Nebula Awards Showcase 2003

Nebula Awards Showcases #37

by Nancy Kress (Editor), Severna Park (Contributor), Jack Williamson (Contributor)

Here is the ssential index of one year in SF and fantasy, full of winners and nominees of the prestigious Nebula Award. For groundbreaking works in the genre, the Nebula is perhaps the highest honor in the field-and a beacon for readers looking for the best quality science fiction and fantasy around.

Contents (view Concise Listing)

* 1 • Introduction: Entering the Field (Nebula Awards Showcase 2003) • (2003) • essay by Nancy Kress
* 5 • The 2001 Nebula Awards Ballot (Nebula Awards Showcase 2003) • (2003) • essay by uncredited
* 8 • The Cure for Everything • (2000) • shortstory by Severna Park
* 26 • The Ultimate Earth • (2000) • novella by Jack Williamson
* 76 • Betty Ballantine Appreciation (Nebula Awards Showcase 2003) • (2003) • essay by Shelly Shapiro
* 79 • Louise's Ghost • (2001) • novelette by Kelly Link
* 112 • Undone • (2001) • novelette by James Patrick Kelly
* 145 • My Wife Returns As She Would Have It • (2000) • poem by Bruce Boston
* 147 • January Fires • (2001) • poem by Joe Haldeman
* 151 • The Elephants on Neptune • (2000) • shortstory by Mike Resnick
* 164 • Commentary: Joys and Jeremiada (Nebula Awards Showcase 2003) • (2003) • essay by Geoffrey A. Landis
* 166 • Commentary: Joys and Jeremiada (Nebula Awards Showcase 2003) • (2003) • essay by Scott Edelman
* 169 • Commentary: Joys and Jeremiada (Nebula Awards Showcase 2003) • (2003) • essay by Terry Bisson
* 171 • Commentary: Joys and Jeremiada (Nebula Awards Showcase 2003) • (2003) • essay by Andy Duncan
* 174 • Commentary: Joys and Jeremiada (Nebula Awards Showcase 2003) • (2003) • essay by Mindy L. Klasky
* 176 • Commentary: Joys and Jeremiada (Nebula Awards Showcase 2003) • (2003) • essay by Ellen Datlow
* 179 • Commentary: Joys and Jeremiada (Nebula Awards Showcase 2003) • (2003) • essay by Harry Turtledove
* 181 • Commentary: Joys and Jeremiada (Nebula Awards Showcase 2003) • (2003) • essay by Michael Cassutt
* 186 • The Quantum Rose (excerpt) • (2000) • shortfiction by Catherine Asaro

Genres: Science Fiction, Short Stories, Fantasy, Anthologies, Speculative Fiction

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Nancy Kress is the newest Science Fiction Writers of America;s Grand Master,. She is the author of thirty novels, four story collections, three books on writing fiction, and over a hundred short stories. Her work has won six Nebulas, two Hugos, a Sturgeon, and the John W. Campbell Memorial Award. Her most recent novel, Observer, co-written with Dr. Robert Lanza, concerns the nature of consciousness, reality, and love. Forthcoming in 2026 is an historical fantasy, The Queen’s Witch, set in the court of Henry VIII. Nancy’s work has been translated into two dozen languages, none of which she can read. She has taught writing at various venues in the United States and abroad, including Leipzig, Beijing, both Clarions, and the annual SF-writing intensive workshop Taos Toolbox. Nancy lives in Seattle with her husband, writer Jack Skillingstead, and Pippin, the world’s cutest Chihuahua.

Reviews

[Steven Cole · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of top short stories. Individual quickie reviews:

"The Cure for Everything": A rich context and setting, but ultimately this story really didn't do a damn thing for me. 3 of 5.

"The Ultimate Earth": A strange story of far future history, and a sort of odd coming-of-age story. 4 of 5.

"Louise's Ghost": A kind of not-creepy ghost story, where the the main character and her best friend are *both* named "Louise". And the author makes no attempt to label them in any kind of distinguishing way, leaving that to the context. It's a challenge, but a kind of fun one. I really enjoyed this one, and will look out for Kelly Link titles in the future. 4 of 5.

"Undone": The protagonist gets stuck at the end of time, her deeply-held revolution long dead. This is a story of what happens next, with the twist of minor time travel and extra-dimensional tools thrown in. Fun. 4 of 5.

"The Elephants on Neptune": Because, you know, where else would space-travelling elephants go? This was a *wonderful* and strange story. (I think I like the strange stuff.) Neptune is not the gas giant you thought it was... 5 of 5.

Other portions of the book included some excellent poetry, reports on the SF & F genres, and an excerpt from Catherine Asaro's Nebula-winning "The Quantum Rose".

Overall: 4 of 5 stars.

[bluetyson]

Nebula Awards Showcase 2003 (Nebula Awards Showcase) (2003)