Jirel of Joiry Ignites a New Era with Molly Tanzer’s "Blue Fire" Novella

The crimson-haired warrior queen, Jirel of Joiry, a pioneering figure in the Sword & Sorcery genre, is making a triumphant return with "Blue Fire," a groundbreaking new novella by acclaimed author Molly Tanzer. Published by Brackenbury Books, this ambitious project has rapidly achieved crowdfunding success, signaling a fervent appetite among fans for fresh adventures starring C.L. Moore’s iconic creation.

"Blue Fire" represents a significant milestone: the first-ever book-length adventure for Jirel of Joiry. The crowdfunding campaign, launched on June 11th, not only met its initial goal within a remarkable 21 hours but continues to unlock exciting stretch goals, promising an enriched experience for readers and a well-deserved bonus for the creative team. This resurgence is a testament to the enduring legacy of C.L. Moore and the compelling vision of Molly Tanzer, who, with the blessing of Moore’s estate, is breathing new life into Joiry’s formidable ruler.

The Return of Joiry’s Red Lady: A New Era

Jirel of Joiry stands as a colossus in the annals of fantasy literature. Created by Catherine Lucille Moore in the 1930s, Jirel was a fierce, independent, and unyielding female protagonist in a genre predominantly dominated by male heroes. Her adventures, often venturing into bizarre, dream-like dimensions filled with horrific entities and arcane magic, set a high bar for sword and sorcery, blending action with psychological depth. Moore’s work was revolutionary, depicting a warrior queen who was both physically capable and emotionally complex, navigating otherworldly threats with courage and conviction.

Decades later, the torch has been passed to Molly Tanzer, a writer known for her distinctive voice in speculative fiction, spanning horror, sci-fi, and fantasy. Tanzer’s engagement with Jirel began in earnest, with Black Gate magazine closely tracking her contributions. This partnership, forged with the full permission of the C.L. Moore estate, has been instrumental in reintroducing Jirel to both veteran fans and new generations of readers.

A Timeline of Revival: Tanzer’s Jirel Saga

The journey to "Blue Fire" has been a carefully orchestrated re-establishment of Jirel’s presence in contemporary fantasy. Black Gate‘s Dark Muse News, a biweekly blog dedicated to genre developments, has been at the forefront of this coverage:

February 2025: Black Gate heralded the release of Molly Tanzer’s first new Jirel story, "Jirel Meets Death." This tale, published in New Edge Sword & Sorcery magazine (Issue #3), served as a powerful declaration that Joiry’s queen was back, her edge undiminished. It immediately captured the attention of the sword and sorcery community, demonstrating Tanzer’s ability to capture Moore’s spirit while injecting her own flair.
March 2026: Building on the momentum, Black Gate again covered Tanzer’s next contribution, "Jirel in the Forest of Night," featured in New Edge Sword & Sorcery (Issue #9). These shorter works provided tantalizing glimpses into Tanzer’s interpretation of Jirel, showcasing her mastery of Moore’s unique blend of horror, heroism, and the surreal.

These preceding stories, championed by Brackenbury Books—the same independent outfit behind New Edge Sword & Sorcery magazine—laid the essential groundwork for the ambitious "Blue Fire." The enthusiastic reception of these shorter pieces paved the way for the larger, book-length narrative, signaling a clear demand for more of Jirel’s exploits under Tanzer’s pen.

"Blue Fire": A Novella of Uncharted Realms

"Blue Fire" plunges Jirel into an unprecedented challenge, one that transcends the usual blade-and-sorcery confrontations. The narrative begins with Jirel battling a foe her legendary sword cannot smite: a mysterious and terrible illness that defies explanation or cure. This vulnerability forces the stoic warrior queen on a perilous quest, taking her "many miles across many worlds," encountering an eclectic mix of "friends and foes familiar and frightening."

Brackenbury Books’ description of "Blue Fire" evokes a vivid image: "Like Alice in Wonderland with a big f***ing sword, Jirel has compelling adventures in bizarre dream-logic realms, balancing a rich emotional life with terrifying struggles against dark forces!" This comparison perfectly encapsulates the unique flavor of Moore’s original Jirel tales, which often thrust her into surreal, nightmarish landscapes, and promises that Tanzer will continue this tradition of blending intense action with psychological depth and fantastical wonder.

Confronting Horror: An Excerpt Analysis

The provided excerpt, "Confronting Horror," immediately immerses the reader in the chilling atmosphere that defines Jirel’s world. We find Jirel in a "bone-pit," facing an enemy she believed long vanquished: the corpse-witch of Romne. The description is masterfully unsettling:

“Who am I? Do you really not recognize me — Jirel of Joiry?”

The figure turned with agonizing slowness, revealing a face so white it was almost blinding in the darkness of the bone-pit, a whiteness so dazzling no shadows seemed to touch it. There was no real flesh upon that face, though it was not a skull — it was the face of a woman, thin and gaunt, but beautifully formed, framed by hair that was not red save in the flickering of Jirel’s candle. Her hair was black, as black as this unremembered tomb, and straight as the bones of the dead. It lay stark against her bloodless face and tumbled in long locks over the shoulders of the bleached-bone garment that hung on her narrow frame like a body from a gibbet. Jirel gasped as she felt a cold breeze that did not stir her hair. She recognized this creature. It was an enemy she had thought long since defeated — the corpse-witch of Romne!

This passage highlights Jirel’s indomitable spirit, even when faced with supernatural dread. Her direct challenge ("Do you really not recognize me?") underscores her confidence and reputation. The chilling imagery of the corpse-witch—a figure of blinding whiteness, bone-like but not skeletal, with hair as black as a tomb—demonstrates Tanzer’s ability to conjure the grotesque and the uncanny, hallmarks of Moore’s original stories. The personal history between Jirel and this resurrected foe promises a narrative rich with consequence and unresolved past conflicts.

Weird Melee: An Excerpt Analysis

Another excerpt, "Weird Melee," showcases Jirel’s unparalleled combat prowess and her fierce sense of justice, even against bizarre adversaries. Here, Jirel and her companion Gervase are ambushed by monstrous figures referred to as "Sons of the Giant":

“Come now,” said the first one. “Seven on two? Those are hardly good odds. Give us what we want and we will leave you with your lives!”

Jirel spat. “You’ll be lucky to escape with yours!”

And with that, Joiry’s red lady ran at one of the strange monsters, slashing him across the chest — or rather, his face — before he could raise his club. He made a sound like a man and fell back, black blood spurting in great gouts from his strangely placed mouth. He dropped his club as he toppled over; no longer concerned with him, Jirel whirled and ran another monster through, just below what she supposed was his chin, where a man’s stomach might be.

“Wait!” wailed one of the Sons of the Giant, as Jirel bore down on him, her sword dripping. “Please!”

Jirel did not wait. Her blood was up, and there were still five more of these monsters. Seeing his pleading had no effect, the monster dropped his rock and began to run. Jirel overtook him easily and thrust her blade through his back.

Stepping on his lifeless body to withdraw her sword, Jirel whirled saw Gervase fending off the others with the knife he used for eating. Jirel was impressed he was keeping them at bay, but saw quickly that they did not seem eager to attack a man of the cloth. This did not soothe her rage — these devils might not wish to kill him, but robbing a priest and leaving him to starve was hardly more honorable.

“Have at thee, fiends!” she cried, and charged.

The monster in her sights threw up his arms at the last minute, knocking aside Jirel’s blade so it sank into the meat of his shoulder, not his face. He screamed as she yanked it back out. Before she could go in for a second strike, however, another of the band of brutes stepped in between them, holding up his hands in supplication.

“My lady, stop!” he shouted.

This excerpt perfectly captures Jirel’s unyielding nature and her visceral combat style. Her disdain for poor odds and her immediate, brutal retaliation underscore her reputation as "Joiry’s red lady." The "Sons of the Giant" are described with unsettling, non-human anatomy—a "strangely placed mouth" and a chin "where a man’s stomach might be"—reinforcing the "weird" aspect of Jirel’s adventures. Jirel’s refusal to heed pleas, especially when her "blood was up," and her swift, decisive kills cement her status as a formidable warrior. The inclusion of Gervase, fending off attackers with a dining knife, adds a touch of grounded heroism and highlights Jirel’s protective instincts, as she judges the monsters’ actions against a priest as dishonorable. This scene promises thrilling, uncompromised action sequences within the novella.

The Creative Visionaries: Author and Artists

The success of "Blue Fire" is a collaborative triumph, deeply rooted in the distinct talents of its author and artists.

Molly Tanzer’s Crafting of "Blue Fire"

Molly Tanzer offers a candid look into the creative process behind her first intentional novella:

"Blue Fire is Jirel’s first novella-length adventure, which made writing it a bit intimidating! Not only would I need to keep up the same pacing, energy and forward motion as in my shorter Jirel stories, and do my best to keep honoring C.L. Moore and her amazing character… the truth is, I’ve never written a novella before. Not on purpose, at least!"

This "wild confession," coming from an author with a significant bibliography, speaks volumes about the unique challenge and respect Tanzer holds for Jirel. She reveals that her previous novellas, such as the Tordotcom sci-fi art heist And Side by Side They Wander and the forthcoming folk horror Ferry-Loupers, began as novelettes that expanded organically. "Blue Fire," however, was different. It was conceived with specific goals: a length of 30-35,000 words, serving as an accessible entry point for new readers while richly rewarding long-time fans.

Tanzer’s approach mirrors Jirel’s own bravery: "So I brought a bold, Jirel-like attitude to writing this project: I went at it head on, sword (keyboard?) out, fearlessly snarling. It was a hell of a lot of fun, and I think it worked… though ultimately, that’s up to the readers!" This dedication to the character’s spirit infused her writing process, promising a narrative that is both authentic and fresh. Her prolificacy and versatility across genres further underscore her capability to handle such an iconic character with both respect and innovative flair.

Saša Đurđević: Bringing Jirel to Life Visually

The visual identity of this new era for Jirel has been largely shaped by the remarkable talent of Saša Đurđević. The Serbian artist’s journey with Jirel began in late 2023:

"When I was first approached by the good folk over at New Edge Sword & Sorcery Magazine at the end of 2023 to illustrate the cover of issue 3 for the return of Jirel of Joiry with the story “Jirel and the Mirror of Truth” which was to be written by Molly Tanzer, I had only heard of this character for the first time, maybe just a couple of months before that."

Despite his recent introduction to the character, Đurđević immediately immersed himself, reading all the classic Jirel stories. His initial cover for New Edge Sword & Sorcery Issue #3 was a deliberate statement: Jirel against a stark white background, her "gold/amber eyes and almost lionine-like mane of fiery hair" emphasized to distinguish her visually from other iconic red-haired warriors like Red Sonja. He meticulously worked from Moore’s descriptions in "Black Gods Kiss," incorporating Roman greaves, a simple tunic, and a hauberk, while adding classic fantasy elements like a flowing red cloak, chunky leather gloves, and gold accessories. His philosophy, "A lot of artists like to innovate and over-design their characters, but I think you can get great designs by working onto existing tropes," showcases a deep understanding and respect for the genre’s heritage.

Đurđević has since contributed two more Jirel back cover illustrations for New Edge Issues #5 and #9, featuring "Jirel Meets Death" and "Jirel in the Forest of Night." For "Blue Fire," he created a classic S&S style composition featuring Jirel, her rogue friend Thevin, and a new character, framed by a striking, graphic blue flame. He anticipates the physical book will look "delectable," expressing gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to Jirel’s legacy and praising New Edge magazine as "a real beacon to us artists in these times."

The Artistry of "Blue Fire"

Beyond Đurđević’s captivating cover art, "Blue Fire" will be further enriched by a team of talented illustrators:

Caster Jones: Known for their fantasy cartography, Caster Jones will create a unique map for "Blue Fire." Their previous work includes the map for Lord of a Shattered Land, written by their father, Howard Andrew Jones, demonstrating their skill in visual world-building.
Saprophial: This artist, who contributed the interior black-and-white art for "Jirel and the Mirror of Truth" (as seen in the provided image), will return to create the frontispiece for "Blue Fire." Should the crowdfunding campaign reach its "Double Art" stretch goal, Saprophial will contribute a second full-page illustration, further enhancing the visual narrative.

The combination of these artists promises a visually stunning edition of "Blue Fire," with each contributing their unique strengths to immerse readers in Jirel’s perilous journey.

Brackenbury Books and the Crowdfunding Triumph

Oliver Brackenbury, representing Brackenbury Books, has been a driving force behind this Jirel renaissance. His reflection underscores the dedication and vision that brought "Blue Fire" to fruition:

"My first conversations with the Moore estate were a little over three years ago and I’m very proud to have reached this point in relatively little time, working with them & Molly to help raise the profile of a classic S&S character."

This rapid progress, from initial discussions to a full-length novella, highlights Brackenbury Books’ commitment to C.L. Moore’s legacy and their effective collaboration with both the estate and Molly Tanzer.

The crowdfunding campaign for "Blue Fire" has been nothing short of spectacular. Launching on June 11th, the project was fully funded in a mere 21 hours, a clear indicator of the fervent excitement and loyalty of Jirel’s fanbase. This swift success allowed Brackenbury Books to immediately begin unlocking various upgrades for its readers, typically including enhanced production values, additional art, or bonus content.

Crucially, the campaign’s final stretch goal focuses on sharing the success directly with the creators: a pay bonus for the author and artists. This commitment to equitable compensation underscores a positive trend in independent publishing and crowdfunding, recognizing the immense effort and talent involved in bringing such projects to life. As an added incentive and a token of appreciation, all paperbacks secured through the crowdfunding campaign will be personally signed by Molly Tanzer, offering a unique collectible for supporters.

Implications for Jirel of Joiry’s Future

The year 2026 is indeed shaping up to be a landmark year for Jirel of Joiry. As Oliver Brackenbury proudly notes, "Between a third new story in our magazine, Blue Fire and the upcoming Penguin Random House collection of the classic Moore tales, 2026 is shaping up to be a great year for Jirel of Joiry!" This confluence of new content and renewed accessibility to the classic works positions Jirel for a significant re-entry into the broader fantasy consciousness. The Penguin Random House collection will introduce Moore’s foundational stories to a new generation through major distribution channels, while Tanzer’s "Blue Fire" will offer contemporary adventures that honor the original spirit while pushing the character forward.

The Enduring Appeal of Sword & Sorcery

The overwhelming success of "Blue Fire" and the broader Jirel of Joiry revival speak volumes about the enduring appeal of the Sword & Sorcery genre. In an age of sprawling epic fantasies and grimdark narratives, there remains a deep appreciation for the focused, adventurous tales of lone heroes confronting ancient evils and strange magic. Jirel, with her blend of fierce independence, moral conviction, and vulnerability, continues to resonate with readers who seek both thrilling action and compelling character development.

Independent publishers like Brackenbury Books, and specialized magazines such as New Edge Sword & Sorcery, play a vital role in keeping these classic genres alive and introducing new voices. Crowdfunding platforms have become indispensable tools, allowing niche projects with passionate fanbases to bypass traditional gatekeepers and directly connect creators with their audience. This model fosters a vibrant ecosystem where artistic integrity and community support can thrive, proving that even in the most crowded literary landscapes, legendary figures like Jirel of Joiry can find new life and continue their epic journeys.

With "Blue Fire," Molly Tanzer, Saša Đurđević, and Brackenbury Books are not just delivering a new story; they are reaffirming Jirel of Joiry’s rightful place as a timeless icon of speculative fiction, ensuring that Joiry’s red lady will continue to inspire and entertain for years to come.

Does Jirel Have Your Axe?

Support "Blue Fire" and Molly Tanzer’s epic new Jirel of Joiry adventure by visiting the ongoing crowdfunding campaign: [Link to Backerkit Campaign]

S.E. Lindberg is Blackgate.com’s Managing Editor, regularly reviewing books, interviewing authors, and running Dark Muse News. He has led the Gen Con Writers’ Symposium and the Goodreads Sword & Sorcery Group; even interned for Tales from the Magician’s Skull, and is Assistant Editor for Battleborn. He contributed eight stories across Perseid Press’s Heroes in Hell & Heroika and an entry for Weirdbook’s Zombies. He independently publishes Dyscrasia Fiction®, stories of which have appeared in Whetstone and Swords & Sorcery magazines, A Book of Blades (Vol. I and Vol. II), DMR’s Terra Incognita, Tales From the Magician’s Skull, Savage Realms Magazine, and Michael Stackpole’s Chain Story 2 Project.