The 1981 Annual World's Best SF
Encyclopedia
The 1981 Annual World's Best SF is an anthology
of science fiction
short stories edited by Donald A. Wollheim
and Arthur W. Saha
, the tenth volume in a series
of nineteen. It was first published in paperback by DAW Books
in May 1981, 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 Michael Mariano was replaced by a new cover painting by John Gampert.
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 1980 in the magazines Isaac Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine
, Omni
, Analog Science Fiction/Science Fact
, and The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction
, and the anthologies New Voices III, Stellar #5, Universe 10, and Interfaces.
.
"Variation on a Theme from Beethoven" placed ninth in the 1981 Locus Poll Award for Best Novelette
.
"Beatnik Bayou" was nominated for the 1980 Nebula Award for Best Novelette
and the 1981 Hugo Award for Best Novelette
, and placed second in the 1981 Locus Poll Award for Best Novelette
.
"The Ugly Chickens" won the 1980 Nebula Award for Best Novelette
and the 1981 World Fantasy Award for Best Short Fiction
, was nominated for the 1981 Balrog Award for Short Fiction and the 1981 Hugo Award for Best Novelette
, and placed fifth in the 1981 Locus Poll Award for Best Novelette
.
"Prime Time" placed eleventh in the 1981 Locus Poll Award for Best Short Story
.
"Nightflyers" won the 1980 Analog Award for Best Novella/Novelette, was nominated for the 1981 Hugo Award for Best Novella
, and placed first in the 1981 Locus Poll Award for Best Novella
.
"Window" was nominated for the 1980 Nebula Award for Best Short Story
and placed forth in the 1981 Locus Poll Award for Best Short Story
.
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 tenth 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 1981, 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 Michael Mariano was replaced by a new cover painting by John Gampert.
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 1980 in the magazines Isaac Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine
Asimov's Science Fiction
Asimov's Science Fiction is an American science fiction magazine which publishes science fiction and fantasy and perpetuates the name of author and biochemist Isaac Asimov...
, Omni
Omni (magazine)
OMNI was a science and science fiction magazine published in the US and the UK. It contained articles on science fact and short works of science fiction...
, 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 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...
, and the anthologies New Voices III, Stellar #5, Universe 10, and Interfaces.
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....
) - "Variation on a Theme from Beethoven" (Sharon WebbSharon WebbSharon Lynn Webb was a science fiction writer and nurse....
) - "Beatnik Bayou" (John VarleyJohn VarleyJohn Varley may refer to:* John Varley , English canal engineer* John Varley , English painter and astrologer* John Varley , American science fiction author...
) - "Elbow Room" (Marion Zimmer BradleyMarion Zimmer BradleyMarion Eleanor Zimmer Bradley was an American author of fantasy novels such as The Mists of Avalon and the Darkover series. Many critics have noted a feminist perspective in her writing. Her first child, David R...
) - "The Ugly Chickens" (Howard WaldropHoward WaldropHoward Waldrop is a science fiction author who works primarily in short fiction.Waldrop's stories combine elements such as alternate history, American popular culture, the American South, old movies , classical mythology, and rock 'n' roll music. His style is sometimes obscure or elliptical...
) - "Prime Time" (Norman SpinradNorman SpinradNorman Richard Spinrad is an American science fiction author.Born in New York City, Spinrad is a graduate of the Bronx High School of Science. In 1957 he entered City College of New York and graduated in 1961 with a Bachelor of Science degree as a pre-law major. In 1966 he moved to San Francisco,...
) - "Nightflyers" (George R. R. MartinGeorge R. R. MartinGeorge Raymond Richard Martin , sometimes referred to as GRRM, is an American author and screenwriter of fantasy, horror, and science fiction. He is best known for A Song of Ice and Fire, his bestselling series of epic fantasy novels that HBO adapted for their dramatic pay-cable series Game of...
) - "A Spaceship Built of Stone" (Lisa TuttleLisa TuttleLisa Tuttle is an American-born science fiction, fantasy, and horror author. She has published over a dozen novels, five short story collections, and several non-fiction titles, including a reference book on feminism. She has also edited several anthologies and reviewed books for various...
) - "Window" (Bob LemanBob LemanRobert J. Leman was an American science fiction and horror short story author, most associated with The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction...
) - "The Summer Sweet, the Winter Wild" (Michael G. ConeyMichael G. ConeyMichael Greatrex Coney was a British science fiction writer who spent the later half of his life in Canada. Born in Birmingham, England on September 28, 1932, he moved to Victoria, British Columbia in 1972...
) - "Achronos" (Lee KilloughKaren Lee KilloughKaren Lee Killough is an American writer of science fiction mystery novels under the name Lee Killough. She lives and works in Manhattan, Kansas.-Series :Bloodwalk#Blood Hunt...
)
Awards
The anthology placed seventh in the 1982 Locus Poll Award for Best AnthologyLocus 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...
.
"Variation on a Theme from Beethoven" placed ninth in the 1981 Locus Poll Award for Best Novelette
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...
.
"Beatnik Bayou" was nominated for the 1980 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 the 1981 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 second in the 1981 Locus Poll Award for Best Novelette
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 Ugly Chickens" won the 1980 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 the 1981 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....
, was nominated for the 1981 Balrog Award for Short Fiction and the 1981 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 1981 Locus Poll Award for Best Novelette
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...
.
"Prime Time" placed eleventh in the 1981 Locus Poll Award for Best Short Story
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...
.
"Nightflyers" won the 1980 Analog Award for Best Novella/Novelette, was nominated for the 1981 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 first in the 1981 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...
.
"Window" was nominated for the 1980 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:* *...
and placed forth in the 1981 Locus Poll Award for Best Short Story
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...
.