Ruby and Vida haunt a dry riverbed near the trailer park where they live, pretending to be magical beings, until a deadly encounter with an actual witch changes everything. Now magic is no longer a game of pretend, it's the only thing that will keep them alive. But first they have to find it.

This reprinted short story takes place in Santo del Vado Viejo, the setting of de Lint's acclaimed novels The Painted Boy and The Mystery of Grace.

Short novel, originally published in 1994, finally in ebook format.

Eithnie, a painter living in the remote Eastern woodlands of Canada, finds strange and beautiful creatures slipping unbidden into her sketches. It feels charming and somewhat eerie, until she realizes that these visitors' cryptic messages are connected to a promise made in her own forgotten past. Now the world of Faerie is reaching out to her for help, and her ability to figure out what they want from her may mark the difference between their survival...or their doom.

In this first collection of Newford stories, you can immerse yourself in the gritty fictional city—as much a character as Jilly who paints fey wonders, fiddle player Geordie seeking his stolen beloved, the conjure man and his Tree of Tales, or Paperjack revealing fortunes. Meet Gemmins who live in abandoned cars and Katrina, a mermaid so entranced by love that she’s left the cold dark water to walk in the moonlight. Visit the music clubs, the waterfront, and the alleyways where myths and magic spill into the modern world.

Yirah Green has been working in a hidden arroyo on the Kikimi rez, secretly rebuilding an old dirt bike that belonged to her late Uncle Jimmy. Her best friend, Santana Corn Eyes, knows about the project, as does a ghost who visits her, silently urging her on. Yirah says the spirit is that of her departed uncle, but Santana is worried. Why would a ghost be crossing over to this world? Maybe it's not such a good idea to get a a dead man's motorbike running again. And if Yirah does succeed, will she be patient enough to learn how to safely handle it?

Set in the Painted Hills near Santo del Vado Viejo, this original short story is loosely connected to de Lint's acclaimed novel, The Wind in His Heart.

She’d been underlake when the sound of his voice drew her up from the cold and the dark, up into the moonlight, bobbing in the white-capped waves; listening, swallowing that golden sound of strings and voice, and he is so handsome and all alone on the shore.

This modern take on Hans Christian Anderson’s The Little Mermaid reveals the aching beauty and peril of falling in love. A finalist for the 1992 World Fantasy Award, this novella was originally published as a limited edition chapbook by Axolotl Press (1991), and later appeared in de Lint's acclaimed first Newford collection, Dreams Underfoot (1993).

This short story related to The Cats of Tanglewood Forest features Lillian at 17 years old. Her discovery of a long-lost paint box in the forest, her love of making art, her very first kiss, and the draw of a magical world all combine in this bittersweet tale about having to make a difficult choice.

First published in The Green Man: Tales from the Mythic Forest, edited by Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling (Viking, 2002).

Nina and her cousin Ash don’t get along, but now have to share a room. Plagued by nightly dreams about becoming an animal, Nina fears that Ash, who dabbles in the occult, is responsible. More terrifying still, the nightmares start to invade Nina’s waking hours. But an ancient evil has marked one of them, and if either is going to survive they’ll have to stand united against the greater threat.

In Jilly’s journey from being the junkie street kid she was, to the cheerful character we know from later Newford tales, she navigates the perils of loyalty to old friends versus new ones. Facing hard choices, Jilly must decide whether she's worthy of genuine friendship, promises, and life itself.

Cat Midhir lives in a land of dreams, crossing nightly over the borders of sleep into a magic realm. A land where gnomes hide among standing stones and shelties dwell beneath the waves, where the harper Kothlen tells tales of the ancient days and the antlered Mynfel walks by moonlight…

When Cat wakes she weaves stories around the Otherworld. Her books are labelled as fantasy, but Mynfel's domain deems more real to her than the humdrum streets of the city.

Until a thief comes stalking—and steals Cat's dreams away…

Svaha means "the time between seeing the lightning and hearing the thunder—a waiting for promises to be fulfilled."

In 2094, protective technology shields Native Enclaves from an outer world devastated by pollution and corruption. Beyond those Enclaves, in the ruins between cities, a Native flyer has been downed and a chip encoded with vital secrets is missing. It's up to Gahzee to leave the Enclave and dare the deadlands to find it—walking the line between Dreamtime and Realtime, bringing his people's ancient magic and new science to bear on the poisoned world of tomorrow. Bringing hope, perhaps, for a new dawn…

Cover art by Donna Gordon.

Not far from the city there is an ancient wood, forgotten by the modern world, where Mystery walks in the moonlight. He wears the shape of a stag, or a goat, or a horned man wearing a cloak of leaves. He is summoned by the music of the pipes or a fire of bones on Midsummer's Evening. He is chased by the hunt and shadowed by the wild girl.

Greenmantle is not only a gripping thriller but also an introduction to the most profound philosophical issues in literature what stories are for and how they create us. …de Lint shows an awareness of what he's doing that makes his fiction not just a damn fine read but also a clear map of the road that fantasy follows through the human mind. …with Greenmantle, he shows that, far from being mere escapism, contemporary fantasy can be the deep mythic literature of our time.

Marshall Coe's shiftless, troubled life has led to tragedy. In this riveting novella, he's suddenly given the chance to go back in time and fix his one big mistake, but Marshall finds that altering history has unexpected consequences. Caught between worlds alongside a young woman with an equally difficult past, they discover that sometimes things happen for a reason.

"Riding Shotgun" was first published in Flights, edited by Al Sarrantonio (Roc Books, 2003). Copyright © 2003 by Charles de Lint.

This gripping novella set in Newford is a cautionary tale about Brenda Perry, who bears deep scars from the loss of her father. Poor body image and low self-esteem lead to the resurgence of Brenda's eating disorder and a collapse in the structure of her life. Ghosts, water spirits and wraiths all appear in this tale where there are no easy answers—only opportunities to live and fight another day.

"The Wishing Well" was first published by Axolotl Press, 1993. Copyright © 1993 by Charles de Lint.

Cover art by Kel Flowers.

Its opening sentence, "Every time it rains a ghost comes walking," is the perfect start to this beautiful, bittersweet story about the hesitant first steps of a relationship. Featuring Newford fiddler Geordie Riddell, it's a gentle story of love, loss and the bonds of friendship.

First published in Post Mortem edited by Paul F.Olson and David B. Silva, 1989.

Timeskip is where Newford began: "Newford was not planned out in advance. It started (unbeknownst to me) with "Timeskip," a short story that I wrote for an anthology. I wanted to set the story somewhere other than the Ottawa area where most of my stories had taken place, but I didn't feel comfortable writing about a city that I couldn't physically visit. So I decided to use various aspects of large urban centers that I had visited, and create a fictitious setting."
—Charles de Lint, from an interview with FairyRoom.com

Set in Newford and featuring musician Geordie Riddell, this novella about a homeless man called Paperjack is classic de Lint—a poignant, mysterious tale about love, loss and learning how to move on. A finalist for the World Fantasy Award, Paperjack is a standalone story, but picks up some of the threads of a previous tale called "Timeskip."

First published in a limited edition of 137 copies by Cheap Street Press, 1991.

When the restrictions and strife of her home life finally become too much, Lesli Betterberry runs away from home. But the freedom she hopes to find on the street is an illusion and she soon finds herself in far worse circumstances. Featured in this story are otherworldly musicians Cerin and Meran Kelledy, who must use their gifts of music and magic to try to find the girl.

First published as a limited edition chapbook, 1990.

A charming novella about one of Newford's best-loved characters: artist and dreamer Sophie Etoile. Lured by mystical Native American flute-player Kokopelli, Sophie opens a door in her dreams only to find herself in the wild Sonoran desert, her way back vanished. In her quest to return she gets sidetracked by Coyote, up to his usual mischief. A poignant tale touching on loss, hope and community.

First published in Worlds of Fantasy and Horror #2, Fall, 1994. Cover art by Stephanie Lostimolo.

When asked to choose his "very best" stories, Charles de Lint went directly to his fans, who helped him select this collection of timeless, magical tales. From his beloved Newford to the streets of modern Ottawa, these stories take you effortlessly to a place where mystery and myth are right next door. To quote his readers: "His stories are good for the heart and soul…he reminds you of hope and strength and Beauty and Grace that you may have forgotten."

"Just as Charles de Lint's pen drips magic and enchantment, he is also never afraid to write about the darker and painful side of life, and he writes it in a way that moves you. Give this wonderful book a chance; I promise you it won't disappoint you. Even more, I can assure you, you won't be the same person when you are done with it: de Lint will have changed you with his magic."

Source: Triskell Press

I'm delighted to announce that the digital version of Trader is now live. I love this cover. I sure wish I had a mother of pearl inlay of a crow on the headstock of one of my guitars, but I guess if I want one like that I'll need to go to Newford and have my name put on the waiting list at Max Trader's shop.

Source: Triskell Press

As promised, we've finally finished and released the e-book of The Little Country. It was so much fun revisiting this story and I'm particularly happy with MaryAnn's cover design which is based on reference photos we took while researching the book.

Source: Triskell Press

At the end of Over My Head, Josh has propelled himself into the Otherworld where he believes his former girlfriend Elzie is in imminent danger. He leaves behind his closest friends: Marina, whose fledgling romance with Theo is increasingly complicated by her undeniable feelings for Josh, and Des, who is trying to figure out his own role amongst his Wildling friends. In this unpredictable world a side-step from our own, Josh discovers more about the awesome power he holds within as he deals with hostility from certain animal clans and elders.

Back in Santa Feliz his friends are facing a huge anti-Wildling rally that threatens all Wildling teens with segregation and incarceration. In the most tense and perilous of circumstances in both worlds, Josh and his friends must rely on each other's love, ingenuity and loyalty just to survive.
Source: Triskell Press

eBook			Trade Paper

In Jack the Giant-Killer, where magical creatures carry on a secret existence in the streets and parks of modern Ottawa, Jacky Rowan once slew giants. In this thrilling sequel, she's tricked then enslaved by a master of vicious, Unseelie creatures. This cruel thief is bent on to stealing his very sustenance—not only from Jackie—but from all of the Seelie faerie court. Only the Moon herself and a handsome young fiddler, unaware of Faerie and the power of his music, have the magic to set Jacky free.

This Triskell Press e-book contains a new Afterword by the author.

Source: Triskell Press

Jodi Shepherd, a feisty teenage orphan raised by her aunt in the English village of Bodbury, spends most of her time helping her eccentric inventor friend, Denzil Gossip, with his menagerie of beloved animals. When a group of local waifs, the Tatters Children, speculate that the Widow Pender is keeping a Small in her house, Jodi has to break in to discover the truth. What follows is a lyrical tale filled with whimsy, danger and intrigue, where a witch or her fetch may approach anyone unawares and cast spells on them, where dead men talk and Smalls—tiny people—are alive. Originally appearing as a story-within-a-story in de Lint's acclaimed novel The Little Country (written for adults), finally the magical tale of Jodi's adventures, published for the first time on its own, can be enjoyed by young adults as well as mature readers.
Source: Triskell Press

When Jacky's boyfriend walks out, her life changes more than she could ever imagine. In a fit of angst she chops off her long blond hair then goes out to wander the streets of Ottawa. She's startled out of her reverie by a faceless gang of bikers attacking a small man whose body disappears, leaving behind only a red cap. The cap shows Jacky an unimaginable side of Ottawa and sets her on an impossible quest to save the good fairies from their evil counterparts.

Luck, magic, and love bring to life a perilous, rollicking adventure involving Jacky, her best friend Kate, nefarious giants, nasty bogans, a trickster, a whimsical wizard, a small hob, and the last of the Swan Princes. Jacky's daring and quick wit make for an exciting story that is impossible to put down. Cleverly mingling folklore, fairy tale and modern life, the novel points to a fine connection between what is seen and what is not, and the importance of belief, compassion, and loyalty.

This Triskell Press e-book contains a new Afterword by the author.
Source: Triskell Press

In the bohemian city of Newford, young Isabelle Copley becomes the chosen student of the brilliant, yet reclusive artist Vincent Rushkin. In the course of her arduous training, Isabelle becomes so adept that her paintings take on a life of their own. But her mentor's cruelty brings such tragedy to Isabelle and her creations that she turns her back on her talent and buries her emotions, memories and dreams in a web of denial.

Now, twenty years later, Isabelle must face a past that she has long denied, and once again unlock the slumbering power of her brush. In a dark reckoning with her old master, she must find the courage to unravel her delusions, live out her dreams, and bring the magic of her art back to life.

Unique to this Triskell Press edition is a new (2014) afterword by Charles de Lint discussing how art has affected his writing, and this book in particular.
Source: Triskell Press

Come join the misfits, marginalized and orphans of the modern world—street folks who sit around the fire by Moth's trailer in the junkyard in their own "family of choice." Meet a punky pair of Crow Girls—delightful yet dangerous, who will insert themselves into your heart and change you forever; Raven—engimatic keeper of the pot that safeguards the ways of our world; Coyote—handsome Trickster ever driven to stir the pot with good intentions yet dire consequences; Fox—seductive canid whose past indiscretions return to haunt him; Jack Daw—storyteller who spins captivating tales while hiding his deepest sorrow; the Cuckoo family—viscious, amoral and determined to gain control of whatever will destroy the corbae (crow) clans.

Unique to this edition is a new Afterword by the author describing many gratifying events and memories that have come about specifically because of this book, with particular attention to the crow girls.
Source: Triskell Press

Tamson House in downtown Ottawa is a place of hidden power, for the House is a door to other lands where Celtic and native American magicks mingle and leak into our own. Magic breathes in the walls of the House, mystery sleeps in its enclosed garden. Leylines rest beneath its foundations, and inside its rooms Weirdin discs are thrown into patterns that speak of the distant past and the shadowed future to come.

The House takes up a entire city block and yet is even larger than it seems, for rooms appear and disappear and the twisty overgrown garden paths lead to a vast and primal Wood that no city streets have ever contained. There is something dark within that Wood, threatening the existence of Tamson House and all who dwell within it.

Spiritwalk is the sequel to the classic Moonheart. This edition features a new afterword by the author.
Source: Triskell Press

Life is complicated in the once-quiet beach town of Santa Feliz. Over the past six months many teens have inexplicably become animal shape-shifters known as Wildlings. The town is rife with fear, and Wildlings have quickly learned to keep their animal identities hidden or face persecution.

Now that Josh Saunders has a mountain lion living under his skin, his life seems to careen from one crisis to another. His best friends have just helped him narrowly escape cruel medical experimentation, and now that he's back home Josh wants at least a few more days of living like a normal teenager. But the FBI is tailing him, a vengeful school bully is out to hurt and expose him, and a formidable Wildling Elder has secretly arranged to have him killed by the hand of one of his own Wildling friends.

In Charles de Lint's dramatic follow-up novel to Under My Skin, Josh must confront all the inherent dangers of his new life, including violent street gangs and the threat of treachery on the part of some his very best friends. His longtime confidante, Marina, is once again keeping secrets from him, and as Josh discovers how to harness and wield his newfound powers, he faces crucial decisions about the bonds of leadership, love and loyalty.
Source: Triskell Press

eBook			Trade Paper

Yellow Dog is a short story set near Charles de Lint's fictional desert town of Santo del Vado Viejo, where his novels The Mystery of Grace and The Painted Boy take place, and where some of his recent short fiction has been set.

Ernie Grant is a decent guy, a bit of a desert rat who works at a scrap yard where he has to put up with racist comments from his crass, bullish boss. The boss works by night as a self-proclaimed Minuteman protecting the U.S. borders from the influx of illegal Mexicans. Ernie and his friend Salvador also search the desert at night, but they carry food, water and blankets to help the same travellers in the unforgiving desert.

One day a mysterious stranger shows up at the scrap yard, unable to speak, but willing to help in more ways than one.

Yellow Dog first appeared in 2007 as one of Charles de Lint's personal chapbooks that he gave to family and friends. It was reprinted the following year as a limited edition chapbook from Subterranean Press. This is its first worldwide release in an inexpensive format.

The award-winning novel that propelled author Charles de Lint to his status as a master of urban fantasy, illustrated by Charles Vess. Unique to this Triskell Press edition is a new afterword by de Lint reminiscing on the impact of his seminal work.

When Sara Kendell opens a box of oddments in the storeroom of the Merry Dancers Old Book and Antique Emporium, she has no idea that she'll stumble across anything unusual. But those seemingly ordinary artifacts—a painting, a ring and a flat bone disc—will turn Sara's world upside down and lead her to places she never dreamed could exist: a world of mists and forests, ancient magics, mythical beings, ageless bards...and restless evil.

In a tale sweeping from ancient Wales to the streets of modern Ottawa, de Lint's unforgettable characters—Sara Kendell; her beloved uncle Jamie; Blue the biker; Kieran the folk musician; RCMP Inspector Tucker; Pukwudji the trickster; the inscrutable Tom Hengyr; and the magic of Tamson House itself—will stay with you forever.

Readers placed Moonheart (1984) on Modern Library's 100 Best Novels of the 20th Century list. It also won the William Crawford Award bestowed by the International Association for the Fantastic in the Arts.

Sheriff Poole & The Mech Gang is set near de Lint's fictional desert town of Santo del Vado Viejo, where his novels The Mystery of Grace and The Painted Boy take place, and where some of his recent short fiction has been set. It is available here for the first time in any format.

Dan Cutler lives with his wife Mason in the foothills of the Hierro Madera Mountains near the ruins of Showdown Ranch, his father's old amusement park. Although the ranch is now owned by developers, nothing has been done with it since the day Dan's father died there in a mysterious explosion.

Four generations of Cutler men have worked with carnival machines called animatrons—large metal figures whose clockwork workings delight and captivate audiences.

Ever since the explosion Dan has been salvaging parts of these mechanical men from the ruins and bringing them home to try to put them back in working order. But there is a greater reason to make these machine men operational once more—something that threatens the Cutlers' very existence.
Cover art by Ben Garrison.

Jack in the Green is an original novella, set in the fictional Southwestern desert city of Santo del Vado Viejo, and is available here for the first time in any format. Best friends Maria and Luz grew up in the barrio and were inseparable until Luz left town to fight against social injustice. They lose track of one another until one day, while at her job cleaning rich people's homes, Maria spots Luz among a gang robbing the house next door. Luz later tells Maria that her gang robs from the rich and gives to the poor, like a modern day Robin Hood. Luz says she brought the leader and his men to their city by magic.

Maria isn't sure if she believes that, but she does know that she feels an undeniable romantic connection to their handsome leader, the mysterious Jack Green, and the feeling is mutual. Between her rekindled friendship with Luz and her attraction to Jack, she gets drawn into a life that's 180 degrees opposite to how she's been living. But when things go awry, it's Maria who must pay the final price.

Dog Boys is an original short story, set in the fictional Southwestern desert city of Santo del Vado Viejo. Brandon is the new boy at Rose Creek High and he quickly figures out that the one thing you don't do in this school is get mixed up in the struggle between the Latino streetgangs and the Native kids from the rez.

Set outside of Newford in 1967, Annie lives in Tartown with the rest of the poor kids. When a handsome, longhaired hippie shows up outside Ernie's Poolroom, Annie is smitten by his exotic good looks and long black hair. The local boys just want to beat him up, but before they can, the stranger suggests an irresistible contest, which reveals that he may be even more mysterious than he appears.

Crow Roads first appeared in The Coyote Road: Trickster Tales, edited by Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling, Viking, 2007

Set in Newford in 2007, record shop owner Mary begins to suspect her common-law partner is cheating on her. Edric is a musician whose out-of-town concerts happen to coincide with every full moon. Mary decides to secretly follow Edric to his next full moon gig, and makes an unexpected discovery. De Lint's love of combining real life with myth shines in this story.

Companions to the Moon first appeared in Realms of Fantasy, June 2007.

Set in Newford during 1967's Summer of Love, Beirut-born teen Dharma, runs away from his Muslim home and reinvents himself as a hippie poet-musician. Street-busking one day at an impromptu music jam, Dharma meets a lovely young hippie girl called Button. Love is in the air. Button and Dharma share a gorgeous, magical night at a huge music festival. But is this newfound love as perfect it seems?

Dharma first appeared in Dreams and Visions: Fourteen Flights of Fantasy, edited by M. Gerry Weiss & Helen S. Weiss; Tor Books, 2007.

Conn O'Neill is trying to make a go of it as a Celtic guitarist until he inadvertently runs afoul of a vengeful spirit. Cursed for seven years, at the end of which his soul is promised as a tithe to the fearsome Grey Man, Conn's only hope lies with his musical partner Miki Greer. Miki knows a thing or two about Irish spirits, having lost her brother to them in Charles de Lint's novel Forests of the Heart. She's not about to let them claim someone else.

The Butter Spirit's Tithe first appeared in Emerald Magic, edited by Andrew M. Greeley; Tor Books, 2004, and was most recently reprinted in Muse and Reverie, Tor Books, 2009.

The story was written as a memorial to The Clash's Joe Strummer. Charles de Lint's love of music shines in this story. Set in 2002, guitarist Sarah Blue meets mysterious trumpeter Eddie Ramone in a bar and is given a chance to return to a pivotal moment in her life to correct one of her deepest regrets.

That Was Radio Clash first appeared in Taverns of the Dead, edited by Kealan Patrick Burke (Cemetery Dance 2005), and was most recently reprinted in The Very Best of Charles de Lint, Tachyon, 2010.