''s fiction which shows Lovecraft''s influence, and a selection of Leiber''s essays on Lovecraft and Matters Lovecraftian. Features an introduction by Ben J. S. Szumskyj and an afterword by S.T. Joshi.

"Carr Mackay had an okay job, a beautiful woman and a lot of big plans--a pathway marked for himself through life. But one day he met a beautiful, frightened girl who didn''t quite belong in this world. And something began. Irrevocably. Something that diverted him forever from his path, shook the sleepy dust from his eyes and brought him to a startling confrontation with the furthest limits of life, death--and an alien, terrifying danger..."--Back cover.

Science fiction-noveller.