Unfettered III: New Tales by Masters of Fantasy

by Shawn Speakman (Editor)

Overview

From the editor of the award-winning anthology Unfettered comes the newest installment in the science fiction and fantasy series, Unfettered III.

Be haunted by the chilling ghost story of Megan Lindholm. Revisit the Magicians world with Lev Grossman. Return to Osten Ard in an epic first look at Tad Williams's Empire of Grass. Share a heartfelt story of loss and gain with Callie Bates. Cross the sands of the desert planet Dune with Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson. Travel the Ways in a new Wheel of Time novella with Robert Jordan & Brandon Sanderson. Enter the amazing potter city of Seven with Naomi Novik. And many more stories, all wondrous alongside beautiful art by Todd Lockwood!

More than 700 pages of stellar SF&F from the likes of:

• Callie Bates
• Terry Brooks
• Delilah S. Dawson
• Jason Denzel
• David Anthony Durham
• Lev Grossman
• John Gwynne
• Brian Herbert & Kevin J. Anderson
• Robert Jordan & Brandon Sanderson
• Mark Lawrence
• Megan Lindholm (Robin Hobb)
• Seanan McGuire
• Naomi Novik
• Peter Orullian
• Cat Rambo
• Robert V.S. Redick
• Ken Scholes
• Scott Sigler
• Anna Smith Spark
• Shawn Speakman
• Anna Stephens
• Patrick Swenson
• Ramon Terrell
• Marc Turner
• Carrie Vaughn
• Tad Williams
• Deborah A. Wolf

Lacking health insurance when he was diagnosed with cancer, Shawn Speakman asked friends in the science fiction and fantasy writing community to donate short stories he could use to counter mounting medical debt. The result was Unfettered, an anthology offering tales from some of the best authors working today.

Now, in Unfettered III, Speakman continues to pay forward the aid he received, raising money to combat medical debt for SF&F artists and authors. He has gathered together a great mix of new and favorite writers—free to write what they like—the result a powerful new anthology perfect for all readers.

Unfettered III is sure to astound with the magic bound within its pages. All the while raising money for a charitable cause.

Because protecting our artists and authors is as important as the stories they tell.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781944145231
Publisher:	Grim Oak Press
Publication date:	03/19/2019
Series:	Unfettered , #3
Pages:	768
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.10(h) x 2.40(d)

About the Author

Shawn Speakman is the award-winning editor of Unfettered, Unbound, and Unfettered II, and the author of The Dark Thorn, an urban fantasy novel Terry Brooks called “a fine tale by a talented writer.” An avid fan of SF&F, he owns The Signed Page and Grim Oak Press while freelance writing for Penguin Random House. He currently lives in Seattle, WA with his wife and son.

Todd Lockwood's art has appeared on New York Times-bestselling novels, industry magazines, and fantasy/science fiction games, such as Dungeons and Dragons and Magic: The Gathering. He has won more than 15 Chesley Awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award, and two World Fantasy Art Show Awards. He currently lives in Washington with his wife and three children. The Summer Dragon is his debut novel. He can be found at toddlockwood.com.

Read an Excerpt

INTRODUCTION The Power of Three I had no idea what the future would hold when I planned Unfettered in 2011. In truth, how could I? The present took precedence over that future. I spent every day recovering from two surgeries and six months of chemotherapy—necessary evils to combat the greater evil of cancer. Knowing I must, I fought to create Unfettered from nothing. I gave little thought to a future in publishing, of writing, or even what the next day could bring. Now, seven years later, I look back fondly at that time, remembering how my author friends rallied to my banner. They did so again with Unfettered II, to raise money for others in similar dire straits. Now the publication of Unfettered III continues that mission. These authors contribute works of the fantastic because they believe in the power of our geek community making a difference. In short, they believe in you, the reader. It warms my heart to no end. But as I sit here writing this introduction, I am reminded that the true power of these anthologies resides within their pages—great stories written by authors at the top of their game. And Unfettered III has both, no doubt. I never thought one day I’d publish a Shannara tale. Or a Dune entry. Or any part of the Wheel of Time, let alone a novella-sized Perrin story. Or powerful new contributions featuring gorgeously wrought prose from writers like Seanan McGuire, Callie Bates, and Naomi Novik. Or grimdark by Anna Smith Spark, Anna Stephens, and Mark Lawrence. The list goes on and on. I am humbled by Unfettered III. I think you are in for one helluva read! That is not all though. Unfettered III is why I keep publishing and hope to do so for many years to come. I can see that future now. These anthologies are a testament to great storytelling but more than that. It shows the character and strength of our reading community—and our humanity. We rise to help others when they are down; we fight for those in need when our needs have been met. And magic is within the words and hearts of us all. Shawn Speakman Editor and Publisher December 2018

Editorial Reviews

03/04/2019

This powerhouse addition to the Unfettered series continues the tradition of donating proceeds to authors struggling with medical bills and boasts an incredible lineup of stories by pillars of the fantasy genre, many of whom contributed works set in the fictional worlds for which they are best known. Readers not familiar with those series—including Frank and Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson’s Dune franchise, Anna Stephen’s Godblind series, Cat Rambo’s Tabat books, Lev Grossman’s Magicians novels, Terry Brooks’s Shannara Chronicles, Anna Smith Spark’s Empires of Dust, and Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson’s Wheel of Time saga—will find it difficult to connect with the prologues, B sides, and deleted scenes included here, though introductions provide some useful context. Standalone stand-outs include Seanan McGuire’s “Stripes in the Sunset” and Naomi Novik’s “Seven,” both of which explore the costs of human hubris. Though some readers may be disturbed that many stories include scenes of women and children being assaulted, molested, and murdered, this massive tome will easily find a home with fans of grimdark, military, and epic fantasy. (Mar.)

Publishers Weekly

"This powerhouse addition to the Unfettered series continues the tradition of donating proceeds to authors struggling with medical bills and boasts an incredible lineup of stories by pillars of the fantasy genre, many of whom contributed works set in the fictional worlds for which they are best known... this massive tome will easily find a home with fans of grimdark, military, and epic fantasy." - Publishers Weekly

From the Publisher