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Nebula Awards Showcases #49
Nebula Awards Showcase 2015
The Nebula Awards Showcase volumes have been published annually since 1966, reprinting the winning and nominated stories of the Nebula Awards, voted on by the members of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA). The editor, selected by SFWA’s anthology Committee (chaired by Mike Resnick), is American science fiction and fantasy writer Greg Bear, author of over thirty novels, including the Nebula Award-winning Darwin’s Radio and Moving Mars. This year’s volume includes the winners of the Andre Norton, Damon Knight Memorial Grand Master, Rhysling, and Dwarf Stars Awards, as well as the Nebula Award winners, and features Ann Leckie, Nalo Hopkinson, Rachel Swirsky, Aliette de Bodard, and Vylar Kaftan, with additional articles and poems by authors such as Robin Wayne Bailey, Samuel R. Delany, Terry A. Garey, Deborah P Kolodji, and Andrew Robert Sutton.
436 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 8, 2015
37 people are currently reading
200 people want to read
About the author
Greg Bear
232 books2,100 followersGreg Bear was an American writer and illustrator best known for science fiction. His work covered themes of galactic conflict (Forge of God books), parallel universes (The Way series), consciousness and cultural practices (Queen of Angels), and accelerated evolution (Blood Music, Darwin’s Radio, and Darwin’s Children). His last work was the 2021 novel The Unfinished Land. Greg Bear wrote over 50 books in total.
(For a more complete biography, see Wikipedia.)
(For a more complete biography, see Wikipedia.)
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
October 4, 2015
I don't read a lot of short fiction and this was a great introduction to the various lengths and what people are doing with them currently in speculative fiction. Some of the stories didn't seem really speculative to me, but there is a lot of great diversity in these stories that I loved. I definitely found a couple new authors to check out and will probably track down the full novels that had excerpts featured.
May 4, 2017
Much of this collection shows the degrading of the genre, stories that are navel-contemplation literary twisties. Post-modernist art takes a piece of rope on a board and self-proclaims it revolutionary. This crop of Nebulas is like a rewrite of Deliverance where the incestual hillbilly puts down the banjo, picks up a laptop and starts writing.
Overly harsh? Why not: the stories are meant to be the best of the best.
There were exceptions: the retrospective on Delaney was great. The winning Novella by Vykar Kafkan was excellent.
Overly harsh? Why not: the stories are meant to be the best of the best.
There were exceptions: the retrospective on Delaney was great. The winning Novella by Vykar Kafkan was excellent.
February 4, 2016
It's hard to rate such a disparate collection. I will say that I was pleasantly surprised to find how LGBTQ-inclusive many of the stories were. Here's a quick rundown from strongest to weakest, in my humble opinion:
“Time considered as a helix of semi-precious stones” – I adore Samuel R. Delany’s vision. This piece left me longing (in a good way) for more about the Singers in his story.
“The waiting stars” – This was an intriguing novella, both innovative and relatable. I’m going to seek out more of Aliette de Bodard’s Xuya universe.
“The weight of the sunrise” – I thoroughly enjoyed Vylar Kaftan’s alternative history tale, which speculates what would have happened if the Incan civilization had survived small pox.
“Alive, alive oh” – A somber, beautifully told short story.
excerpt from “Sister Mine” – The writing was a bit overly conversational in tone for my taste, but I liked it enough to want to check out Nalo Hopkinson’s full novel.
“The Sounds of Old Earth” – Touching if a bit predictable. Good writing.
“They shall salt the earth with seeds of glass” – I was drawn into this story of alien occupation of Earth but found details of the backstory to be lacking.
“Pearl Rehabilitative Colony for Ungrateful Daughters” –Hysterical. Mean girls in outer space.
“The litigation master and the monkey king” Well written and kept me engaged. But I’m not sure how this is sci-fi or fantasy.
“Selected program notes from the retrospective exhibition of Theresa Rosenberg Latimer” – An innovative approach to storytelling, although it felt a touch thin.
“Selkie stories are for losers” – A moderately satisfying story of longing.
“Paranormal romance” – Cute urban fantasy story.
“In joy, knowing the abyss behind” – Overly sentimental.
excert from “Ancillary Justice” – This was too short to give me a sense of the larger tale.
“If you were a dinosaur, my love” – I’m not sure why this was the winner.
“Time considered as a helix of semi-precious stones” – I adore Samuel R. Delany’s vision. This piece left me longing (in a good way) for more about the Singers in his story.
“The waiting stars” – This was an intriguing novella, both innovative and relatable. I’m going to seek out more of Aliette de Bodard’s Xuya universe.
“The weight of the sunrise” – I thoroughly enjoyed Vylar Kaftan’s alternative history tale, which speculates what would have happened if the Incan civilization had survived small pox.
“Alive, alive oh” – A somber, beautifully told short story.
excerpt from “Sister Mine” – The writing was a bit overly conversational in tone for my taste, but I liked it enough to want to check out Nalo Hopkinson’s full novel.
“The Sounds of Old Earth” – Touching if a bit predictable. Good writing.
“They shall salt the earth with seeds of glass” – I was drawn into this story of alien occupation of Earth but found details of the backstory to be lacking.
“Pearl Rehabilitative Colony for Ungrateful Daughters” –Hysterical. Mean girls in outer space.
“The litigation master and the monkey king” Well written and kept me engaged. But I’m not sure how this is sci-fi or fantasy.
“Selected program notes from the retrospective exhibition of Theresa Rosenberg Latimer” – An innovative approach to storytelling, although it felt a touch thin.
“Selkie stories are for losers” – A moderately satisfying story of longing.
“Paranormal romance” – Cute urban fantasy story.
“In joy, knowing the abyss behind” – Overly sentimental.
excert from “Ancillary Justice” – This was too short to give me a sense of the larger tale.
“If you were a dinosaur, my love” – I’m not sure why this was the winner.
December 2, 2018
The stars are for If You Were A Dinosaur, My Love by Rachel Swirsky. Since I read her Eros, Philia, Agape, I'm her fan, and working to read whatever stories she's written. If Colette wrote SFF, it would be like this.
Btw I'm scanning through the Nebula Awards Showcase books of the recent years, and I like the format of this 2015 issue (which is for stories published in 2013), with the winner placed before nominees. If I like the first story, I'm more likely to read more, so the best should come first. I like the cover design, too; easy to find the main authors' names. I just wish it were printed in just a little larger fonts, like it was before. I guess we are expected to read the kindle version?
Btw I'm scanning through the Nebula Awards Showcase books of the recent years, and I like the format of this 2015 issue (which is for stories published in 2013), with the winner placed before nominees. If I like the first story, I'm more likely to read more, so the best should come first. I like the cover design, too; easy to find the main authors' names. I just wish it were printed in just a little larger fonts, like it was before. I guess we are expected to read the kindle version?
December 20, 2021
Nebula Awards Showcase 2015
RATED 80% POSITIVE. STORY SCORE = 3.87 OUT OF 5
13 STORIES : 4 GREAT / 5 GOOD / 2 AVERAGE / 2 POOR / 0 DNF
An solid respectable anthology that presents the Nebula Award nominees and winners in a clear and bright light, letting them speak for themselves. Every nominee for Short Story and Novelette is included as well as the winner of Novella category, excerpts from winning novels, poems, articles, and one reprint from the newly minted Grand Master Samuel R Delaney. I have only considered the complete stories in this anthology for rating and review, but I do recommend reading the entire volume.
The Nebula Awards are given by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA). This anthology, while called Showcase 2015, includes stories originally published in 2013.
My top selections from among these Nebula Nominees:
If You Were a Dinosaur, My Love • (2013) • short story by Rachel Swirsky.
Not truly Science Fiction or Fantasy, this incredible short story embraces the language of both in a bittersweet love vignette. To reveal too much would be to spoil the surprise, but this is quite powerful.
Alive, Alive Oh • (2013) • short story by Sylvia Spruck Wrigley.
A tragic tale of motherhood stranded on a planet that was only supposed to be a temporary mission. This one slowly walks forward the rational outcome of its premise to the painful conclusion.
The Waiting Stars • (2013) • novelette by Aliette de Bodard.
Two stories told in alternating segments. Two women explore a derelict Mind Ship to recover what is left of their family member. On another planet, two girls have been rescued from ‘fate-worse-than-death’ but at the cost of any connection to their memories or culture. This is space opera and human drama with complex multi-layered characters as well being great space opera.
In Joy, Knowing the Abyss Behind • (2013) • novelette by Sarah Pinsker.
This is haunting. An architect on his deathbed with one last design to draw. Memories of a secret he designed years ago. The pain of family secrets and mystery of their discovery. I didn’t go to a Great rating when in read this in Sarah Pinsker’s Collection, but I love this even more now.
***
NEBULA AWARDS SHOWCASE 2015 IS RATED 80% POSITIVE
13 STORIES : 4 GREAT / 5 GOOD / 2 AVERAGE / 2 POOR / 0 DNF
If You Were a Dinosaur, My Love • (2013) • short story by Rachel Swirsky
Great. While not truly Science Fiction or Fantasy, this incredible short story embraces the language of both in a bittersweet love vignette.
The Sounds of Old Earth • (2013) • short story by Matthew Kressel
Good. As everyone is escaping a dying earth for space colonies, one man lingers with his ducks.
Selkie Stories Are for Losers • short fiction by Sofia Samatar [as by Sophia Samatar]
Average. Longing and various stories about selfies discovering their fur coats.
Selected Program Notes from the Retrospective Exhibition of Theresa Rosenberg Latimer • (2013) • short fiction by Kenneth Schneyer
Good. A haunting masterpiece of fantasy(?) experimentally told through program notes of artwork created by one woman over a lifetime.
Alive, Alive Oh • (2013) • short story by Sylvia Spruck Wrigley
Great. A tragic tale of motherhood stranded on a planet that was only supposed to be a temporary mission.
The Waiting Stars • (2013) • novelette by Aliette de Bodard
Great. Two stories told in alternating segments. Two women explore a derelict Mind Ship to recover what is left of their family member. On another planet, two girls have been rescued from ‘fate-worse-than-death’ but at the cost of any connection to their memories or culture.
Paranormal Romance • (2013) • novelette by Christopher Barzak
Poor. One dimensional characters, a love-witch and a werewolf- go on a bad first date. Pedestrian.
They Shall Salt the Earth with Seeds of Glass • (2013) • novelette by Alaya Dawn Johnson
Average. Two sisters from a rural farming community that is oppressed by the Glassine must travel to the city to try to get an abortion.
Pearl Rehabilitative Colony for Ungrateful Daughters • (2013) • novelette by Henry Lien
Good. A fun fantasy adventure of ‘mean-girls’ who compete while training in a figure skating martial art.
In Joy, Knowing the Abyss Behind • (2013) • novelette by Sarah Pinsker
Great. This is haunting. An architect on his deathbed with one last design to draw. Memories of a secret he designed years ago. The pain of family secrets and mystery of their discovery.
The Litigation Master and the Monkey King • (2013) • novelette by Ken Liu
Poor. A Chinese lawyer (and a mystical Monkey King ?!!?) decides to do the right thing at the cost of his life.
The Weight of the Sunrise • (2013) • novella by Vylar Kaftan
Good. In an Alternate History Incan Empire where smallpox was contained, a man is brought to the King to translate a negotiation with Americans over a vaccine.
Time Considered as a Helix of Semi-Precious Stones • (1968) • novelette by Samuel R. Delany
Good. A wild ride as a small time crook works his way up through a series of interactions and parties. Pretty groovy 1960s style.
RATED 80% POSITIVE. STORY SCORE = 3.87 OUT OF 5
13 STORIES : 4 GREAT / 5 GOOD / 2 AVERAGE / 2 POOR / 0 DNF
An solid respectable anthology that presents the Nebula Award nominees and winners in a clear and bright light, letting them speak for themselves. Every nominee for Short Story and Novelette is included as well as the winner of Novella category, excerpts from winning novels, poems, articles, and one reprint from the newly minted Grand Master Samuel R Delaney. I have only considered the complete stories in this anthology for rating and review, but I do recommend reading the entire volume.
The Nebula Awards are given by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA). This anthology, while called Showcase 2015, includes stories originally published in 2013.
My top selections from among these Nebula Nominees:
If You Were a Dinosaur, My Love • (2013) • short story by Rachel Swirsky.
Not truly Science Fiction or Fantasy, this incredible short story embraces the language of both in a bittersweet love vignette. To reveal too much would be to spoil the surprise, but this is quite powerful.
Alive, Alive Oh • (2013) • short story by Sylvia Spruck Wrigley.
A tragic tale of motherhood stranded on a planet that was only supposed to be a temporary mission. This one slowly walks forward the rational outcome of its premise to the painful conclusion.
The Waiting Stars • (2013) • novelette by Aliette de Bodard.
Two stories told in alternating segments. Two women explore a derelict Mind Ship to recover what is left of their family member. On another planet, two girls have been rescued from ‘fate-worse-than-death’ but at the cost of any connection to their memories or culture. This is space opera and human drama with complex multi-layered characters as well being great space opera.
In Joy, Knowing the Abyss Behind • (2013) • novelette by Sarah Pinsker.
This is haunting. An architect on his deathbed with one last design to draw. Memories of a secret he designed years ago. The pain of family secrets and mystery of their discovery. I didn’t go to a Great rating when in read this in Sarah Pinsker’s Collection, but I love this even more now.
***
NEBULA AWARDS SHOWCASE 2015 IS RATED 80% POSITIVE
13 STORIES : 4 GREAT / 5 GOOD / 2 AVERAGE / 2 POOR / 0 DNF
If You Were a Dinosaur, My Love • (2013) • short story by Rachel Swirsky
Great. While not truly Science Fiction or Fantasy, this incredible short story embraces the language of both in a bittersweet love vignette.
The Sounds of Old Earth • (2013) • short story by Matthew Kressel
Good. As everyone is escaping a dying earth for space colonies, one man lingers with his ducks.
Selkie Stories Are for Losers • short fiction by Sofia Samatar [as by Sophia Samatar]
Average. Longing and various stories about selfies discovering their fur coats.
Selected Program Notes from the Retrospective Exhibition of Theresa Rosenberg Latimer • (2013) • short fiction by Kenneth Schneyer
Good. A haunting masterpiece of fantasy(?) experimentally told through program notes of artwork created by one woman over a lifetime.
Alive, Alive Oh • (2013) • short story by Sylvia Spruck Wrigley
Great. A tragic tale of motherhood stranded on a planet that was only supposed to be a temporary mission.
The Waiting Stars • (2013) • novelette by Aliette de Bodard
Great. Two stories told in alternating segments. Two women explore a derelict Mind Ship to recover what is left of their family member. On another planet, two girls have been rescued from ‘fate-worse-than-death’ but at the cost of any connection to their memories or culture.
Paranormal Romance • (2013) • novelette by Christopher Barzak
Poor. One dimensional characters, a love-witch and a werewolf- go on a bad first date. Pedestrian.
They Shall Salt the Earth with Seeds of Glass • (2013) • novelette by Alaya Dawn Johnson
Average. Two sisters from a rural farming community that is oppressed by the Glassine must travel to the city to try to get an abortion.
Pearl Rehabilitative Colony for Ungrateful Daughters • (2013) • novelette by Henry Lien
Good. A fun fantasy adventure of ‘mean-girls’ who compete while training in a figure skating martial art.
In Joy, Knowing the Abyss Behind • (2013) • novelette by Sarah Pinsker
Great. This is haunting. An architect on his deathbed with one last design to draw. Memories of a secret he designed years ago. The pain of family secrets and mystery of their discovery.
The Litigation Master and the Monkey King • (2013) • novelette by Ken Liu
Poor. A Chinese lawyer (and a mystical Monkey King ?!!?) decides to do the right thing at the cost of his life.
The Weight of the Sunrise • (2013) • novella by Vylar Kaftan
Good. In an Alternate History Incan Empire where smallpox was contained, a man is brought to the King to translate a negotiation with Americans over a vaccine.
Time Considered as a Helix of Semi-Precious Stones • (1968) • novelette by Samuel R. Delany
Good. A wild ride as a small time crook works his way up through a series of interactions and parties. Pretty groovy 1960s style.
January 23, 2019
Of the 3 I've read (13, 14, 15), this one was my least favorite. Still 100% a five star collection, and all the more reason to continue buying these.
June 15, 2021
Just what I like, old-fashioned, before pandemic, aliens+new worlds, odd quirky people, nothing drastic or worldwide global stressed - just an easy beach read of short stories.
February 6, 2017
Most of the stories are very sad and downbeat, Atwood fans would enjoy them. The one upbeat romantic comedy is so fantasy light that a simple cut and paste would remove all fantasy elements. There are a couple of good stories, but one I'd already read. Not much bang for the buck.
December 31, 2015
The short stories in this collection were very weak. "Alive, Alive Oh" by Sylvia Spruck Wrigley was the best of the lot and the short story that won was mind-boggling - a facade with the veneer of science fiction but no depth or soul.
However, the majority of the longer works (novelette and novella and novel excerpt) were excellent:
"The Waiting Stars"
Aliette de Bodard
“They Shall Salt the Earth with Seeds of Glass”
Alaya Dawn Johnson
“Pearl Rehabilitative Colony for Ungrateful Daughters”
Henry Lien
“The Litigation Master and the Monkey King”
Ken Liu
Nebula Award Winner: Best Novella
“The Weight of the Sunrise”
Vylar Kaftan
Nebula Award Winner: Best Novel
Excerpt from Ancillary Justice
Ann Leckie
Andre Norton Award for Young Adult Science Fiction and Fantasy Winner
Excerpt from Sister Mine
Nalo Hopkinson
However, the majority of the longer works (novelette and novella and novel excerpt) were excellent:
"The Waiting Stars"
Aliette de Bodard
“They Shall Salt the Earth with Seeds of Glass”
Alaya Dawn Johnson
“Pearl Rehabilitative Colony for Ungrateful Daughters”
Henry Lien
“The Litigation Master and the Monkey King”
Ken Liu
Nebula Award Winner: Best Novella
“The Weight of the Sunrise”
Vylar Kaftan
Nebula Award Winner: Best Novel
Excerpt from Ancillary Justice
Ann Leckie
Andre Norton Award for Young Adult Science Fiction and Fantasy Winner
Excerpt from Sister Mine
Nalo Hopkinson
June 8, 2016
A nice diverse cross-section of different styles and lengths of well-written SF and Fantasy. I didn't love all of them, but everything here is good. Highlights: The Sounds of Old Earth by Matthew Kressel, and the long poem winner (about books that go wild and fly away!), Into Flight, by Andrew Robert Sutton.
I will make a practice of checking out these anthologies from now on, since they are a great way to identify books or authors that I may have missed (though I was familiar with a good number of them in this edition, so points for me!).
I will make a practice of checking out these anthologies from now on, since they are a great way to identify books or authors that I may have missed (though I was familiar with a good number of them in this edition, so points for me!).
April 3, 2016
This was an excellent compilation of contemporary SF/F. It's been a long time since my Asmiov's subscription when I was in touch with the state of the SF/F short fiction zeitgeist and I was very happy with what was in here. Styles have changed since the mid 90's and while I still love the work from those times this was a good read full of good short fiction. I loved all the winners, and an ecuse to reread some Delaney (this year's grand master) is always good.
May 23, 2016
it is hard to rate. collection of works, and I a pleasantly surprised to see such diversity of culture, gender rolls, and sexualities.
that being said, many of these stories were weak and wanting, the fact that they were published makes me wonder about credibility and education of those involved in this collection.
that being said, many of these stories were weak and wanting, the fact that they were published makes me wonder about credibility and education of those involved in this collection.
July 30, 2019
I didn't read most of the stories, only the winners and one or two others. However, the ones that I read I enjoyed.
I read:
"The Waiting Stars" by Aliette de Bodard
"The Weight of the Sunrise" by Vylar Kaftan
"If You Were a Dinosaur, My Love" by Rachel Swirsky
"Time Considered as a Helix of Semi-Precious Stones" by Samuel R. Delany
I read:
"The Waiting Stars" by Aliette de Bodard
"The Weight of the Sunrise" by Vylar Kaftan
"If You Were a Dinosaur, My Love" by Rachel Swirsky
"Time Considered as a Helix of Semi-Precious Stones" by Samuel R. Delany
February 15, 2016
"Selected Program Notes from the Retrospective Exhibition of Theresa Rosenberg Latimer" was fantastic.
February 24, 2016
You can't go wrong with these anthologies. After all, these stories were chosen by the people who really write for a living.
April 23, 2016
The items that are worth reading are worth re-reading. Especially powerful: Rachel Swirsky, Alaya Dawn Johnson, Ken Liu.
October 9, 2016
3.5 stars - liked some of the stories, did not read some of them - My favourite one was The Weight of the Sunrise.
November 1, 2016
2013's winners. Several standout stories.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews