Speculative Horizons: Alex T. Singer’s “We, the Fleet” Wins the 2026 Theodore Sturgeon Memorial Award

Executive Overview

In a definitive acknowledgment of literary excellence within the speculative fiction community, the J. Wayne and Elsie M. Gunn Center for the Study of Science Fiction has officially announced the winners of the 2026 Theodore Sturgeon Memorial Award. Taking the top honor is Alex T. Singer for their evocative short story, “We, the Fleet,” originally published in the May 2025 issue of Clarkesworld Magazine.

The Sturgeon Award, established in 1987, stands as one of the most prestigious accolades in speculative literature, specifically celebrating the art of the science fiction short story. Named in honor of the legendary author Theodore Sturgeon, the award highlights works that showcase the emotional depth, stylistic innovation, and humanistic focus that characterized Sturgeon’s own pioneering career.

This year’s selection underscores a vibrant period of thematic diversity and stylistic experimentation in short speculative fiction. Securing the second-place runner-up position is Rich Larson for his visceral narrative, “The Sack of Burley Cottage,” published in Reactor in June 2025. Third place was awarded to Alaya Dawn Johnson for her haunting work, “The Shadow on the Nest,” which appeared in the September/October 2025 issue of Uncanny Magazine.

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The announcement arrives ahead of the fifth annual Sturgeon Symposium, scheduled to take place from October 15–16, 2026, at the Hall Center for the Humanities in Lawrence, Kansas. Under the banner theme of “Expanding Speculative Horizons,” the symposium and the accompanying award ceremony will bring together leading scholars, writers, and critics to dissect the evolving landscape of science fiction in an era of profound technological and social transition.

Detailed Chronology

The journey to the 2026 Sturgeon Award presentation represents a rigorous, year-long cycle of publication, curation, and critical deliberation.

[May – Oct 2025]     Primary publication window for the finalist stories.
[Late 2025 – 2026]   Jury selection process and deep deliberation phase.
[Mid-2026]           Finalist shortlists compiled and winning stories selected.
[Oct 15-16, 2026]    5th Annual Sturgeon Symposium & Official Award Ceremony.

The Publication Window (May – October 2025)

The stories under consideration for this year’s cycle were published during the competitive 2025 calendar year, a period marked by intense creative output across leading digital and print speculative venues:

May 2025: Alex T. Singer’s “We, the Fleet” debut in Clarkesworld Magazine, quickly garnering critical acclaim for its lyrical prose and complex handling of collective identity.
June 25, 2025: Rich Larson’s “The Sack of Burley Cottage” is released on Reactor (the newly rebranded flagship speculative portal formerly known as Tor.com), blending domestic suspense with near-future speculative dread.
September/October 2025: Alaya Dawn Johnson’s “The Shadow on the Nest” is published in Uncanny Magazine, offering readers a deeply atmospheric, culturally rich exploration of legacy and power.

Deliberation and Consensus (Early to Mid-2026)

Following the close of the eligibility year, the Sturgeon Award jury—composed of prominent authors, editors, and academics—embarked on a multi-stage reading and voting process. Tasked with evaluating hundreds of eligible short stories, the panel sought works that not only pushed the boundaries of the genre but also honored Sturgeon’s core belief that science fiction must remain fundamentally focused on the human condition.

The Upcoming Presentation (October 15, 2026)

The formal presentation of the award will serve as the centerpiece of the Sturgeon Symposium’s opening day at the University of Kansas. The scheduled sequence of events for the ceremony on October 15 includes:

Opening Reception: A gathering of scholars, authors, and members of the public at the Hall Center for the Humanities.
Opening Remarks: Institutional welcome from representatives of the Gunn Center.
Presentation of the Sturgeon Award: The formal delivery of the trophy to Alex T. Singer.
Keynote Reading & Presentations: Scheduled readings from the honored works, including a featured presentation by literary guests and honorees.
Interactive Q&A Session: A moderated discussion exploring the creative processes behind the winning narratives and the broader state of contemporary short fiction.

Supporting Context & Literary Metrics

To fully appreciate the significance of this year’s awards, one must examine the institutional history of the prize, the legacy of its namesake, and the shifting dynamics of the publishing venues that brought these stories to light.

The Legacy of Theodore Sturgeon

Theodore Sturgeon (1918–1985) was an undisputed master of the short story form. Unlike many of his Golden Age contemporaries who prioritized hard scientific mechanics or grand space operas, Sturgeon focused on marginalized characters, unconventional love, psychological intimacy, and radical empathy. His philosophy—often encapsulated by his personal symbol, the Q-with-an-arrow-through-it ("Ask the Next Question")—demanded that writers look past easy answers.

Established in 1987 by the late SF Grand Master James Gunn and Sturgeon’s heirs—including his partner Jayne Engelhart Tannehill and his children—the Sturgeon Award was designed to ensure that short fiction remained recognized as the lifeblood of the speculative genre.

The Publishing Venues: Champions of Short Speculative Fiction

The distribution of this year’s top three places across Clarkesworld, Reactor, and Uncanny highlights the dominant role digital magazines play in sustaining the contemporary short story market.

Publication	Editor-in-Chief / Publisher	Focus Area	Historical Impact
*Clarkesworld Magazine*	Neil Clarke	Hard SF, post-humanism, international translations, stylistic experimentation.	Multi-award-winning (Hugo, Nebula, Locus); a vital gateway for global voices.
*Reactor*	Tor Publishing Group Group / Macmillan	High-concept fantasy, gritty near-future SF, literary slipstream.	Formerly Tor.com; serves as a massive cultural hub for speculative commentary and fiction.
*Uncanny Magazine*	Lynne M. Thomas & Michael Damian Thomas	High-emotion speculative fiction, diverse representation, poetry, and cultural essays.	Dominant force in the Hugo Awards; known for deep character-driven narratives.

The victory of Clarkesworld with Singer’s "We, the Fleet" reinforces the magazine’s reputation for identifying and cultivating groundbreaking voices. Under Neil Clarke’s editorial stewardship, Clarkesworld has consistently championed stories that combine intellectual rigor with profound emotional resonance, making it a natural home for a Sturgeon Award-winning piece.

Official Statements and Juror Profiles

The integrity of the Sturgeon Award rests on the expertise of its jury. This year’s panel represents a formidable cross-section of the speculative fiction community, blending creative masters with rigorous academic minds.

The 2026 Jury Panel

Elizabeth Bear: A highly decorated author of speculative fiction, Bear is a recipient of the Hugo, Nebula, and Locus Awards. Her deep understanding of both short-form and novel-length storytelling brings immense craft-based authority to the panel.
Kelly Link: A MacArthur "Genius" Fellow, Pulitzer Prize finalist, and co-founder of Small Beer Press, Link is widely regarded as one of the most influential short story writers of the 21st century. Her eye for the surreal, the slipstream, and the avant-garde shapes the high literary standards of the selection process.
Sarah Pinsker: A prolific and acclaimed novelist and short story writer, Pinsker has won the Hugo, Nebula, and Theodore Sturgeon Awards herself. Her firsthand knowledge of what makes a Sturgeon-worthy story provides invaluable perspective.
Noël Sturgeon: Representing the Sturgeon estate, Noël Sturgeon ensures that the selection remains aligned with her father’s humanistic values, literary standards, and empathetic worldview.
Dr. Taryne Taylor: An academic specialist in speculative fiction, Dr. Taylor brings scholarly rigor to the jury, contextualizing contemporary submissions within the historical trajectory of the genre.

Analytical Assessment of the Selection

While official deliberations remain confidential, the consensus reached by such a diverse and accomplished jury points to a shared vision for the genre. In evaluating Singer’s "We, the Fleet" alongside the works of Larson and Johnson, the jury has elevated stories that grapple with collective trauma, technological alienation, and the enduring quest for agency in structured, often hostile systems.

These themes directly echo Theodore Sturgeon’s own literary preoccupation with how individuals survive, love, and find meaning within overwhelming societal or technological frameworks.

Future Outlook: The Sturgeon Symposium and the Evolution of Speculative Fiction

As the Gunn Center prepares for the October 2026 symposium, the theme “Expanding Speculative Horizons” serves as an urgent call to action for both creators and academics. The landscape of speculative fiction is undergoing rapid evolution, driven by shifts in technology, environmental urgency, and the changing economics of publishing.

Key Themes of the 2026 Symposium

The Sturgeon Symposium at the Hall Center for the Humanities will tackle several pressing issues currently shaping the genre:

The Human vs. Algorithmic Voice: In an era where generative AI threatens to flood digital submission queues, the symposium will champion the irreplaceable value of human emotion, stylistic vulnerability, and lived experience—traits exemplified by Singer’s winning story.
Global and Collective Narratives: Moving away from the individualistic "hero’s journey" of traditional Western SF, contemporary works like "We, the Fleet" explore collective consciousness, community survival, and shared responsibility.
The Preservation of Independent Venues: Panels will address the economic realities of running digital magazines like Clarkesworld and Uncanny, highlighting the critical need for reader-supported models and institutional backing to keep short fiction accessible to a global audience.

The Enduring Role of the Gunn Center

Under the auspices of the J. Wayne and Elsie M. Gunn Center for the Study of Science Fiction, the Sturgeon Award and its accompanying symposium continue to bridge the gap between creative practice and academic study. By honoring writers like Alex T. Singer, Rich Larson, and Alaya Dawn Johnson, the Center ensures that Lawrence, Kansas, remains a vital intellectual hub for speculative fiction.

As the literary community looks forward to the physical gathering in October 2026, the recognized works of this cycle stand as a testament to the resilience and vibrancy of short science fiction. They remind us that even as our technological horizons expand at a dizzying pace, the core task of speculative literature remains unchanged: to ask the next question, to explore the uncharted territories of the human heart, and to map the pathways of our collective future.