Wasteland & Sky: Best of 2017 Planetary Awards Nomination

It's that time of year again, the time for nomination for the Planetary Awards! Here's where we vote for the best of the best for 2017 as a whole in two categories. I'm finding it a bit difficult to choose nominees as so many good works.

2018 should prove to be even better with both the Pulp Revolution and Superversive stepping on the gas. But until then we should take a look back at some of the stories we might have missed this year. High quality material was everywhere.

Without further ado, here are my nominees.

Shorter Work

"Death on the Moon" by Spencer E. Hart

For short fiction I'm going to be a contrarian this year and vote for Death on the Moon by Spencer E. Hart from Cirsova Issue #6. This was a delight of a sci-fi detective noir that gave me everything I want in a short story. It was a bit overlooked this year, but I think it deserves a second look.

Longer Work

"Good to the Last Drop" by Declan Finn

This series was a pleasant surprise from start to finish. As someone who likes mystical and legendary creatures like vampires and werewolves, it was hard to find stories where they weren't neutered or softened in image.

But the Love At First Bite books managed two tricks. It blended genres effortlessly and raised stakes believably through four books while at the same time opening the world up to an apocalyptic-like ending which contrasted quite a deal with its humble beginnings. If there was any justice, these books would have been optioned for film adaptions by now.

Good to the Last Drop was easily the best of the bunch, and that is a great thing to say when talking about a series.

As it is, it was my most enjoyed read of 2017. Don't pass this series up!


And that's my take on best of 2017. What's yours?