Welcome to the Sword and Sorcery Article Page

Sword and Sorcery: The Genre

• Defining Sword and Sorcery, by Howard Andrew Jones
  What distinguishes sword and sorcery from other fantasy? Jones examines the topic in light of what other fantasy writers and editors have said on the topic.
  
  
• The Demarcation of Sword and Sorcery, by Joseph A. McCullough V
  McCullough compares sword and sorcery to heroic fantasy in a thoroughly researched and entertaining look at both fantasy genres.
  
  
• Robert E. Howard, Christianity, and the Saga of Bran Mak Morn, by Joseph A. McCullough V
  A fascinating look at Robert E. Howard's King of the Picts as a window into Howard's religious outlook.
  
  
• What if Thirteen-Year-Olds are Right?, by Ryan Harvey
  A fresh look at how the world-at-large percieves sword and sorcery fiction, and what they might be missing.
  
  
• Why We Should Care About Michael Moorcock's Wizardry & Wild Romance: A Study of Epic Fantasy by S.C. Bryce
  An in-depth look at Michael Moorcock's Wizardry and Wild Romance.
  
  
• Witches of the Mind: A Critical Study of Fritz Leiber by Bruce Byfield, book reviewed by S.C. Bryce.
  

Sword and Sorcery: The History

• Where Head and Tail Meet: The Worm Ouroboros, by Ryan Harvey
  A new overview of one of the most influential—yet least read—early heroic fantasy novels.
  
  
• Swords of The Old Ones: The Early Fantastic, by Howard Andrew Jones
  A look at the early writers of fantastic literature who had the most influence upon sword and sorcery.
  
  
• Swords of the Old Ones: Historical Swashbucklers, by Howard Andrew Jones
  A look at the historical writers of the old pulps whose work had the most influence upon sword and sorcery.

Sword and Sorcery: Series and Characters

• Dorian Hawkmoon, Part 2, by S.C. Bryce
  S.C. Bryce examines the novels in the “The History of Castle Brass” series by Michael Moorcock.
  
  
• Dorian Hawkmoon, Part 1, by S.C. Bryce
  S.C. Bryce examines the novels in the “History of the Runestaff” series by Michael Moorcock.
  
  
• Sojan Shieldbearer, by S.C. Bryce
  S.C. Bryce looks at Sojan Shieldbearer, Michael Moorcock's first serial character.
  
  
• Jirel of Joiry: The Mother of Us All, by Ryan Harvey
  Ryan Harvey examines Catherine L. Moore's Jirel of Joiry, the first sword and sorcery heroine.
  
  
• Clark Ashton Smith, Part 2, by Ryan Harvey
  Ryan Harvey surveys the work of neglected master Clark Ashton Smith in part 2 of a 4-part series.
  
  
• Clark Ashton Smith, Part 1, by Ryan Harvey
  Ryan Harvey surveys the work of neglected master Clark Ashton Smith in part 1 of a 4-part series.
  
  
• Solomon Kane, by E.E. Knight
  E.E. Knight, author of the popular Vampire Earth novels and the upcoming Age of Fire series, takes a look at his favorite Robert E. Howard character.
  
  
• Prester John, by Andy Beau
  In the third of his columns examining forgotten sword and sorcery characters, Andy Beau looks at Norvell Page's Prester John.
  
  
• Casca, by Andy Beau
  In the second of his columns examining forgotten sword and sorcery characters, Andy Beau examines a nearly forgotten immortal, Casca.
  
  
• Sagas, Scrolls & Sorcery: A Survey of Literature in the Hyborian Age, by Eric Leif Davin
  An entertaining look at how a scholar might look on the varied accounts of the Hyborian age if they were real historical documents.
  
  
• The Elric Saga, Part 1, by S.C. Bryce
  A detailed review and analysis of the central books of Michael Moorcock's Elric saga.
  
  
• The Elric Saga, Part 2, by S.C. Bryce
  A detailed review and analysis of the later books in Michael Moorcock's influential Elric saga.
  
  
• Elak of Atlantis, by Andy Beau
  In the first of his columns examining forgotten sword and sorcery characters, Andy Beau examines one of the first to follow Conan: Henry Kuttner's Elak.