What a hard choice! Now that I’ve read all six Nebula Awards 2024 finalists for best novel, I’ve thought about which one I’d vote for. If I had a vote, that is. I don’t.

BUT IF I DID–oh, man. Hard, hard choice. These six novels are all so great. Here are the six, again–and see my preceding three posts for reviews of each:

Nebula Award for Novel (from https://nebulas.sfwa.org/sfwa-announces-the-59th-nebula-awards-finalists/)

• The Saint of Bright Doors, Vajra Chandrasekera (Tordotcom)
• The Water Outlaws, S.L. Huang (Tordotcom; Solaris UK)
• Translation State, Ann Leckie (Orbit US; Orbit UK)
• The Terraformers, Annalee Newitz (Tor; Orbit UK)
• Shigidi and the Brass Head of Obalufon, Wole Talabi (DAW, Gollancz)
• Witch King, Martha Wells (Tordotcom)

I really think I’d vote for Annalee Newitz’s The Terraformers. It’s unique, it’s compelling, it’s beautifully written. What it has to say is incredibly important. It checks all my boxes. However–BIG however–I’d have to think hard before voting for it instead of The Saint of Bright Doors, by Vajira Chandrasekera. That novel is just as excellent, and in the same ways. What a hard choice! Making it even harder, Shigidi and the Brass Head of Obalufon, by Wole Talabi, is right up there with those two. And I loved the other three. Don’t make me choose! I guess I’m just as glad I’m not a member of the SWFA and have to cast a ballot for only one, although I’m actually thinking of applying to join.

AND HEY, TELL US IN THE COMMENTS HOW YOU WOULD VOTE! It would be great to get a conversation going about these amazing novels. Every reader is different and comes to these novels with a different perspective. If you do–be civil.

Information about the SWFA

The Nebula Awards are sponsored by the SFWA–The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association. Only members of the SFWA vote. The SFWA web site explains: “full, senior, and associate members” of the SFWA are eligible to vote. What is the SFWA, exactly, and who are its members? Here’s the information from the SFWA web site about eligibility for membership. I’m not a member now, but I am considering joining–only as an associate, though. I’m not that successful! You can join if you are an indie-published, traditionally-published, or hybrid-published author of SF or fantasy, as long as you meet certain requirements for income generated from your books.

What I take away from this information: there are other categories for membership, but for the most part, the Nebula Award is decided by OTHER WRITERS of the same types of books–not by some academic panel or celebrity judges. I think that’s important. If you’ve ever tried to write a book like one of these, it’s hard. To do it well–harder. To do it at the level of these six amazing writers–WOW. Just wow. (Excuse me while I fangirl out a little, here. Just a bit!)

COMING UP NEXT: More SF and Fantasy awards.

Watch this spot. The Locus Awards are coming right up, and after that, the Hugo. Happy reading!