The Essential Patricia A. McKillip by Patricia A. McKillip ISBN: 978-1-61696-448-1 (print); 978-1-61696-449-8 (digital) Published: 28 October 2025 Available Format(s): trade hardcover; digital World Fantasy Award winner Patricia A. McKillip  (The Forgotten Beasts of Eld; the Riddlemaster trilogy)  has inspired generations of readers with her enchanting, and subversive fiction. This lovely hardcover career-retrospective edition offers McKillip’s finest short stories. Featuring an original introduction by Ellen Kushner (Swordspoint) and cover art from frequent McKillip illustrator Thomas Canty, The Essential Patricia A. McKillip is a must-have for fans of classic fantasy. 2026 Locus Award Finalist Patricia A. McKillip  has been widely hailed as one of fantasy’s most significant authors. She was lauded as “rich and regal” (the New York Times), “enchanting” (the Washington Post),  and “luminous” (Library Journal). Within McKillip’s magical landscapes, a mermaid statue comes to life; princesses dance with dead suitors; a painting and a muse possess a youthful artist; seductive sea travelers enrapture distant lovers, a time-traveling angel endures religious madness; and an overachieving teenage mage discovers her own true name. Contents Introduction by Ellen Kushner Stories “Lady of the Skulls” “Wonders of the Invisible World” “The Lion and the Lark” “The Harrowing of the Dragon of Hoarsbreath” “Out of the Woods” “The Fortune Teller” “The Witches of Junket” “Byndley” “Jack O’Lantern” “The Stranger” “The Gorgon in the Cupboard” “Mer” “Weird” “Hunter’s Moon” “Undine” “Knight of the Well” Nonfiction “What Inspires Me”: Guest of Honor Speech at WisCon “Writing High Fantasy”