Year's Best SF (Book 1)
Encyclopedia
Year's Best SF is a science fiction
anthology
edited by David G. Hartwell
that was published in 1996. It is the first in the Year's Best SF
series, which has been published every year since this first volume was released.
As a "Best Of" anthology, all the stories in this book previously appeared either in science fiction magazine
s, original short fiction collections, or online publications. Its importance lies in that it, and the competing Year's Best Science Fiction anthology, are representative of the best short science fiction of the year.
introduction by the editor.
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...
anthology
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...
edited by David G. Hartwell
David G. Hartwell
David Geddes Hartwell is an American editor of science fiction and fantasy. He has worked for Signet , Berkley Putnam , Pocket , and Tor Books David Geddes Hartwell (b. July 10, 1941) is an American editor of science fiction and fantasy. He has worked for Signet (1971–1973), Berkley Putnam...
that was published in 1996. It is the first in the Year's Best SF
Year's Best SF
Year's Best SF is a science fiction anthology series edited by David G. Hartwell and Kathryn Cramer. Hartwell started the series in 1996, and has been co-editing it with Cramer since 2002. It is published by HarperCollins under the Eos imprint...
series, which has been published every year since this first volume was released.
As a "Best Of" anthology, all the stories in this book previously appeared either in science fiction magazine
Science fiction magazine
A science fiction magazine is a publication that offers primarily science fiction, either in a hard copy periodical format or on the Internet....
s, original short fiction collections, or online publications. Its importance lies in that it, and the competing Year's Best Science Fiction anthology, are representative of the best short science fiction of the year.
Contents
The book itself, as well as each of the stories, has a shortintroduction by the editor.
- James Patrick KellyJames Patrick KellyJames Patrick Kelly is an American science fiction author who began publishing in the 1970s and remains to this day an important figure in the science fiction field....
: "Think Like a DinosaurThink Like a Dinosaur"Think Like a Dinosaur" is a science fiction novelette written by James Patrick Kelly. Originally published in the June 1995 issue of Asimov's Science Fiction magazine, it was subsequently featured in:* Year's Best SF "Think Like a Dinosaur" (1995) is a science fiction novelette written by James...
" (Originally in Asimov'sAsimov's Science FictionAsimov'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...
, 1995) - Patricia A. McKillipPatricia A. McKillipPatricia Anne McKillip is an American author of fantasy and science fiction novels. Her novels have been winners of the World Fantasy Award, Locus Award and Mythopoeic Award. In 2008, she was a recipient of the World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement...
: "Wonders of the Invisible World" (Originally in Full Spectrum 5, 1995) - Robert SilverbergRobert SilverbergRobert Silverberg is an American author, best known for writing science fiction. He is a multiple nominee of the Hugo Award and a winner of the Nebula Award.-Early years:...
: "Hot Times in Magma City" (Originally in Omni OnlineOmni (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...
, 1995) - Stephen BaxterStephen BaxterStephen Baxter is a prolific British hard science fiction author. He has degrees in mathematics and engineering.- Writing style :...
: "Gossamer" (Originally in Science Fiction Age, 1995) - Gregory BenfordGregory BenfordGregory Benford is an American science fiction author and astrophysicist who is on the faculty of the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of California, Irvine...
: "A Worm in the Well" (Originally in AnalogAnalog Science Fiction and FactAnalog Science Fiction and Fact is an American science fiction magazine. As of 2011, it is the longest running continuously published magazine of that genre...
, 1995) - William Browning SpencerWilliam Browning SpencerWilliam Browning Spencer is an award-winning American novelist and short story writer living in Austin, Texas. His science fiction and horror stories are often darkly and surreally humorous. His novel Resume With Monsters conflates soul-destroying H. P...
: "Downloading Midnight" (Originally in Tomorrow, 1995) - 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...
: "For White Hill" (Originally in Far Futures, 1995) - William BartonWilliam Barton (writer)William Renald Barton III is an American science fiction writer. In addition to his standalone novels, he is also known for collaborations with Michael Capobianco...
: "In Saturn Time" (Originally in Amazing Stories: The Anthology, 1995) - Ursula K. Le GuinUrsula K. Le GuinUrsula Kroeber Le Guin is an American author. She has written novels, poetry, children's books, essays, and short stories, notably in fantasy and science fiction...
: "Coming of Age in Karhide" (Originally in New Legends, 1995) - Roger ZelaznyRoger ZelaznyRoger Joseph Zelazny was an American writer of fantasy and science fiction short stories and novels, best known for his The Chronicles of Amber series...
: "The Three Descents of Jeremy Baker" (Originally in F&SFThe Magazine of Fantasy & Science FictionThe 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...
, 1995) - Nancy KressNancy KressNancy Kress is an American science fiction writer. She began writing in 1976 but has achieved her greatest notice since the publication of her Hugo and Nebula-winning 1991 novella "Beggars in Spain" which was later expanded into a novel with the same title...
: "Evolution" (Originally in Asimov's, 1995) - Robert SheckleyRobert SheckleyRobert Sheckley was a Hugo- and Nebula-nominated American author. First published in the science fiction magazines of the 1950s, his numerous quick-witted stories and novels were famously unpredictable, absurdist and broadly comical.Sheckley was named Author Emeritus by the Science Fiction and...
: "The Day the Aliens Came" (Originally in New Legends, 1995) - Joan Slonczewski: "Microbe" (Originally in Analog, 1995)
- Gene WolfeGene WolfeGene Wolfe is an American science fiction and fantasy writer. He is noted for his dense, allusive prose as well as the strong influence of his Catholic faith, to which he converted after marrying into the religion. He is a prolific short story writer and a novelist, and has won many awards in the...
: "The Ziggurat" (Originally in Full Spectrum 5, 1995)