The Sandman: Book of Dreams (1996), edited by Ed Kramer and Neil Gaiman, is an anthology of short stories based on The Sandman comic book series.

Behind the scenes

Before the eventual publication of The Sandman: Book of Dreams, there was controversy surrounding it that almost caused the book to not be made. Apparently, DC Comics (the owners of The Sandman) were giving out contracts that included provisions very different than those the editors had originally told the authors when solicited for material. The editors tried to get DC Comics to change the terms of the contracts back to what was originally told to the authors, but were unsuccessful. As a result, several authors dropped out of the project.

Contents

Preface by Frank McConnell

1. Masquerade and High Water by Colin Greenland
2. Chain Home, Low by John M. Ford
3. Stronger Than Desire by Lisa Goldstein
4. Each Damp Thing by Barbara Hambly
5. The Birth Day by B.W. Clough
6. Splatter by Will Shetterly
7. Seven Nights in Slumberland by George Alec Effinger
8. Escape Artist by Caitlin R. Kiernan
9. An Extra Smidgeon of Eternity by Robert Rodi
10. The Writer's Child by Tad Williams
11. Endless Sestina by Lawrence Schimel
12. The Gate of Gold by Mark Kreighbaum
13. A Bone Dry Place by Karen Haber
14. The Witch's Heart by Delia Sherman
15. The Mender of Broken Dreams by Nancy A. Collins
16. Ain't You 'Most Done? by Gene Wolfe
17. Valóság and Élet by Steven Brust
18. Stopp't-Clock Yard by Susanna Clarke

Afterword: Death by Tori Amos

Art

• Cover by Dave McKean
• Frontispiece by Clive Barker

External links

• Karawynn Long's account of the DC contract fiasco

Two of the dropped stories are available from the authors' websites:

• The Voice of Her Eyes by Karawynn Long
• Merv Pumpkinhead's Big Night Out by Michael Berry