Early concepts for the Earthsea setting were developed in two short stories, "The Rule of Names" (1964) and "The Word of Unbinding" (1964), both published in Fantastic.[6] The stories were later collected in Le Guin's anthology The Wind's Twelve Quarters (1975).[7] Earthsea was also used as the setting for a story she wrote in 1965 or 1966, which was never published.[8] In 1967, Herman Schein (the publisher of Parnassus Press and the husband of Ruth Robbins, the illustrator of the book)[9] asked Le Guin to try writing a book "for older kids", giving her complete freedom over the subject and the approach.[10][11] She had no previous experience specifically with the genre of young adult literature, which rose in prominence during the late 1960s.[12] Drawing from her short stories, she began work on A Wizard of Earthsea. She has said that the book was in part a response to the image of wizards as ancient and wise, and to wondering where they come from.[13] She later said that she chose the medium of fantasy, and the theme of coming of age, with her intended adolescent audience in mind.[14]
The short stories published in 1964 introduced the world of Earthsea and important concepts in it, such as Le Guin's treatment of magic. "The Rule of Names" also introduced Yevaud, a dragon who features briefly in A Wizard of Earthsea.[15] Her depiction of Earthsea was influenced by her familiarity with Native American legends as well as Norse mythology.[16][17] Her knowledge of myths and legends, as well as her familial interest in anthropology, have been described by scholar Donna White as allowing her to create "entire cultures" for the islands of Earthsea.[12] The influence of Norse lore in particular can be seen in the characters of the Kargs, who are blonde and blue-eyed, and worship two gods who are brothers.[16] The influence of Taoist thought on Le Guin's writing is also visible in the idea of a cosmic "balance".[16]
