Works

You can view Samantha’s complete published Fiction and Poetry, or browse her published Novels, Short Fiction and Poetry available for sale below:

Novels

DAWNBRINGER

Two angels given mortal flesh are sent to guard two star-crossed lovers, born scions of rival merchant houses. At first, it looks as though love will conquer all, and the rift will finally be mended. But there are those who hate the word peace with a passion so much that it poisons everything they touch, corrupting house to turn against house, mother to turn against child, and angel to turn against angel. Dawnbringer is the perfect meld between classic and contemporary fantasy, with shades of Romeo and Juliet, told from the perspective of guardian angels, in a world where sorcery and monsters are commonplace.

“I have to admit that I have rarely enjoyed a Forgotten Realms novel more. The book is easily read by anyone unfamiliar with the Realms, is entirely stand-alone (so far) has exceptional characterization and a complex but easily followed plot. It borrows plot devices from Shakespeare while also being full of sword and sorcery pulp action. I highly recommend Samantha Henderson’s Dawnbringer.”

— Graping for the Wind Reviews

HEAVEN’S BONES

Dr. Sebastian Robarts is a man paralyzed by the fate of his adored wife, dead in childbirth, their only child with her. He searches for a way to build angels from women, a pastime known to Scotland Yard as murder. Robarts meets the Vistani seer named Trueblood, who becomes his assistant and leads him to the Antebellum-era domain of Riverbend, controlled by the sadistic Dr. Weldon, to create angels, unfettered by conventional morality, or even rules. When the murderer returns to earth, it is the task of a Vistani policeman and a woman with a strange connection to Robarts to stop him. If he can be stopped.Heaven’s Bones skillfully blends horror and steampunk and classic Victorian literary style into something exotic and fascinating.

“If you enjoy the experience of discovering the story as you read, pulling the various threads and making connections, then you’ll like this book. Samantha Henderson has succeeded ably with a difficult multi-threaded story.”
— SF Revu

Fiction Anthologies

“Outlander”

“THE RED BRIDE”

  • Available in The Year’s Best Fantasy and Science Fiction, Prime Books 2011
  • Locus Online Recommended Reading List, 2010
  • Buy from Amazon

I particularly liked “The Red Bride” by Samantha Henderson. It’s a simple story, slyly told, set on an alien planet (apparently, though the feel is deliberately fantastical) as the long-enslaved local race finally revolts, behind the title character.

— Locus

“SKIN IN THE GAME”

“WILD COPPER”

“MS. FOUND IN THE FOOTPRINTS OF A STOAT”

“FIVE WAYS JANE AUSTEN NEVER DIED”

Poetry

“THE GABRIEL HOUND”

  • Available in The 2011 Rhysling Anthology: The Best Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Poetry of 2010 
  • Buy this anthology

“IN THE ASTRONAUT ASYLUM” (WITH KENDALL EVANS)

  • Available in The 2010 Rhysling Anthology: The Best Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Poetry of 2009 
  • 2010 Rhysling Awards: Winner, Long Form
  • Buy this anthology

The 2009 Rhysling Anthology

“SPELL”

  • 2009 Rhysling Awards: Runner-up, Short Form

“THE SEASONS’ DYING”

“HUNGRY: SOME GHOST STORIES”

The 2007 Rhysling anthology

“SLEEPERS”

  • 2007 Rhysling Awards: 3rd Place, Long Form Category

“FIRST FESTIVAL”

“TRIPTYCH: THREE VIEWS OF THE CAPTURE OF THE CITY OF BISANTHE”

“TINKER”

“CABAZON”

  • Reprinted in The 2006 Rhysling Anthology: The Best Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Poetry of 2005 (Buy this anthology)