Who are Flame Tree?
Flame Tree Publishing is a British publisher known for handsome, decorated hardbacks of myths, folklore, gothic fiction and classic weird tales. Their books are designed to look good on a shelf: rich colours, foil-stamped covers and decorative details. That is a big part of why readers collect them by the row.
The Flame Tree series, explained
|
Series |
How to spot it |
What's inside |
Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Collector's Editions |
Titles ending Myths & Legends: Tales of Heroes, Gods & Monsters or Folk & Fairy Tales: Fables, Folklore & Ancient Stories |
The traditional stories of one culture, with a new introduction and a glossary. Around 400 pages. |
A first book on a culture's myths |
|
Epic Tales (Gothic Fantasy) |
Titles ending Myths & Tales |
Deluxe, deeper collections with a foreword and line illustrations. Around 480 pages. |
Readers who want the fullest version |
|
Myths, Gods & Immortals |
Titles ending New & Ancient … Tales, named after one figure |
An introduction that retells the original myths, then new stories by modern writers about that figure. |
Fans of modern retellings |
|
Gothic Fantasy Short Stories |
Titles ending Short Stories |
Anthologies of classic and new tales, from M.R. James and Algernon Blackwood to today's writers. |
Lovers of ghost stories and folk horror |
The Collector's Editions and the Myths & Tales books can cover the same culture, so a Celtic fan might own both Celtic Myths & Legends and Celtic Myths & Tales. They overlap, but the Myths & Tales volume goes deeper.
What are the "New & Ancient Tales" books?
Each book in the Myths, Gods & Immortals series focuses on one legendary figure, like Circe, Anansi, Achilles or Morgana le Fay. It opens with an essay that retells the original myths and traces how they spread. Then come new stories by emerging writers, chosen from open submissions, that place the figure in ancient and modern settings.
They are a good choice if you already know the old stories and want fresh takes on them.
Which Flame Tree mythology book should I start with?
- You want the classic stories: pick the Myths & Legends or Folk & Fairy Tales book for the culture you love.
- You want everything: go for the Myths & Tales volume.
- You love a particular character: look for their New & Ancient Tales book.
- You want something to read by candlelight: choose a Short Stories anthology.
Flame Tree books at Out of the Inkwell
Our [link: Myth & Folklore] shelf is our biggest, and Flame Tree volumes fill a good part of it. Titles that have passed through our shop include:
- Myths & Legends: Celtic, Chinese, Indian and Arthurian Myths & Legends
- Folk & Fairy Tales: Korean, Arabian, Irish, Scottish and Viking Folk & Fairy Tales
- Myths & Tales: Celtic, Chinese, African and Aztec Myths & Tales
- New & Ancient Tales: Circe, Achilles, Aphrodite, Anansi and Morgana le Fay
- Short Stories: Gothic Horror, Weird Horror and Folk Horror Short Stories, Chilling Ghost Stories and African Ghost Stories
Stock changes often, so browse [link: Myth & Folklore], [link: Fairy Tales & Storybooks] and [link: Gothic & Horror Fiction] to see what is on the shelf now. Looking for a particular volume to complete your row? Requests are always welcome. [link: Contact page]
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Flame Tree Myths & Legends and Myths & Tales? Myths & Legends books are compact Collector's Editions of the traditional stories. Myths & Tales books are bigger, deluxe volumes in the Epic Tales series that go into more depth.
Are Flame Tree myth books retellings or the original stories? The Myths & Legends, Folk & Fairy Tales and Myths & Tales books collect the traditional stories. The New & Ancient Tales books add brand-new stories by modern writers.
Which Flame Tree book is best for beginners? A Myths & Legends or Folk & Fairy Tales volume. They are shorter, include a glossary, and cover the essential stories.
Are Flame Tree books good gifts? Yes. They are decorated hardbacks designed to be displayed, and many readers collect them by culture or series.