Fantasy heroes endure. They are embedded in our cultural fabric, dwarfing other literary figures and the mere men and women of history. Achilles and Odysseus, Gilgamesh and Beowulf. King Arthur and Robin Hood, Macbeth and Sherlock Holmes, Conan and Luke Skywalker. They dominate our legends, and tower over popular culture. The stories we tell each other begin and end with fantasy heroes, and the 21st Century is as thoroughly captivated with them as ever. From Batman to Gandalf, Harry Potter to Tyrion Lannister, the heroes of fantasy speak to-and for-whole generations. But what makes a fantasy hero? How do the best writers create them, and bring them to life on the page? In WRITING FANTASY HEROES some of the most successful fantasy writers of our time-including Steven Erikson, Brandon Sanderson, Janet Morris, Cecelia Holland, Orson Scott Card, and Glen Cook-pull back the curtain to reveal the secrets of creating heroes that live and breathe, and steal readers' hearts. Whether you're an aspiring writer or simply a reader who loves great fantasy and strong characters, this book is for you.

Conan. Elric. Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser. Jirel of Joiry. All could call Return of the Sword home - and be proud of it. Join warriors male and female, young and old, in struggles of supremacy, survival, and sacrifice. Witness the spectacle of their deeds; ride with them into battle; stand beside them in the breach; marvel at their heroics. Rejoice beside them, tremble before them, weep with them, die with them . . . triumph with them. This is a storyteller's collection of heroic deeds. Within its covers you will find tales by award-winning short story authors S.C. Bryce, Bruce Durham, and Angeline Hawkes; classic works by fan-favorite novelists E.E. Knight and Harold Lamb; and stories from new novelists Michael Ehart and James Enge and numerous other up-and-coming authors. Do your reading time a favor - pick up a copy of Return of the Sword today!