Better late than never, right? I promised a list of some of my favorite fiction written in 2015. This post is too late to affect award nominations so rather than call out the stories which are on ballots (or likely to be so), I'm going to pick out some short fiction that received less attention but are dear to me.
I'll start with this story from Jason Kimble, which (full disclosure) was the first one that made me swoon as a submissions reader. The story is entirely science fiction and told by someone who's viewed by society as not all there. It was published on Escape Pod and of course podcast, as well. Have a look or listen here: Broken.
Next is story told mostly via tweets, which is a brilliant concept - one that I've tried out myself - and Henry Lien has executed it very well. This one is highly relatable and relevant science-fiction, featuring a plucky protagonist, dolphins, and...well, I won't give anything more away! Originally published by The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, it has been made available for free on Henry's website. Read it here: Bilingual.
Love Letters to Things Lost and Gained: when I read this story by Sunny Moraine's in Uncanny Magazine last year, I was overwhelmed with envy. I wish I'd written this! I won't say anything more because much of its beauty comes from the discovery of what's happening.
Here is a story that arrived at year end, always a tough time to garner attention from (voting) readers. It's by A. Merc Rustad who I think is a brilliant storyteller and seems to love exploring post-human and non-binary gendered worlds as much as I do. It was published online by Lightspeed Magazine: Tomorrow When We See the Sun.
If you need to cheer yourself up or simply want a good laugh, check out Laura Pearlman's ode to Reddit, aliens, and radishes, published by Flash Fiction Online. I'm in awe of anyone who can write humor - especially humorous science fiction! - and I think this story is a great example of how to do it well. Read it here: I am Graalnak of the Vroon Empire, Destroyer of Galaxies, Supreme Overlord of the Planet Earth. Ask Me Anything.
Last but not least, a flash fiction piece by another wonderful writer, Rachael K. Jones. She published a lot of short stories last year, but this one was my personal favorite. It's a fast read with delicious prose so I will simply point you at where you can read and enjoy it for yourself: The Law of Conservation of Hair.
I want to note that this is not at all a comprehensive list! I happened to choose these highlights, but that doesn't mean I didn't love a whole passel of other stories. You can find many of those other stories (and more that I would've loved to read if only the day had more hours!) on the SFWA Nebula Reading List for 2015.
