Thoughtful Thursday: The 2019 Locus Awards: Short fiction

17 Comments

1. 

   John Smith on May 30, 2019 at 12:38 pm

   I think maybe JY Yang’s “The Descent of Monsters” will win for best novella!

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2. 

   Von Berry on May 30, 2019 at 2:34 pm

   Rogue Protocol by Martha Wells for Best Novella.
   Okay, Glory by Elizabeth Bear for Best Novelette.
   Firelight by Ursula K. Le Guin for Best Short Story.

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3. 

   Michelle Miller on May 30, 2019 at 2:37 pm

   Short Story: The Storyteller’s Replacement by N.K. Jemisin

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4. 

   Noneofyourbusiness on May 30, 2019 at 2:55 pm

   Virtually all of these seem like good contenders, but I’m most drawn to say “The Descent of Monsters” and “The Only Harmless Great Thing”.

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5. 

   Tadiana Jones on May 30, 2019 at 2:56 pm

   As the person in charge of this site’s short fiction review column, SHORTS, I’m happy to say I’ve read most of the nominees (6 of the novellas, 5 of the novelettes, and all but 2 of the short stories). There are some really excellent nominees – it’s hard to pick just one favorite in each category! But personally my favorites were:

   Novella: “The Black God’s Drums” (honorable mentions to “Tea Master,” “Lucky Peach” and both Wells novellas)
   Novelette: Tossup between “Queen Lily” and “Last Banquet” (honorable mention to “Nine Last Days on Planet Earth”).
   Short story: “Secret Lives of Nine Negro Teeth” and “A Witch’s Guide to Escape” (honorable mentions to “STET” and “The Starship and the Temple Cat”)

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6. 

   The Distinguished Professor on May 30, 2019 at 2:59 pm

   As Tadiana Jones said above, “The Tea Master and the Detective”, “Gods, Monsters and the Lucky Peach” and “The Black God’s Drums” also seem like good choices for novella. I heard the author read a bit from the former.

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7. 

   Margo on May 30, 2019 at 3:32 pm

   It’s always safe to guess the Nebula winners. Not always right, but safe. So, Tea Master for novella, although I wouldn’t be surprised or upset if the Black God’s Drums or Descent of Monsters won. I really liked How to Swallow the Moon, but this may be the year for Harmless Great Things. And finally, the Secret Lives of the Nine Negro Teeth of GW gets my vote for inventiveness (and parallel structure)!

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8. 

   Lady Morar on May 30, 2019 at 3:53 pm

   Of course, it would be nice for Ursula le Guin’s “Fireflight” to win Short Story after her passing.

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9. 

   Yagiz on May 30, 2019 at 6:13 pm

   – The Black God’s Drums by P. Djèlí Clark
   – “No Flight Without the Shatter” by Brooke Bolander
   – “Firelight” by Ursula K. Le Guin

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10. 

    Lois A Young on May 30, 2019 at 9:34 pm

    I have NO idea what is going to win, but here are my guesses:

    Best Novella: Time Was by Ian McDonald
    Best Short Story: “The Secret Lives of the Nine Negro Teeth of George Washington” by P. Djèlí Clark
    Best Novellette: “Quality Time” by Ken Liu

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11. 

    SandyG on May 31, 2019 at 9:51 am

    Since I’ve Gotten away from reading short fiction I haven’t read any of the nominees but it’d be nice for Ursula K LeGuin to win

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12. 

    Marion Deeds on May 31, 2019 at 11:05 am

    I like all of Yang’s work. Of the Murderbot Diaries I preferred All Systems Red to Rogue Protocol even though it was good too.

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      Tadiana Jones on June 3, 2019 at 6:19 pm

      Personally my favorites of the four Murderbot novellas were these middle two, Artificial Condition and Rogue Protocol.

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13. 

    Sethia on May 31, 2019 at 11:28 am

    Unfortunately I haven’t read any of these, but some of those covers are gorgeous!

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      Tadiana Jones on May 31, 2019 at 4:43 pm

      Several of the nominated short stories are free online (links to the stories are in the original reviews linked above). I’d especially recommend checking out the four short stories that I mention in my comment above.

      Reply
14. 

    Rachel on June 5, 2019 at 1:56 pm

    Fingers crossed for Tea Master and the Detective!

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15. 

    Marion Deeds on June 9, 2019 at 10:46 am

    Von Berry, if you live in the USA, you win a book of your choice from our stacks.
    Please contact me (Marion) with your choice and a US address. Happy reading!

    Reply