James P. Blaylock (born September 20, 1950) is an American fantasy author.

Blaylock is noted for his distinctive style. He writes in a humorous way: His characters never walk, they clump along, or when someone complains (in a flying machine) that flight is impossible, the other characters agree and show him why he's right!

He was born in Long Beach, California; studied English at California State University, Fullerton, receiving an M.A. in 1974; and lives in Orange, California, teaching creative writing at Chapman University. He and his friends Tim Powers and K. W. Jeter were mentored by Philip K. Dick..

He invented the poet William Ashbless along with Tim Powers.

Novels

A number of Blaylock's novels can be arranged in groups of three by sharing a common setting, characters or style but all his books stand alone and there are no strict literary trilogies amongst them.

The "Balumnia" Trilogy 

Perhaps best described as children's stories for adults.

• The Elfin Ship (1982)
• The Disappearing Dwarf (1983)
• The Stone Giant (1989)

The "St. Ives" Trilogy 

Steampunk-ish — the latter two are set in Victorian England.

• The Digging Leviathan (1984)
• Homunculus (1986)
• Lord Kelvin's Machine (1992)

The "Christian" Trilogy 

Present-day fantasy using Christian elements — such as the Holy Grail and the silver coins paid to Judas — without being in any way "religious".

• The Last Coin (1988)
• The Paper Grail (1991)
• All The Bells On Earth (1995)

The "Ghosts" Trilogy 

Present-day Californian ghost stories.

• Night Relics (1994)
• Winter Tides (1997)
• The Rainy Season (1999)

Others 

• Land of Dreams (1987)
• The Magic Spectacles (1991) Young adult book
• Thirteen Phantasms (2000) Short story collection
• On Pirates (2001) Short story collection with Tim Powers
• The Man in the Moon (2002) Original manuscript of The Elfin Ship
• The Devils in the Details (2003) Short story collection with Tim Powers
• In For A Penny (2003) Short story collection

External links:

• Website and discussion forum about Blaylock's writing