Small Spec Book Awards
@specawards.bsky.social
The mission of the SSBA is to recognize and promote independent and small press authors writing exceptional speculative fiction.
Founded by @lnholmeswriter.bsky.social
Cofounded by @millieabecassis.com
🌐 https://linktr.ee/smallspecbookawards
Founded by @lnholmeswriter.bsky.social
Cofounded by @millieabecassis.com
🌐 https://linktr.ee/smallspecbookawards
Pinned
As a result of recent disqualifications in the horror category for the 2026 SSBA competition, we have updated our slides to include our new semifinalists. Congratulations to all the semifinalists, and we wish you good luck in the final round of the competition!
Reposted by Small Spec Book Awards
My site has moved to a new home and to celebrate, I have a bonus SSBA Semi-finalist feature (updated links for past features in comments)
melodyemcintyre.com/2026/09/13/s...
@specawards.bsky.social
melodyemcintyre.com/2026/09/13/s...
@specawards.bsky.social
Small Spec Book Awards – 2026 Semi-Finalist Feature
I thought I was done with the 2026 Small Spec Book Award Semi-Finalist Features, but I received two more responses (yay), so I have a bonus feature for you today. Today’s authors are: Mark T.…
melodyemcintyre.com
September 13, 2026 at 3:28 PM
My site has moved to a new home and to celebrate, I have a bonus SSBA Semi-finalist feature (updated links for past features in comments)
melodyemcintyre.com/2026/09/13/s...
@specawards.bsky.social
melodyemcintyre.com/2026/09/13/s...
@specawards.bsky.social
Congratulations to @therealjackfinn.bsky.social! His book PREY UPON THE LAMBS, published by @tonyanuci.bsky.social, is a semifinalist in the horror category for the 2026 Small Spec Book Awards.
#SSBA #SSBA2026
#SSBA #SSBA2026
August 29, 2026 at 1:15 PM
Congratulations to @therealjackfinn.bsky.social! His book PREY UPON THE LAMBS, published by @tonyanuci.bsky.social, is a semifinalist in the horror category for the 2026 Small Spec Book Awards.
#SSBA #SSBA2026
#SSBA #SSBA2026
Reposted by Small Spec Book Awards
Did you see my recent and final (for now) SSBA Semi-finalist feature?
@yolandasfetsos.bsky.social, author of Fallen Destiny
@brennanlafaro.bsky.social, author of Song Dogs &
@dalesmithonline.com, author of As a Kang Should Be
@specawards.bsky.social
www.blog.melodyemcintyre.com/2026/08/smal...
@yolandasfetsos.bsky.social, author of Fallen Destiny
@brennanlafaro.bsky.social, author of Song Dogs &
@dalesmithonline.com, author of As a Kang Should Be
@specawards.bsky.social
www.blog.melodyemcintyre.com/2026/08/smal...
Small Spec Book Awards - 2026 Semi-Finalist Feature #5
And all good things come to an end... at least for this year. Welcome to my last set of mini-interviews featuring the semi-finalists of the ...
www.blog.melodyemcintyre.com
August 23, 2026 at 9:49 PM
Did you see my recent and final (for now) SSBA Semi-finalist feature?
@yolandasfetsos.bsky.social, author of Fallen Destiny
@brennanlafaro.bsky.social, author of Song Dogs &
@dalesmithonline.com, author of As a Kang Should Be
@specawards.bsky.social
www.blog.melodyemcintyre.com/2026/08/smal...
@yolandasfetsos.bsky.social, author of Fallen Destiny
@brennanlafaro.bsky.social, author of Song Dogs &
@dalesmithonline.com, author of As a Kang Should Be
@specawards.bsky.social
www.blog.melodyemcintyre.com/2026/08/smal...
Congratulations to @marktbates-writer.bsky.social! His book THE CURSE OF SIX, published by RDG Books Press, is a semifinalist in the horror category for the 2026 Small Spec Book Awards.
#SSBA #SSBA2026
#SSBA #SSBA2026
August 28, 2026 at 12:19 PM
Congratulations to @marktbates-writer.bsky.social! His book THE CURSE OF SIX, published by RDG Books Press, is a semifinalist in the horror category for the 2026 Small Spec Book Awards.
#SSBA #SSBA2026
#SSBA #SSBA2026
Reposted by Small Spec Book Awards
#Booksky, my contribution to the @specawards.bsky.social 2026 Semi-Finalist Feature #5 is now online! 😊
Find out more about my novel, FALLEN DESTINY, as well as @brennanlafaro.bsky.social's & @dalesmithonline.com's answers about their nominated books: www.blog.melodyemcintyre.com/2026/08/smal...
Find out more about my novel, FALLEN DESTINY, as well as @brennanlafaro.bsky.social's & @dalesmithonline.com's answers about their nominated books: www.blog.melodyemcintyre.com/2026/08/smal...
Small Spec Book Awards - 2026 Semi-Finalist Feature #5
And all good things come to an end... at least for this year. Welcome to my last set of mini-interviews featuring the semi-finalists of the ...
www.blog.melodyemcintyre.com
August 21, 2026 at 10:29 AM
#Booksky, my contribution to the @specawards.bsky.social 2026 Semi-Finalist Feature #5 is now online! 😊
Find out more about my novel, FALLEN DESTINY, as well as @brennanlafaro.bsky.social's & @dalesmithonline.com's answers about their nominated books: www.blog.melodyemcintyre.com/2026/08/smal...
Find out more about my novel, FALLEN DESTINY, as well as @brennanlafaro.bsky.social's & @dalesmithonline.com's answers about their nominated books: www.blog.melodyemcintyre.com/2026/08/smal...
Reposted by Small Spec Book Awards
As a result of recent disqualifications in the horror category for the 2026 SSBA competition, we have decided to offer the two open semifinalist slots to the writers whose first round scores would make them now eligible for the semifinals. ⬇️
August 20, 2026 at 2:17 PM
As a result of recent disqualifications in the horror category for the 2026 SSBA competition, we have decided to offer the two open semifinalist slots to the writers whose first round scores would make them now eligible for the semifinals. ⬇️
As a result of recent disqualifications in the horror category for the 2026 SSBA competition, we have updated our slides to include our new semifinalists. Congratulations to all the semifinalists, and we wish you good luck in the final round of the competition!
August 20, 2026 at 2:55 PM
As a result of recent disqualifications in the horror category for the 2026 SSBA competition, we have updated our slides to include our new semifinalists. Congratulations to all the semifinalists, and we wish you good luck in the final round of the competition!
As a result of recent disqualifications in the horror category for the 2026 SSBA competition, we have decided to offer the two open semifinalist slots to the writers whose first round scores would make them now eligible for the semifinals. ⬇️
August 20, 2026 at 2:17 PM
As a result of recent disqualifications in the horror category for the 2026 SSBA competition, we have decided to offer the two open semifinalist slots to the writers whose first round scores would make them now eligible for the semifinals. ⬇️
After careful deliberation, the SSBA has decided to disqualify Patrick Barb’s books from the competition. We will soon follow up on how this impacts the semifinalist horror category. We thank you for your support.
August 19, 2026 at 1:02 PM
After careful deliberation, the SSBA has decided to disqualify Patrick Barb’s books from the competition. We will soon follow up on how this impacts the semifinalist horror category. We thank you for your support.
Reposted by Small Spec Book Awards
I'm so thrilled to be a semi-finalist in the 2026 @specawards.bsky.social 🎉 If you love speculative fiction then check out all the contenders- there's some fantastic sci-fi, fantasy and horror from small presses, including my publisher, @elsewhen.press 🌓
#booksky #SSBA ##sciencefiction 📚🪐
#booksky #SSBA ##sciencefiction 📚🪐
Congratulations to @authoramyorrell.bsky.social! Her book TOMORROW WAS BEAUTIFUL ONCE, published by @elsewhen.press, is a semifinalist in the sci-fi category for the 2026 Small Spec Book Awards.
#SSBA #SSBA2026
#SSBA #SSBA2026
August 18, 2026 at 4:18 PM
I'm so thrilled to be a semi-finalist in the 2026 @specawards.bsky.social 🎉 If you love speculative fiction then check out all the contenders- there's some fantastic sci-fi, fantasy and horror from small presses, including my publisher, @elsewhen.press 🌓
#booksky #SSBA ##sciencefiction 📚🪐
#booksky #SSBA ##sciencefiction 📚🪐
Congratulations to @authoramyorrell.bsky.social! Her book TOMORROW WAS BEAUTIFUL ONCE, published by @elsewhen.press, is a semifinalist in the sci-fi category for the 2026 Small Spec Book Awards.
#SSBA #SSBA2026
#SSBA #SSBA2026
August 18, 2026 at 1:57 PM
Congratulations to @authoramyorrell.bsky.social! Her book TOMORROW WAS BEAUTIFUL ONCE, published by @elsewhen.press, is a semifinalist in the sci-fi category for the 2026 Small Spec Book Awards.
#SSBA #SSBA2026
#SSBA #SSBA2026
Reposted by Small Spec Book Awards
Congrats to @blairbidmead.bsky.social!
Congratulations to @blairbidmead.bsky.social! His book ROSE-COLOURED CROSSHAIRS, published by @obversebooks.co.uk, is a semifinalist in the sci-fi category for the 2026 Small Spec Book Awards.
#SSBA #SSBA2026
#SSBA #SSBA2026
August 18, 2026 at 8:42 AM
Congrats to @blairbidmead.bsky.social!
Reposted by Small Spec Book Awards
What excellent news! I'm so glad to be a part of the Small Spec Book Awards! @specawards.bsky.social
Congratulations to @cayemarsh.bsky.social! Her book STATION IN THE SKY, published by @wctracy.bsky.social, is a semifinalist in the sci-fi category for the 2026 Small Spec Book Awards.
#SSBA #SSBA2026
#SSBA #SSBA2026
August 17, 2026 at 10:27 PM
What excellent news! I'm so glad to be a part of the Small Spec Book Awards! @specawards.bsky.social
Reposted by Small Spec Book Awards
Congrats @samckenzie.bsky.social !!
Congratulations to @samckenzie.bsky.social! Their book SMALL MAGICS FOR THE TRAVELING WIZARD, published by @cloakedpress.bsky.social, is a semifinalist in the fantasy category for the 2026 Small Spec Book Awards.
#SSBA #SSBA2026
#SSBA #SSBA2026
August 17, 2026 at 10:47 PM
Congrats @samckenzie.bsky.social !!
Reposted by Small Spec Book Awards
Congrats to @cayemarsh.bsky.social !
Congratulations to @cayemarsh.bsky.social! Her book STATION IN THE SKY, published by @wctracy.bsky.social, is a semifinalist in the sci-fi category for the 2026 Small Spec Book Awards.
#SSBA #SSBA2026
#SSBA #SSBA2026
August 17, 2026 at 2:19 PM
Congrats to @cayemarsh.bsky.social !
Congratulations to @cayemarsh.bsky.social! Her book STATION IN THE SKY, published by @wctracy.bsky.social, is a semifinalist in the sci-fi category for the 2026 Small Spec Book Awards.
#SSBA #SSBA2026
#SSBA #SSBA2026
August 17, 2026 at 2:10 PM
Congratulations to @cayemarsh.bsky.social! Her book STATION IN THE SKY, published by @wctracy.bsky.social, is a semifinalist in the sci-fi category for the 2026 Small Spec Book Awards.
#SSBA #SSBA2026
#SSBA #SSBA2026
Congratulations to @blairbidmead.bsky.social! His book ROSE-COLOURED CROSSHAIRS, published by @obversebooks.co.uk, is a semifinalist in the sci-fi category for the 2026 Small Spec Book Awards.
#SSBA #SSBA2026
#SSBA #SSBA2026
August 16, 2026 at 11:56 PM
Congratulations to @blairbidmead.bsky.social! His book ROSE-COLOURED CROSSHAIRS, published by @obversebooks.co.uk, is a semifinalist in the sci-fi category for the 2026 Small Spec Book Awards.
#SSBA #SSBA2026
#SSBA #SSBA2026
Reposted by Small Spec Book Awards
Excellent news!
Congratulations to Antony Paschos! His book IT'S YOU, ISN'T IT?, published by @wctracy.bsky.social, is a semifinalist in the sci-fi category for the 2026 Small Spec Book Awards.
#SSBA #SSBA2026
#SSBA #SSBA2026
August 15, 2026 at 8:34 PM
Excellent news!
Reposted by Small Spec Book Awards
SSBA Semi-finalist feature #4 has been out in the world for a few days now featuring:
@specawards.bsky.social
Puppet's Banquet by Val Loughcrewe
Rose-Coloured Crosshairs by @blairbidmead.bsky.social
The Witch's Journey by Keith Miller
www.blog.melodyemcintyre.com/2026/08/smal...
@specawards.bsky.social
Puppet's Banquet by Val Loughcrewe
Rose-Coloured Crosshairs by @blairbidmead.bsky.social
The Witch's Journey by Keith Miller
www.blog.melodyemcintyre.com/2026/08/smal...
Small Spec Book Awards - 2026 Semi-Finalist Feature #4
For my SSBA 2026 semi-finalist series, I have focused a post each on fantasy, horror, and sci-fi. So, it only make sense that post #4 be a m...
www.blog.melodyemcintyre.com
August 16, 2026 at 1:43 AM
SSBA Semi-finalist feature #4 has been out in the world for a few days now featuring:
@specawards.bsky.social
Puppet's Banquet by Val Loughcrewe
Rose-Coloured Crosshairs by @blairbidmead.bsky.social
The Witch's Journey by Keith Miller
www.blog.melodyemcintyre.com/2026/08/smal...
@specawards.bsky.social
Puppet's Banquet by Val Loughcrewe
Rose-Coloured Crosshairs by @blairbidmead.bsky.social
The Witch's Journey by Keith Miller
www.blog.melodyemcintyre.com/2026/08/smal...
Reposted by Small Spec Book Awards
You can read about the inspiration behind The Witches Journey by Keith Miller - published by @elsewhen.press - in this latest blog post on the #SSBA semi-finalists, from @melodyemcintyre.bsky.social ☺️
#SSBA2026 #fantasyfiction @specawards.bsky.social #booksky
#SSBA2026 #fantasyfiction @specawards.bsky.social #booksky
SSBA Semi-finalist feature #4 has been out in the world for a few days now featuring:
@specawards.bsky.social
Puppet's Banquet by Val Loughcrewe
Rose-Coloured Crosshairs by @blairbidmead.bsky.social
The Witch's Journey by Keith Miller
www.blog.melodyemcintyre.com/2026/08/smal...
@specawards.bsky.social
Puppet's Banquet by Val Loughcrewe
Rose-Coloured Crosshairs by @blairbidmead.bsky.social
The Witch's Journey by Keith Miller
www.blog.melodyemcintyre.com/2026/08/smal...
Small Spec Book Awards - 2026 Semi-Finalist Feature #4
For my SSBA 2026 semi-finalist series, I have focused a post each on fantasy, horror, and sci-fi. So, it only make sense that post #4 be a m...
www.blog.melodyemcintyre.com
August 16, 2026 at 7:36 AM
You can read about the inspiration behind The Witches Journey by Keith Miller - published by @elsewhen.press - in this latest blog post on the #SSBA semi-finalists, from @melodyemcintyre.bsky.social ☺️
#SSBA2026 #fantasyfiction @specawards.bsky.social #booksky
#SSBA2026 #fantasyfiction @specawards.bsky.social #booksky
We have been made aware of serious allegations regarding one of the writers participating in the SSBA competition this year. We are currently investigating.
August 15, 2026 at 8:34 PM
We have been made aware of serious allegations regarding one of the writers participating in the SSBA competition this year. We are currently investigating.
Reposted by Small Spec Book Awards
Thank you!!! I'm super honored 🥰
Congratulations to @rascalhartley.bsky.social! Their book DEAR STUPID PENPAL, published by @tenebrouspress.bsky.social, is a semifinalist in the sci-fi category for the 2026 Small Spec Book Awards.
#SSBA #SSBA2026
#SSBA #SSBA2026
August 15, 2026 at 5:41 PM
Thank you!!! I'm super honored 🥰
Congratulations to Antony Paschos! His book IT'S YOU, ISN'T IT?, published by @wctracy.bsky.social, is a semifinalist in the sci-fi category for the 2026 Small Spec Book Awards.
#SSBA #SSBA2026
#SSBA #SSBA2026
August 15, 2026 at 8:14 PM
Congratulations to Antony Paschos! His book IT'S YOU, ISN'T IT?, published by @wctracy.bsky.social, is a semifinalist in the sci-fi category for the 2026 Small Spec Book Awards.
#SSBA #SSBA2026
#SSBA #SSBA2026
Congratulations to @rascalhartley.bsky.social! Their book DEAR STUPID PENPAL, published by @tenebrouspress.bsky.social, is a semifinalist in the sci-fi category for the 2026 Small Spec Book Awards.
#SSBA #SSBA2026
#SSBA #SSBA2026
August 15, 2026 at 2:48 AM
Congratulations to @rascalhartley.bsky.social! Their book DEAR STUPID PENPAL, published by @tenebrouspress.bsky.social, is a semifinalist in the sci-fi category for the 2026 Small Spec Book Awards.
#SSBA #SSBA2026
#SSBA #SSBA2026
Congratulations to Lux Thorn! Their book CHIPPED, published by @thewpp.bsky.social, is a semifinalist in the sci-fi category for the 2026 Small Spec Book Awards.
#SSBA #SSBA2026
#SSBA #SSBA2026
August 13, 2026 at 1:22 PM
Congratulations to Lux Thorn! Their book CHIPPED, published by @thewpp.bsky.social, is a semifinalist in the sci-fi category for the 2026 Small Spec Book Awards.
#SSBA #SSBA2026
#SSBA #SSBA2026