My Hugo award votes 2026, Part 2: Short Stories

The short story category was pretty good, better than in years. There were fewer very experimental or allegorical stories and more stories that actually told a real story, but often still had room for allegories and sly references to real things and problems. When putting the stories in order, I started from the last place as it was the easiest one to determine, just like second to the last. After that, the choices were very difficult as all stories were pretty good.  

 

"Six People to Revise You” by J.R. Dawson (Uncanny Magazine, Issue 62)

There is a new technology to “revise” a person. The protagonist wants that procedure - they are apparently trans. To be eligible, they must receive testimony from six people on what three things should be changed.  The changes aren’t exactly what they were expecting. Short, and not bad, story. A bit too scene-like; no proper start and the ending was a bit vague. 

 “In My Country” by Thomas Ha (Clarkesworld, Issue 223)

 A country which is free, because everyone is told so. But there are some limitations: art forms open to interpretation are not allowed, as they might provoke discontent. The son of the protagonist grows to be an author and writes stories that might offer interpretations critical of the current system that aren’t open, and the stories become popular. He is honored to be sent to “far fields,” where he will have the opportunity to create even better works. No one ever returns from there, supposedly because life there is so perfect. And usually there are few new creations by people living there. A very well-written and moving story written in fine poetic language. Not far from what the world is going towards. 

 “10 Visions of the Future; or, Self-Care for the End of Days” by Samantha Mills (Uncanny Magazine, Issue 63)

 Very short visions of different futures - all with catastrophes- that range from eldritch horrors or demon attacks to giant snowstorms to civil war to volcanic eruptions. But there is usually something to be learned or something that ties the protagonists together, and they are glad to be together. A nice story about love and comradeship. Somehow lacking, though. There was little actual plot. We don’t really learn much about the characters.

 “Laser Eyes Ain’t Everything” by Effie Seiberg (Diabolical Plots, May 16, 2025)

A man has become a superhero after an alien spaceship part hit him. He can shoot lasers from his eyes. He is wheelchair-bound, though. He joins the local chapter of superheroes, but their building is not wheelchair accessible. And no one of the superheroes is really interested in doing something about the matter. And no one of the super-abled is interested in real, important issues, like getting roads safer by building more roundabouts. But if you can’t be a superhero, there are other openings, like being a super villain. A fun, amusing lighthearted story.

 “Missing Helen” by Tia Tashiro (Clarkesworld, Issue 226)

A woman has a younger clone. When she hears that her ex is engaged to that clone, she gets conflicted feelings. The clone sisters decide to meet and discuss. After that discussion, the younger version’s feelings for the man start to slowly cool. A well-written bittersweet story about relations between humans and about how they develop.

 “Wire Mother” by Isabel J. Kim (Clarkesworld, Issue 229)

 Cassie’s mother is a computer simulation. Cassie suffers from ECD, a neurodivergent condition that prevents her from forming emotional bonds with simulated persons. That has led to some friction in family life, and she isn’t even salivating like other girls to create an electronic person as boyfriend when she turns 18. She dreams about old things and watches old movies with physical actors. She is starting to hate the never-aging simulacrum which claims to be her mother. But what if she finds a code that can permanently delete digital persons? Another good and well-written story with some irony of neurodivergence.

My voting order will be:

1. “In My Country” by Thomas Ha (Clarkesworld, Issue 223)

2. “Laser Eyes Ain’t Everything” by Effie Seiberg (Diabolical Plots, May 16, 2025)

3. “Wire Mother” by Isabel J. Kim (Clarkesworld, Issue 229)

4. “Missing Helen” by Tia Tashiro (Clarkesworld, Issue 226)

5. “Six People to Revise You” by J.R. Dawson (Uncanny Magazine, Issue 62)

6. “10 Visions of the Future; or, Self-Care for the End of Days” by Samantha Mills (Uncanny Magazine, Issue 63)