Best Science Fiction Stories of the Year, 9th Annual Collection

SF fans will be delighted to find in this year’s collection two winners of the Nebula Award. George R. R. Martin’s “Sandkings,” concerning a man’s search for unusual animal species to entertain and divert his friends, won the Nebula Award for best novelette, and Edward Bryant’s “giANTS,” detailing the advance of gigantic insects to a point of no return, got the Nebula Award for best short story.

Among Hugo and Nebula award nominees are Jack Dann's “Camps,” Michael Bishop’s “Vemalfest Morning,” George R. R. Martin’s “The Way of Cross and Dragon," and Hilbert Schenck’s “The Battle of the Abaco Reefs.”

Equally marked by the label of excellence with their inclusion in this volume are authors such as Jack Haldeman and Gregory Benford, and less well-known Dean Ing, James P. Girard, and Suzy McKee Chamas, whose themes range from the manifestation of a modem vampire to radical activities in a satellite colony.

Speculation, both technological and sociological, will entertain and engross the reader throughout this fine collection. In addition, Gardner Dozois provides an introductory essay that covers the developments in the SF field for the year 1979, invaluable in keeping the fan up to date and informed about publications. An honor roll of stories in the back of the book helps the reader to make a personal selection of further reading.

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GEORGE R. R. MARTIN / Sandkings
JOE HALDEMAN / Bloodsisters
JACK DANN / Camps
EDWARD BRYANT / giANTS
DEAN ING / Down and Out on Ellfive Prime
GREGORY BENFORD / Redeemer
JAMES P. GIRARD / In Trophonius’s Cave
SUZY McKEE CHARNAS / The Ancient Mind at Work
MICHAEL BISHOP / Vernalfest Morning
GEORGE R. R. MARTIN / The Way of Cross and Dragon
HILBERT SCHENCK / The Battle of the Abaco Reefs