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Nebula Awards Showcase 61
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
July 30, 2026
This is a collection of the best works of science fiction and fantasy from 2025 as chosen selected by members of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association.
The introduction was actually my favourite part of the book. Stephen sets the stage by musing on the dystopian-world we’re currently living in.
The phrase "unprecedented times" has lost all meaning, as historic shocks have become regular. Politicians and billionaires so cartoonishly evil that Bond villains would tell them to tone it down a bit.
We discovered that the future sucks. No orbital colonies. No flying cars. No cure for world hunger or even the common cold. Grimdark, darker fantasy, and dystopian/utopians are rising in popularity.
With all that said, onto the collection!
SHORT STORIES:
Winner:
LASER EYES AIN'T EVERYTHING by Effie Seiberg.
This is basically a world where there exist superpowereds, but our protagonist is wheelchair-bound and no accommodations are made and she’s constantly sidelined.
This was very in your face, not aiming any kind of nuance. It would make a good skit, but I personally prefer more subversion or subtlety.
THROUGH THE MACHINE by P.A. Cornell.
This was my favourite.
It’s a satire on how Hollywood turns you into a product in a near-future where actors are just used for publicity, their acting replaced by AI-generated doppelgängers.
This was very timely and touched on various topics plaguing the arts. There was also a touch of hope at the end which I appreciated.
SIX PEOPLE TO REVISE YOU by J.R. Dawson.
This was very sweet. Basically, there’s an operation where you can be ‘Revised’ based on the comments of six people who know you.
It’s queer and ultimately, loving and accepting.
IN MY COUNTRY by Thomas Ha.
This was strange and outlandish, and honestly? I didn’t really ‘get’ the plot, but I appreciated the commentary - probably the most thought-provoking: the problem with ambiguity is that it demands interpretation. The demand for interpretation welcomes a different magnitude of contemplation and unanticipated dispute.
THE TAWLISH ISLAND SONGBOOK OF THE DEAD by E.M. Linden.
This was the most lyrical about the dead of an island and remembering your heritage.
We, the dead, clutch our shreds together, try to distinguish ourselves from the morning mist that breathes all over the island, hold tight to the gorse and use the rocks as anchors when the gales get up.
BECAUSE I HELD HIS NAME LIKE A KEY by Aimee Ogden.
This had a fey king, a human man, and other dimensions. This was the most ‘hard’ sci fi, and the atmospheric fey world was lost in the human’s monologues on dimensional theories.
POETRY
Winner: "The World to Come" by Jennifer Hudak.
I am not a connoisseur of poetry, so no comments here. They were fine, but nothing that stood out to me.
NOVELETTES
Winner: UNCERTAIN SONS by Thomas Ha, published in Uncertain Sons and Other Stories.
A biker carries his father's skull in backpack where he kills monsters. This was too action-packed for my taste, about family trauma and loss.
Looking at other reviews, I think this novelette would be better understood in conversation with its initial collection. I was underwhelmed and didn’t feel it offered as much commentary or conversation - not that novellettes have to.
Standout novelettes for me:
WE BEGIN WHERE INFINITY ENDS by Somto Ihezue.
This was a heartwarming story about a youthful trio of nerds - friends (potential lovers?) who want to change the world for the better and sneak out at night to install lights to protect fireflies.
THE NAME ZIYA by Wen-yi Lee.
This was the most interesting of everything I read. A magic system, a caste system, a poor girl selling part of her name (and herself) in order to afford tuition to a renowned University. It also managed to have a satisfying arc in such a short amount of time.
I didn’t know how little I had until I met someone else’s excess, and I burned to think I had ever been content with my own possessions.
NEVER EATEN VEGETABLES by H.H. Pak.
A ship glides through the night, behemoth mother, swollen with ten thousand human lives.
A sentient ship must make a terrible decision.Humans have similar shapes but they are not expected to serve similar functions. They make new versions of each other to—explore purposes. Not to fulfill them."
It’s tender and reflecting and occasionally funny.
"Natal Embryonic Vessel," says Lewa.
"No." The frog gives her a side-eyed glance. "Never Eaten Vegetables."
“What?" "Never Eaten Vegetables. That is my name. I have never eaten vegetables. My name is Never Eaten Vegetables."
NOVELLA
Winner: The River Has Roots by Amal El-Mohtar:
My Review
NOVEL
The Buffalo Hunter Hunter Stephen Graham Jones:
My Review
AWARD FOR MIDDLE GRADE AND YOUNG ADULT FICTION
Winner: Sunrise on the Reaping Suzanne Collins:
My Review
I won’t comment on the other categories as I don’t have enough awareness of them, but here they are:
MULTIMEDIA AWARD FINALISTS THE 2025 NEBULA AWARD FOR COMIC:
Winner: Mary Shelley's School for Monsters: The Killing Stone by Jessica Maison.
RAY BRADBURY NEBULA AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING DRAMATIC PRESENTATION:
Winner: Murderbot: Season One Chris Weitz & Paul Weitz.
I will say I am surprised Sinners didn’t win.
THE 2025 NEBULA AWARD FOR GAME WRITING
Winner: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.
I’d love to discuss your thoughts if you have any!
3.5 stars.🌟 - I don’t know, it feels weird to rate such a wide ranging collection.
Arc gifted by Publisher.
Bookstagram
Tiktok
The introduction was actually my favourite part of the book. Stephen sets the stage by musing on the dystopian-world we’re currently living in.
The phrase "unprecedented times" has lost all meaning, as historic shocks have become regular. Politicians and billionaires so cartoonishly evil that Bond villains would tell them to tone it down a bit.
We discovered that the future sucks. No orbital colonies. No flying cars. No cure for world hunger or even the common cold. Grimdark, darker fantasy, and dystopian/utopians are rising in popularity.
With all that said, onto the collection!
SHORT STORIES:
Winner:
LASER EYES AIN'T EVERYTHING by Effie Seiberg.
This is basically a world where there exist superpowereds, but our protagonist is wheelchair-bound and no accommodations are made and she’s constantly sidelined.
This was very in your face, not aiming any kind of nuance. It would make a good skit, but I personally prefer more subversion or subtlety.
THROUGH THE MACHINE by P.A. Cornell.
This was my favourite.
It’s a satire on how Hollywood turns you into a product in a near-future where actors are just used for publicity, their acting replaced by AI-generated doppelgängers.
This was very timely and touched on various topics plaguing the arts. There was also a touch of hope at the end which I appreciated.
SIX PEOPLE TO REVISE YOU by J.R. Dawson.
This was very sweet. Basically, there’s an operation where you can be ‘Revised’ based on the comments of six people who know you.
It’s queer and ultimately, loving and accepting.
IN MY COUNTRY by Thomas Ha.
This was strange and outlandish, and honestly? I didn’t really ‘get’ the plot, but I appreciated the commentary - probably the most thought-provoking: the problem with ambiguity is that it demands interpretation. The demand for interpretation welcomes a different magnitude of contemplation and unanticipated dispute.
THE TAWLISH ISLAND SONGBOOK OF THE DEAD by E.M. Linden.
This was the most lyrical about the dead of an island and remembering your heritage.
We, the dead, clutch our shreds together, try to distinguish ourselves from the morning mist that breathes all over the island, hold tight to the gorse and use the rocks as anchors when the gales get up.
BECAUSE I HELD HIS NAME LIKE A KEY by Aimee Ogden.
This had a fey king, a human man, and other dimensions. This was the most ‘hard’ sci fi, and the atmospheric fey world was lost in the human’s monologues on dimensional theories.
POETRY
Winner: "The World to Come" by Jennifer Hudak.
I am not a connoisseur of poetry, so no comments here. They were fine, but nothing that stood out to me.
NOVELETTES
Winner: UNCERTAIN SONS by Thomas Ha, published in Uncertain Sons and Other Stories.
A biker carries his father's skull in backpack where he kills monsters. This was too action-packed for my taste, about family trauma and loss.
Looking at other reviews, I think this novelette would be better understood in conversation with its initial collection. I was underwhelmed and didn’t feel it offered as much commentary or conversation - not that novellettes have to.
Standout novelettes for me:
WE BEGIN WHERE INFINITY ENDS by Somto Ihezue.
This was a heartwarming story about a youthful trio of nerds - friends (potential lovers?) who want to change the world for the better and sneak out at night to install lights to protect fireflies.
THE NAME ZIYA by Wen-yi Lee.
This was the most interesting of everything I read. A magic system, a caste system, a poor girl selling part of her name (and herself) in order to afford tuition to a renowned University. It also managed to have a satisfying arc in such a short amount of time.
I didn’t know how little I had until I met someone else’s excess, and I burned to think I had ever been content with my own possessions.
NEVER EATEN VEGETABLES by H.H. Pak.
A ship glides through the night, behemoth mother, swollen with ten thousand human lives.
A sentient ship must make a terrible decision.Humans have similar shapes but they are not expected to serve similar functions. They make new versions of each other to—explore purposes. Not to fulfill them."
It’s tender and reflecting and occasionally funny.
"Natal Embryonic Vessel," says Lewa.
"No." The frog gives her a side-eyed glance. "Never Eaten Vegetables."
“What?" "Never Eaten Vegetables. That is my name. I have never eaten vegetables. My name is Never Eaten Vegetables."
NOVELLA
Winner: The River Has Roots by Amal El-Mohtar:
My Review
NOVEL
The Buffalo Hunter Hunter Stephen Graham Jones:
My Review
AWARD FOR MIDDLE GRADE AND YOUNG ADULT FICTION
Winner: Sunrise on the Reaping Suzanne Collins:
My Review
I won’t comment on the other categories as I don’t have enough awareness of them, but here they are:
MULTIMEDIA AWARD FINALISTS THE 2025 NEBULA AWARD FOR COMIC:
Winner: Mary Shelley's School for Monsters: The Killing Stone by Jessica Maison.
RAY BRADBURY NEBULA AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING DRAMATIC PRESENTATION:
Winner: Murderbot: Season One Chris Weitz & Paul Weitz.
I will say I am surprised Sinners didn’t win.
THE 2025 NEBULA AWARD FOR GAME WRITING
Winner: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.
I’d love to discuss your thoughts if you have any!
3.5 stars.🌟 - I don’t know, it feels weird to rate such a wide ranging collection.
Arc gifted by Publisher.
Bookstagram
Tiktok
July 6, 2026
An incredibly solid selection of this year’s nebula winners, and nominees, I was incredibly pleased with the expansion into poetry this year to see a selection of speculative poems, and consequently to be introduced to some new authors. Of the short fiction selections I think all are quite well written and many have different enough styles that I think most people who enjoy speculative fiction are likely to find at least one story they like. Never eaten vegetables with its exploration of motherhood, and where life starts was one of my personal favorites.
August 4, 2026
Based on a Netgalley ARC
This was disappointing. As a showcase, this contains multiple award winning sci fi and fantasy works, however, there was a real lack of variety. The short stories in particular, come across as very similar in style, with a preference for minimal world building and narcissistic protagonists combined with first person narrative. Sci Fi and Fantasy covers a wide range of fiction genres styles etc. however, these felt very bland too me.
"Laser Eyes Ain't Everything" is about a Karen in a wheel chair who was fired from some government department. She only thinks about her self and her plan to turn intersections into roundabouts. She has failed, probably because she calls them traffic circles. It is no surprise when she joins the villain. She was realistically insufferable.
"Through the Machine" is about AI movies and arguably shouldn't count as sci fi, because everything in it is technically feasible. While the author makes a few good points about AI and shippers, this still is kinda boring.
"Six People to Revise You" is about a world just like ours, except you can pay a company to fix you. Apparently to do so, you have to ask six people what should be changed. The narcissistic protagonist then burden different people with fixing her and then judges them for it. The first suggestion is literally along the lines of her being happy with who she is, but she rejects it. Of course the last person not only tells her not to change herself, but the reader is subjected to self affirmation slop.
What "In My Country" is about, I couldn't tell. The start couldn't hold my interest and skimming through the rest I repeatedly saw “in my country there is no king”
The Tawlish Island Songbook of the Dead" is about an island being evacuated told from the viewpoint of the ghosts, and the native beliefs about the dead play a big role. The presumably Anglican pastor is a character, but the author shows a lack of understanding of relevant Christian beliefs. It is one of the best short stories, but still not interesting for me. Not much happened.
"Because I Held His Name Like a Key" is about a fairy who is a sexual predator. I stopped reading it, because I am not into that.
There were also some poems. The best I could say about them is that they were short. One was even addressed to writers, suggesting that these works are really written by a relativity small group for each other.
Lastly, there were some Novelettes. They were a bit better than the short stories in some aspects. Not so much first person narcissists and a bit more world building. They were mostly forgettable though. I half of them.
This was disappointing. As a showcase, this contains multiple award winning sci fi and fantasy works, however, there was a real lack of variety. The short stories in particular, come across as very similar in style, with a preference for minimal world building and narcissistic protagonists combined with first person narrative. Sci Fi and Fantasy covers a wide range of fiction genres styles etc. however, these felt very bland too me.
"Laser Eyes Ain't Everything" is about a Karen in a wheel chair who was fired from some government department. She only thinks about her self and her plan to turn intersections into roundabouts. She has failed, probably because she calls them traffic circles. It is no surprise when she joins the villain. She was realistically insufferable.
"Through the Machine" is about AI movies and arguably shouldn't count as sci fi, because everything in it is technically feasible. While the author makes a few good points about AI and shippers, this still is kinda boring.
"Six People to Revise You" is about a world just like ours, except you can pay a company to fix you. Apparently to do so, you have to ask six people what should be changed. The narcissistic protagonist then burden different people with fixing her and then judges them for it. The first suggestion is literally along the lines of her being happy with who she is, but she rejects it. Of course the last person not only tells her not to change herself, but the reader is subjected to self affirmation slop.
What "In My Country" is about, I couldn't tell. The start couldn't hold my interest and skimming through the rest I repeatedly saw “in my country there is no king”
The Tawlish Island Songbook of the Dead" is about an island being evacuated told from the viewpoint of the ghosts, and the native beliefs about the dead play a big role. The presumably Anglican pastor is a character, but the author shows a lack of understanding of relevant Christian beliefs. It is one of the best short stories, but still not interesting for me. Not much happened.
"Because I Held His Name Like a Key" is about a fairy who is a sexual predator. I stopped reading it, because I am not into that.
There were also some poems. The best I could say about them is that they were short. One was even addressed to writers, suggesting that these works are really written by a relativity small group for each other.
Lastly, there were some Novelettes. They were a bit better than the short stories in some aspects. Not so much first person narcissists and a bit more world building. They were mostly forgettable though. I half of them.
August 2, 2026
Some of the stories are stand outs and most are average. Some of the themes covered are the takeover of AI, loss of freedom. Also, there were poems and short stories/novels, which added some variety.
Overall poems- 3.5 Stars since only some stories were memorable. 3 Stories stood out to me.
I will summarize 3 of the stories I enjoyed. Through the machine discusses what if AI took over acting. We have some aspect of that via actors that have passed away and their likeness/voice is used in future movies or TV shows. This story describes the pain of having an actor being replaced by an AI version and even actors losing their jobs.
In my country- gives an analogy of what oppression feels like under the US government. Similar to what the US is facing with ICE raids and the infringement of our fundamental right- freedom of speech. A father sees his son speaking up through his stories and idly stands by. The government views his stories as threatening and his stories represent rhetoric that goes against their views/beliefs.
Never Eaten Vegetables- A program was created to create life from human genes. The scientist struggles to find ways to stabilize the program. Each new life is choose a name and one is called Never Eaten Vegtables. Creating life is a complex process and the results are not always going to be promising. Many of the test subjects die, leaving a mess and more unanswered questions about the scope of the project. An interesting story about creating life and the complexities of failing to create them to the government's exacting standards.
Through the machine 4/5
In my country- 5/5
Never Eaten Vegetables- 5/5
Overall poems- 3.5 Stars since only some stories were memorable. 3 Stories stood out to me.
I will summarize 3 of the stories I enjoyed. Through the machine discusses what if AI took over acting. We have some aspect of that via actors that have passed away and their likeness/voice is used in future movies or TV shows. This story describes the pain of having an actor being replaced by an AI version and even actors losing their jobs.
In my country- gives an analogy of what oppression feels like under the US government. Similar to what the US is facing with ICE raids and the infringement of our fundamental right- freedom of speech. A father sees his son speaking up through his stories and idly stands by. The government views his stories as threatening and his stories represent rhetoric that goes against their views/beliefs.
Never Eaten Vegetables- A program was created to create life from human genes. The scientist struggles to find ways to stabilize the program. Each new life is choose a name and one is called Never Eaten Vegtables. Creating life is a complex process and the results are not always going to be promising. Many of the test subjects die, leaving a mess and more unanswered questions about the scope of the project. An interesting story about creating life and the complexities of failing to create them to the government's exacting standards.
Through the machine 4/5
In my country- 5/5
Never Eaten Vegetables- 5/5
July 22, 2026
Thanks to all the Nebula celebrated authors, the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, and NetGalley for access to the Advanced Reader Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The 61st book in this series contains all the short stories, novellas, and poems nominated for the 2026 Nebula awards of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. As such, the book contains some of the best science fiction and fantasy writing for the year 2025. In addition, the book provides a summary of each nominated finalist in the other Nebula award categories.
Like every collection of writing, even award nominated writing, there will be favorites and stories that don’t necessarily fit my tastes. That is especially true for science fiction and fantasy where some authors bring in challenging ideas, work with them, and challenge us in the process. The stories in the collection are worth reading for any science fiction and fantasy fan and others who want to stretch their minds on possibilities.
The 61st book in this series contains all the short stories, novellas, and poems nominated for the 2026 Nebula awards of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. As such, the book contains some of the best science fiction and fantasy writing for the year 2025. In addition, the book provides a summary of each nominated finalist in the other Nebula award categories.
Like every collection of writing, even award nominated writing, there will be favorites and stories that don’t necessarily fit my tastes. That is especially true for science fiction and fantasy where some authors bring in challenging ideas, work with them, and challenge us in the process. The stories in the collection are worth reading for any science fiction and fantasy fan and others who want to stretch their minds on possibilities.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews