Small Spec Book Awards

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!

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

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

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...

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

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.

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 📚🪐

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

Congrats to @blairbidmead.bsky.social!

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

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

Excellent news!

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...

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

We have been made aware of serious allegations regarding one of the writers participating in the SSBA competition this year. We are currently investigating.

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

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

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

Congratulations to @itsmedavidcorse.bsky.social! His book CERULEAN SKY, published by Polymath Press, is a semifinalist in the sci-fi category for the 2026 Small Spec Book Awards. #SSBA #SSBA2026

Congratulations to @kojiadae.bsky.social! Her book CASUAL, published by @tenebrouspress.bsky.social, is a semifinalist in the sci-fi category for the 2026 Small Spec Book Awards. #SSBA #SSBA2026

Congratulations to Nox Spacey! Their book BONNIE AND GUY, published by @thewpp.bsky.social, is a semifinalist in the sci-fi category for the 2026 Small Spec Book Awards. #SSBA #SSBA2026

Congratulations to Dale Smith! His book AS A KANG SHOULD BE, published by @obversebooks.co.uk, is a semifinalist in the sci-fi category for the 2026 Small Spec Book Awards. #SSBA #SSBA2026

Congratulations to @jacymorris.bsky.social! His book WE LIKE IT CHERRY, published by @tenebrouspress.bsky.social, is a semifinalist in the horror category for the 2026 Small Spec Book Awards. #SSBA #SSBA2026

Congratulations to James M. Watjen! His book THE RESTLESS FEW, published by @tonyanuci.bsky.social, is a semifinalist in the horror category for the 2026 Small Spec Book Awards. #SSBA #SSBA2026

Honored for Song Dogs to be a horror semifinalist in the Small Spec Book Awards!

My latest SSBA Semi-finalist post went live on Sunday featuring 3 sci-fi finalists: @specawards.bsky.social @kojiadae.bsky.social - Casual; @rascalhartley.bsky.social - Dear Stupid Penpal @authoramyorrell.bsky.social - Tomorrow Was Beautiful Once. www.blog.melodyemcintyre.com/2026/08/smal...

Congratulations to @brennanlafaro.bsky.social! His book SONG DOGS, published by @brigidsgatepress.bsky.social, is a semifinalist in the horror category for the 2026 Small Spec Book Awards. #SSBA #SSBA2026

Congratulations to @holmbry.bsky.social! His book SATANIC STATIC, published by @tonyanuci.bsky.social, is a semifinalist in the horror category for the 2026 Small Spec Book Awards. #SSBA #SSBA2026

#Booksky working on a tribute post for a memorial anthology for Chris this week and so happy to be including this!

Congratulations to @mchristian.bsky.social! Their book RUNNING DRY, published by @qospress.bsky.social, is a semifinalist in the horror category for the 2026 Small Spec Book Awards. #SSBA #SSBA2026

The third trilogy is @specawards.bsky.social finalist 16th century urban fantasy queer romcom Cursed. Books 1 & 2 available internationally as paperback, ebook & 1st book as audiobook (and some hardbacks still kicking about) 3rd book out next year. farragobooks.com/book-series/...

Congratulations to @hazelzorn.bsky.social! Her book REEF MIND, published by @tenebrouspress.bsky.social, is a semifinalist in the horror category for the 2026 Small Spec Book Awards. #SSBA #SSBA2026

Congratulations to Val Loughcrew! Their book PUPPET'S BANQUET, published by @tenebrouspress.bsky.social, is a semifinalist in the horror category for the 2026 Small Spec Book Awards. #SSBA #SSBA2026

Congratulations to @llmadridwrites.bsky.social! Her book MY LIPS, HER VOICE, published by Creature Publishing, is a semifinalist in the horror category for the 2026 Small Spec Book Awards. #SSBA #SSBA2026