Mythspring: From the Myths and Lyrics of Canada

by Julie E. Czerneda (editor / introduction), Genevieve Kierans (editor / contributor), Tanya Huff (contributor)

What happens
When myth
Meets storyteller?
Something new is born.
Mythspring

Song and story. Myth and tradition. They are a shared legacy that both satisfies and inspires. Join these talented authors as they celebrate the rich, diverse, and occasionally truly odd culture of our country.

Mythspring is an anthology of original short speculative fiction, including fantasy, science fiction, and horror, where each story is derived from a Canadian song, folktale, myth, or other cultural source. Excerpts of the source text or image appears in the book with each story, along with a brief description of how the author was inspired by it.

Includes stories from notable speculative fiction authors such as Charles de Lint, James Alan Gardener, Alison Baird, Tanya Huff and Karin Lowachee.

The stories will be suitable for an older young adult audience, and the book will be of great interest to educators. It will be included as a "special event" volume within the Realms of Wonder series of original fantasy anthologies.

Be inspired. Celebrate our wealth of ideas and talent. Taste the delights of Mythspring.

This collection was nominated in 2007 for the Prix Aurora Award in the Best Other Work in English category, and two of the stories it contains ("All the Cool Monsters at Once" by James Alan Gardner and "This Ink Feels Like Sorrow" by Karin Lowachee) were individually finalists in the Best Short-Form Work in English category.

Genres: Fantasy, Anthologies, Short Stories, Science Fiction, Canada, Fiction

295 pages, Softcover

First published March 1, 2006

About the author

Having written 25 novels (and counting) published by DAW Books, as well as numerous short stories, and editing several anthologies, in 2022, Julie E. Czerneda was inducted in the Canadian Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame. Her science fiction and fantasy combines her training and love of biology with a boundless curiosity and optimism, winning multiple awards. Julie's recent releases include the standalone novel To Each This World, her first collection Imaginings, and A Shift of Time, part of her Night's Edge fantasy series. For more visit czerneda.com Julie is represented by Sara Megibow of Megibow Literary Agency LLC.

Reviews

[Rebecca A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Linking song, myth, legend, oral tales, and the written story--this is a fine collection of creativity. And a good deal, money-wise, because you get 15 excellent authors in one volume, too.

Short stories allow for experimentation, the chasing of wild ideas. Loved how each author takes a starting point, and then surprises the reader.

[Diana Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was fun. I like multi-author books and this one was quite unique in that myths and legends were used to springboard the stories. Good authors, good stories. An unusual concept, so it was fun. I couldn't wait to see where the next story would go.

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extra 1/2 star.

- "The Ghost of Watson's Mill Is Online", Daniel Archambault
- "Walking With Wolves", Alison Baird
- "The Universal Soldier", Charles de Lint
- "All the Cool Monsters at Once", James Alan Gardner
- "After November", Roben Goodfellow
- "Under Summons", Tanya Huff
- "Over Lunar White", Lorne Kates
- "The Lady of Land's End", Genevieve Kierans
- "Mirror, Mirror", Genevieve Kierans
- "Windigo", Mark Ladouceur
- "This Is the Ice Age", Claude Lalumière
- "This Ink Feels Like Sorrow", Karin Lowachee
- "Over the Darkened Landscape", Derryl Murphy
- "Safe Passage", Karina Sumner-Smith
- "The Harpy", Lynda Williams

Best anthology EVER! The fact that I'm usually not a huge fan of short stories is totally besides the point. Loved the theme/concept. Really good stories.

WARNING:
If you're reading James Alan Gardner's short story, "All the Cool Monsters at Once", do not eat or drink anything while doing so(I was told, I didn't listen, I choked on some instant noodles). And if you're in public while reading it, I hope you don't mind people looking at you like you've gone insane. Don't say I didn't warn you.

[Susan]

Mirror, Mirror • (2006) • shortstory by Genevieve Kierans
Windigo • (2006) • shortstory by Mark Ladouceur
All the Cool Monsters at Once • (2006) • shortstory by James Alan Gardner
Over Lunar White • (2006) • novelette by Lorne Kates

"Under Summons" by Tanya Huff collected in Finding Magic and re-collected in He Said, Sidhe Said reread 3/19/2015

Walking with Wolves • (2006) • shortstory by Alison Baird
This Is the Ice Age • (2006) • shortstory by Claude Lalumière
Family Trees • [Marysburgh County] • (2006) • shortstory by Fiona Patton
Over the Darkened Landscape • (2006) • shortstory by Derryl Murphy
After November • (2006) • shortstory by Roben Goodfellow
The Harpy • (2006) • shortstory by Lynda Williams
The Ghost of Watson's Mill Is Online • (2006) • novelette by Daniel Archambault
This Ink Feels Like Sorrow • (2006) • shortstory by Karin Lowachee
Safe Passage • (2006) • novelette by Karina Sumner-Smith
The Universal Soldier • [Newford] • (2006) • shortstory by Charles de Lint
The Lady of Land's End • (2006) • shortstory by Genevieve Kierans

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book because it had a story in it by Charles De Lint and I have most of his work. If you enjoy urban myth meets fairyland and suspense, then De Lint is for you.

There are a wide range of story types within the book and I was overjoyed to find 5 new authors to check out. There are ghosts, mythical creatures, humanity and inhumanity. This is definately a great book for your spare room night table. Any friend will find something in this great well chosen collection to intrigue and entertain. I would certainly give it as a gift.

[Jesse · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review is only for "This Ink Feels Like Sorrow" by Karin Lowachee. This is why I read your work; I just love your writing.

"How accurate are emotions anyway? True, they aren't bullseyes. They are scattershot bullets. They rip you apart in a million directions until you dissipate into the void like an exploded star." p.225

[Luce Cronin · Rating 3 out of 5]

An anthology of short stories exploring various myths and legends of Canada. I was very pleasantly surprised at the variety of writing styles and subjects. A good read if you enjoy reading the mythology of Canada

[Maurynne Maxwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good writing. A lot of bleakness, though.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent collection of 16 short stories. Includes those by Julie Czerneda, Tanya Huff, and Charles de Lint.