The Nebula Awards are presented every year by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA). They are among the most prestigious honours in the world of speculative fiction. Since 1966, these awards have consistently acknowledged the work of astonishing writers who have used their art to push the boundaries of imagination, storytelling, and literary craftsmanship. The Nebula Conference and Awards were held from June 05 to June 08 in Kansas City, Missouri, where authors, creators and their works were honored for their profound impact on readers and the genre itself. These awards are more than just prizes; they show how science fiction & fantasy can explore big ideas and help us understand ourselves. Now, let's check who won the Nebula Award in 2025.
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Nebula Award Winners List 2025
Winners were announced at the 60th Nebula Awards Ceremony which was held in Kansas City, Missouri. Here is the comprehensive list of the 2025 Nebula Award winners, along with the other nominated works in each category:
| Category | Winner | Nominees (excluding winner) |
| Novel | Someone You Can Build a Nest In, John Wiswell | Sleeping Worlds Have No Memory, Yaroslav Barsukov; Rakesfall, Vajra Chandrasekera; Asunder, Kerstin Hall; A Sorceress Comes to Call, T. Kingfisher; The Book of Love, Kelly Link |
| Novella | The Dragonfly Gambit, A.D. Sui | The Butcher of the Forest, Premee Mohamed; The Tusks of Extinction, Ray Nayler; Lost Ark Dreaming, Suyi Davies Okungbowa; Countess, Suzan Palumbo; The Practice, the Horizon, and the Chain, Sofia Samatar |
| Novelette | “Negative Scholarship on the Fifth State of Being“, A.W. Prihandita | “The Brotherhood of Montague St. Video“, Thomas Ha; “Katya Vasilievna and the Second Drowning of Baba Rechka“, Christine Hanolsy; “Another Girl Under the Iron Bell“, Angela Liu; “What Any Dead Thing Wants“, Aimee Ogden; “Joanna’s Bodies“, Eugenia Triantafyllou; “Loneliness Universe“, Eugenia Triantafyllou |
| Short Story | “Why Don’t We Just Kill the Kid in the Omelas Hole“, Isabel J. Kim | “The Witch Trap”, Jennifer Hudak; “Five Views of the Planet Tartarus“, Rachael K. Jones; “Evan: A Remainder“, Jordan Kurella; “The V*mpire“, PH Lee; “We Will Teach You How to Read | We Will Teach You How to Read“, Caroline M. Yoachim |
| Andre Norton Award | The Young Necromancer’s Guide to Ghosts, Vanessa Ricci-Thode | Daydreamer, Rob Cameron; Braided, Leah Cypess; Benny Ramírez and the Nearly Departed, José Pablo Iriarte; Moonstorm, Yoon Ha Lee; Puzzleheart, Jenn Reese |
| Ray Bradbury Award | Dune: Part Two | Doctor Who: “Dot and Bubble”; I Saw the TV Glow; KAOS; Star Trek: Lower Decks Season 5; Wicked |
| Game Writing | A Death in Hyperspace | Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree; The Ghost and the Golem; 1000xRESIST; Pacific Drive; Restore, Reflect, Retry; Slay the Princess – The Pristine Cut; Yazeba’s Bed & Breakfast |
What are the Nebula Awards?
The Nebula Awards are organized and awarded by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association (SFWA), which is a nonprofit organization created for science fiction and fantasy writers. The first Nebula Conference was held in 1966, four categories were awarded for literary works in different genres. These awards yearly recognise the best works of sci-fi or fantasy authors published in the US.
What is the Significance of Nebula Awards?
The Nebula Award is considered one of the "Big Three" awards in science fiction and fantasy, alongside the Hugo Award and the Locus Award.
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Its prestige stems from its unique voting body: the awards are voted on by the active members of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA) – meaning, the winners are chosen by their peers, the very writers who contribute to the genre. Winning a Nebula Award signifies a high level of critical acclaim and artistic achievement, often boosting a work's visibility and solidifying an author's reputation.
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For many writers, it represents the ultimate recognition from those who truly understand the craft of speculative storytelling.
Who has won the most Nebula Awards?
Connie Willis is the most award-winning Science Fiction writer, having won eight Nebula Awards, twelve Hugo Awards, and fourteen Locus Awards. In recognition of her significant contributions to the genre, the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA) presented her with the Damon Knight Memorial Grand Master Award in 2012.
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Conclusion
The 2025 Nebula Award Winners List serves as an essential guide to some of the finest speculative fiction produced in the past year. The enduring prestige of the Nebula Award, rooted in its peer-voted nature, highlights the critical appreciation these works command within the writing community. These winners not only represent excellence in their respective categories but also contribute to the rich tapestry of stories that define and advance the science fiction and fantasy genres for years to come.
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