The Nebula awards are given out each year by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA) for the best science fiction or fantasy fiction. In my own not-really-humble opinion, those who aspire to be science fiction or fantasy writers would do well to read award-winning fiction in their genre. And not just the old-time winners, but the more current ones.
It's especially important, I think, for Christian sci-fi and fantasy writers to be up with what is being awarded by the mainstream in our genre. It's not that we need to write ~just like~ the award-winning secular authors. It's that we need to know enough about it that our own fiction doesn't end up sounding like retro Buck Rogers stuff to secular sci-fi fans unless that's the effect we are going for....
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I'm challenging you with this list of Nebula winners. Copy-and-paste this book list and post it on your blog, with the ones you have read in bold-face, and perhaps a few words of comment about the book. Then come back here and make a comment that includes the link to that blog post. And if you haven't read any, now you have a list for when you pick out books the next time.
2012: Among Others by Jo Walton
2011: Blackout/All Clear by Connie Willis
2010: The Windup Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi
2009: Powers by Ursula K. Leguin
2008: The Yiddish Policeman's Union by Michael Chabon
2007: Seeker by Jack MeDevitt
2006: Camouflage by Joe Haldeman
2005: Paladin of Souls by Lois McMaster Bujold
2004: The Speed of Dark by Elizabeth Moon
2003: American Gods by Neil Gaiman
2002: The Quantum Rose by Catherine Asaro
2001: Darwin's Radio by Greg Bear
2000: Parable of the Talents by Octavia Butler
1999: Forever Peace by Joe Haldeman
1998: The Moon and the Sun by Vonda N. McIntyre
So, how did YOU do?
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2 comments:
I agree this is a good idea for writers of SF. I have only read Darwin's Radio!! I'm adding some of these others to my To-Read list. I read a book Jo Walton years ago, so excited to see she's won a Nebula, will be reading that one next!
Ooo look, I have read one! American Gods by Neil Gaiman. Ha! I should add some of these to the giant pile and/or kindle...
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