Tales From the Magician's Skull Special #01
Tales From the Magician’s Skull is a fantasy magazine dedicated to presenting all-new sword-and-sorcery fiction by the finest modern crafters in the genre. These stories are the real thing, crammed with sword-swinging action, dark sorceries, dread, and ferocious monsters — and they hurtle forward at a headlong pace.
This special edition of Tales From the Magician’s Skull was originally only available to Kickstarter backers and at select conventions! Now it is available to you as a PDF!
Here is what is in this special issue:
The Way of Serpents
by Howard Andrew Jones
“We swim.” Lalasa pointed to the lake’s north end. “There’s an underwater tunnel that leads to the serpent’s lair.”
Rudra’s teeth showed. “How are we supposed to do that? We can’t breathe underwater!”
Defining Sword and Sorcery
by Howard Andrew Jones
An essay from series editor Howard Andrew Jones detailing what sword and sorcery is—and what it isn’t.
Sword and Sorcery’s Grandfather
by Howard Andrew Jones
A brief essay to discuss the origins of the genre.
Dynamic Duos of Fiction
by Bill Ward
How pairing up characters helped define the sword and sorcery story.
Fafhrd and The Gray Mouser: Two Who Sought Adventure
by Bill Ward
As essay reflecting on two archetypal characters.
The Dark Tower of Jaquays
by John C. Hocking
A look back at one of the classic adventures by a man who played it.
The Three M’s: Writing Horror in Sword and Sorcery
by Aeryn Rudel
Magic. Monsters. Mayhem.
Celebrating Leigh Brackett
by Howard Andrew Jones
Talking about one of the giants of the genre.
It Came From Appendix N: Roger Zelazny’s Jack of Shadows
by Chris Willrich
Talking about one of D&D’s most influential forces.
Celebrating Robert E. Howard
by Howard Andrew Jones
A look back at perhaps the best-known of all sword and sorcery authors.
By The Sword: Adding Realism to Sword and Sorcery Combat
by Aeryn Rudel
The do’s and don’ts of dashing and daring.
Striking the Balance
by Bill Ward
The trap of realism, and how to avoid it.
Your Illustrious Ancestors
by James Enge
A lesson in what has come before, and how to get ahold of it.
Finding Sword and Sorcery
by C.L. Werner
It’s never too late to discover sword and sorcery.
Valen The Outcast
by John C. Hocking
A modern comic take on sword and sorcery.
Horror in Sword and Sorcery
by C.L. Werner
Crossing the genres that aren’t too far apart.
The Pledge of the Sword
by Howard Andrew Jones
An essay from series editor Howard Andrew Jones about where he comes from and where he wants to go.