''Sandkings'' is a collection of

science fiction Science fiction (sometimes shortened to Sci-Fi or SF) is a genre of speculative fiction which typically deals with imaginative and futuristic concepts such as advanced science and technology, space exploration, time travel, parallel uni ...

short stories A short story is a piece of prose fiction that typically can be read in one sitting and focuses on a self-contained incident or series of linked incidents, with the intent of evoking a single effect or mood. The short story is one of the oldest t ...

George R. R. Martin George Raymond Richard Martin (born George Raymond Martin; September 20, 1948), also known as GRRM, is an American novelist, screenwriter, television producer and short story writer. He is the author of the series of epic fantasy novels ''A Song ...

, published by

Timescape Books Timescape Books was a science fiction line from Pocket Books operating from 1981 to 1985. Pocket Books is an imprint of Simon & Schuster. It was named after the Gregory Benford novel ''Timescape'', which was not published by the Timescape imprin ...

in December 1981. The collection won the

Locus Award The Locus Awards are an annual set of literary awards voted on by readers of the science fiction and fantasy magazine ''Locus'', a monthly magazine based in Oakland, California. The awards are presented at an annual banquet. In addition to the p ...

for best single author collection. The multiple-award-winning title story concerns a race of insectoid, militaristic alien "pets" who worship their master until he badly mistreats them.

# "

The Way of Cross and Dragon "The Way of Cross and Dragon" is a science fiction short story by American writer George R. R. Martin. It involves a far-future priest of the One True Interstellar Catholic Church of Earth and the Thousand Worlds (with similarities to the Roman Cat ...

" ('' Omni'', June 1979), novelette # "Bitterblooms" (''

Cosmos The cosmos (, ) is another name for the Universe. Using the word ''cosmos'' implies viewing the universe as a complex and orderly system or entity. The cosmos, and understandings of the reasons for its existence and significance, are studied in ...

'', November 1977), novelette # "In the House of the Worm" (''The Ides of Tomorrow'', 1976) # "Fast-Friend" (''Faster than Light'', 1976) # "The Stone City" (''New Voices I'', 1977), novelette # "Starlady" (''Science Fiction Discoveries'', 1976) # " Sandkings" (''Omni'', August 1979), novelette

"Sandkings"

In the original story (set in the same fictional "Thousand Worlds" universe as several of Martin's other works, including '' Dying of the Light'', ''

Nightflyers ''Nightflyers'' is a science fiction horror novella by American writer George R. R. Martin, released as a short novella in 1980 and as an expanded novella in 1981. A short story collection of the same name was released in 1985 that includes the ...

'', ''

A Song for Lya ''A Song for Lya'' is the first collection of stories by science fiction and fantasy writer George R. R. Martin, published as a paperback original by Avon Books in 1976. It was reprinted by different publishers in 1978 and in 2001. The title is ...

'', "

With Morning Comes Mistfall "With Morning Comes Mistfall" is a science fiction story by American author George R. R. Martin, published by ''Analog Science Fiction and Fact'' magazine in May 1973. It was the first story by Martin to be nominated for the Hugo Award and Nebula ...

", "

" and the stories collected in ''

Tuf Voyaging ''Tuf Voyaging'' is a 1986 science fiction fix-up novel by American writer George R. R. Martin, first published in hardcover by Baen Books. It is a darkly comic meditation on environmentalism and absolute power. This novel is a collection of r ...

''), a millionaire named Simon Kress buys four colonies of sandkings—highly intelligent antlike creatures—as an addition to his collection of exotic pets. Problems occur when he forces the sandkings to make war on one another for his amusement, only to find they are a more sophisticated species than he had realised. The story was adapted into "

The Sandkings "The Sandkings" is a 1995 Canadian-American television film based on the 1979 novella '' Sandkings'' by George R. R. Martin, and the first episode of the revived 1960s science-fiction television series '' The Outer Limits''. It premiered on 26 ...

," an episode of the new '' The Outer Limits'', as well as a 1987 graphic novel, published by

DC Comics DC Comics, Inc. ( doing business as DC) is an American comic book publisher and the flagship unit of DC Entertainment, a subsidiary of Warner Bros. Discovery. DC Comics is one of the largest and oldest American comic book companies, with the ...

as the seventh and last book of the DC Science Fiction Graphic Novel line, adapted by

Doug Moench Douglas Moench (; born February 23, 1948) is an American comic book writer notable for his ''Batman'' work and as the creator of Moon Knight, Deathlok, Black Mask, '' Electric Warrior'' and '' Six from Sirius''. He is also known for his critica ...

Pat Broderick Pat Broderick (born November 26, 1953) is an American comics artist, known for his work on the ''Micronauts'' and ''Alpha Flight'' for Marvel Comics, and '' Legion of Super-Heroes'', ''Captain Atom'' and '' Green Lantern'' for DC Comics. Broderi ...

and Neal McPheeters.

References

External links

*https://www.fantasticfiction.com/m/george-r-r-martin/sandkings.htm 1981 short story collections Short story collections by George R. R. Martin es:Sandkings {{1980s-sf-story-collection-stub

Contents

"Sandkings"

References

External links