Outer Space, Inner Lands includes many of the best known Ursula K. Le Guin nonrealistic stories (such as "The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas," "Semley’s Necklace," and "She Unnames Them") which have shaped the way many readers see the world. She gives voice to the voiceless, hope to the outsider, and speaks truth to power—all the time maintaining her independence and sense of humor.

Companion volume Where on Earth explores Le Guin's satirical, risky, political and experimental earthbound stories. Both volumes include new introductions by the author.

This volume includes the following stories:

The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas (1973)
Semley’s Necklace (1964, 1975, Hainish Cycle)
Nine Lives (1969, 1997)
Mazes (1975, 2003)
The First Contact with the Gorgonids (1991)
The Shobies’ Story (1990, Hainish Cycle)
Betrayals (1994, Hainish Cycle)
The Matter of Seggri (1994, Hainish Cycle)
Solitude (1994, Hainish Cycle)
The Wild Girls (1994)
The Fliers of Gy (2000)
The Silence of the Asonu (2000)
The Ascent of the North Face (1983)
The Author of the Acacia Seeds (1974)
The Wife’s Story (1982)
The Rule of Names (1964, Earthsea)
Small Change (1981)
The Poacher (1992)
Sur (1982)
She Unnames Them (1985)