written by David Steffen
Here are some recommendations for selected Hugo and Nebula categories. (Note that I’ve listed them in alphabetical order, rather than order of preference, and have listed more than the 5 ballot options when possible). I don’t think I’ve read any eligible novels this year, so that category is not represented.
Best Novella
“Umbernight” by Carolyn Ives Gillman, in Clarkesworld Magazine
Best Novelette
“A Love Story Written On Water” by Ashok K. Banker, in Lightspeed Magazine
“A World To Die For” by Tobias S. Buckell, in Clarkesworld Magazine
“The Last To Matter” by Adam-Troy Castro, in Lightspeed Magazine
“Dead Air” by Nino Cipri, in Nightmare Magazine
“Hapthorn’s Last Case” by Matthew Hughes, in Lightspeed Magazine
“The Fortunate Death of Jonathan Sandelson” by Margaret Killjoy, in Strange Horizons
“To Fly Like a Fallen Angel” by Qi Yue, translated by Elizabeth Hanlon, in Clarkesworld Magazine
“House of Small Spiders” by Weston Ochse, in Nightmare Magazine
“Thirty-Three Percent Joe” by Suzanne Palmer, in Clarkesworld Magazine
“Master Zhao: An Ordinary Time Traveler” by Zhang Ran, translated by Andy Dudak
Best Short Story
“After Midnight at the ZapStop” by Matthew Claxton, in Escape Pod
“A Scrimshaw of Smeerps” by Shannon Fay, in Toasted Cake
“Variations on a Theme From Turandot“ by Ada Hoffman, in Strange Horizons
“Secrets and Things We Don’t Say Out Loud” by José Pablo Iriarte, in Cast of Wonders
“Octo-Heist in Progress” by Rich Larson, in Clarkesworld Magazine
“Hosting the Solstice” by Tim Pratt, in PodCastle
“Marshmallows” by D.A. Xiaolin Spires, in Clarkesworld Magazine
“The Death Knight, the Dragon, and the Damsel” by Melion Traverse, in Cast of Wonders
“Some Personal Arguments in Support of the BetterYou (Based on Early Interactions)” by Debbie Urbanski, in Strange Horizons
Best Dramatic Presentation, Long Form / Ray Bradbury Award
Ant-Man and the Wasp
The Incredibles 2
Kevin (Probably) Saves the World
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, for Nintendo Switch
A Wrinkle In Time