Swordplay [Mass Market Paperback]

Denise Little (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 2, 2009

Seventeen rapier-sharp stories of swordplay, magic, and adventure...

From a samurai's sword to an assassin's blade, from Custer's cavalry sword to D'Artagnan's deadly weapon, from the sword of Damocles to the legendary Excalibur, these all-new spellbinding tales get straight to the point. Whether it's a sword bespelled to crave blood, cold steel that magicks its wielder into a video game, or a dwarf-crafted blade meant to slay a dragon, these weapons each come sheathed in their own fascinating story that cuts right to the heart of fantasy adventure.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Denise Little worked for Barnes & Noble/B. Dalton Bookseller for many years, first as a bookstore manager, then as their national book buyer for romance, science fiction, and fantasy fiction. She then joined Kensington Publishing, where she edited her own line of romance, Denise Little Presents. She's currently executive editor at Tekno Books.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 311 pages
• Publisher: DAW; 1 edition (June 2, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0756405599
• ISBN-13: 978-0756405595
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,966,444 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I learned to love science fiction at the knee of my grandmother, listening to her read authors like Edgar Rice Burroughs and Robert E. Howard during my childhood in rural Kentucky. My life has always been heavily influenced by strong women. My mother first among them: raising three boys after the death of my father, with grace and wit. There were always women coming and going in our house, friends, family, folks who needed a hand, and folks who had one to lend. All of my life has been steeped in the stories of average people doing extraordinary things -- and most of them were women. That is why I was drawn to the character Sarah in my new novel. She embodies all the strength of the women who have influenced me over the years.

I can't remember a time I wasn't absorbing and creating story. I read early, and became a regular at my local library. There for a while, I thought the coolest thing in the world would be to grow up and be a librarian. I even got the degree. Once I hit the workforce, I discovered how poorly most librarians are paid, and I ended up in high tech instead.

But I live my life surrounded by books and story. Selling my own tales still comes as a surprise to me. The characters and worlds I build have been given loving care by some pretty spectacular editors. I've been very lucky. I continue to launch my words into the world, for all to read if they have the mind. I just hope you are entertained in the process. The opportunities for you to read my work has just gotten even better.

Tor Publishing has agreed to purchase the first three books in my Black Blade series. The first -- BLACK BLADE BLUES -- comes out in trade paperback and hardback April 27th, 2010.

Of course, if you want a sneak peak on the novel, you can read the short story which launched it all in the DAW anthology Swordplay, edited by Denise Little. It was released June 2, 2009.

My other short fiction can be found in such fine magazines as Fortean Bureau, Talebones magazine (issue 36 and forthcoming in issue 39) as well as two additional DAW anthologies Zombie Raccoons and Killer Bunnies (Oct 2009), and The Trouble with Heroes (Nov 2009).

I have a BA in English and a Masters of Library Science from University of Kentucky. In addition, I am a graduate of the Oregon Coast Writers Workshops with Kristine Kathryn Rusch and Dean Wesley Smith. When I'm not writing, you can find me practicing martial arts with my children or spending time with my lovely wife.

I am a member of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Badly Misnamed, July 2, 2009

By 

D. Settles - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Swordplay (Mass Market Paperback)

A short story collection, the book does a poor job of sticking to its theme. Many of the stories feature swords only as a prop so that they can be said to be there, and some wander even further off the theme than that.

I am a big fan of short stories, and most of the stories inside are not awful, but they are not what a person reading the back of the book or seeing the cover would expect to find within.

At the price, there are many better ways to spend your money if you're looking for some light entertainment.