Nebula Awards Showcase 2004


Nebula Awards Showcase 2004 is an anthology of award-winning science fiction short works edited by Vonda N. McIntyre. It was first published in trade paperback by Roc/New American Library in March 2004.

Summary

The book collects pieces that won or were nominated for the Nebula Awards for best novel, novella, novelette and short story for the year 2003, tributes to recently deceased author and SWFA founder Damon Knight, profiles of 2003 Damon Knight Memorial [Grand Master Award|grand master winner] Ursula K. Le Guin and 2003 Author Emeritus Katherine MacLean, with representative pieces by both, and various other nonfiction pieces related to the awards, together with an introduction by the editor. Not all nominees for the various awards are included, and the best novel is represented by an excerpt. Each story is prefaced with a short introduction by its author.

Contents

  • "Introduction: The Heart of the Nebula"
  • "Bronte's Egg"
  • "Hell Is the Absence of God"
  • "Remembering Damon Knight"
  • *"Damon Knight"
  • *"Damon"
  • *"I Remember Damon"
  • *"Damon Knight the Teacher"
  • *"Oh You Kid! A Personal View of Damon Knight"
  • *"Curious Damon Knight"
  • *"Sensei Wonder"
  • American Gods
  • "Sunday Night Yams at Minnie and Earl's"
  • "A Few Things I Know about Ursula"
  • Changing Planes
  • "Nothing Ever Happens in Rock City"
  • "Cut"
  • "The Dog Said Bow-Wow"
  • "Appreciating Katherine MacLean"
  • "Games"
  • "Lobsters"
  • "Creature"
  • "2003 Final Nebula Ballot"
  • "Past Nebula Awards Winners"

    Reception

Michael M. Jones, writing in Chronicle, calls the anthology "a perfect book to pick up" if "you really want to see what the SF field itself thinks best represents its efforts in a year." After noting the story contents briefly, he calls attention to "the various introductions written for each story by the authors, and the assorted essays touching upon relevant topics" as "dding to the qualities of this book," highlighting those honoring LeGuin, Knight and MacLean.
The book was also reviewed by Edward Carmien in SFRA Review no. 270, 2004.