James P. Blaylock Books In Order

Publication Order of The Balumnia Trilogy Books

Publication Order of The Christian Trilogy Books

Publication Order of The Ghosts Trilogy Books

Publication Order of Narbondo Books

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas

Publication Order of Collections

Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books

Publication Order of The Year's Best Dark Fantasy & Horror Books

Publication Order of Anthologies

About James P. Blaylock
As a writer James P. Blaylock is an American author with a lot to offer, having produced many science-fiction and horror novels. Focused mainly on these genres, he’s a strong voice in the industry, allowing his work to essentially speak for itself. Knowing his audience inside out, he’s a clear and confident novelist who’s been putting out work for quite some time now. Taking the reader on a journey, he’s highly adept, letting his characters come alive off the page, as they leave a lasting impact with the reader.

His distinctive approach to the genre is done with humor and wit, as he writes in a manner that is fun and heart warming. Drawing from such widely renowned authors as Philip K. Dick, he’s fast become a well regarded novelist in his own right. This has led to him producing a number of different works that are both imaginative and entertaining in equal measure. Whilst his work may use a fantasy setting, his work still resonates on a human level, which is why his stories resonate so well.

It’s also the case that Blaylock is a master of funny and irreverent dialogue too, as he’s able to keep his readers laughing as well. This is something that has become somewhat of a trademark for him as an author, as he really knows how to elevate his stories. Showing readers a window into his distinctive and idiosyncratic view of the world, his style is completely different. With a lot more to come too, he’s definitely not stopping any time soon either, as his writing career goes from strength-to-strength.

Early and Personal Life:
Born in Long Beach California in the United States on the 20th of September 1950, James P. Blaylock has had a long illustrious career as a writer. This career is something that he’s nurtured from an early age too, having always been interested in the art-form and developing his voice. Learning the craft, he would approach his novels with a warmth and a sense-of-humour, and this would become a signature in the following years.

Educated at California State University in Fullerton, he’d study English gaining an M.A. in 1974, before going on to teach Creative Writing himself Chapman University. This would help to lay a lot of the groundwork for his future career, as he’d largely focus on his passion for fantasy and magical realism. Still teaching and writing to this day, he lives in Orange, California, as he carries on looking for the next big idea as inspiration.

Writing Career:
Starting out back in 1982, James P. Blaylock would begin his writing career with the novel ‘The Elfin Ship’, which would also be the first in the ‘Elfin’ series. This would shortly be followed up with ‘The Disappearing Dwarf’, which would come just one year later providing the next in the series. In 1984 he’d go on to create the ‘Digging Leviathan’ series, beginning with ‘The Digging Leviathan’, followed much later by ‘Zeuglodon’ in 2012. Over the years he’s largely focused on science-fiction and fantasy, including some horror novels along the way. Winning many awards for his work too, such as the ‘Philip K. Dick Award’ in 1986, as well as the ‘World Fantasy Award’ on numerous occasion, making him one of the most sought after voices within his field to date.

The Aylesford Skull
First brought out through the Titan Books publishing imprint, this would be the seventh title in the Narbondo series of books. Originally released on the 15th of January in 2015, this would carry on from the last with another adventure featuring Langdon St. Ives. It follows him and his run-ins with the nefarious Dr. Ignacio Narbondo, which is where the series itself gets its name from.

Set firmly in the steampunk mold, this combines fantasy and science-fiction in a historical setting, using all the classic tropes of the subgenre. There’s a lot of humor here and, with many of the characters already being firmly established, it’s not without heart either. It’s a fun and imaginative action adventure that really makes the most of the genre, combining strong characters with vast and expansive worlds.

It’s 1883 and Professor Langdon St. Ives is at home with his family, but, as the scientist is enjoying the summer, pirates have hijacked a steam launch nearby, killing the crew and throwing them overboard. With the bodies tossed over Egypt Bay, a grave in Aylesford is meanwhile robbed of a skull and people believe it to be the notorious Dr. Ignacio Narbondo. As Langdon’s long-time nemesis he soon returns to kidnap his son Eddie, leaving Langdon to pursue him through London. Will he be able to find his son in time? Can the pirates ever be stopped? What is the secret behind the Aylesford skull?

All The Bells on Earth
Initially released in November 1995, this would be an earlier book from Blaylock as an author, with it being somewhat of a mystery. First published through the Ace publishing house, it was also third title in ‘The Christian Trilogy’, rounding up all three titles. Working as the conclusion to the series, it manages to close up all the loose ends, giving the readers just what they were looking for.

There’s a number of eccentric elements in place here that really bring this story to life, as it’s both intriguing and immersive. It features a lot of authentic dialogue, really giving the reader some hilarious and insightful passages throughout. This would be something that Blaylock would come to excel at over the years, as he’d evolve his style and approach to writing overall.

During the night one man climbs the tower of St. Anthony’s Church to silence the bells, whilst elsewhere in an alley someone is spontaneously devoured by flames. This is all taking place in Orange in California, and there’s been a number of strange goings on in the town lately. Stepping up after receiving a strange glass jar with a preserved bluebird, Walt Stebbins will now get to the bottom of the mystery once and for all. Who is behind everything? Why is this happening? Will he be able to find out what’s going on behind all the bell’s on Earth?