Small Spec Book Awards - 2026 Semi-Finalist Feature #3
First, I featured fantasy authors , then horror authors. For my 3rd SSBA Semi-finalist post, I will be focusing on 3 of the science-fiction semi-finalists: Koji A. Dae, author of Casual; Rachel Hartley, author of Dear Stupid Penpal; and Amy Orrell, author of Tomorrow Was Beautiful Once. Every Sunday between now and when the finalists are announced (or until I run out of mini-interviews), I will be highlighting the semi-finalists at a time. More information on the awards can be found here . The full list of the 2026 semi-finalists can be found here . Each author has been asked the same questions: 1. What inspired you to write this book? 2. What was your favourite part of writing it? 3. Where can we find you and your work? (socials, blog, website) Casual by Koji A. Dae Valya’s neural implant is amazing. Its game-like app, CASUAL, has managed her depression and anxiety, stabilized her mood, and helped the infertile Valya get pregnant. But new laws for...