World's Best Science Fiction was a series of annual paperback anthologies published by

Ace Books Ace Books is a publisher of science fiction (SF) and fantasy books founded in New York City in 1952 by Aaron A. Wyn. It began as a genre publisher of mysteries and westerns, and soon branched out into other genres, publishing its first scienc ...

from 1965 to 1971 under the editorship of

Donald A. Wollheim Donald Allen Wollheim (October 1, 1914 – November 2, 1990) was an American science fiction editor, publisher, writer, and fan. As an author, he published under his own name as well as under pseudonyms, including David Grinnell, Martin Pearso ...

and

Terry Carr Terry Gene Carr (February 19, 1937 – April 7, 1987) was an American science fiction fan, author, editor, and writing instructor. Background and discovery of fandom Carr was born in Grants Pass, Oregon. He attended the City College of San ...

. Some volumes were also issued in hardcover through the Science Fiction Book Club or (in the United Kingdom) by

Gollancz Gollancz may refer to: * Gollancz (surname), a Polish-Jewish surname * Victor Gollancz Ltd, a former British publishing house, now used as an imprint by the Orion Publishing Group See also * Gołańcz Gołańcz (german: Gollantsch) is a town ...

. Each volume included the year of publication after the title, though when the first four volumes were subsequently reprinted the year designation was replaced by a numerical one (First through Fourth Series in place of 1965 to 1968). Each annual volume reprinted what in the opinion of the editors were the best science fiction short stories appearing in the previous year. The series also aimed to discover and nurture new talent. It featured both occasionally recurring authors, and writers new to the science fiction genre. After the editors left Ace, each separately edited a continuation series, Wollheim (with

Arthur W. Saha Arthur William Saha (October 31, 1923 – November 19, 1999) was an American speculative fiction editor and anthologist, closely associated with publisher Donald A. Wollheim. Life Saha was the son of William and Henrikka Saha, a Finnish-Ameri ...

)

The Annual World’s Best SF The Annual World's Best SF was a series of annual paperback anthologies published by American company DAW Books from 1972 to 1990 under the editorship of publisher Donald A. Wollheim and Arthur W. Saha from 1972 to 1990. Some volumes were also is ...

( DAW Books, 1972–1990), and Carr

The Best Science Fiction of the Year The Best Science Fiction of the Year was a series of annual paperback anthologies edited by Terry Carr. It was published by Ballantine Books from 1972 to 1980, Pocket Books from 1981 to 1983, Baen Books in 1984, and Tor Books from 1985 to 1987. ...

(

Ballantine Books Ballantine Books is a major book publisher located in the United States, founded in 1952 by Ian Ballantine with his wife, Betty Ballantine. It was acquired by Random House in 1973, which in turn was acquired by Bertelsmann in 1998 and remains ...

, 1972–1980,

Pocket Books Pocket Books is a division of Simon & Schuster that primarily publishes paperback books. History Pocket Books produced the first mass-market, pocket-sized paperback books in the United States in early 1939 and revolutionized the publishing in ...

, 1981–1983, Baen Books, 1984,

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 ...

, 1985–1987).

The series

# '' World's Best Science Fiction: 1965'' (1965) = ''World's Best Science Fiction: First Series'' (1970) # '' World's Best Science Fiction: 1966'' (1966) = ''World's Best Science Fiction: Second Series'' (1970) # '' World's Best Science Fiction: 1967'' (1967) = ''World's Best Science Fiction: Third Series'' (1970) # '' World's Best Science Fiction: 1968'' (1968) = ''World's Best Science Fiction: Fourth Series'' (1970) # '' World's Best Science Fiction: 1969'' (1969) # '' World's Best Science Fiction: 1970'' (1970) # '' World's Best Science Fiction: 1971'' (1971)

References

*{{isfdb series, id=8337, title=World's Best SF Science fiction anthology series Ace Books books