We’ll have YA fantasy coming out of our ears.

I’m still waiting to see what Megan Whalen Turner will publish next (where did that woman go?), but several other A-list fantasy writers are marching towards their next publication:

1. Robin McKinley’s upcoming book doesn’t have an official summary out yet, but there is cover art. After a couple of modern-day fantasy novels (and several years off), it looks like she’s returning to her historical roots. Chalice is due out on September 18.

2. Eoin Colfer’s new Artemis Fowl book, Artemis Fowl: The Time Paradox, is due out July 15th.

3. Jonathan Stroud has a new book coming out called The Heroes of the Valley. It's due in early 2009, and they've already released the following teaser:

“Listen then, and I'll tell you again of the Battle of the Rock. But none of your usual wriggling, or I'll stop before I've begun... Halli loves the old stories from when the valley was a wild and dangerous place-when the twelve legendary heroes, led by his ancestor Svein, stood together to defeat the ancient enemy, the bloodthirsty Trows. Halli longs for adventure but it seems these days the most dangerous thing in the valley is boredom. He tries to liven things up by taunting his siblings and playing practical jokes. But when one of his jokes goes too far reawakening an old blood feud, Halli finds himself on a hero's quest after all. Along the way he meets a ruthless thief, a murderous rival, and a girl who may just be as fearless as he is. Halli may be about to make his own last stand and discover the truth about the legends, about his family, and about himself... Jonathan Stroud has created an epic saga with a funny, unique spin, and an unforgettable anti-hero.

4. We’re now seeing both the cover art and publisher’s description for Suzanne Collins’s October 1st release The Hunger Games:

“Katniss is a 16-year-old girl living with her mother and younger sister in the poorest district of Panem, the remains of what used be the United States. Long ago the districts waged war on the Capitol and were defeated. As part of the surrender terms, each district agreed to send one boy and one girl to appear in an annual televised event called, "The Hunger Games." The terrain, rules, and level of audience participation may change but one thing is constant: kill or be killed. When Kat's sister is chosen by lottery, Kat steps up to go in her place.”

Of course, the upcoming fantasy release I’m most excited about is the new Diana Wynne Jones title, and I am STOKED to see that it’s almost here.