''Magic for Beginners'' is a

collection Collection or Collections may refer to: Computing * Collection (abstract data type), the abstract concept of collections in computer science * Collection (linking), the act of linkage editing in computing * Garbage collection (computing), autom ...

of nine works of

fantasy Fantasy is a genre of speculative fiction that involves supernatural or Magic (supernatural), magical elements, often including Fictional universe, imaginary places and Legendary creature, creatures. The genre's roots lie in oral traditions, ...

and light

horror Horror may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Genres *Horror fiction, a genre of fiction **Psychological horror, a subgenre of horror fiction **Christmas horror, a subgenre of horror fiction **Analog horror, a subgenre of horror fiction * ...

short fiction by American writer

Kelly Link Kelly Link (born July 19, 1969) is an American editor and writer. Mainly known as an author of short stories, she published her first novel, ''The Book of Love'' in 2024. While some of her fiction falls more clearly within genre categories, many ...

, released by

Small Beer Press Small Beer Press is a publisher of fantasy and literary fiction, based in Northampton, Massachusetts. It was founded by Gavin Grant and Kelly Link in 2000 and publishes novels, collections, and anthologies. It also publishes the zine '' Lady Chu ...

in 2005. The stories were all previously published in other venues from 2002 to 2005. The book won the 2006 Locus Award for Best Collection. The title story, " Magic for Beginners", won the 2006

Nebula Award for Best Novella The Nebula Award for Best Novella is given each year by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association (SFWA) for science fiction or fantasy novellas. A work of fiction is defined by the organization as a novella if it is between 17,500 and 4 ...

and 2006

Locus Award for Best Novella The Locus Award for Best Novella is one of a number of Locus Awards given out each year by '' Locus'' magazine. Awards presented in a given year are for works published in the previous calendar year. The first award in this category was presented i ...

, and the 2006

BSFA Award The BSFA Awards are literary awards presented annually since 1970 by the British Science Fiction Association (BSFA) to honour works in the genre of science fiction. Nominees and winners are chosen based on a vote of BSFA members. More recently, m ...

for best short fiction. Another story in the book, " The Faery Handbag", won the 2005

Hugo Award for Best Novelette The Hugo Award for Best Novelette is one of the Hugo Awards given each year for science fiction or fantasy stories published or translated into English during the previous calendar year. The novelette award is available for works of fiction of ...

, the 2006

Nebula Award for Best Novelette The Nebula Award for Best Novelette is given each year by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association (SFWA) to a science fiction or fantasy novelette. A work of fiction is defined by the organization as a novelette if it is between 7,5 ...

, and the 2005

Locus Award for Best Novelette The Locus Award for Best Novelette is one of a series of Locus Awards given annually by Locus Magazine ''Locus: The Magazine of The Science Fiction & Fantasy Field'', founded in 1968, is an American magazine published monthly in Oakland, Califor ...

Stories

* " The Faery Handbag" * "The Hortlak" * "The Cannon" * "Stone Animals" * "Catskin" * "Some Zombie Contingency Plans" * "The Great Divorce" * " Magic for Beginners" * "Lull"

References

{{Reflist

External links

Review of ''Magic for Beginners''
by Geneva Melzack for ''

Strange Horizons ''Strange Horizons'' is an online magazine, online speculative fiction magazine. It also features speculative poetry and non-fiction in every issue, including reviews, essays, interviews, and roundtables. History and profile It was launched in S ...

''. 2005 short story collections Fantasy short story collections Horror short story collections Nebula Award for Best Novella–winning works Small Beer Press books