Literary award · United States · since 1966

Nebula Award for Best Short Story

Literary award given for science fiction or fantasy short stories. Established 1966 in United States.

About Nebula Award for Best Short Story

The Nebula Award for Best Short Story is a literary award assigned each year by Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association (SFWA) for science fiction or fantasy short stories. A work of fiction is defined by the organization as a short story if it is less than 7,500 words; awards are also given out for longer works in the categories of novel, novella, and novelette. To be eligible for Nebula Award consideration a short story must be published in English in the United States. Works published in English elsewhere in the world are also eligible provided they are released on either a website or in an electronic edition. The Nebula Award for Best Short Story has been awarded annually since 1966. The award has been described as one of "the most important of the American science fiction awards" and "the science-fiction and fantasy equivalent" of the Emmy Awards.

From the Wikipedia article “Nebula Award for Best Short Story”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Recent winners

YearWinnerWinning work
2025Isabel J. KimWhy Don't We Just Kill the Kid In the Omelas Hole
2024R. S. A. GarciaTantie Merle and the Farmhand 4200
2023Samantha MillsRabbit Test
2022Sarah PinskerWhere Oaken Hearts Do Gather
2021John WiswellOpen House on Haunted Hill
2020A. T. GreenblattGive the Family My Love
2018Rebecca RoanhorseWelcome to your Authentic Indian Experience™

From Wikidata; the list may be incomplete for some years.

Eligibility and entering

Check the official rules of the Nebula Award for Best Short Story for the current eligibility window, accepted formats, residency or language requirements and any entry fee. For most established prizes the publisher submits on the author's behalf, often with a limit on entries per imprint.

If you are self-published, look for an explicit statement that independently published books are accepted, and budget for entry fees and copies for judges.

Sources & data