North Carolina Speculative Fiction Award Names 10 Finalists for 2026
The Manly Made Wellman Award, which recognizes science fiction and fantasy novels by Tarheel State authors, will be awarded July 17 at ConGregate 12 in Greensboro.
Wes Platt
The North Carolina Speculative Fiction Foundation has named 10 finalists for the 2026 Manly Wade Wellman Award, which recognizes science fiction and fantasy novels by North Carolina authors.
This year’s finalists are:
- The Unseen by Ania Ahlborn
- Last Chance Live! by Helena Haywoode Henry
- Infinite Archive by Mur Lafferty
- Transmentation: Transience by Darkly Lem
- The Coming Dark by D.J. Molles
- Labyrinth by A.G. Riddle
- Shadows Upon Time by Christopher Ruocchio
- Children of Solitude by Michael G. Williams
- Closing Time at the Sunny-Side-Up by David Niall Wilson
- Fallen City by Adrienne Young
The winner, or winners, will be announced July 17 during the opening ceremonies for ConGregate 12 in Greensboro. Scheduled featured guests at the convention include John Scalzi, Richard Kadrey, Sherrilyn Kenyon, and Tally Johnson.
The Manly Wade Wellman Award was founded in 2013 to honor outstanding achievement in science fiction and fantasy novels written by North Carolina authors. The 2026 award covers novels published in 2025.
The award is named for Manly Wade Wellman, a longtime North Carolina author known for his contributions to fantasy, science fiction, horror, and regional storytelling.
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