Congratulations to @patrickbarb.bsky.social! His book JK-LOL, published by Max Axe Media, is a semifinalist in the horror category for the 2026 Small Spec Book Awards. #SSBA #SSBA2026

Congratulations to Keith Miller! His book THE WITCH'S JOURNEY, published by @elsewhen.press, is a semifinalist in the fantasy category for the 2026 Small Spec Book Awards. #SSBA #SSBA2026

Congratulations to @arlozgraves.bsky.social! Their book THE ICE MOVES FOR NO ONE, published by @quillsandcosmos.bsky.social, is a semifinalist in the fantasy category for the 2026 Small Spec Book Awards. #SSBA #SSBA2026

Congratulations to @samckenzie.bsky.social! Their book SMALL MAGICS FOR THE TRAVELING WIZARD, published by @cloakedpress.bsky.social, is a semifinalist in the fantasy category for the 2026 Small Spec Book Awards. #SSBA #SSBA2026

Congratulations to Jayde Layne! Her book HUNTING STATIC, published by @thewpp.bsky.social, is a semifinalist in the fantasy category for the 2026 Small Spec Book Awards. #SSBA #SSBA2026

Did you know that you can find SSBA influencer content on our webpage? Click on the “More Information” tab in our navigation menu at the top of the SSBA webpage and find reviews, interviews, features, and more! This will also be updated throughout the competition. 👀

Congratulations to @yolandasfetsos.bsky.social! Her book FALLEN DESTINY, published by @brigidsgatepress.bsky.social, is a semifinalist in the fantasy category for the 2026 Small Spec Book Awards. #SSBA #SSBA2026

Congratulations to @lucyamclaren.bsky.social! Her book ECHOES OF THE ETHERSTONE, published by Owl Talyn Press, is a semifinalist in the fantasy category for the 2026 Small Spec Book Awards. #SSBA #SSBA2026

Congratulations to Kras Nebula! Their book DEEPEST CANYON, published by @thewpp.bsky.social, is a semifinalist in the fantasy category for the 2026 Small Spec Book Awards. #SSBA #SSBA2026

Congratulations to @brandoncrilly.bsky.social! His book CASTOFF is a semifinalist in the fantasy category for the 2026 Small Spec Book Awards. #SSBA #SSBA2026

Congratulations to @mollyhaniszewski.bsky.social! Their book BEYOND THE BORDER FOREST, published by @quillsandcosmos.bsky.social, is a semifinalist in the fantasy category for the 2026 Small Spec Book Awards. #SSBA #SSBA2026

Congratulations to @abeaumontbooks.bsky.social! Her book BALLAD OF RIVER BONES, published by @brigidsgatepress.bsky.social, is a semifinalist in the fantasy category for the 2026 Small Spec Book Awards. #SSBA #SSBA2026

It's time to announce the semifinalists for the 2026 Small Spec Book Awards! Huge thanks to our readers, who worked diligently to assign ratings to all books. The competition was close. Authors, we hope you are proud of your stories because we are. Thank you for sharing them with us.

And now for the surprise! 🥳 The SSBA will do a live show with Saffron on the BOOKED podcast to announce the 2026 semifinalists! Thank you, Saffron, for this incredible opportunity to uplift our writers. We are grateful for your partnership. 💙 www.youtube.com/live/seWPfMm... /fin

The final person in our “Get to Know our Influencers” series is Saffron Asteria! She is the host of BOOKED, a podcast, and the owner of Indiosyncrasy. Saffron is a second year influencer and a major supporter of the SSBA. Let’s get to know her and her work a little better. /1

Next up on our “Get to Know our Influencers” series is Sarah Foil, writer & bookstagrammer! (SSBA Founder L. N. Holmes & Sarah actually knew each other long before the SSBA existed.) Sarah is another first year influencer.✨ Let’s get to know her and her work a little better. /1

Michael’s next endeavor is a story for the RINGS OF ADVENTURE anthology, coming to Kickstarter September 1. (Full disclosure: L. N. Holmes, SSBA founder, is also part of this anthology.) /6

Next up on our “Get to Know our Influencers” series is Michael Vadney! He is the creator of the Author Adjacent podcast. Michael is another first year influencer, and we are super grateful to have him join our team! ✨ Let’s get to know him and his work a little better. /1

Next up on our “Get to Know our Influencers” series is Gemma! She is the creator of the blog, Gemma's Bookshelf. Gemma is both an influencer and a reader for the competition this year! ✨ Let’s get to know her and her work a little better. /1

Next up on our “Get to Know our Influencers” series is Cat Treadwell! She is the creator of the blog, Cat’s Books. Another second year influencer, Cat reads and reviews lots of speculative fiction! Let’s get to know her and her work a little better. /1

Next up on our “Get to Know our Influencers” series is Kriti Khare! She is the creator of the blog, Armed with a Book. This is the second year Kriti has joined our team. She has written some incredible stuff to support our writers! Let’s get to know her and her work a little better. /1

And here is an interview Melody did with Evan J. Peterson, the 2025 SSBA winner in fantasy: www.blog.melodyemcintyre.com/2026/03/evan... /6

Here is one of the reviews Melody wrote for our 2025 SSBA winner in horror, R. A. Busby: www.blog.melodyemcintyre.com/2026/05/you-... /5

First up on our “Get to Know our Influencers” series is @melodyemcintyre.bsky.social! They run the blog, Melody Writes. This is the second year that Melody has helped us out at the SSBA. We are so grateful for their contributions! Let’s get to know them and their work a little better. /1

Nominated in science fiction for the 2026 Small Spec Book Awards: TOMORROW WAS BEAUTIFUL ONCE by Amy Orrell (@elsewhen.press). Congratulations! #SSBA #SSBA2026

Nominated in science fiction for the 2026 Small Spec Book Awards: THE MOON THE SUN FORGOT by B.J. Wagner (@mythicroads.bsky.social). Congratulations! #SSBA #SSBA2026

Nominated in science fiction for the 2026 Small Spec Book Awards: TERMINAL SOLSTICE by @seanminogue.bsky.social (Turnstone Press). Congratulations! #SSBA #SSBA2026

Nominated in science fiction for the 2026 Small Spec Book Awards: STATION IN THE SKY by @cayemarsh.bsky.social (@wctracy.bsky.social). Congratulations! #SSBA #SSBA2026

Nominated in science fiction for the 2026 Small Spec Book Awards: SOMETHING IN THE WATER by Sandy Stuckless (@cloakedpress.bsky.social). Congratulations! #SSBA #SSBA2026

Nominated in science fiction for the 2026 Small Spec Book Awards: SILENCE by Zi Trone (@thewpp.bsky.social). Congratulations! #SSBA #SSBA2026