Borderland (book series)

Borderland is a shared world anthology series of fantasy novels and short stories created and edited by Terri Windling and Mark Alan Arnold. The series, primarily published by Tor Books from 1986 to 1999, centers around the city of Bordertown, a place where the World (our world) and Faerie collide. Bordertown is situated on the Border, a fluctuating and dangerous area between the two realms.

The books explore the lives of human and elf teenagers and young adults who live in Bordertown, navigating the challenges of cultural clashes, magic, technology, identity, and survival. The setting is often described as urban fantasy meets punk rock, with a strong emphasis on music, art, and self-expression.

Notable authors who have contributed to the Borderland series include Charles de Lint, Ellen Kushner, Delia Sherman, Emma Bull, and Will Shetterly.

The series is known for its exploration of marginalized characters, its gritty and realistic portrayal of street life in a fantastical setting, and its influence on the development of urban fantasy as a genre. The early volumes were particularly formative in defining the subgenre.

Publication History:

• Borderland (1986)
• Bordertown (1986)
• Life on the Border (1991)
• Things That Never Happen (1996)
• Welcome to Bordertown (1998)
• The Essential Bordertown (1998) - a collection of previously published stories.
• Bordertown: A New Edition (2011) - updated anthology returning to the world.
• Welcome Back to Bordertown (2011) - a new anthology.