‘The Birds Of The Moon’

‘The Birds Of The Moon: A Travellers’ Tale’ is, by a narrow margin, probably this writer’s favourite Michael Moorcock story. In 1995, it was originally commissioned for, submitted to (on time), and apparently accepted by the magazine New Statesman & Society (as part of a special feature intended to commemorate the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Glastonbury music festival), but for some reason it never appeared (in June of that year). It was published subsequently in its own one-off edition in July 1995.

First appearance: London: Jayde Design (in association with The Nomads Of The Time Streams [The International Michael Moorcock Appreciation Society]), 1995 (July 19th) trade-sized paperback/chapbook (q.v.);
original price: £2·50;
24 pages;
I.S.B.N.: 0-9520074-1-X;
cover artist: Mark Reeve (also interior);
afterword by John Davey.

**‘The Birds Of The Moon: A Travellers’ Tale’ (illustrated by Mark Reeve): pp. 1**–**20.**

First collected appearance: Fabulous Harbours
London: Millennium, 1995 (August 21st) hardcover and simultaneous trade-sized paperback (q.v.);
sub-titled “A Sequel To Blood” on title page;
original prices: £15·99 (h/c), £8·99 (p/b);
x + 192 pages;
I.S.B.N.s: 1-85798-408-0 (h/c) & 1-85798-409-9 (p/b);
cover artist: Gustave Moreau (Dead Poet Borne By Centaur).

**pp. 183–192: as ‘Epilogue: The Birds Of The Moon’ (no illustrations).**

Other appearances:-

**The Best Of Michael Moorcock**;
**San Francisco: Tachyon, 2009 (May 15th) trade-sized paperback (*q.v.*);**
**edited by John Davey with Ann & Jeff VanderMeer;**
original price: $14·95;
403 pages;
I.S.B.N.: 978-1-892391-86-5;
cover artist: Ann Monn;
**interior design: John Coulthart;**
introduction (+ notes) by John Davey;
afterword by Ann & Jeff VanderMeer;
**‘The Birds Of The Moon: **A Travellers’ Tale**‘** (as ‘The Birds Of The Moon’ only, on contents page)**: pp. 317–326** **(no illustrations)**
(see also *The Very Best Of Michael Moorcock*).

*Fabulous Harbours* (see above)
in *The War Amongst The Angels* (omnibus);
**London: Gollancz trade-sized paperback** (*q.v.*), **2014 (September 11th);**
edited by John Davey;
original price: £10·99;
xx + 798 pages;
I.S.B.N.: 978-0-575-09273-0;
cover artist: Gustave Moreau (*St. George And The Dragon*);
**pp. 501–513**: as **‘**Epilogue: The Birds Of The Moon**: **A Travellers’ Tale**’**. **(no illustrations).**

Foreign (i.e. non-English language) appearances:-

In Les Univers De… Michael Moorcock, France, 2002; Utopiales 17, France (2017).

Also in Второй Эфир [The War Amongst The Angels (omnibus)], Russia (2023).