What Have You Done, What Have You Loved? 2016 Edition
ETA: The Nebula Awards are officially closed for nominations, but Hugo nominations are in full swing for attending and supporting Worldcon members. Voting is also open for the Locus Awards, and those are open to anyone who wants to vote.
With everything else going on in the world right now, award season may not be at the top of everyone’s mind, but the art we make is important. Stories are important. So as award season gets under way and 2016 comes to an end, it’s a perfect time to look back and celebrate what you’ve accomplished over the year, as well as celebrating the works you loved.
For the past few years, I’ve assembled a meta post linking to other authors’ awards-eligibility posts, along with recommended reading posts. This is an evolving creature, frequently updated. To get things started, I’ll highlight a few ongoing sites that review and recommend fiction throughout the year. If you have a review post or an eligibility post you want me to link to, drop me a note in the comments, or email me at a.c.wise (at) hotmail.com. On to the links!
Maria Haskins posts Monthly Short Fiction Round-Ups along with Book Reviews. They’re well-worth checking out!
Charles Payseur tirelessly reads and reviews short fiction throughout the year at Quick Sip Reviews and posts monthly round ups (paired with drink suggestions no less) at Nerds of a Feather in A Monthly Taster’s Guide to Speculative Short Fiction. The link goes to the latest post, but browse the archives for more excellent short SFF recommendations.
The good feminist ponies at Lady Business post Quarterly Short Fiction Recommendations, crowd-sourced through reader surveys. They also regularly post novel reviews, fanwork recommendations, and media reviews, so spend some time on their site for all sorts of recommendations. There’s also a recently-added post rounding up some favorite novels of 2016. A specific Hugo Recommendation List post was also recently added to the site.
It hasn’t been updated recently, but the twitter account SFEditorsPicks posts short fiction recommendations from a variety of Year’s Best editors including Steve Berman, Neil Clarke, Ellen Datlow, and Paula Guran, among others.
Jason Sanford posted a mid-year recommendation list of favorite short fiction from January to June. There are also book reviews and in-depth short fiction reviews on his site, so take a look at those as well.
Barnes & Noble posted their booksellers’ picks for The Best Sci-Fi & Fantasy for 2016. There are also monthly recommendations and on their blog.
The recently-launched Bogi Reads the World picks up on Bogi Tackács’ #diversestories and #diversepoems twitter threads with wonderful recommendations of all kinds. Spend some time on eir site and discover some excellent fiction. Updated to note a few round-up posts added to the site: favorite novellas of 2016 and favorite novels of 2016.
SWFA hosts a recommending reading list for all Nebula award categories. Members can suggest works, and the lists are publicly visible whether you’re a members of SFWA or not.
Didi Chanoch started a Wikia of Hugo eligible works, and others can add their own recommendations.
My own short fiction review column, Words for Thought debuted at Apex Magazine in June.
Fred Coppersmith posted a mid-year storify of his favorite reads of 2016 after reading a story per day all year.
Sam Tomanio has a monthly short fiction review column at SFRevu.
Squee & Snark reviews short fiction throughout the year.
Rocket Stack Rank, rates short fiction throughout the year. They also have a Hugo nomination page, breaking down their ratings and reviews of 2016 novellas, novelettes, and short fiction, among other things.
There is a Tumblr of Hugo-eligible artists.
That’s just to start. I’ll be assembling posts of my own novel and short fiction recommendations soon, and an award eligibility post. Now it’s your turn. Send me your links for recommendation and eligibility posts, and we’ll build this into a handy resource for discovering fabulous fiction from 2016!
Mary Alexandra Agner shares her award eligible short stories for 2016.
K.C. Alexander has an award eligible novel in 2016. She is also Campbell eligible.
Mike Allen lists his award eligible short stories and collection for 2016.
Amazon’s picks for Best Science Fiction and Fantasy Books of 2016.
G.V. Anderson has an award eligible short story, and is also eligible for the Campbell award.
Apex Magazine list their award eligible short fiction for 2016.
Liz Argall’s ongoing Things Without Arms and Without Legs webcomic is eligible in the Best Fan Art category.
Madeline Ashby lists her award eligible novel and short fiction for 2016.
AudioFile Magazine (via Tor) shares their list of Best SFF Audiobooks of 2016.
Richard Auffrey (aka the Passionate Foodie) lists his Favorite Novels and Anthologies of 2016.
The Aurora Awards site has compiled lists of eligible works in all their categories. Authors and editors are encouraged to add eligible works to the list.
Beauty in Ruins Best of 2016 list.
Helena Bell’s eligible short story for 2016 is I’ve Come to Marry the Princess.
Beneath Ceaseless Skies has a handy voting guide covering how the Hugos work, along with listing their own eligible works in various categories.
Best Sci Fi Books picks their favorite reads of 2016.
Brooke Bolander lists her award eligible short fiction for 2016.
Book Riot lists their Best Books of 2016.
Book Smugglers Smugglivus 2016 invites a series of guest bloggers to talk about their favorite works of the year. Check back for new posts throughout December.
Books, Bones, & Buffy chooses their favorite books of 2016.
Breaking the Glass Slipper rounds up fantasy, sci-fi, and horror novels published by women in 2016.
Martin Cahill lists his award eligible novelette for 2016.
Aaron Cantor’s award eligible short stories and novelette for 2016.
A.G. Carpenter lists her award eligible short stories and novella for 2016.
Beth Cato lists an award eligible novel and a short story for 2016.
Didi Chanoch’s favorite books of 2016 Part 1 and Part 2.
Chicago Review of Books lists their picks for Best Books of 2016.
Joyce Chng lists her award eligible short fiction, poetry, and non-fiction for 2016.
John Chu lists his award eligible short stories and translation work for 2016.
Chloe N. Clark lists her award eligible short fiction and poetry for 2016.
Clarkesworld’s award eligible short stories, novelettes, and novellas for 2016.
Carrie Cuinn shares her award eligible short fiction for 2016.
Aliette de Bodard notes some of her award eligible fiction, and recommends works by others that she considers award worthy.
Alyx Dellamonica lists her award eligible novel, novelettes, and short story for 2016.
S.B. Divya lists her award eligible novella and short fiction for 2016.
Matt Dovey lists his award eligible short fiction and novelette, and notes his first year of Campbell eligibility.
Diane Duane lists her Young Wizards books, which are eligible in the new Best Series Hugo category.
Amal El-Mohtar recommends some of her favorite picks for various Hugo award categories and lists her own award eligible work.
Electric Literature names the 25 Best Short Story Collections of 2016.
Eva L. Elasigue lists her award eligible novel for 2016.
James Everington lists his award eligible books, novella, short fiction, non-fiction, and editorial work for 2016. He also rounds up his favorite novels and favorite short stories of the year. (Note, not all favorite works listed were published in 2016.)
Fantasy Literature posts short fiction reviews throughout the year, but note that not every work discussed was published in 2016. They do also have a specific post noting their favorite books of 2016.
Bill Ferris points to his award eligible short story for 2016.
Fireside Fiction lists the award eligible work they published in 2016.
Elizabeth Fitzgerald gathers up her reviews of award eligible works with a particular focus on the Ditmars, the Nebulas, and the Norton Award.
forestofglory regularly posts short fiction recommendations, monthly round-ups, and other reviews. The link goes to the site in general, so spend some time browsing around! ETA: There is a round-up of forestofglory’s favorite short fiction of 2016 at Lady Business.
Teresa Frohock lists her award eligible novella and collection for 2016.
Sarah Gailey lists her award eligible fiction and non-fiction for 2016. She is also Campbell eligible.
Cate Gardner lists her award eligible short fiction and novella for 2016. She also rounds up her favorite novels and novellas and her favorite short stories of the year.
Anne Gibson posts her award eligible short fiction for 2016. She is also Campbell eligible.
Max Gladstone lists his award eligible novel, novelette, and short fiction, and recommends some works he loved in 2016.
Shira Glassman lists her award eligible novel, short story collection, short stories, and novelettes for 2016.
Jeremy Gottwig lists his award eligible novelette and short stories.
Lora Gray lists their award eligible short fiction for 2016.
A.T. Greenblatt lists her award eligible short fiction for 2016.
Nin Harris lists her award eligible short fiction for 2016, and notes that this is her final year of Campbell eligibility.
Alix E. Harrow’s award eligible work for 2016 is The Autobiography of a Traitor and a Half-Savage.
Maria Haskins lists her award eligible short fiction and poetry. She also rounded up her favorite, novels, novellas, novelettes, and short fiction of 2016.
Kate Heartfield lists her award eligible novella and short stories for 2016.
Maria Dahvana Headley lists her eligible novel, novelettes, and short stories.
Ada Hoffmann lists her award eligible novelette, short story, and poems for 2016. She also lists her favorite speculative poems and short fiction by other authors.
Annalee Flower Horne is eligible in the Best Fan Writer and Best Related Work categories for her writing at The Bias and on Twitter.
Crystal Huff lists her award-eligible fan writing and podcast work for 2016.
Alexis A. Hunter lists her award eligible short fiction for 2016.
José Pablo Iriarte lists his award eligible fiction for 2016.
Heather Rose Jones’ award eligible novel, novelette, and non-fiction for 2016.
Rachael K. Jones lists her award eligible short fiction for 2016.
Kaleidotrope gathers up the award-eligible short fiction they published in 2016.
Keffy R.M. Kehrli lists his eligible work for 2016, which includes a short story, and his podcast work on Glittership.
Cassandra Khaw lists her award eligible short fiction and novella for 2016.
Caitlin Kiernan lists several pieces of award eligible short fiction written and published in 2016.
Benjamin C. Kinney shares his award eligible work for 2016. He is Campbell eligible this year.
Kirkus Reviews picks their Best of the Best for 2016.
Gwendolyn Kiste lists her award eligible short fiction for 2016.
Barbara Krasnoff lists her award eligible work and recommends some of her favorite work by others as well.
Largehearted Boy has compiled a massive list of Best of 2016 lists.
Latinxs in Kidlit list their favorite picture books, early reader, young adult, and new adult titles for 2016.
Kate Lechler’s award eligible short story for 2016 is The Beautiful Bird Sits No Longer Singing in the Nest.
Rose Lemberg lists their award eligible short story, novelette, poetry, and editorial work.
Mina Li’s award eligible work for 2016 is Of Peach Trees and Coral-Red Roses, and Dreaming Keys in An Alphabet of Embers.
Darcie Little Badger lists her award eligible short fiction for 2016.
Little Red Reviewer picks her favorite books of 2016.
Locus Online regularly posts short fiction and book reviews, as does the print version of Locus Magazine. As of February, they have also posted their 2016 Recommended Reading List, which covers multiple categories.
The Los Angeles Public Library chooses their favorite fiction, non-fiction, children’s, and teen’s books for 2016.
S. Qiouyi Lu lists their award eligible short fiction, poetry, and novella for 2016, and notes their Campbell eligibility.
Natalie Luhrs is eligible in the Best Fan Writer and Related Works categories for her writing at Pretty Terrible and The Bias. ETA: Check out her eligibility post here!
David Mack lists his award eligible story for 2016.
Arkady Martine lists her award eligible short fiction and poetry.
Michael Matheson lists their award eligible short fiction for 2016. They have also assembled an extensive list of recommended work in multiple categories.
Sam J. Miller lists his award eligible short fiction, and recommends some of his favorite reads of 2016.
Aidan Moher lists award eligible fiction and non-fiction, and notes his favorite works by others for 2016. He is also Campbell eligible this year.
Sunny Moraine lists their award eligible novel, short stories, and collection for 2016.
Silvia Moreno-Garcia lists her award eligible novel and editorial projects for 2016.
Cheryl Morgan lists her award eligible short fiction and podcast work for 2016.
Heather Morris lists several award eligible short stories for 2016.
John P. Murphy lists his award eligible novella for 2016.
Mythic Delirium Books lists their award eligible publications for 2016, including links to some of their eligible stories and poetry.
Nerds of a Feather picks their favorite books of 2016. They have also posted their Hugo recommendations in fiction, visual works, individuals categories including best editor, fan writer, the Campbell award, etc, and institutional categories, including best related work, best semiprozine, fancast, etc.
Mari Ness lists her award eligible short fiction, non-fiction, and poetry for 2016.
Wendy Nikel lists her award eligible short fiction for 2016.
Sara Norja lists award eligible short fiction and poetry, and also notes the first year of Campbell eligibility.
NPR’s Book Concierge lists their picks for the Best Books of 2016.
Abigail Nussbaum lists her favorites short stories, novelettes, and novellas of 2016.
Sandra Odell lists her award eligible short fiction for 2016.
Suzanne Palmer lists an award eligible short story, two novelettes, and a novella for 2016.
Charles Payseur highlights a few of his award eligible short stories for 2016, and notes he is also eligible in the Best Fan Writing category, and this is his second year of Campbell eligibility.
Sarah Pinsker lists her award eligible short stories and novelette for 2016.
Pop Culture Beast’s list of the best books of 2016.
Quill & Quire lists their Books of the Year.
Cat Rambo lists her award eligible work for 2016. She’s also compiling her own list of eligibility post. Add yours to the list!
Renay at Lady Business has put together a helpful Google doc of Hugo eligible work that folks can add to as appropriate.
Kelly Robson lists her award eligible short fiction and non-fiction for 2016.
Anton J. Rose lists his award eligible short fiction and notes this is his first year of Campbell eligibility.
Christopher Mark Rose has one eligible short story for 2016. As it is a pro sale, he is Campbell eligible as well.
Lauren M. Roy lists her award eligible work for 2016.
A. Merc Rustad has several stories eligible in the Short Story category this year.
C.C.S. Ryan lists her eligible short stories for 2016.
Jason Sanford rounds up his favorite novels and short fiction of 2016.
Erika L. Satifka lists her award eligible novel and short fiction for 2016.
Salik Shah has an eligible non-fiction essay at Strange Horizons. He’s also the editor of Mithila Review, which published several original pieces of fiction and poetry in 2016, including the Asian SF Special Double Issue. He also runs an Asian Science Fiction and Fantasy facebook group where you can find fiction recommendations and discussions.
SF Bluestocking’s picks for the best short fiction of 2016.
Eve Shi lists her award eligible fiction for 2016.
Alex Shvartsman lists his award eligible short stories for 2016.
Elsa Sjunneson-Henry lists her award eligible fiction and non-fiction, and notes she is also Campbell eligible this year.
Carlie St. George lists her award eligible short fiction for 2016, and recommends some of her favorite short fiction by others.
David Steffen lists his award eligible short stories for 2016 along with the award eligible fiction he edited for Diabolical Plots.
The Stoker Awards have released a recommended reading list for eligible works in 2016.
Jonathan Strahan shares his favorite short SFF novels of 2016.
Strange Horizon’s reviewers round up their favorite works read and reviewed in 2016 - Part 1 and Part 2. (Note, not all works are published in 2016.)
Jerome Stueart’s award eligible short fiction and fiction collection for 2016.
Bonnie Jo Stufflebeam lists her award eligible short story and novelette, and recommends some of her favorite work by others as well.
RoAnna Sylver lists work eligible in the short story, novel, novelette, related work, and dramatic presentation categories.
Wole Talabi lists his award eligible short stories, novelette, and non-fiction for 2016. He also lists his favorite African Short Science Fiction and Fantasy for 2016. He is also Campbell eligible this year.
Bogi Tackács lists eir eligible novelette, short stories, poetry, and fan writing for 2016.
Tangent Online’s Recommended Reading List breaks down their reviewers favorite short stories, novelettes, and novellas of 2016.
Shveta Thakrar lists her award eligible short fiction and poetry for 2016. She is also Campbell eligible.
E. Catherine Tobler lists her award eligible short fiction and novella for 2016.
Joseph Tomaras’ award eligible work for 2016, and favorite books of 2016.
Tade Thompson’s eligible short fiction, novella, and novel for 2016.
Tor.com’s Reviewers’ Choice Best Books of 2016. Tor also has posts for their award eligible novels, novellas, and novelettes, their original short fiction, and a round-up of the Best YA of 2016.
Uncanny lists their award eligible novelettes and short fiction for 2016.
Unlikely Story’s award eligible work for 2016.
Valerie Valdes shares her award eligible short story for 2016.
Monica Valentinelli’s award-eligible work includes We Have Always Been Here, Motherfucker, eligible as best fan writing or best related work, and Firefly: The Gorram Shiniest Language Guide and Dictionary in the ‘Verse, also available in the best related work and fan writing category (I believe). Additionally, Monica co-edited Upside Down: Inverted Tropes in Storytelling, which will be published in mid-December, and contains original fiction and essays, which are award eligible.
The Verge picks their favorite fantasy and sci-fi of the year.
Ursula Vernon lists her eligible short fiction, novelette, children’s books, and novel.
Sabrina Vourvoulias’ award eligible short story for 2016 is El Cantar of Rising Sun.
Holly Lyn Walrath lists her award eligible poetry for 2016.
Washington Post’s picks for Best Science Fiction and Fantasy of 2016.
Paul Weimer lists his Top 5 Books of 2016. He has also updated his site with a post listing his award eligible fan writing and podcast work for 2016.
Fran Wilde shares her eligible novel, novella, and short story for 2016, along with tons of recommendations for her favorite short and long fiction, fan writing, comics, editors, and more!
Ziv Wities has assembled a list of favorite short fiction of 2016.
Alyssa Wong lists her award eligible short fiction and novelette for 2016.
Bryan Thao Worra lists his award eligible poetry and non fiction for 2016.
Tristina Wright’s award eligible short story for 2016 is The Siren Son. She should also be Campbell eligible.
Writertopia’s list of Campbell-eligible authors, noting their year of eligibility.
YA Interrobang chooses their favorite YA books of 2016.
Caroline M. Yoachim has several eligible short stories, two novelettes, and a collection out this year.
Originally published at A.C. Wise. You can comment here or there.