Nebula Award Shortlist

[Nerds_feather]

Hey Everyone,

The Nebula Award shortlist was announced by SFWA yesterday. I've taken the list and added links to all the short stories, novelettes and novellas that are available online (and for free).

(I've also included some commentary and predicted winners. Overall, I think it's a good and daring shortlist, though there were a few surprises IMO.)

What do you guys think of the list? Any snubs that bother you? Undeserving nominees (in your view) that somehow made the list?

 

[Fishbowl Helmet]

Well, the one that jumps out is The Red as it's the first self-published book to ever make the Nebula shortlist. To my mind that's a wonderful thing. Though, to be honest, I'm not sure it would have been noticed at all if not for the writer already having something of a career in traditional publishing first, or without making a huge splash (Hugh Howey or similar).

 

[Nerds_feather]

Well, the one that jumps out is The Red as it's the first self-published book to ever make the Nebula shortlist. To my mind that's a wonderful thing. Though, to be honest, I'm not sure it would have been noticed at all if not for the writer already having something of a career in traditional publishing first, or without making a huge splash (Hugh Howey or similar).

Completely agree, though I think it's a function of what gets on SFWA members' radar. I do think it's a recognition of changes in the industry, though--and a vote of support for members who go that route.

 

[Fishbowl Helmet]

Completely agree, though I think it's a function of what gets on SFWA members' radar. I do think it's a recognition of changes in the industry, though--and a vote of support for members who go that route.

Right. But if it weren't from a "known" SF author then it likely wouldn't have gotten on the SFWA members' radar. If this were a debut novel that was self-published by someone with no prior credits, for example.

While I think you might be right about the politics, I hope you're wrong. I'd rather the story be nominated based on it's merits as a story rather than as a nod to the changes in the industry.

 

[Nerds_feather]

Right. But if it weren't from a "known" SF author then it likely wouldn't have gotten on the SFWA members' radar. If this were a debut novel that was self-published by someone with no prior credits, for example.

While I think you might be right about the politics, I hope you're wrong. I'd rather the story be nominated based on it's merits as a story rather than as a nod to the changes in the industry.

Oh, I didn't mean it like that--that it's only about the politics. Rather, that the people nominating clearly weren't encumbered by prejudice against self-published novels in this case.

Stefan Raets, who is one of my favorite SF/F bloggers, raved about the book.

 

[Fishbowl Helmet]

Oh, I didn't mean it like that--that it's only about the politics. Rather, that the people nominating clearly weren't encumbered by prejudice against self-published novels in this case.

Stefan Raets, who is one of my favorite SF/F bloggers, raved about the book.

There's also a quite positive review on Tor about it.

I'm not saying it's only on the list because of politics. Not at all. Nor am I saying you're saying that. But I think it's definitely a factor.

But it certainly is a "safer" story to be the first as it's from an established author rather than say Hugh Howey and Wool when that first hit.

 

[Montero]

I notice that Ann Leckie's Ancillary Justice is on the list. I bought that recently after a recommendation on here for a new sf author. Not actually read it yet - was intending it be the next book or so on my pile anyway, so will be reading it shortly. I liked the start when I read the sample on Amazon and do want to know the rest. (Well, I wouldn't have bought it if I hadn't )

 

[David Selig]

I am happy to see a Hild and We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves nominated, two of my top 2013 novels, the latter being the best book of the year for me. Somewhat surprising though since neither of the two is really SFF according to most definitions. Good picks overall. Ancillary Justice or The Ocean at the End of the Lane would probably win. I am hoping for Valente to win in the novella's category.

 

[Nerds_feather]

There's also a quite positive review on Tor about it.

That's actually the same review--he writes for Tor, then posts his stuff on his own blog later (I linked to that primarily because I'd rather then traffic go his way). But regardless, I feel fairly sure that the book is at least pretty good.

I'm not saying it's only on the list because of politics. Not at all. Nor am I saying you're saying that. But I think it's definitely a factor.

But it certainly is a "safer" story to be the first as it's from an established author rather than say Hugh Howey and Wool when that first hit.

I think that's true, though if I recall correctly, Wool took a while to take off--which is a factor as well.

 

[Parson]

Thanks Nerds Feather -- I have just added Ancillary Justice to my reading list. Looks like my kind of book. Although I read a lot of SF, it seems that most of what I read doesn't get much notoriety. --- I'm weird, I guess.