Howard Waldrop The Ugly Chickens
Larry Niven The Green Marauder
Michael Swanwick The Feast of St. Janis
Isaac Asimov The Last Answer
George R R Martin Nightflyers
Edward Bryant Strata
James Tiptree Jr Slow Music
Naomi Mitchison The Finger
Gene Wolfe War Beneath the Tree
Suzy McKee Charnas Unicorn Tapestry

George R. R. Martin. Sandkings.
Originally in : Omni August 1979.

Joe Haldeman. Bloodsisters.
Originally in : Playboy, July 1979.

Jack Dann. Camps.
Originally in : Fantasy & Science Fiction, May 1979.

Edward Bryant. giANTS.
Originally in : Analog, August 1979.

Dean Ing. Down and Out on Ellfive Prime.
Originally in : Omni, March 1979.

Gregory Benford. Redeemer.
Originally in : Analog, April 1979.

James P. Girard. In Trophonius’s Cave.
Originally in : Fantasy and Science Fiction, May 1979.

Suzy McKee Charnas. The Ancient Mind at Work.
Originally in : Omni, February 1979.

Michael Bishop. Vernalfest Morning.
Originally in : Chrysalis 3.

George R. R. Martin. The Way of Cross and Dragon.
Originally in : Omni, June 1979.

Hilbert Schenck. The Battle of the Abaco Reefs.
Originally in : Fantasy & Science Fiction, June 1979.

John Varley. The Persistence of Vision.
Originally in : Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, March 1978

During a slight economic downturn, the protagonist hits the road. He finds himself living in a community of deaf-blind people, but it is he who is cut off, not they. He tears himself away from the community, painfully, only to regret it.

Isaac Asimov. Found!
Originally in : Omni October 1978

The three computers in orbit around the Earth are threatened by a tiny metal-eating virus. Two trouble-shooters are sent out to solve the problem, which they of course manage to do. Not a great deal different from a lot of Asimov’s early fiction really – like the one about the two spacemen who travel around the sun and get alternately baked and then frozen because they didn’t read the mimeographed instructions before lift-off and didn’t spot the thermostat control.

Christoper Priest. Whores.
Originally in : New Dimensions 8

One from the author’s Dream Archipelago series. A war vet with sick leave and gas-induced perception nightmares tries to find solace and freedom in the pleasures of the flesh.

Bernard Deitchman. Cousins.
Originally in : Analog Science Fiction/Science Fact, August 1978

Prehistory yarn, with competing variants of Home Erectus, some with decidedly odd attributes.

Joan D. Vinge. View from a Height.
Originally in : Analog Science Fiction/Science Fact June 1978

Emmylou is approaching 1,000 astronomical units into her flight. Chosen for the mission due to her being born with no immunity to diseases, the news of a cure for the disease causes her to review the nature of her solitude.

Thomas M. Disch. Mutability.
Originally in : Anticipations, 1978

Immortality.

Phyllis Eisenstein. Lost and Found.
Originally in : Analog Science Fiction/Science Fact October 1978

Time travelling celebrity seekers cause problems.

Michael Bishop. Old Folks at Home.
Originally in : Universe 8

Against a background of domed cities, in the author’s UrNU series, a new member joins an intimate group of residents of a retirement home.

James P. Girard. September Song.
Originally in : Penthouse, September 1978

An alien hunter hops around the 50s, 60s and 70s, finding, in the process, a lot more about himself. Notable for some extremely unpleasantly graphic, and unnecessary, depictions of sexual violence.

Gregory Benford. In Alien Flesh.
Originally in : The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, September 1978

Reginri went off-world in search of work, and found himself carrying out experiments attempting to communicate with huge whale-like intelligent creatures. The work involved climbing into the creatures, and once inside he finds out more than he anticipated.

Gene Wolfe. Seven American Nights.
Originally in : Orbit 20

A Moslem visitor to the ruined USA finds himself becoming intimately involved with the dust, decay and depravity to which that bastion of western civilisation has descended.

Raccoona Sheldon. The Screwfly Solution.

Originally in: Analog, June 1977.

John Varley. In the Hall of the Martian Kings.
Originally in: Fantasy & Science Fiction, February 1977.

Edward Bryant. Particle Theory.
Originally in: Analog, February 1977.

George R.R. Martin. Bitterblooms.
Originally in: Cosmos 4.

Steven Utley and Howard Waldrop. Black as the Pit, from Pole to Pole.
Originally in: New Dimensions 7.

Michael Bishop. The House of Compassionate Sharers.
Originally in: Cosmos 1.

Spider Robinson and Jeanne Robinson. Stardance.
Originally in: Analog, March 1977.

Ursula K. Le Guin. The Diary of the Rose.
Originally in : Future Power

Diary notes of a psychoscopist, working in a clinical therapeutic environment. One of her cases fears ECT as she strives to identify the nature of his diagnosed psychiatric problems.

Steven Utley and Howard Waldrop. Custer’s Last Jump.
Originally in : Universe 6

Alternate History, with the Battle of Little Big Horn taking place as much in the sky as on the ground.

John Varley. Air Raid.
Originally in : Isaac Asimov’s Science Fiction Magazine

Potential victims of an air crash are saved from their fate by far future teams who themselves are facing a bleak future.

Kate Wilhelm. Ladies and Gentlemen, This is Your Crisis.
Originally in : Orbit 18

Takes the vicarious TV game-show viewing habits to a logical conclusion.

Jake Saunders. Back to the Stone Age.
Originally in : Lone Star Universe

The war in the Pacific continues, and Japan, refusing to surrender, is bombed into eventual submission, including bomb runs which include families of killed servicemen.

Joe Haldeman. Armaja Das.
Originally in : Frights

Gypsy curse, which a computer programmes passes on.

Howard Waldrop. Mary Margaret Road-Grader.
Originally in : Orbit 18

Post-holocaust, with native Americans congregating at a Big Tractor Pulls meets.

Michael Bishop. The Samurai and the Rose.
Originally in : Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction

Set in the domed Atlanta UrNu series – an odd couple (a bonsai expert and a rollerblader) resolve their relationship and personal issues.

Poul Anderson. The Bitter Bread.
Originally in : Analog Science Fiction/Science Fact, December 1975

The spaceship Uriel and its crew are doomed to wander space, untouchable. The Absolute Christian Church and its tenets are obstacles which the wife of one on board the ship has to overcome to meet her husband for one last time. Candidate for the least-surprising denouement in short SF.

Hayford Peirce. Mail Supremacy.
Originally in : Analog Science Fiction/Science Fact March 1975

Short which ponders the inverse relationship between delivery time and distance for the mail.

P.J. Plauger. Child of all Ages.
Originally in : Analog, March 1975.

Immortality – a ‘child’ that has been so for centuries, and for whom life remains difficult.

Phyllis Eisenstein. Tree of Life.
Originally in : Galaxy March 1975

An Alien symbiote attempts to gain a foothold on the planet Earth.

Stephen Robinett. Helbent Four.
Originally in : Galaxy October 1975

Sole survivor of AI armada returns to Earth, but is not greeted as the all-conquering hero. Helbent Four struggles to be recognised.

Robert Hoskins. Pop Goes the Weasel.
Originally in : Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, April 1975

Having been raised alone in a habitat by robots, a change in circumstances gives Willie and opportunity to understand what has been happening, and a challenge.

Liz Hufford. The Book Learners.
Originally in : Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, May 1975.

An alien race take the teachings of the bible somewhat too literally – particularly for those who put themselves forward for prophethood.

Hayford Peirce. High Yield Bondage.
Originally in : Galaxy August 1975

Stranded on Earth, the use of the financial markets proves a means of escape.

Clifford D. Simak. Senior Citizen.
Originally in : Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, October 1975

Bleak view on the downside of longevity.

Joan D. and Vernor Vinge. The Peddler’s Apprentice.
Originally in : Analog Science Fiction/Science Fact August 1975

Excellent blending of fantasy and hard -SF. A peddler turns out to be much more than that, and the rural idyll similarly deceptive.

F.M. Busby. If this is Winnetka, You Must be Judy.
Originally in : Universe 5

Love story across non-chronological time-shifting.

Harlan Ellison. Sleeping Dogs.
Originally in : Analog Science Fiction/Science Fact, October 1974

Humanity is involved in a galactic spanning conflict. Lynn Ferraro is an Amicus Hostus, a Friend of the Enemy, whose role is to prevent atrocities against the Kyben. On Epsilon Indi IV the enemy are attacked with maximum aggression.

Vonda N. McIntyre. The Mountains of Sunset, the Mountains of Dawn.
Originally in : Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, February 1974

Paints a vivid picture of a non-human, arial/avian race travelling to find another planet on which to live. The eldest living member of the race yearns to fly under gravity once more.

Carolyn Gloeckner. Earth Mother.
Originally in : Long Night of Waiting by Andre Norton and other stories.

Two women meet after many years. One works in an artificial reproduction centre, the other, who supplanted her in a relationship twenty years ago, is faced with some shattering possibilities.

Alan Dean Foster. Dream Gone Green.
Originally in : Fellowship of the Stars

Far future, with many animals now attaining a high level of intelligence. One, a horse, has a dream, which it is willing to work to attain for many years.

Mildred Downey Broxon. The Night is Cold, the Stars are Far Away.
Originally in : Universe 5

An old star-watcher seeks truth in the stars.

Harry Harrison. Ad Astra.
Originally in : Vertex Magazine, August 1974

Planet Earth if fighting a desperate rearguard against alien invaders. The resourcefulness, ingenuity, and personal sacrifices necessary to fight back are stretched to the limit. The opening scene is vivid (opening scene of Terminator)

and the rest of the story is strong and emotionally gripping.

R.A. Lafferty. And Name My Name.
Originally in : Orbit 13

A reckoning is upon the earth, and the races of the earth are called to be judged and named.

John Brunner. What Friends are For.
Originally in : Fellowship of the Stars

A mother and father are driven to distraction by their wayward son. An off-planet solution is their last throw of the dice. The boy responds to his alien nanny/friend.

Frederik Pohl and C.M. Kornbluth. Mute Ingloriious Tam.
Originally in : The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, October 1974

Paints a vivid picture of life as a medieval serf. Tam is slightly different in that he pictures a life free from drudgery.

Robert Silverberg. The Man Who Came Back.
Originally in : Galaxy, December 1974

John Burkhardt returns from a hard, hard life on a colony world to seek his true love.

Harvey Jacobs. Dress Rehearsal.
Originally in : The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction July 1974

There is a British comedy film starring one Will Hay, in which he infiltrates a German military training unit and teaches the German spies, once under cover in England, to use a two-finger greeting to pass themselves off as British.

Gordon R. Dickson. Enter a Pilgrim.
Originally in : Analog Science Fiction/Science Fact, August 1974

Mankind is suffering under the harsh yoke of alien occupation. One man sees that there is perhaps hope.

Stan Nodvik. The Postponed Cure.
Originally in : Vertex Magazine, June 1974

If medical science is unable to provide a cure now, then perhaps the future has the answer?

Clifford D. Simak. The Birch Clump Cylinder.
Originally in : Stellar I

An alien artefact with time travel properties is found in private school grounds.

Alfred Bester. Something Up There Likes Me.
Originally in : Astounding

A satellite with a technical problem after launch is given a jolt in order to make it work properly. The electrical surge has a more dramatic effect.

Norman Spinrad. A Thing of Beauty.
Originally in : Analog Science Fact/Science Fiction, January 1973

The USA is reduced to selling historic sites for hard cash to the Japanese. One collector has an eye for the unusual.

George R. R. Martin. With Morning Comes Mistfall.
Originally in : Analog Science Fact/Science Fiction, April 1973.

Castle Cloud sits on a mountain, where each night mistfall brings tales of demons, and tourists. But can the planet withstand the scientific exploration seeking to identify whether anything lurks in the mist?

Clifford D. Simak. Construction Shack.
Originally in : Worlds of If Science Fiction February 1973

What secrets does Pluto hold?

Thomas N. Scortia. Thou Good and Faithful.
Originally in : Two Views of Wonder

Berrigan’s World, following his death, has a faithful population. But their willingness to help makes life rough for them. Rough. Rough.

Edward Wellen. Androids Don’t Cry.
Originally in : Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, May 1973

An android visits the bereaved family of a spacer killed in an accident.

Theodore R. Cogswell. The Population Implosion.
Originally in : Astounding

Logic suggests..

Michael Kurland. Think Only This of Me.
Originally in : Galaxy November 1973

Against a backdrop of VR/pseudo-historical theme parks, an elderly longevity enhanced man meets a much younger genmod woman who is more than she seems.

Robert F. Young. Ghosts.
Originally in : Worlds of If, February 1973

Sensitive tale of Jenny and Jim who live on after their creator passes away.

Poul Anderson. The Problem of Pain.
Originally in : Fantasy and Science Fiction, February 1973

A Christian reviews his faith following his experiences with another race in which he loses his love.

R.A. Lafferty. Parthen.
Originally in : Galaxy

Aliens land and inform the earth that one half of the population is redundant, and the other will be enslaved. But Roy Ronsard (and all his mates) don’t worry too much about it – never had the girls been so pretty.

Norman Spinrad. National Pastime.
Originally in : Nova 3

TV pressures gridiron into every more brutal rules.

Cogswell Thomas. Paradise Regained.
Originally in : Saving Worlds

Offworld penal colony struggles to realise an Earth-like environment.

Kate Wilhelm. Whatever Happened to the Olmecs?
Originally in : Fantasy & Science Fiction, October 1973

A scientist comes across evidence that challenges him to take desperate measures.

Larry Niven. Cloak of Anarchy.
Originally in : Analog, March 1972.

Robert Silverberg. When We Went to See the End of the World.
Originally in : Universe 2

Gordon Eklund. Underbelly.
Originally in : IF, October 1972

Isaac Asimov. The Greatest Asset.
Originally in : Analog, January 1972

Frederik Pohl and C.M. Kornbluth. The Meeting.
Originally in : Fantasy and Science Fiction, November 1972

R.A. Lafferty. Eurema’s Dam.
Originally in : New Dimensions II

Robert L. Davis. Teratohippus.
Originally in : IF, December 1972

Donald Noakes. The Long Silence.
Originally in : Analog, March 1972

Vernor Vinge. Long Shot.
Originally in : Analog, August 1972

Mankind’s hopes for survival are indeed a long shot – unmanned spacecraft Ilse has an epic journey to make in order to find a planet which may support human life.

C.N. Gloeckner. Miscount.
Originally in : Analog, November 1972

Phyllis Maclennan. Thus Love Betrays Us.
Originally in : Fantasy & Science Fiction, September 1972

Alex Barthold is stranded temporarily on the fog shrouded planet of Deirdre. He eventually finds intelligent life, and forms a relationship with one of the beings. The relationship turns sour.

Thomas N. Scortia. Woman’s Rib.
Originally in : Galaxy, July 1972

James Tipree Jr. The Man Who Walked Home.
Originally in : Amazing, May 1972

A deceptive story about a time travel experiment which goes badly, badly wrong, with enormous implications for humanity. It spans several centuries of post-holocaust, bookended by John Delgano’s desperate attempt to get home. The contrast of the intense personal struggle of Delgano and that of the survivors of the holocaust gives the story a big impact.

Jack C. Haldeman. Watchdog.
Originally in : Amazing, May 1972

William Rotsler. Patron of the Arts.
Originally in : Universe 2

Philip Jose Farmer. The Sliced-Crosswise Only-on-Tuesday World.
Originally in : New Dimensions I

Inventive love story, in which overcrowding leads to people living only one day in seven, spending the rest in suspended animation. For Tom Pym Wednesday seems to hold more for him, including the promise of true love.

Robert Silverberg. Good News from the Vatican.
Originally in : Universe 1

A new Pope is being chosen. Will the white smoke herald the first robotic pontiff?

James Tiptree Jr. I’ll Be Waiting for You When the Swimming Pool is Empty.
Originally in : Protostars.

Hugely entertaining ironic romp. Young Cammerling, a nice Terran Boy, takes a year out, and finds himself on Godolphus Four.

Upon landing he is treated to the site of a huge battle, in which the opposing armies show no mercy. Being a nice Terran boy he decides to spend some time on the planet and to teach the warring factions the errors of their ways. Over a few years he gradually raises the denizens of the planet to a more civilised state, without, like, imposing on them external customs and mores.

David M. Locke. The Power of the Sentence.
Originally in : Fantasy & Science Fiction, April 1971.

Harry Harrison. The Wicked Flee.
Originally in : New Dimensions I

Thomas N. Scortia. When You Hear the Tone.
Originally in : Galaxy, January 1971

Theodore Sturgeon. Occam’s Scalpel.
Originally in : IF Science Fiction, August 1971

Any tyro short SF writers should read this as an example of a master story-teller at work. It would prove difficult to describe the story without spoiling the story, so I won’t do that (Terry Carr in the Best Science Fiction of the Year 1 gives away a little too much in his intro), but suffice to say that in a short story Sturgeon keeps the reader off balance as the story twists and turns to a far from expected conclusion.

Burt K Filer. Hot Potato.
Originally in : The Many Worlds of Science Fiction

Harlan Ellison and A. E. van Vogt. The Human Operators.
Originally in : Fantasy & Science Fiction, January 1971

A Lentini. Autumntime.
Originally in : Galaxy, November 1971

Ultra short. A young boy and his family go on a day trip to see a real tree.

Poul Anderson. A Little Knowledge.
Originally in : Analog, August 1971.

Three humans with no qualms about kidnap, spacecraft theft, illegal technology transfer or the arms trade, find the low-tech weapons of the oh-so polite Trillian race a most attractive proposition.

But they, like me, failed to spot the scientific kink in the rug over which they will trip.

W Macfarlane. To Make a New Neanderthal.
Originally in : Analog, September 1971.

R. A. Lafferty. The Man Underneath.
Originally in : IF Science Fiction, January 1971

B. Alan Burhoe. Ornithanthropus.
Originally in : IF Science Fiction, November 1971

Larry Niven. Rammer
Originally in : Galaxy, November 1971.