Susanna Clarke, illustrated by Charles Vess, The Ladies of Grace Adieu and Other Stories (Bloomsbury Oct 2006)

Clarke's first collection gathers eight stories, one original, many set in the world of her acclaimed fantasy Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell. Illustrated by Charles Vess.

Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling, eds., Salon Fantastique (Thunder's Mouth Press Sep 2006)

The noted editorial team of Datlow & Windling attempts to recreate the liberating spirit of a "literary salon" in this anthology of 15 original fantasy stories by authors including Delia Sherman, Peter S. Beagle, Gregory Maguire, and Lucius Shepard.

Neil Gaiman, Fragile Things: Short Fictions and Wonders (HarperCollins/Morrow Oct 2006)

Gaiman's latest collection of 23 stories (one original) and eight poems includes the author's discussion of the origins of each. "It's clear that Gaiman himself sees the fantasy tradition as a treasure-filled attic full of Story, and his joy in inviting his readers to join him there is palpable." [Gary K. Wolfe]

Marc D. Giller, Prodigal (Bantam Spectra Oct 2006)

This fast-paced cyberpunk thriller, sequel to Hammerjack, brings back Lea Prism, now a special agent bent on stopping the anti-tech Inru terrorists, returning with a new twist on biomanipulation to create mental powers – just as an expedition to Mars brings back a deadly threat.

David G. Hartwell & Kathryn Cramer, eds., Year's Best Fantasy 6 (Tachyon Publications Oct 2006)

The latest in the annual series focusing on genre fantasy gathers 23 stories by authors including Bruce Sterling, Neil Gaiman, Jeff VanderMeer, and Connie Willis.

Robert A. Heinlein & Spider Robinson, Variable Star (Tor Sep 2006)

A young man impulsively sets off for a new colony world in this Heinlein juvenile pastiche, written by Robinson from an extensive outline plotted by Heinlein in 1955.

Nina Kiriki Hoffman, Catalyst (Tachyon Publications Oct 2006)

A teen makes unexpected first contact on a well-settled planet in this engaging SF novel. "Fast-moving, entertaining, and indecorous enough for a PG-17 rating… a great read capable of stimulating the intellect as well as the senses." [Faren Miller]

Alexander C. Irvine, Pictures from an Expedition (Night Shade Books Aug 2006)

Collection of 13 stories, one original.

Diana Wynne Jones, The Pinhoe Egg (HarperCollins/Greenwillow Oct 2006)

Jones' popular Chrestomanci series expands with a delighful screwball comedy set in the mage's own backyard, where feuding families of witches in the two villages nearest Chrestomanci Castle try to battle each other without coming to the attention of the big man himself. Published in the UK by HarperCollins Children's Books (9/06).

Tom Kidd, Kiddology: The Art of Tom Kidd (Paper Tiger Dec 2005)

The SF and fantasy art of Tom Kidd is showcased, with often-humorous commentary by the artist on his career and specific works and projects.

Cormac McCarthy, The Road (Knopf Oct 2006)

A respected literary novelist turns to SF for this grim post-holocaust tale of a man and his son and their desperate efforts to survive in a dying, ash-strewn landscape.

Terry Pratchett, Wintersmith (HarperTempest Oct 2006)

Witch-in-training Tiffany Aching returns in her third Discworld YA fantasy novel, which finds her facing her toughest task yet: getting rid of an unwanted suitor, the spirit of winter itself.

Justina Robson, Mappa Mundi (Pyr Sep 2006)

Mapping the human brain leads to development of a mind-altering program designed to cure mental disorders – but the military and criminals have their own terrifying plans for mind control. A hard-hitting SF technothriller tackling some serious moral questions. Originally published in the UK by Macmillan (2001).

Karen Traviss, Matriarch (HarperCollins/Eos Oct 2006)

Earth's efforts to deal with a variety of dangerously eco-conscious aliens continue in this fourth SF novel in the Wess'har Wars series begun in City of Pearl. "It's a busy, multi-leveled book that is less about its plot… than about the political, philosophical, and emotional machineries that drive the five species…. there's always a surprise, wonderful or terrifying, waiting to keep life, and the story, interesting." [Russell Letson]

Peter Watts, Blindsight (Tor Oct 2006)

An odd crew of enhanced and brilliant misfits is sent into space to try to contact uncommunicative aliens in this outstanding first contact novel.

Scott Westerfeld, The Last Days (Penguin/Razorbill Sep 2006)

Teens try to start a rock band in a New York City beset by ever-increasing weirdness including the vampire-parasite plague introduced in Peeps. A striking young-adult contemporary SF vampire novel.

Liz Williams, The Demon and the City (Night Shade Books Aug 2006)

Detective Inspector Chen returns in his second dark fantasy mystery set in near-future Singapore Three. A demon "visiting detective" helps Chen investigate a young woman's murder, apparently by demons.