The Dying Earth is a collection of science fantasy/fantasy short fiction by American writer Jack Vance, published by Hillman in 1950.

The Internet Speculative Fiction Database calls it a "slightly connected series of stories" but it was ranked number 16 of 33 "All Time Best Fantasy Novels" by Locus in 1987, based on a poll of subscribers.

The sky ranges from pink to deep blue, lit by a dim red Sun, and strange plants and animals exist.

Most live in structures built long ago, in varying degrees of ruin, squalor, or luxury.

[2] The designer, Gary Gygax, also credited the novel with being the inspiration for the magic system, which he called "Vancian".