''The Nebula Awards Showcase 2011'' is an

anthology In book publishing, an anthology is a collection of literary works chosen by the compiler; it may be a collection of plays, poems, short stories, songs or excerpts by different authors. In genre fiction, the term ''anthology'' typically categ ...

science fiction Science fiction (sometimes shortened to Sci-Fi or SF) is a genre of speculative fiction which typically deals with imaginative and futuristic concepts such as advanced science and technology, space exploration, time travel, parallel unive ...

short works edited by American writer

Kevin J. Anderson Kevin James Anderson (born March 27, 1962) is an American science fiction author. He has written spin-off novels for ''Star Wars'', ''StarCraft'', ''Titan A.E.'' and ''The X-Files literature#Novels, The X-Files'', and with Brian Herbert is the ...

. It was first published in trade paperback and ebook by

Tor Books Tor Books is the primary imprint of Tor Publishing Group (previously Tom Doherty Associates), a publishing company based in New York City. It primarily publishes science fiction and fantasy titles, and is the largest publisher of Chinese scien ...

in May 2011. The first British edition was published in trade paperback and ebook by Robinson in February 2012 under the alternate title ''The Mammoth Book of Nebula Awards SF''.

Summary

The book collects pieces that won or were nominated for the

Nebula Award The Nebula Awards annually recognize the best works of science fiction or fantasy published in the United States. The awards are organized and awarded by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA), a nonprofit association of profe ...

s for best

novella A novella is a narrative prose fiction whose length is shorter than most novels, but longer than most short stories. The English word ''novella'' derives from the Italian ''novella'' meaning a short story related to true (or apparently so) facts ...

novelette Novelette may also refer to: * ''Novelette'' (ballet), a solo modern dance work choreographed by Martha Graham * Novelette (music), a short piece of lyrical music * Novelette (literature), a work of narrative prose fiction that is longer than a ...

and

short story A short story is a piece of prose fiction that typically can be read in one sitting and focuses on a self-contained incident or series of linked incidents, with the intent of evoking a single effect or mood. The short story is one of the oldest ...

for the year 2010, profiles of 2010 Grand Master winner

Joe Haldeman Joe William Haldeman (born June 9, 1943) is an American science fiction author. He is best known for his novel ''The Forever War'' (1974). That novel and other works, including ''The Hemingway Hoax'' (1991) and '' Forever Peace'' (1997), have wo ...

and

Author Emeritus Author Emeritus was an honorary title annually bestowed by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America upon a living writer "as a way to recognize and appreciate senior writers in the genres of science fiction and fantasy who have made signif ...

Neal Barrett, Jr. Neal Barrett Jr. (November 3, 1929 – January 12, 2014) was an American writer of fantasy, science fiction, mystery/suspense, and historical fiction. He also worked under the pseudonyms Victor Appleton, Chad Calhoun, Franklin W. Dixon (Strate ...

, and representative early stories by each, various other nonfiction pieces and bibliographical material related to the awards, and the three Rhysling and

Dwarf Stars Award The Dwarf Stars Award is an annual award presented by the Science Fiction Poetry Association to the author of the best horror, fantasy, or science fiction poem of ten lines or fewer published in the previous year. The award was established in 20 ...

-winning poems for 2009, together with an introduction by the editor. Not all nominees for the various awards are included.

*"Introduction" (

) *"Final 2009 Nebula Ballot" *"Hooves and the Hovel of Abdel Jameela" est Short Story nominee, 2010(

Saladin Ahmed Saladin Ahmed (born October 4, 1975) is an Eisner Award winning American comic book writer and a science fiction/fantasy poetry and prose writer. His 2012 book ''Throne of the Crescent Moon'' was nominated for the Hugo Award for Best Novel and w ...

) *"I Remember the Future" est Short Story nominee, 2010( Michael A. Burstein) *"Non-Zero Probabilities" est Short Story nominee, 2010(

N. K. Jemisin Nora Keita Jemisin (born September 19, 1972) is an American science fiction and fantasy writer, better known as N. K. Jemisin. Her fiction includes a wide range of themes, notably cultural conflict and oppression. Her debut novel, ''The Hundre ...

) *"Going Deep" est Short Story nominee, 2010( James Patrick Kelly) *"Bridesicle" est Short Story nominee, 2010( Will McIntosh) *"Spar" est Short Story winner, 2010( Kij Johnson) *"Neal Barrett, Jr.: Writer of Excellence, and My Brother" ssay(

Joe R. Lansdale Joe Richard Lansdale (born October 28, 1951) is an American writer and martial arts instructor. A prose writer in a variety of genres - Western, horror, science fiction, mystery, and suspense - he's also written comic books and screenplays. Se ...

) *"Getting Dark"

hort story Hort may refer to: People * Erik Hort (born 1987), American soccer player * F. J. A. Hort (1828–1892), Irish theologian * Greta Hort (1903–1967), Danish-born literature professor * Josiah Hort (c. 1674–1751), English clergyman of the Chur ...

(

) *"The Gambler" est Novelette nominee, 2010(

Paolo Bacigalupi Paolo Tadini Bacigalupi (born August 6, 1972) is an American science fiction and fantasy writer. He has won the Hugo, Nebula, John W. Campbell, Compton Crook, Theodore Sturgeon, and Michael L. Printz awards, and has been nominated for the Na ...

) *"Vinegar Peace (or, The Wrong-Way, Used-Adult Orphanage)" est Novelette nominee, 2010( Michael Bishop) *"I Needs Must Part, the Policeman Said" est Novelette nominee, 2010( Richard Bowes) *"Divining Light" est Novelette nominee, 2010(

Ted Kosmatka Ted Kosmatka is an American writer. His short stories have been reprinted in ten Year's Best anthologies, and he is co-winner of the 2010 Asimov's Readers' Choice Award. His 2012 novel The Games was nominated for a Locus Award for Best First Novel ...

) *"A Memory of Wind" est Novelette nominee, 2010(

Rachel Swirsky Rachel Swirsky (born April 14, 1982, in San Jose, California) is an American literary, speculative fiction and fantasy writer, poet, and editor living in Oregon. She was the founding editor of the PodCastle podcast and served as editor from 20 ...

) *"

Sinner, Baker, Fabulist, Priest; Red Mask, Black Mask, Gentleman, Beast "Sinner, Baker, Fabulist, Priest; Red Mask, Black Mask, Gentleman, Beast" is a 2009 science fiction novelette by American writer Eugie Foster. It was first published in '' Interzone'', and has subsequently been republished in ''Apex Magazine'', in ...

" est Novelette winner, 2010(

Eugie Foster Eugie Foster (December 30, 1971 – September 27, 2014) was an American short story writer, columnist, and editor. Her stories were published in a number of magazines and book anthologies, including '' Fantasy Magazine'', ''Realms of Fantasy'', ' ...

) *"SFWA Damon Knight Grand Master: Joe Haldeman (Introduction)" ssay( Mark Kreighbaum) *"SFWA Damon Knight Grand Master: Joe Haldeman (Appreciation)" ssay(

Connie Willis Constance Elaine Trimmer Willis (born December 31, 1945), commonly known as Connie Willis, is an American science fiction and fantasy writer. She has won eleven Hugo Awards and seven Nebula Awards for particular works—more major SF awards than ...

) *"A !Tangled Web" ovelette(

) *"The Women of Nell Gwynne's" est Novella winner, 2010(

Kage Baker Kage Baker (June 10, 1952 – January 31, 2010Obituary: Kage Baker
" SF Site, January ...

) *"Song for an Ancient City" hysling Award for Short Poem winner, 2009(

Amal El-Mohtar Amal El-Mohtar (born 13 December 1984) is a Canadian poet and writer of speculative fiction. She has published short fiction, poetry, essays and reviews, and has edited the fantastic poetry quarterly magazine ''Goblin Fruit'' since 2006. El-Moht ...

) *"Search" hysling Award for Long Poem winner, 2009(

Geoffrey A. Landis Geoffrey Alan Landis (; born May 28, 1955) is an American aerospace engineer and author, working for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on planetary exploration, interstellar propulsion, solar power and photovoltaics. He ...

) *"Fireflies" warf Stars Award winner, 2009(

) *"Other Awards"

Reception

Kirkus Reviews ''Kirkus Reviews'' (or ''Kirkus Media'') is an American book review magazine founded in 1933 by Virginia Kirkus (1893–1980). The magazine is headquartered in New York City. ''Kirkus Reviews'' confers the annual Kirkus Prize to authors of fic ...

'' commended the book to "readers who like their fantasy and science fiction short and punchy," calling Paolo Bacigalupi's contribution " e best of a spiffy bunch," as well as singling out Kosmatka's, Bakers, Johnson's, Foster's and McIntosh's pieces for special comment, while rating the remainder " less worthy." Regina Schroeder in '' Booklist'' rated the volume " surprisingly, ... an excellent collection of thought-provoking, entertaining, and varied work from both masters at the height of their careers and rising stars," and "a pleasing cross-section of what the genre has to offer." Haldeman's and Johnson's pieces were singled out for comment. Jackie Cassada in ''

Library Journal ''Library Journal'' is an American trade publication for librarians. It was founded in 1876 by Melvil Dewey. It reports news about the library world, emphasizing public libraries, and offers feature articles about aspects of professional prac ...

'', citing the anthology's "strong and varied selections," felt "this serves as a top-notch introduction to the genre for newcomers and seasoned readers alike." James Patrick's, Rachel Swirsky's, Kage Baker's and Joe Haldeman's pieces are singled out for comment. Don Sakers in ''

Analog Science Fiction and Fact ''Analog Science Fiction and Fact'' is an American science fiction magazine published under various titles since 1930. Originally titled ''Astounding Stories of Super-Science'', the first issue was dated January 1930, published by William C ...

'', while noting that "Nebula voters ... tend to prefer works that are mo literary and ''avant-garde'' than the average ''Analog'' story," and that only the Joe Haldeman Grand Master sample had appeared in the magazine, concluded " ne of that matters. Whatever the process, the Nebula Awards generally go to fine stories on the cutting edge of the field." On a down note, Tom Shippey wrote in ''

The Wall Street Journal ''The Wall Street Journal'' is an American business-focused, international daily newspaper based in New York City, with international editions also available in Chinese and Japanese. The ''Journal'', along with its Asian editions, is published ...

'' that " you looked at only the "Nebula Awards Showcase 2011" ..., you might think that sci-fi was on its last legs: it is almost all fantasy, and such sci-fi as it contains is ... dystopian." In an apparent oblique judgment of the anthology as a whole, he noted " Will McIntosh's "Bridesicle," cryogenic corpses are revived to be looked over by buyers, but if a corpse doesn't appeal, back in the freezer it goes."Shippey, Tom. Review in ''Wall Street Journal'', v. 258, iss. 90, October 15, 2011, p. C8. The anthology was also reviewed by Wendy Bousfield in ''The New York Review of Science Fiction'', August 2011, Ed Carmien in ''SFRA Review'' no. 296, Spring 2011, and Paul Kincaid in ''Foundation'' no. 111, Spring 2011.

Notes

{{DEFAULTSORT:Nebula Awards Showcase 2011, The Nebula 45 2011 anthologies 2010s science fiction works Tor Books books

Summary

Contents

Reception

Notes