Welcome to the New Recommended Reading List!

We’re proud to open a more engaging and accessible platform for all our recommended reads. SFWA Members have the honor of submitting works to be included in this list, which is used to celebrate great work in science fiction, fantasy, and related genres. Yes, this list helps for Nebula consideration, but also to amplify creators for other awards and readership-growth opportunities.

Get to know the benefits of our newest build:

When you visit the new Recommended Reading List, you will notice the main page is filled with more categories and genre breakdowns than there are awards.

That is because the Recommended Reading List can and should be used to celebrate great work throughout the year. It’s our platform for thinking about new directions in SFF storytelling, and all the multimedia intersections that make our community strong. If there is award-potential for some of the work there, fantastic! But there are many other ways and reasons we celebrate SFF, too.

In practical terms: You can now submit a work to multiple lists at the same time, so feel free to recommend an Indie Western SFF Novel, or a moving Nonfiction Book analyzing Space Opera over time, or a Poetry Collection with Environmental themes, or a moving piece of Multimedia Commentary about recent Franchise Tie-In Card Game – and more!

Every recommended work should have a fair chance at finding its next perfect reader.

That’s why each section in the main page of our Recommended Reading List offers a random selection from its respective category or genre tag.

Every time you reload, you will encounter different work, and maybe discover something that thrills you from an author you’ve never read before.

And yes, you can always visit our Reading List directory, which automatically uploads with new work listed alphabetically, if you want to find something by an author you already know and love.

But the pleasant surprises are also a ton of fun!

Possibly the biggest win for this new structure is its external appeal.

SFWA is all about professional and professionalizing writers coming together to learn from each other and support each other. We can set terrific standards at SFWA with the writing we choose to elevate—but we needed an interface that will properly reflect our professionalism, and invite excited outsiders to learn more about the terrific work we’ve recently created.

SFWA Members always have private, logged-in-only access to certain uploaded materials, which are shared here so that voters can read them ahead of making their Nebula Awards nominations.

There are also front-facing links for free-to-read titles, and the structure is intended to bring more eyes to our work. Teachers. Librarians. New readers, near and far!

So hello and welcome! May your next read here be a great one—and SFWA Members: keep ’em coming!

Random Pick from the Full Archive

Categories of Recommended Work

No Poetry Collections yet, but it shouldn’t be long now! For now, enjoy more Poetry.

  • “The Hodges Meteorite” by Duncan, Andy

    Publication Details Publisher: The Sunday Morning Transport Member Access: Work Categories & Tags: Alt HistoryFlash (up to 1,500 words)HumorousScience FictionScript / ScreenplayShort Story (up to 7,500 words)Speculative
  • “Mind Palace v1.2.1” by Aurand, RJ

    Publication Details Publisher: manywor(l)ds Public Link: Review the Recommended Work Work Categories & Tags: Flash (up to 1,500 words)HorrorScience FictionSpeculativeUrban FantasyWeird
  • “Ursula” by Linden, E. M.

    Publication Details Publisher: Flash Fiction Online Public Link: Review the Recommended Work Work Categories & Tags: FantasyFlash (up to 1,500 words)Short Story (up to 7,500 words)SpeculativeUrban Fantasy
  • “Butterfly Pavilion” by Wilson, G. Willow

    Publication Details Publisher: Uncanny Public Link: Review the Recommended Work Work Categories & Tags: Environmental / Cli-FiFlash (up to 1,500 words)Short Story (up to 7,500 words)
  • “Zugunruhe” by Wagner, KT

    Notes on the Work Published in Storyteller: A Tanith Lee Tribute Anthology Publication Details Publisher: Essential Dreams Press Member Access: Work Categories & Tags: Environmental / Cli-FiFantasyNear FutureShort Story (up…
  • “Infinite Halves” by Akagi, JL

    Publication Details Publisher: Uncanny Public Link: Review the Recommended Work Work Categories & Tags: Flash (up to 1,500 words)Short Story (up to 7,500 words)Speculative
  • “Wireworks” by Singerling, Sheri

    Publication Details Publisher: Clarkesworld Public Link: Review the Recommended Work Work Categories & Tags: CyberpunkScience FictionShort Story (up to 7,500 words)
  • “Bone-Eater Earth” by Burnett, Emma

    Publication Details Publisher: Uncharted Public Link: Review the Recommended Work Work Categories & Tags: Environmental / Cli-FiHorrorNear FutureScience FictionShort Story (up to 7,500 words)
  • “Bunny Ears” by Ten, Kristina

    Publication Details Publisher: Nightmare Magazine Public Link: Review the Recommended Work Work Categories & Tags: HorrorHumorousNovelette (between 7,500 and 17,500 words)Speculative
  • Novic by Bacon, Eugen

    Publication Details Publisher: Meerkat Press Member Access: Public Link: Review the Recommended Work Work Categories & Tags: FantasyHorrorNovelette (between 7,500 and 17,500 words)Science FictionSpeculative
  • “Mel for Melissa” by Ten, Kristina

    Notes on the Work First published in Tell Me Yours, I’ll Tell You Mine, Kristina Ten’s debut story collection Publication Details Publisher: Stillhouse Press Member Access: Work Categories & Tags:…
  • “Hide-Bound” by Jones, Heather Rose

    Notes on the Work The story appears in a story collection titled Skin-Singer: Tales of the Kaltaoven. All other material in the collection was previously published. Publication Details Publisher: Harpy…
  • Prototype-Y by DeVere, Taya

    Publication Details Publisher: DVM Press Member Access: Public Link: Review the Recommended Work Work Categories & Tags: Novella (between 17,500 and 40,000 words)Science FictionSpeculative
  • Pan Kowolski is a Monster by Langan, Sarah

    Publication Details Publisher: Raw Dog Screaming Press Public Link: Review the Recommended Work Work Categories & Tags: FantasyHorrorNovella (between 17,500 and 40,000 words)Paranormal
  • Every Dark Cloud by Pichette, Marisca

    Publication Details Publisher: Ghost Orchid Press Member Access: Public Link: Review the Recommended Work Work Categories & Tags: Environmental / Cli-FiHorrorNovella (between 17,500 and 40,000 words)Science FictionSpeculative

No card games yet?! Eesh. You’ll submit one soon, surely. For now, here are some more games in other forms.

  • Tiny T-Rex by Aymeloglu, Kat

    Publication Details Publisher: Webtoons Public Link: Review the Recommended Work Work Categories & Tags: Comic Issue / Issue SeriesCozyFantasyHumorous
  • “The Hodges Meteorite” by Duncan, Andy

    Posted on
    Publication Details Publisher: The Sunday Morning Transport Member Access: Work Categories & Tags: Alt HistoryFlash (up to 1,500 words)HumorousScience FictionScript / ScreenplayShort Story (up to 7,500 words)Speculative

No multimedia commentary yet, but we know you’ll send us those podcasts and BookTube recommendations soon! For now, have some more Nonfiction Essays!

We don’t have any works in translation yet on the list, but we should! Will you be the first to add one? For now, enjoy some more novels.

  • First Ascent by Phillips, Douglas

    Publication Details Publisher: Proton Books Member Access: Public Link: Review the Recommended Work Work Categories & Tags: IndieNear FutureNovel (40,000 words and up)Science Fiction
  • Angel Maker by Bear, Elizabeth

    Publication Details Publisher: Sobbing Squonk Press Member Access: Work Categories & Tags: Alt HistoryNovel (40,000 words and up)SteampunkWestern SFF
  • Set in Stone by Unknown Author

    Publication Details Publisher: Self-Published Public Link: Review the Recommended Work Work Categories & Tags: FantasyIndieNovel (40,000 words and up)RomantasySecond-world Fantasy
  • “Hide-Bound” by Jones, Heather Rose

    Notes on the Work The story appears in a story collection titled Skin-Singer: Tales of the Kaltaoven. All other material in the collection was previously published. Publication Details Publisher: Harpy…
  • First Ascent by Phillips, Douglas

    Publication Details Publisher: Proton Books Member Access: Public Link: Review the Recommended Work Work Categories & Tags: IndieNear FutureNovel (40,000 words and up)Science Fiction
  • Set in Stone by Unknown Author

    Publication Details Publisher: Self-Published Public Link: Review the Recommended Work Work Categories & Tags: FantasyIndieNovel (40,000 words and up)RomantasySecond-world Fantasy
  • “Plague Daughter” by Cooper, S. H.

    Publication Details Publisher: Nefarious Bat Press Public Link: Review the Recommended Work Work Categories & Tags: FantasyHorrorIndieParanormalShort Story (up to 7,500 words)

Genres of Recommended Work

  • Every Dark Cloud by Pichette, Marisca

    Publication Details Publisher: Ghost Orchid Press Member Access: Public Link: Review the Recommended Work Work Categories & Tags: Environmental / Cli-FiHorrorNovella (between 17,500 and 40,000 words)Science FictionSpeculative
  • “Wireworks” by Singerling, Sheri

    Publication Details Publisher: Clarkesworld Public Link: Review the Recommended Work Work Categories & Tags: CyberpunkScience FictionShort Story (up to 7,500 words)
  • I, Robot Alien by Dennstedt, Joel R.

    Publication Details Publisher: Self-Published Member Access: Work Categories & Tags: Alt HistoryNear FutureNovel (40,000 words and up)Science FictionSpeculative
  • The Waitress by Butler, Brooklyn Ann

    Notes on the Work Published in Pretend You Don’t See Her: The Invisible Woman Publication Details Publisher: Kandisha Press Public Link: Review the Recommended Work Work Categories & Tags: HorrorShort…
  • Every Dark Cloud by Pichette, Marisca

    Publication Details Publisher: Ghost Orchid Press Member Access: Public Link: Review the Recommended Work Work Categories & Tags: Environmental / Cli-FiHorrorNovella (between 17,500 and 40,000 words)Science FictionSpeculative
  • “Saturday” by Wood, L. Marie

    Publication Details Publisher: Midnight & Indigo Literary Journal Member Access: Public Link: Review the Recommended Work Work Categories & Tags: HorrorShort Story (up to 7,500 words)SpeculativeWeird
  • “Criswell Predicts!” by Duncan, Andy

    Notes on the Work Published in Storyteller: A Tanith Lee Tribute Anthology Publication Details Publisher: Essential Dreams Press) Member Access: Public Link: Review the Recommended Work Work Categories & Tags:…
  • Set in Stone by Unknown Author

    Publication Details Publisher: Self-Published Public Link: Review the Recommended Work Work Categories & Tags: FantasyIndieNovel (40,000 words and up)RomantasySecond-world Fantasy
  • “In Sheep’s Clothing” by Mills, S. C.

    Publication Details Publisher: Heartlines Spec Public Link: Review the Recommended Work Work Categories & Tags: CozyFantasyRomantasySecond-world FantasyShort Story (up to 7,500 words)
  • A Light From the Nether by Sullivan, Molly Dowd

    Publication Details Publisher: Wendelton Press Member Access: Public Link: Review the Recommended Work Work Categories & Tags: FantasyHorrorNovel (40,000 words and up)ParanormalRomantasyScience FictionUrban Fantasy
  • The Sea Prince by Schechter, Elizabeth

    Publication Details Publisher: Self-Published Member Access: Public Link: Review the Recommended Work Work Categories & Tags: Novel (40,000 words and up)Romantasy
  • Landsome Roads by Zornow, Rebecca

    Publication Details Publisher: Self-Published Member Access: Public Link: Review the Recommended Work Work Categories & Tags: FantasyNovella (between 17,500 and 40,000 words)Romantasy
  • Spirit Alembic Keeper by Burnett, Emma

    Publication Details Publisher: Uncharted Public Link: Review the Recommended Work Work Categories & Tags: FantasyParanormalSecond-world FantasyShort Story (up to 7,500 words)Speculative
  • “In Sheep’s Clothing” by Mills, S. C.

    Publication Details Publisher: Heartlines Spec Public Link: Review the Recommended Work Work Categories & Tags: CozyFantasyRomantasySecond-world FantasyShort Story (up to 7,500 words)
  • “Pala” by Kwok, Reggie

    Publication Details Publisher: Hell Itself Member Access: Work Categories & Tags: FantasyHumorousSecond-world FantasyShort Story (up to 7,500 words)
  • Set in Stone by Unknown Author

    Publication Details Publisher: Self-Published Public Link: Review the Recommended Work Work Categories & Tags: FantasyIndieNovel (40,000 words and up)RomantasySecond-world Fantasy
  • “All God’s Worthy” by Mills, S. C.

    Publication Details Publisher: Frivolous Comma Member Access: Public Link: Review the Recommended Work Work Categories & Tags: FantasySecond-world FantasyShort Story (up to 7,500 words)
  • A Light From the Nether by Sullivan, Molly Dowd

    Publication Details Publisher: Wendelton Press Member Access: Public Link: Review the Recommended Work Work Categories & Tags: FantasyHorrorNovel (40,000 words and up)ParanormalRomantasyScience FictionUrban Fantasy
  • “Ursula” by Linden, E. M.

    Publication Details Publisher: Flash Fiction Online Public Link: Review the Recommended Work Work Categories & Tags: FantasyFlash (up to 1,500 words)Short Story (up to 7,500 words)SpeculativeUrban Fantasy
  • “Mind Palace v1.2.1” by Aurand, RJ

    Publication Details Publisher: manywor(l)ds Public Link: Review the Recommended Work Work Categories & Tags: Flash (up to 1,500 words)HorrorScience FictionSpeculativeUrban FantasyWeird
  • Cabaret in Flames by Pueyo, Hache

    Publication Details Publisher: Tordotcom Work Categories & Tags: HorrorNear FutureNovella (between 17,500 and 40,000 words)Urban Fantasy
  • “Your Hold Is Ready” by Duerr, Laura

    Publication Details Publisher: Cast of Wonders Public Link: Review the Recommended Work Work Categories & Tags: FantasyFlash (up to 1,500 words)Near FutureShort Story (up to 7,500 words)SpeculativeUrban Fantasy
  • “Criswell Predicts!” by Duncan, Andy

    Notes on the Work Published in Storyteller: A Tanith Lee Tribute Anthology Publication Details Publisher: Essential Dreams Press) Member Access: Public Link: Review the Recommended Work Work Categories & Tags:…
  • Spirit Alembic Keeper by Burnett, Emma

    Publication Details Publisher: Uncharted Public Link: Review the Recommended Work Work Categories & Tags: FantasyParanormalSecond-world FantasyShort Story (up to 7,500 words)Speculative
  • “Plague Daughter” by Cooper, S. H.

    Publication Details Publisher: Nefarious Bat Press Public Link: Review the Recommended Work Work Categories & Tags: FantasyHorrorIndieParanormalShort Story (up to 7,500 words)
  • A Light From the Nether by Sullivan, Molly Dowd

    Publication Details Publisher: Wendelton Press Member Access: Public Link: Review the Recommended Work Work Categories & Tags: FantasyHorrorNovel (40,000 words and up)ParanormalRomantasyScience FictionUrban Fantasy
  • Cabaret in Flames by Pueyo, Hache

    Publication Details Publisher: Tordotcom Work Categories & Tags: HorrorNear FutureNovella (between 17,500 and 40,000 words)Urban Fantasy
  • “One Familiar Eve” by Ward, Clara

    Publication Details Publisher: Tales & Feathers by Augur Member Access: Public Link: Review the Recommended Work Work Categories & Tags: CozyEnvironmental / Cli-FiFantasyHopepunkScience FictionShort Story (up to 7,500 words)
  • “All God’s Worthy” by Mills, S. C.

    Publication Details Publisher: Frivolous Comma Member Access: Public Link: Review the Recommended Work Work Categories & Tags: FantasySecond-world FantasyShort Story (up to 7,500 words)
  • Every Dark Cloud by Pichette, Marisca

    Publication Details Publisher: Ghost Orchid Press Member Access: Public Link: Review the Recommended Work Work Categories & Tags: Environmental / Cli-FiHorrorNovella (between 17,500 and 40,000 words)Science FictionSpeculative
  • “Beak” by Muneshwar, Ian

    Publication Details Publisher: Nightmare Magazine Public Link: Review the Recommended Work Work Categories & Tags: HorrorNovelette (between 7,500 and 17,500 words)

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