Jim's List

At Arisia this past weekend I participated in the panel on "Best Science Fiction of 2009." Because I only had about a week's notice what panels I'd be on, and because I was working like a maniac to finish something I was getting paid to write, I had to come up with a list of stories that I could research without leaving my chair. My solution was to look for the best short fantasy and science fiction of 2009 available online. My suggestions were well-received at the panel, and several attendees asked if I might post the list to my 'blog. I happily agreed.

It's important to note that this isn't my list of the Best SF/Fantasy of 2009. It's the best stuff that isn't in the major print magazines. That's a critical distinction because the magazines, even in this age of declining circulation and sales, are still the primary market for short fiction. They get the first crack at the good stuff. Anyway, here's the list. I've tried to provide links where possible. They are in alphabetical order by author.

"Placa del Fuego" by Tobias Buckell, Clarkesworld #34 (July 2009) -- this story reminded me strongly of Kipling's Kim, and the alien monster was very strange and creepy.

"Brief Candle" by Jason Chapman, Clarkesworld #38 (November 09) -- I enjoyed the shifting viewpoint as the robots gain more intelligence and understanding.

"The One With the Interstellar Group Consciousness" by James Alan Gardner (Federations) -- interstellar diplomacy as an episode of Friends. This one isn't online, it's in a print anthology.

"Another End of the Empire" by Tim Pratt (Strange Horizons) -- a Dark Lord (who has obviously read the List) tries to stop the young man destined to destroy his empire.

"Her Voice in a Bottle" by Tim Pratt (Subterranean, Winter 09) -- a tale right on the margin of fantasy; this could easily have appeared in a "mainstream" market with no changes. Mr. Pratt shows some impressive range.

"The Second Gift Given" by Ken Scholes, Clarkesworld #29 (Feb 2009) -- a story of what remains of humanity in the very far future.

"The Very Difficult Diwali of Sub-Inspector Gurushankar Rajaram" by Jeff Soesbe (DayBreak Magazine) -- an police officer in a future India has to handle a weird crisis involving elephants.

"Overtime" by Charles Stross (Tor.com) -- a tale of Bob Howard and the Laundry on Christmas Eve.

"The Radiant Car Thy Sparrows Drew" by Cat Valente, Clarkesworld #35 (August 09) -- this one was almost impossible to describe to the panel audience; just read it.

"Riders of the Three-Toed Horse" by Garrett Vance (Baen's Universe) -- a geologist wanders into a prehistoric pocket of the west.

  

Comments

[Will Mallette]

You've got some good reads listed, and as a published author, I welcome you to check out my latest book, The Magic of Fuller, book one, "Keeper of the Stone". http://www.strategicpublishinggroup.com/title/TheMagicofFullerBookOne-KeeperoftheStone.html

[Tim Pratt]

Thanks for mentioning my stories!

I'd dispute your assertion that print markets get "first crack at the good stuff" though. There are at least three online publications that have published me which pay between 3 and 18 cents per word *more* than the major print magazines do... so those magazines see most of my stuff first, for simple reasons of economics. Even online markets that pay on par with print magazines usually see my stuff first because of convenience -- they take e-mail submissions, which saves me digging up an envelope and paying for postage. When I have too much stuff in inventory with those markets, or they turn stories down, I go to the print mags (unless I'm writing a story that's been specifically commissioned, or that I wrote with a particular market/editor in mind).

Print magazines *do* still have an edge when it comes to reaching the serious core SF readership -- the convention-goers, award jury members, etc. -- and getting on award ballots, though. And I always liked publishing in Realms of Fantasy because of the lovely illustrations... though Tor.com does great illustrations too.