The Best Science Fiction of the Year
Encyclopedia
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
, 1985 to 1987. The Tor Books volumes bore the title Terry Carr's Best Science Fiction of the Year from 1985 to 1986, and Terry Carr's Best Science Fiction and Fantasy of the Year in 1987. Most volumes were also issued in hardcover in the United Kingdom
by Gollancz
, the last three under the variant tile Best SF of the Year. The series was a continuation of the earlier anthology series World's Best Science Fiction
, edited by Carr with Donald A. Wollheim
, published from 1965 to 1971 by Ace Books
. (Wollheim, with co-editor Arthur W. Saha
, also issued his own separate continuation, The Annual World’s Best SF
, from 1972 to 1990.)
Each annual volume reprinted what in the opinion of the editor 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.
Terry Carr
Terry Gene Carr was a U.S. science fiction author, editor, and teacher.Terry Carr was born in Grants Pass, Oregon...
. It was published by Ballantine Books
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 AG in 1998 and remains part of that company today. Ballantine's logo is a...
from 1972 to 1980, Pocket Books
Pocket Books
Pocket Books is a division of Simon & Schuster that primarily publishes paperback books.- History :Pocket produced the first mass-market, pocket-sized paperback books in America in early 1939 and revolutionized the publishing industry...
from 1981 to 1983, Baen Books
Baen Books
Baen Books is an American publishing company established in 1983 by long time science fiction publisher and editor Jim Baen. It is a science fiction and fantasy publishing house that emphasizes space opera, hard science fiction, military science fiction, and fantasy...
in 1984, and Tor Books
Tor Books
Tor Books is one of two imprints of Tom Doherty Associates LLC, based in New York City. It is noted for its science fiction and fantasy titles. Tom Doherty Associates also publishes mainstream fiction, mystery, and occasional military history titles under its Forge imprint. The company was founded...
, 1985 to 1987. The Tor Books volumes bore the title Terry Carr's Best Science Fiction of the Year from 1985 to 1986, and Terry Carr's Best Science Fiction and Fantasy of the Year in 1987. Most volumes were also issued in hardcover in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
by Gollancz
Gollancz
Gollancz often refers to the British publishing house Victor Gollancz Ltd.Gollancz, a family name originating from the Polish town Gołańcz , is mainly known as the name of a prominent British Jewish family, including:* Sir Hermann Gollancz , rabbi* Sir Israel Gollancz , scholar of...
, the last three under the variant tile Best SF of the Year. The series was a continuation of the earlier anthology series World's Best Science Fiction
World's Best Science Fiction
World's Best Science Fiction was a series of annual paperback anthologies published by Ace Books from 1965 to 1971 under the editorship of Donald A. Wollheim and Terry Carr...
, edited by Carr with 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....
, published from 1965 to 1971 by Ace Books
Ace Books
Ace Books is the oldest active specialty publisher of science fiction and fantasy books. The company was founded in New York City in 1952 by Aaron A. Wyn, and began as a genre publisher of mysteries and westerns...
. (Wollheim, with co-editor 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:...
, also issued his own separate continuation, The Annual World’s Best SF
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...
, from 1972 to 1990.)
Each annual volume reprinted what in the opinion of the editor were the best 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 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.
The series
- The Best Science Fiction of the YearThe Best Science Fiction of the Year 1The Best Science Fiction of the Year 1 is an anthology of science fiction short stories edited by Terry Carr, the initial volume in a series of sixteen. It was one of two follow-up volumes to the previous year's World's Best Science Fiction: 1971 edited by Carr in collaboration with Donald A...
(1972) - The Best Science Fiction of the Year #2The Best Science Fiction of the Year 2The Best Science Fiction of the Year #2 is an anthology of science fiction short stories edited by Terry Carr, the second volume in a series of sixteen...
(1973) - The Best Science Fiction of the Year #3The Best Science Fiction of the Year 3The Best Science Fiction of the Year #3 is an anthology of science fiction short stories edited by Terry Carr, the third volume in a series of sixteen...
(1974) - The Best Science Fiction of the Year #4The Best Science Fiction of the Year 4The Best Science Fiction of the Year #4 is an anthology of science fiction short stories edited by Terry Carr, the fourth volume in a series of sixteen. It was first published in paperback by Ballantine Books in July 1975, and reissued in October 1976...
(1975) - The Best Science Fiction of the Year #5The Best Science Fiction of the Year 5The Best Science Fiction of the Year #5 is an anthology of science fiction short stories edited by Terry Carr, the fifth volume in a series of sixteen...
(1976) - The Best Science Fiction of the Year #6The Best Science Fiction of the Year 6The Best Science Fiction of the Year #6 is an anthology of science fiction short stories edited by Terry Carr, the sixth volume in a series of sixteen...
(1977) - The Best Science Fiction of the Year #7The Best Science Fiction of the Year 7The Best Science Fiction of the Year #7 is an anthology of science fiction short stories edited by Terry Carr, the seventh volume in a series of sixteen...
(1978) - The Best Science Fiction of the Year #8The Best Science Fiction of the Year 8The Best Science Fiction of the Year #8 is an anthology of science fiction short stories edited by Terry Carr, the eighth volume in a series of sixteen. It was first published in paperback by Ballantine Books in July 1979, and in hardcover by the same publisher in conjunction with the Science...
(1979) - The Best Science Fiction of the Year #9The Best Science Fiction of the Year 9The Best Science Fiction of the Year #9 is an anthology of science fiction short stories edited by Terry Carr, the ninth volume in a series of sixteen...
(1980) - The Best Science Fiction of the Year #10The Best Science Fiction of the Year 10The Best Science Fiction of the Year #10 is an anthology of science fiction short stories edited by Terry Carr, the tenth volume in a series of sixteen. It was first published in paperback by Pocket Books in July 1981, and in trade paperback and hardcover and trade paperback The Best Science...
(1981) - The Best Science Fiction of the Year #11The Best Science Fiction of the Year 11The Best Science Fiction of the Year #11 is an anthology of science fiction short stories edited by Terry Carr, the eleventh volume in a series of sixteen...
(1982) - The Best Science Fiction of the Year #12The Best Science Fiction of the Year 12The Best Science Fiction of the Year #12 is an anthology of science fiction short stories edited by Terry Carr, the twelfth volume in a series of sixteen...
(1983) - The Best Science Fiction of the Year #13The Best Science Fiction of the Year 13The Best Science Fiction of the Year #13 is an anthology of science fiction short stories edited by Terry Carr, the thirteenth volume in a series of sixteen...
(1984) - Terry Carr's Best Science Fiction of the YearTerry Carr's Best Science Fiction of the YearTerry Carr's Best Science Fiction of the Year is an anthology of science fiction short stories edited by Terry Carr, the fourteenth volume in a series of sixteen...
(1985) = Best SF of the Year #14 (1985) - Terry Carr's Best Science Fiction of the Year #15Terry Carr's Best Science Fiction of the Year 15Terry Carr's Best Science Fiction of the Year #15 is an anthology of science fiction short stories edited by Terry Carr, the fifteenth volume in a series of sixteen...
(1986) = Best SF of the Year #15 (1986) - Terry Carr's Best Science Fiction and Fantasy of the Year #16Terry Carr's Best Science Fiction and Fantasy of the Year 16Terry Carr's Best Science Fiction and Fantasy of the Year #16 is an anthology of science fiction short stories edited by Terry Carr, the sixteenth and last volume in a series of sixteen. It was first published in hardcover by Tor Books in September 1987...
(1987) = Best SF of the Year 16 (1987)