Browse the 2026 Small Spec Book Awards (SSBA) Semi-finalists list with me

Welcome, friend! It’s the second year for the Small Spec Book Awards (SSBA). Last year, I was surprised by the bold ideas and unusual genre blends in the stories across the SSBA categories. This year, I’m making it a tradition to meet the books I might never have discovered otherwise. 

Rather than trying to summarize every semi-finalist, I thought I would do something a little different this year. Think of this as a sampler platter—a chance to celebrate the creativity of this year’s shortlist through the themes, first impressions, and moments that immediately caught my attention. Join me as we discover these books together.

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📖 First Impressions of the SSBA Semi-finalists 2026

When I first looked through the semi-finalist list, I had only the title, author, and genre in front of me. Even with so little information, a title can start to create a picture in your mind. Then I looked at the cover and read the synopsis, and my first impression began to take shape.

As I browsed the shortlist, these were the little notes I scribbled to myself for the books that caught my attention… You can click/tap the book cover to go to the Goodreads page.

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🎲 If I could only start with three…

Based purely on first impressions, these are the books I’d pick up first. 

Echoes Of The Etherstone by Lucy A. McLaren

Cerulean Sky by David Corse 

Casual by Koji A. Dae

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✨ Things I noticed

• The Whumpy Printing Press writes catchy and fun synopsis. I love their 12 Months of Whump series for 2025. I had never seen anything like it in traditional publishing. 
• All titles that I looked at from Tenebrous Press piqued my interest. 
• I noticed climate change appearing in both science fiction and horror this year. It’s always fascinating to see how different genres explore the same concepts from completely different angles.

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📚 Browse the full list of Semi-finalists

links to publisher websites

Fantasy

• Ballad Of River Bones by Alexandra Beaumont (Brigids Gate Press)
• Beyond The Border Forest by Molly Haniszewski (Quills and Cosmos Press)
• Castoff by Brandon Crilly (Atthis Arts)
• Deepest Canyon by Kras Nebula (The Whumpy Printing Press)
• Echoes Of The Etherstone by Lucy A. McLaren (Owl Talyn Press)
• Fallen Destiny by Yolanda Sfetsos (Brigids Gate Press)
• Hunting Static by Jayde Layne (The Whumpy Printing Press)
• Small Magics For The Traveling Wizard by S.A. McKenzie (Cloaked Press)
• The Ice Moves For No One by Arlo Z. Graves (Quills and Cosmos Press)
• The Witch’s Journey by Keith Miller (Elsewhen Press)

Horror

• JK-LOL by Patrick Barb (Mad Axe Media)
• My Lips, Her Voice by L.L. Madrid (Creature Publishing) 
• Puppet’s Banquet by Valkyrie Loughcrewe (Tenebrous Press)
• Reef Mind by Hazel Zorn (Tenebrous Press)
• Running Dry by M.Christian (Queen of Swords Press)
• Satanic Static by Bryan Holmbry (Anuci Press)
• Song Dogs by Brennan LaFaro (Brigids Gate Press)
• The Big One by Patrick Barb (Anuci Press) 
• The Restless Few by James M. Watjen (Anuci Press)
• We Like It Cherry by Jacy Morris (Tenebrous Press)

Science Fiction

• As A Kang Should Be by Dale Smith (Obverse Books)
• Bonnie And Guy by Nox Spacey (The Whumpy Printing Press)
• Casual by Koji A. Dae (Tenebrous Press)
• Cerulean Sky by David Corse (Polymath Press)
• Chipped by Lux Thorn (The Whumpy Printing Press)
• Dear Stupid Penpal by Rascal Hartley (Tenebrous Press)
• It’s You, Isn’t It by Antony Paschos (Space Wizard Science Fantasy)
• Rose-Coloured Crosshairs by Blair Bidmead (Obverse Books)
• Station In The Sky by Caye Marsh (Space Wizard Science Fantasy)
• Tomorrow Was Beautiful Once by Amy Orrell (Elsewhen Press)

I’ll be cheering these books on as the awards continue and can’t wait to see which titles move forward. Stay tuned for the finalists and winner features later in the year. 🙂

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What’s Next for SSBA 2026 on the blog

I love supporting indie and small press authors, and awards like the Small Spec Book Awards (SSBA) are such a fantastic way to explore a variety of bold, creative, genre-expanding titles. As an influencer championing these awards, like last year, finalists and winners will be highlighted and reviewed on the blog! You know I won’t miss the opportunity to chat with the winning authors. 😀

I had the pleasure of chatting with SSBA founders Millie and LN in an interview you can read here. Don’t miss the Indie Recommendations from Millie and check out LN’s favourites here.

Check out the links below for updates on the Small Spec Book Awards: Official Page, X, Instagram, BlueSky.

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Thanks for joining me today! Have you spotted a title that immediately jumped onto your TBR? I’d love to know which one caught your eye!

Fantasy 2025 SSBA