 "Wondrous Beginnings" was the first of three similarly-themed anthologies, its companions being "Magical Beginnings" and "Horrible Beginnings", compiling the first published stories of authors writing in the fantasy and horror genres, respectively.The book follows the example of the earlier "", edited by Damon Knight (Lancer Books, 1963) and "First Voyages", edited by Damon Knight, Martin H. Greenberg and Joseph D. Olander (Avon Books, 1981).which did not include individual introductions.