De Lint is a prolific writer of short fiction. Most of his tales take place in urban settings, especially fictional Newford, a place where magic mixes with modern urban life, but some take place elsewhere, often Sophie's dream world. For instance, her dream world figures prominently in "The Moon Is Drowning While I Sleep" (1993), in which she saves the moon from drowning in a swamp where evil creatures have imprisoned it.

The story is allegorical, with the moon representing Sophie's mother, who had deserted her when she was a child. "Where Desert Spirits Crowd the Night" alludes to this earlier tale and shares with it figures that are symbols. Sometimes de Lint places his characters in actual wild surroundings, rather than having them venture into the wild in dreams. "Wooden Bones" is an example of such a story written for young adults. In it...