We have always made monsters: in art, in myth, in religion; out of clay or bronze, pixels or hybrid flesh; from the stuff of human nightmares; by cursing women with bestial traits. This anthology brings together fiction and accessible academic writing in conversation about monsters and their roles in our lives-and ours in theirs.

Once described as "the best crime writer you've never heard of," James Sallis is a largely underexplored figure in contemporary American literature. Best known for his thriller novel Drive--later adapted into the acclaimed 2011 movie of the same name starring Ryan Gosling and Carey Mulligan--Sallis has written across a range of genres and forms, including short fiction, poetry, musicology, science fiction, biography, nonfiction essays, literary reviews, and criticism. This companion, the first comprehensive examination of Sallis' writings, locates him as a vital voice within mystery fiction. In addition to an alphabetized analysis of his works, it includes a biography, career chronology, and an interview with the author. Readers will gain a deeper understanding of Sallis' extraordinary life and career, as well as insight into the recurrent themes and motifs of his rich and varied writings. This book is both an introduction to Sallis' work for new readers and a thorough reference guide for established fans and scholars.

Welcome to The 2005 Rhysling Anthology: The Best Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Poetry of 2004, filled with more than 60 poems nominated by the members of the Science Fiction Poetry Association for this year's Rhysling Awards: the equivalent for poetry of the Nebula Awards for fiction. "The book you are now holding...is surely proof that there is, once again, a 'vital community of science fiction poets.' That membership of the Science Fiction Poetry Association is large and active enough to produce an anthology of this size-by far the largest in the 28-year history of the Rhysling Awards-and that today's market conditions are able and willing to support the publication of the first-ever perfect bound Rhysling Anthology are clear signs of the energy surrounding genre poetry-and promising portents of what lies ahead. (To mention nothing of the quality of the poetry that follows.)" -from the Preface by Drew Morse