The Year's Best Science Fiction: Thirty First Annual Collection, edited by Gardner Dozois, is now available. This volume contains my story “Gray Wings,” and marks my second appearance in Dozois’ Year’s Best anthology.

Back when “Gray Wings” was published in Asimov’s I made some disparaging remarks about the story, saying it was “low-key, understated, doesn’t take any risks,” and so on. Then I concluded by saying “maybe (if the fates are sufficiently perverse) this will go on to be my most successful and acclaimed story ever.”

And lo, it has come to pass. In terms of positive reviews, etc., this has been my most successful story to date.

Which is okay by me, I guess. I think it’s a decent story, and I’m fond of it in spite of its lack of any great virtues. But if you want my opinion, “Ashes” and “The Remembered” are both better stories.

And of course, better still, as always, are all the stories I haven’t written yet...