The shortlist for the 2017 Arthur C. Clarke Award for science fiction literature has now been announced. Dr Paul March-Russell, Specialist Associate Lecturer in the Department of Comparative Literature and editor of Foundation: The International Review of Science Fiction is on the panel of judges for the award this year.
The six shortlisted books for the best science-fiction novel published in 2016 are:
- A Closed and Common Orbit – Becky Chambers (Hodder & Stoughton)
- Ninefox Gambit – Yoon Ha Lee (Solaris)
- After Atlas – Emma Newman (Roc)
- Occupy Me – Tricia Sullian (Gollancz)
- Central Station – Lavie Tidhar (PS Publishing)
- The Underground Railroad – Colson Whitehead (Fleet)
The six titles were selected from a list of 86 individual eligible submissions.
Chair of the judges, Dr Andrew M Butler commented: ‘Every year our industrious judges sift through scores of novels to pick six to represent the state of the science fiction (sf) field. They’ve chosen a first timer and a previous winner, as well as writers in the process of building great reputations. Any of these could win – at this point I cannot begin to guess.’
Dr Paul March-Russell added: ‘There’s no one dominant theme amongst the nominees, which I think is a reflection of the current state of sf. Instead, there’s everything, from a Pulitzer Prize-winning alt-history about slavery to high-octane military sf, from posthuman cyber-thrillers to trans-dimensional angels. It’s a remarkably diverse list – in all senses – and it should bring many new readers to the genre.’
The winner will be announced at a public award ceremony held in partnership with Foyles Bookshop, London, on Thursday 27 July 2017.
Further details of the Arthur C. Clarke Award and the shortlist are available at: www.clarkeaward.com