The 1978 Annual World's Best SF
Encyclopedia
The 1978 Annual World's Best SF is an anthology
of science fiction
short stories edited by Donald A. Wollheim
and Arthur W. Saha
, the seventh volume in a series
of nineteen. It was first published in paperback by DAW Books
in May 1978, followed by a hardcover edition issued in August of the same year by the same publisher as a selection of the Science Fiction Book Club. For the hardcover edition the original cover art of Jack Gaughan
was replaced by a new cover painting by Richard Powers
. The paperback edition was reissued by DAW in 1983 under the variant title Wollheim's World's Best SF: Series Seven, this time with cover art by Graham Wildridge. A British hardcover edition was published by Dennis Dobson in May 1980 under the variant title The World's Best SF 5'.
The book collects ten novellas, novelettes and short stories by various science fiction authors, with an introduction by Wollheim. The stories were previously published in 1977 in the magazines The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction
, Analog Science Fiction/Science Fact
, and Cosmos Science Fiction and Fantasy Magazine.
and the 1978 Hugo Award for Best Novella
, and placed sixth in the 1978 Locus Poll Award for Best Novella
.
"The House of Compassionate Sharers" was nominated for the 1978 Ditmar Award for Best International Long Fiction
and placed twelfth in the 1978 Locus Poll Award for Best Short Fiction
.
"Particle Theory" was nominated for the 1977 Nebula Award for Best Novelette
and placed eighth in the 1978 Locus Poll Award for Best Short Fiction
.
"Jeffty is Five" won the 1977 Nebula Award for Best Short Story
, the 1978 Hugo Award for Best Short Story
, and the 1979 British Fantasy Award for Best Short Story
, placed first in the 1978 Locus Poll Award for Best Short Fiction
, and was nominated for the 1978 World Fantasy Award for Best Short Fiction
and the 1979 Balrog Award.
"Eyes of Amber" won the 1978 Hugo Award for Best Novelette
and placed fifth in the 1978 Locus Poll Award for Best Short Fiction
.
Anthology
An anthology is a collection of literary works chosen by the compiler. It may be a collection of poems, short stories, plays, songs, or excerpts...
of science fiction
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
short stories edited by Donald A. Wollheim
Donald A. Wollheim
Donald Allen Wollheim 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....
and Arthur W. Saha
Arthur W. Saha
Arthur William Saha was an American speculative fiction editor and anthologist, closely associated with publisher Donald A. Wollheim.-Life:...
, the seventh volume in a series
The Annual World’s Best SF
The Annual World's Best SF was a series of annual paperback anthologies published by 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 issued in hardcover through the Science Fiction Book Club...
of nineteen. It was first published in paperback by DAW Books
DAW Books
DAW Books is an American science fiction and fantasy publisher, founded by Donald A. Wollheim following his departure from Ace Books in 1971. The company therefore claims to be "the first publishing company ever devoted exclusively to science fiction and fantasy." The first DAW Book published was...
in May 1978, followed by a hardcover edition issued in August of the same year by the same publisher as a selection of the Science Fiction Book Club. For the hardcover edition the original cover art of Jack Gaughan
Jack Gaughan
Jack Gaughan was an American science fiction artist and illustrator who won the Hugo Award several times. Working primarily with Donald A...
was replaced by a new cover painting by Richard Powers
Richard Powers
Richard Powers is an American novelist whose works explore the effects of modern science and technology.- Life and work :...
. The paperback edition was reissued by DAW in 1983 under the variant title Wollheim's World's Best SF: Series Seven, this time with cover art by Graham Wildridge. A British hardcover edition was published by Dennis Dobson in May 1980 under the variant title The World's Best SF 5'.
The book collects ten novellas, novelettes and short stories by various science fiction authors, with an introduction by Wollheim. The stories were previously published in 1977 in the magazines The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction
The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction
The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction is a digest-size American fantasy and science fiction magazine first published in 1949 by Mystery House and then by Fantasy House. Both were subsidiaries of Lawrence Spivak's Mercury Publications, which took over as publisher in 1958. Spilogale, Inc...
, Analog Science Fiction/Science Fact
Analog Science Fiction and Fact
Analog Science Fiction and Fact is an American science fiction magazine. As of 2011, it is the longest running continuously published magazine of that genre...
, and Cosmos Science Fiction and Fantasy Magazine.
Contents
- "Introduction" (Donald A. WollheimDonald A. WollheimDonald Allen Wollheim 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....
) - "In the Hall of the Martian Kings" (John VarleyJohn VarleyJohn Varley may refer to:* John Varley , English canal engineer* John Varley , English painter and astrologer* John Varley , American science fiction author...
) - "A Time to Live" (Joe HaldemanJoe HaldemanJoe William Haldeman is an American science fiction author.-Life :Haldeman was born June 9, 1943 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. His family traveled and he lived in Puerto Rico, New Orleans, Washington, D.C., Bethesda, Maryland and Anchorage, Alaska as a child. Haldeman married Mary Gay Potter, known...
) - "The House of Compassionate Sharers" (Michael BishopMichael BishopMichael Bishop may refer to:* Michael Bishop, Baron Glendonbrook , British businessman and politician* Michael Bishop , American science fiction/fantasy author...
) - "Particle Theory" (Edward BryantEdward BryantEdward Winslow Bryant Jr. is a science fiction and horror writer sometimes associated with the Dangerous Visions series of anthologies that bolstered The New Wave....
) - "The Taste of the Dish and the Savor of the Day" (John BrunnerJohn BrunnerJohn Brunner may refer to:* Sir John Brunner, 1st Baronet , a.k.a. John Tomlinson Brunner, British industrialist and Liberal Member of Parliament* John L...
) - "Jeffty Is Five" (Harlan EllisonHarlan EllisonHarlan Jay Ellison is an American writer. His principal genre is speculative fiction.His published works include over 1,700 short stories, novellas, screenplays, teleplays, essays, a wide range of criticism covering literature, film, television, and print media...
) - "The Screwfly Solution" (Raccoona Sheldon)
- "Eyes of Amber" (Joan D. VingeJoan D. VingeJoan D. Vinge is an American science fiction author. She is known for such works as her Hugo Award-winning novel The Snow Queen and its sequels, her series about the telepath named Cat, and her Heaven's Chronicles books.-Biography:...
) - "Child of the Sun" (James E. GunnJames E. GunnJames Edward Gunn is the Eugene Higgins Professor of Astronomy at Princeton University. Gunn's early theoretical work in astronomy has helped establish the current understanding of how galaxies form, and the properties of the space between galaxies...
) - "Brother" (Clifford D. SimakClifford D. SimakClifford Donald Simak was an American science fiction writer. He was honored by fans with three Hugo awards and by colleagues with one Nebula award and was named the third Grand Master by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America in 1977.-Biography:Clifford Donald Simak was born in...
)
Awards
"In the Hall of the Martian Kings" was nominated for the 1978 Ditmar Award for Best International Long FictionDitmar Award
The Ditmar Award has been awarded annually since 1969 at the Australian National Science Fiction Convention to recognise achievement in Australian science fiction and science fiction fandom...
and the 1978 Hugo Award for Best Novella
Hugo Award for Best Novella
The Hugo Awards are given every year by the World Science Fiction Society for the best science fiction or fantasy works and achievements of the previous year. The award is named after Hugo Gernsback, the founder of the pioneering science fiction magazine Amazing Stories, and was once officially...
, and placed sixth in the 1978 Locus Poll Award for Best Novella
Locus Award
The Locus Award is a literary award established in 1971 and presented to winners of Locus magazine's annual readers' poll. Currently, the Locus Awards are presented at an annual banquet...
.
"The House of Compassionate Sharers" was nominated for the 1978 Ditmar Award for Best International Long Fiction
Ditmar Award
The Ditmar Award has been awarded annually since 1969 at the Australian National Science Fiction Convention to recognise achievement in Australian science fiction and science fiction fandom...
and placed twelfth in the 1978 Locus Poll Award for Best Short Fiction
Locus Award
The Locus Award is a literary award established in 1971 and presented to winners of Locus magazine's annual readers' poll. Currently, the Locus Awards are presented at an annual banquet...
.
"Particle Theory" was nominated for the 1977 Nebula Award for Best Novelette
Nebula Award for Best Novelette
Winners of the Nebula Award for best Novelette. The stated year is that of publication; awards are given in the following year. Winning titles are listed first, with other nominees listed below.-External links:* * *...
and placed eighth in the 1978 Locus Poll Award for Best Short Fiction
Locus Award
The Locus Award is a literary award established in 1971 and presented to winners of Locus magazine's annual readers' poll. Currently, the Locus Awards are presented at an annual banquet...
.
"Jeffty is Five" won the 1977 Nebula Award for Best Short Story
Nebula Award for Best Short Story
Winners of the '“Nebula Award for Best Short Story”'. The stated year is that of publication; awards are given in the following year. Winning titles are listed first, with other nominees listed below.-Winners and nominees:-External links:* *...
, the 1978 Hugo Award for Best Short Story
Hugo Award for Best Short Story
The Hugo Awards are given every year by the World Science Fiction Society for the best science fiction or fantasy works and achievements of the previous year. The award is named after Hugo Gernsback, the founder of the pioneering science fiction magazine Amazing Stories, and was once officially...
, and the 1979 British Fantasy Award for Best Short Story
British Fantasy Award
The British Fantasy Awards are administered annually by the British Fantasy Society and were first awarded in 1971. The membership of the BFS vote to determine recommendations, short-lists and winners of the awards...
, placed first in the 1978 Locus Poll Award for Best Short Fiction
Locus Award
The Locus Award is a literary award established in 1971 and presented to winners of Locus magazine's annual readers' poll. Currently, the Locus Awards are presented at an annual banquet...
, and was nominated for the 1978 World Fantasy Award for Best Short Fiction
World Fantasy Award for Best Short Fiction
This World Fantasy Award is given to the fantasy short story voted best by a panel of judges, and presented each year at the World Fantasy Convention....
and the 1979 Balrog Award.
"Eyes of Amber" won the 1978 Hugo Award for Best Novelette
Hugo Award for Best Novelette
The Hugo Awards are given every year by the World Science Fiction Society for the best science fiction or fantasy works and achievements of the previous year. The award is named after Hugo Gernsback, the founder of the pioneering science fiction magazine Amazing Stories, and was once officially...
and placed fifth in the 1978 Locus Poll Award for Best Short Fiction
Locus Award
The Locus Award is a literary award established in 1971 and presented to winners of Locus magazine's annual readers' poll. Currently, the Locus Awards are presented at an annual banquet...
.