Paolini pens short story collection set in Alagaësia

Fantasy author Christopher Paolini, the author of the Inheritance Cycle, has written a new collection of short stories set in his mythical world of Alagaësia.

The Fork, The Witch and The Worm begins a year after Eragon, the eponymous protagonist of the first Inheritance Cycle novel, has departed Alagaësia to train a new generation of Dragon Riders. Now he is struggling with an endless sea of tasks: constructing a vast dragonhold, wrangling with suppliers, guarding dragon eggs, and dealing with belligerent Urgals and haughty elves. A vision from the Eldunarí, unexpected visitors, and an exciting Urgal legend offer a much-needed distraction and a new perspective.

Penguin Random House (PRH) Children’s has acquired UK and Commonwealth rights to the book and will publish the collection with four pieces of original art by the author.

M.d. Francesca Dow said: “We are thrilled to be publishing this magical collection of stories. For the millions of fans around the globe – including all of us at Penguin Random House – this return to Christopher’s rich and captivating world is a long-awaited delight, and we know that any lover of fantasy will be enthralled by this collection and the four incredible Inheritance Cycle novels they can then also go on to discover.”         

PRH Children’s UK will publish on 1st January 2019, one day after Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers publishes in the US.

UK and Commonwealth rights were acquired by Penguin Random House Children’s UK from Cecilia de la Campa, executive director, global licensing, on behalf of Simon Lipskar, president of Writers House.

Paolini has sold 1.58 million books for £12.1m through Nielsen BookScan and his bestseller is Eragon: Book One of the Inheritance Cycle, which has sold 362,786 copies since 2005.