Fantastic Collections:
A Bibliography of English-Language Speculative, Science Fiction, Science, Fantasy, and Horror Poetry Anthologies

Mythic, speculative, macabre, science fictional, weird, fantastic, dystopian, cosmic, magical, surreal, astrological, supernatural, futurist, spiritual, horrific, mystical, astronomic, grotesque, ethereal, folkloric, spectral, utopian, scientific, terrifying, starry, elfin-regardless of the differences in their emphases, all of these anthologies have one thing in common: poetry that seeks to explore the uncommon or the unknown. Though there are others out there, these are the best collections of English-language fantastic poetry of the past 150 years.

This is, naturally, a work-in-progress. Please send corrections and suggestions to Dr. Drew Morse at amorse@jcu.edu. At this time, the parameters for this bibliography are: the majority of the anthology's content fits the above description; the anthology contains at least 80% poetry; the anthology includes poetry by at least 6 different authors; the anthology is a stand-alone publication, or a substantially different edition of a serial publication; and the anthology was published-or has been reprinted-in the past 150 years. Note also that this list does not include ongoing SFPA-associated annual anthologies; The Rhysling and Dwarf Star anthologies are catalogued elsewhere on this site.

At present this bibliography provides only English-language anthologies; if you are aware of anthologies in other languages, please let me know.

The Alchemy of Stars: Rhysling Award Winners Showcase. Eds. Roger Dutcher & Mike Allen. US: SFPA, 2005. [ISBN 0809511622]

Medusa: A Poetry Anthology. Ed. Steve Sneyd. West Yorkshire, UK: Hilltop Press, 2005. [ISBN 0905262379]

On the Wing: American Poems of Air and Space Flight. Ed. Karen Yelena Olsen. Iowa City, IA: University of Iowa Press, 2005. [ISBN 0877459444]

Science Verse. Eds. Jon Scieszka & Lane Smith. NY: Viking, 2004. [ISBN 0670910570] [young readers] [2005 Golden Duck Award Winner]

Dreaming Scryers True Deceivers: Science Fiction Poets Read at Oxford. Ed. Steve Sneyd. West Yorkshire, UK: Hilltop Press, 2003. [ISBN 0905262328]

Magic in Rhyme: A Magician's Anthology of Poems, Verses, and Limericks. Ed. William V. Rauscher. Oxford, CT: 1878 Press Co, 2003.

Random Planets: A Scifaiku Odyssey. Eds. Teri Santitoro & L.A. Story Houry. Cedar Rapids, IA: Sam's Dot Publishing, 2003. [no ISBN]

The Stars as Seen From this Particular Angle of Night: An Anthology of Speculative Verse. Ed. Sandra Kasturi. Calgary: Red Deer Press, 2003. [ISBN 0889952809]

2001: A Science Fiction Poetry Anthology. Ed Keith Allen Daniels. San Francisco, CA: Anamnesis Press, 2001. [ISBN: 1892842238]

Letting Go of the Earth. Ed. Marni Griffin. Lincolnshire, UK: Be Strong Press, 2000. [no ISBN]

Uncommonplaces: Poems of the Fantastic. Eds. Judith Kerman & Don Riggs. Saginaw, MI: Mayapple Press, 2000. [ISBN 0932412173]

The Cerulean Anthology of Sci-Fi, Outer Space, Fantasy Poetry and Prose Poems. Ed. Blair H. Allen. Cucamonga, CA: Cerulean Press, 1999. [ISBN 0917458176]

Dreamers on the Sea of Fate: An Anthology of SF Poetry. Ed. Steve Sneyd. Essex, UK: Sol Publications, 1999. [ISBN 0907376150]

Virtual Paradise: An Anthology of Mythical Poetry. Brighton, UK: Pentagraph Press, 1997. [ISBN 1899774807]

Star Walk. Ed. Seymour Simon. NY: Morrow Junior Books, 1995. [ISBN 0688118879] [young readers]

Terminal Velocities: An Anthology of Speculative Poetry. Ed. Andrew Joron. Berkeley, CA: Pantograph Press, 1993. [ISBN 0938075268]

Time Frames: A Speculative Poetry Anthology. Ed. Terry A. Garey. Minneapolis, MN: Rune Press, 1991. [ISBN 0960265620]

Poly: New Speculative Writing. Ed. Lee Ballentine. Mountain View, CA: Ocean View Books, 1989. [ISBN 0938075055]

Poets of the Fantastic: An Anthology of Horror, Fantasy, and Science Fiction (Speculative) Verse. Eds. Marge Simon & Steve Eng. Walnut Creek, CA: SPWAO, [1988].

Verse & Universe: Poems about Science and Mathematics. Ed. Kurt Brown. Minneapolis, MN: Milkweed Editions, 1998. [ISBN 1571314075]

1988 Odyssey Poetry Awards. Ed. Virginia E. Baker. 1988. [no ISBN]

Spaceways: An Anthology of Space Poems. Ed. John Foster. Oxford: Oxford UP, 1986. [ISBN 0192760068]

Nonsense!: Oklahoma Science Fiction Writers Poetry Anthology. Ed. Carol T. L. Phillips. Jet Pack Clam Publishing, 1985.

Songs from Unsung Worlds: Science in Poetry. Ed. Bonnie Bilyeu Gordon. Boston: Birkhauser, 1985. [ISBN 0817632964]

Burning With a Vision: Poetry of Science and the Fantastic. Ed. Robert Frazier. Philadelphia: Owlswick Press, 1984. [ISBN: 0913896225]

Poems of Science. Ed. John Heath-Stubbs & Phillips Salman. Harmondsworth: Penguin, 1984. [ISBN 0140423176]

Aliens and Lovers: An Anthology of Erotic Poetry with Fantasy and Science Fiction Themes. Ed. Millea Kenin. Oakland, CA: Unique Graphics, 1983. [no ISBN]

The Umbral Anthology of Science Fiction Poetry. Ed. Steve Rasnic Tem. Denver, CO: Umbral Press, 1982. [ISBN 0943422000]

Why Am I Grown So Cold?: Poems of the Unknowable. Ed. Myra Cohn Livingston. NY: Atheneum, 1982. [ISBN 0689502427] [young readers]

Lifeline: International Poets. Ed. Gene van Troyer. Los Angeles: SFPA, 1981. [SF poetry from England, Denmark, the Philippines, Spain, Canada, Poland, Scotland, and the U.S.A.]

Hidden Places, Secret Words: An Anthology of Fantasy Poetry. Ed. Anita Loreta Anderson. Stafford, VA: Northwoods Press, 1980. [ISBN 089002149X]

Rocket Candy: Speculative Poetry. Ed. Duane Ackerson. Salem, OR: Dragonfly Press, 1977. [This is #16 (volume 4, number 4) of The Dragonfly.]

Omniumgathum: An Anthology of Verse by Top Authors in the Field of Fantasy. Eds. Jonathan Bacon & Steve Travanovich. Lamoni, IA: Stygian Isle Press, 1976.

Edge: SF Directions. Ed. Bruce McAllister. Christchurch, New Zealand: The Edge Press, 1973. [This is Edge #5/6, Autumn/Winter 1973]

Poetry for Space Enthusiasts. Ed. Leland B. Jacobs. Champaign, IL: Garrard Publishing, 1971. [ISBN 0811641082] [young readers]

Inside Outer Space: New Poems of the Space Age. Ed. Robert Vas Dias. Garden City, NY: Anchor Books, 1970. [no ISBN]

The Isle of Gramarye: An Anthology of the Poetry of Magic. Ed. Jennifer Westwood. London: Hart-Davis, 1970. [ISBN 0246973579] [young readers]

Frontier of Going: An Anthology of Space Poetry. Ed. John Fairfax. London: Panther, 1969. [ISBN 0586026886]

Holding Your Eight Hands: An Anthology of Science Fiction Verse. Ed. Edward Lucie-Smith. Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1969. [no ISBN] [There is also a British edition of this anthology, published in 1970 by Rapp & Whiting, London]

A Book of Science Verse. Ed. W. Eastwood. London: Macmillan, 1962.

Fire and Sleet and Candlelight: New Poems of the Macabre. Ed. August Derleth. Sauk City, WI: Arkham House, 1961. [ISBN 0836964020]

Today the Stars. Ed. Lilith Lorraine. Alpine, TX: Different Press, 1960.

Imagination's Other Places: Poems of Science and Mathematics. Ed. Helen Plotz. NY: Thomas Y. Crowell Co., 1955.

Starbound!: Poems of Science-Fiction, Fantasy, and Terror. Ed. Kenneth Krueger. Buffalo, NY: Pegasus Publications, 1954. [The Space-Trails Series #5]

Snowflakes in the Sun: A Collection of Fantasy in Verse. Ed. W, Paul Ganley. North Tonawanda, NY: SSR Publications, 1952.

Dark of the Moon: Poems of Fantasy and the Macabre. Ed. August Derleth. Sauk City, WI: Arkham House, 1947.

Fantaverse (or Fanta-Verse). Ed. Bob Formanek. [1938 or 1939?].

Songs of Science. Ed. Virginia Shortridge. Boston: Marshall Jones Co., 1930.

The Haunted Hour. Ed. Margaret Widdemer. NY: Harcourt, Brace and Howe, 1920.

The Magic Casement: An Anthology of Fairy Poetry. Ed. Alfred Noyes. London: Chapman & Hall, [1908].

Elfin Music. Ed. Arthur Edward Waite. London: T. Whittaker, 1888.

Tales of Terror and Wonder. Ed. Matthew Gregory Lewis. London, NY: Routledge and Sons, 1887. [Reprints Tales of Terror and Tales of Wonder, originally published in 1801; that Lewis was the editor is in dispute]