Lin Carter’s Followers (168)

Lin Carter

Born

in St. Petersburg, Florida, The United States

June 09, 1930

Died

February 07, 1988

Genre

Science Fiction, Fantasy, Horror

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Lin Carter was an American author, editor, and critic best known for his influential role in fantasy literature during the mid-20th century. Born in St. Petersburg, Florida, he developed an early passion for myth, adventure stories, and imaginative fiction, drawing inspiration from authors such as Edgar Rice Burroughs, Robert E. Howard, H. P. Lovecraft, and J. R. R. Tolkien. After serving in the U.S. Army, Carter attended Columbia University, where he honed his literary skills and deepened his knowledge of classical and medieval literature, myth, and folklore — elements that would become central to his work.
Carter authored numerous novels, short stories, and critical studies, often working within the sword-and-sorcery and high fantasy t Lin Carter was an American author, editor, and critic best known for his influential role in fantasy literature during the mid-20th century. Born in St. Petersburg, Florida, he developed an early passion for myth, adventure stories, and imaginative fiction, drawing inspiration from authors such as Edgar Rice Burroughs, Robert E. Howard, H. P. Lovecraft, and J. R. R. Tolkien. After serving in the U.S. Army, Carter attended Columbia University, where he honed his literary skills and deepened his knowledge of classical and medieval literature, myth, and folklore — elements that would become central to his work.
Carter authored numerous novels, short stories, and critical studies, often working within the sword-and-sorcery and high fantasy traditions. His own creations, such as the “Thongor of Lemuria” series, paid homage to pulp-era adventure fiction while adding his distinctive voice and world-building style. His nonfiction book Tolkien: A Look Behind The Lord of the Rings was one of the first major studies of Tolkien’s work and its mythological roots, and it helped establish Carter as a knowledgeable commentator on fantasy literature.
Beyond his own writing, Carter was a central figure in bringing classic and forgotten works of fantasy back into print. As editor of the Ballantine Adult Fantasy series from 1969 to 1974, he curated and introduced dozens of volumes, reintroducing readers to authors such as William Morris, Lord Dunsany, E. R. Eddison, and James Branch Cabell. His introductions not only contextualized these works historically and literarily but also encouraged a new generation to explore the breadth of the fantasy tradition.
Carter was also active in the shared literary universe of the “Cthulhu Mythos,” expanding upon the creations of H. P. Lovecraft and other members of the “Lovecraft Circle.” His collaborations and solo contributions in this genre further cemented his reputation as both a creative writer and a literary preservationist.
In addition to fiction and criticism, Carter was an active member of several science fiction and fantasy organizations, including the Science Fiction Writers of America. He frequently appeared at conventions, where he was known for his enthusiasm, deep knowledge of the genre, and willingness to mentor aspiring writers.
Though sometimes critiqued for the derivative nature of some of his work, Carter’s influence on the fantasy revival of the late 20th century remains significant. His combination of creative output, editorial vision, and scholarly enthusiasm helped bridge the gap between the pulp traditions of the early 1900s and the expansive fantasy publishing boom that followed.
Lin Carter’s legacy endures through his own imaginative tales, his critical studies, and the many classic works he rescued from obscurity, ensuring their place in the canon of fantasy literature for generations to come.
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Combine Editions
Lin Carter’s books

Average rating: 3.92 · 45,526 ratings · 2,479 reviews · 411 distinct works • Similar authors

	Conan the Buccaneer (Conan, #6) by Lin Carter, L. Sprague de Camp, Frank Frazetta (Illustrator) 3.99 avg rating — 2,948 ratings — published 1971 — 42 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Tolkien: A Look Behind the Lord of the Rings 3.73 avg rating — 972 ratings — published 1969 — 46 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Flashing Swords! #1 by Lin Carter (Editor/ contributor), Fritz Leiber (Contributor), Jack Vance (Contributor) 3.91 avg rating — 624 ratings — published 1973 — 13 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Thongor and the Wizard of Lemuria (Thongor, #1) 3.48 avg rating — 452 ratings — published 1965 — 23 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Under the Green Star (Green Star, #1) 3.50 avg rating — 307 ratings — published 1972 — 18 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Jandar of Callisto 3.51 avg rating — 261 ratings — published 1972 — 18 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Thongor and the Dragon City (Thongor, #2) by Lin Carter, Vincent Di Fate (illustrator) 3.37 avg rating — 238 ratings — published 1966 — 21 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Flashing Swords 2 by Lin Carter (Editor), L. Sprague de Camp, Michael Moorcock 3.66 avg rating — 218 ratings — published 1973 — 9 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Warrior of World's End (Gondwane Epic, Bk. 1) by Lin Carter, Vincent Di Fate (Illustrator) 3.65 avg rating — 184 ratings — published 1974 — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Thongor Against the Gods (Thongor, #3) 3.43 avg rating — 192 ratings — published 1967 — 23 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

More books by Lin Carter…

Series by Lin Carter

Flashing Swords! (8 books)
by

Lin Carter (Editor)

3.77 avg rating — 1,257 ratings

Thongor (8 books)
by

Lin Carter,

Adrian Cole,

Robert M. Price

3.44 avg rating — 1,300 ratings

Callisto (8 books)
by

Lin Carter

3.55 avg rating — 994 ratings

Green Star (5 books)
by

Lin Carter,

Lin Carter

3.54 avg rating — 875 ratings

World's End (6 books)
by

Lin Carter

3.48 avg rating — 582 ratings

More series by Lin Carter…

Quotes by Lin Carter (?)

“He said it aloud, in a great ringing voice.
Yuth-Kaathak ngom'm! Ygar naa Ithorthak! Sh'ayaa Ubb nagarr'nya Ib! Ib-nya gryalak!”
― Lin Carter, The Flame of Iridar

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“Death Dwarfs: A repulsive but hardy form of Antilife, sufficiently sentient to be easily corrupted into subservience for destructive purposes. The bald, diminutive, green-skinned bipeds are a grimly humorless and unlikable species, vicious by natural inclination, and extremely inimical to all other sentients. They subsist on a diet of liquid poisons, ground glass, and other inedible substances, as is usual for the reversed metabolism of their kind; normal or more wholesome varieties of nutriment are to them deadly and poisonous. They chiefly inhabit the so-called Mountains of the Death Dwarfs, preferring the bleak, sterile slopes and noisome craters and caverns to more amenable environments. At the time period in which this book is set several of the easternmost clans have come under the dominance of the Queen of Red Magic.”
― Lin Carter, The Warrior of World's End

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“it had always been the custom in Jemmerdy for young women between the ages of fourteen and (if unmarried) forty, to hold positions in the Nine Knightly Fellowships which comprised the army of the Jemmerdines. At seventeen, Xarda was dubbed knight — or “knightrix,” as the female soldiers were called in her homeland.”
― Lin Carter, The Warrior of World's End

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Lin Carter’s Followers (168)

Lin Carter

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