Borderlanz: Tales From the Edges

by Douglas Smith

Travel to the edges of imagination in this stunning collection of stories from the five-time award-winning author described by Library Journal as “one of Canada’s most original writers of speculative fiction.”

There’s something here for every reader. Award winners and finalists. “Best of” selections. Science fiction and fantasy. Mystery and horror. Darkness and humor. Love and revenge.

An immortal defies the Lords of Order and Chaos to save the woman he loves.

A widow plans a special homecoming for the body of her soldier husband.

Strange radio broadcasts haunt a man trying to change the past.

A shapeshifter confronts his dark past as a covert agency hunts him.

Bizarre deaths threaten a private eye’s favorite restaurant.

A woman makes an unexplained stopover on a transatlantic flight.

Disaster strikes a space freighter when bad luck joins the crew.

The House promises wealth and fame...if it doesn’t kill you first.

A thief’s attempt to lift a curse goes less than perfectly.

A boy has a plan to find his brother—a deeply disturbing one.

A new father questions his ability to love his disabled son.

To win her freedom, a woman must prove she’s human.

A shapeshifter must overcome her hatred of humans to help a child.

Four warriors set out to slay the last dragon.

Two young lovers are hunted across dimensions and time.

Welcome to the Borderlanz.


“Doug Smith is quite simply, the finest short-story writer Canada has ever produced in the science fiction and fantasy genres. ... His stories are a treasure trove of riches that will touch your heart while making you think.” —Robert J. Sawyer, Hugo and Nebula Awards winner

“The man is Sturgeon good. Zelazny good. I don’t give those up easy.” —Spider Robinson, Hugo and Nebula Awards winner

“A great storyteller with a gifted and individual voice.” —Charles de Lint, World Fantasy Award winner

“An extraordinary author whom every lover of quality speculative fiction should read.” —Fantasy Book Critic

“Smith’s writing, evocative yet understated, gracefully brings to life his imagined realms.” — Quill and Quire

“Stories you can’t forget, even years later.” —Julie Czerneda

“A master of beginnings … [with] endings that feel satisfying and right.” —Canadian Science Fiction Reviews

331 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication March 15, 2026

About the author

Douglas Smith is a multi-award-winning author described by Library Journal as “one of Canada's most original writers of speculative fiction.”

His latest work is the multi-award-winning YA urban fantasy trilogy, The Dream Rider Saga (The Hollow Boys, The Crystal Key, and The Lost Expedition). Other books include the urban fantasy novel, The Wolf at the End of the World; the collections, Chimerascope, Impossibilia, and La Danse des Esprits (translated); and the writer's guide Playing the Short Game: How to Market & Sell Short Fiction.

His short fiction has appeared in the top markets in the field, including The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, Amazing Stories, InterZone, Weird Tales, Baen’s Universe, Escape Pod, On Spec, and Cicada.

Published in 27 languages, Doug is a 4-time winner of Canada's Aurora Award, most recently in 2023 for The Hollow Boys, as well as the juried IAP Award for the same book. He's been a finalist for the Astounding Award, CBC's Bookies Award, Canada's juried Sunburst Award, the juried Alberta Magazine Award for Fiction, and France's juried Prix Masterton and Prix Bob Morane.


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