The future of science fiction and the future of short fiction is in talented, capable hands. I can come to no other conclusion after co-judging the Must Read Books award for undergraduate writers and meeting the winner and most of the runners-up and honorable mentions. Rick Wilber and James Patrick Kelly co-judged the award with me, making this year’s judging an Asimov’s family affair. Rick Wilber, co-founder—along with Sheila Williams—and director of the award, narrowed the submissions to a top pool of stories, which he, Jim, and I then read blind before sharing our rankings. This year, all but two
