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Short Story Collections & Novellas (Author Compiled) Reading Order.

Quick Answer

Start Short Story Collections & Novellas (Author Compiled) by George R. R. Martin with "A Song For Lya And Other Stories", then follow the publication sequence. This order preserves the intended narrative twists and world-building progression.

Collections compiled by George R. R. Martin or individual significant non-series short fiction pieces.

Reader's Guide

This series spans 16 main titles released between 1976 and 2008. For the best experience, we recommend following the Publication Order below to preserve key plot reveals.

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Official Verdict

Short Answer:
Start with "A Song For Lya And Other Stories"

To experience the narrative as intended, read the main sequence in Publication Order.Ignore novellas and side stories until you finish the first 3 core novels. This resolves all timeline confusion and preserves every major twist.

Community Consensus

Low Debate

"The consensus is high praise and admiration for the effort involved in completing a comprehensive reading challenge (likely a 'Bingo Card') entirely through short story collections and novellas. Readers strongly encourage using the post's structure and methodology (the challenge squares) as inspiration for their own reading paths. Highly specific book endorsements include 'Boys, Beasts, and Men' and Yasmine Seale's translation of '1001 Nights'."

Key Reddit Advice

While no sequential reading order is mandated, several readers suggested moving 'Boys, Beasts, and Men' higher on their TBR list. The overall recommended 'order' is to adopt the Bingo Card or challenge structure itself to guide reading selections and ensure exploration of diverse short fiction categories.

Why This Order Is Confusing

Many reading lists for Short Story Collections & Novellas (Author Compiled) conflict because early publishers often labeled short story collections as standalone novels, or rearranged internal chronologies for marketing. This guide follows original author intent and narrative continuity to settle the debate for good.

Can I skip the short stories?

Technically yes, but we strongly advise against it for Short Story Collections & Novellas (Author Compiled). The shorter volumes often establish the core character motivations and world-building that the main saga assumes you already know.

I watched the show/movie first — where should I start?

Ignore the screen adaptations' timeline. Start with "A Song For Lya And Other Stories" to see the original depth of the world. The books offer a significantly different (and usually more complete) experience than the on-screen versions.

Why do people disagree on the order?

Disagreement usually stems from the conflict between purely chronological order and publication order. Most long-term fans recommend publication order to preserve the emotional arc and mystery reveals.

Curator's Strategy

Recommended Reading Order Strategy

The authoritative way to read the "Short Story Collections & Novellas (Author Compiled)" series is in Publication Order. Start with the first published book. It's the way the author intended the world to be revealed.This ensures you experience character reveals and plot twists exactly as the author intended.

Complete Series Reading Order

Publication Reading Order16 Titles

Why Publication Order?We recommend reading in Publication Order (default). This follows the author's release schedule, ensuring you experience plot twists, character growth, and world-building exactly as intended without spoilers.
Best Start Here
1

Avon Books, 1976. Mass market paperback; the author's first book. Collection of stories written between 1972 and 1974. The title story won the Hugo Award.

2

Plot details hidden until you finish "A Song For Lya And Other Stories".

Book by George R. R. Martin

3

Space Mail

Pub: 1980

Plot details hidden until you finish "Songs Of Stars And Shadows".

I Never Ast No Favors - short story by C. M. Kornbluth Letter to Ellen - short story by Chan Davis One Rejection Too Many - short story by Patricia Nurse Space Opera - short story by Ray Russell The Invasion of the Terrible Titans - short story by William Sambrot (variant of Football Majors at Pacific U.) That Only a Mother - short story by Judith Merril Itch on the Bull Run - short story by Sharon Webb Letter to a Phoenix - short story by Fredric Brown Who's Cribbing? - short story by Jack Lewis Computers Don't Argue - short story by Gordon R. Dickson Letters from Laura - short story by Mildred Clingerman Dear Pen Pal - short story by A. E. van Vogt Damn Shame - short story by Dean R. Lambe [as by Dr. Dean R. Lambe] The Trap - novelette by Howard Fast (variant of The First Men) Flowers for Algernon - novelette by Daniel Keyes The Second Kind of Loneliness - short story by George R. R. Martin The Lonely - short story by Judith Merril Secret Unattainable - novella by A. E. van Vogt After the Great Space War - short story by Barry N. Malzberg The Prisoner - novelette by Christopher Anvil Request for Proposal - short story by Anthony R. Lewis He Walked Around the Horses - novelette by H. Beam Piper The Power - short story by Murray Leinster

4

The Ice Dragon

Pub: 2018Optional

Plot details hidden until you finish "Space Mail".

Leaving in its wake desolate cold and frozen land, the legendary ice dragon has never been tamed until it meets Adara, a winter child who looks to the creature to help save her world from destruction.

5

Nightflyers

Pub: 2018Optional

Plot details hidden until you finish "The Ice Dragon".

The crew of the starship *Nightflyer* is heading into the outer reaches of known space in search of a legendary alien race known as the *volcryn*. The mission is led by Karoly d'Branin and the ship captained by the mysterious Royd Eris, who appears only as a hologram who drifts among them, sometimes playing chess with the beautiful and brilliant warrior, Melantha Jhirl. Soon the explorers begin to feel they are being watched. Macabre accidents befall them one by one. Is there someone else on board? Royd won't say. And there is no turning back: the *volcryn* are near...

6

Plot details hidden until you finish "Nightflyers".

7

Plot details hidden until you finish "Songs The Dead Men Sing".

The winner of a Nebula and three Hugos invites readers to view his gallery of very unusual portraits--some bizarre, some touching, all unforgettable. Martin is well-known for his television writing for such programs as The Twilight Zone and Beauty and the Beast.

8

Dreamsongs I

Pub: 2007

Plot details hidden until you finish "Portraits Of His Children".

A collection of stories, novellas, teleplays, and commentary, features such works as "The Ice Dragon," "A Song for Lya," and "The Pear-Shaped Man."

9

Plot details hidden until you finish "Dreamsongs I".

Even before A Game of Thrones, George R. R. Martin had already established himself as a giant in the field of fantasy literature. Now in one exclusive eBook edition are both volumes of Dreamsongs, featuring the very best of Martin’s early works. This convenient bundle provides a rare treat for Martin’s devoted readers, offering fascinating insights into his journey from a young writer to the #1 New York Times bestselling force of nature. “Dreamsongs is the ideal way to discover . . . a master of science fiction, fantasy and horror. . . . Martin is a writer like no other.”—The Guardian (U.K.) Whether writing about werewolves, wizards, or outer space, George R. R. Martin is renowned for his versatility and expansive talent, as demonstrated in this dazzling two-volume collection. Gathered in Dreamsongs: Volume I are some of George R. R. Martin’s most time-honored tales, including Hugo, Nebula, and Bram Stoker award–winning stories, cool fan pieces, and the original novella The Ice Dragon. Dreamsongs: Volume II contains acclaimed stories such as the World Fantasy Award winner “The Skin Trade,” as well as the first novella in the Ice and Fire universe, The Hedge Knight—plus two early screenplays. Featuring a dazzling array of subjects and styles, Dreamsongs is the perfect collection for both Martin devotees and a new generation of fans. PRAISE FOR GEORGE R. R. MARTIN “Of those who work in the grand epic-fantasy tradition, Martin is by far the best. In fact . . . this is as good a time as any to proclaim him the American Tolkien.”—Time “Long live George Martin . . . a literary dervish, enthralled by complicated characters and vivid language, and bursting with the wild vision of the very best tale tellers.”—The New York Times “I always expect the best from George R. R. Martin, and he always delivers.”—Robert Jordan

10

Plot details hidden until you finish "Selections From Dreamsongs 3 : Selections From Wild Cards And More Stories From Martin's Later Years".

On a voyage toward the boundaries of the known universe, nine misfit academics seek out first contact with a shadowy alien race. But another enigma is the Nightflyer itself, a cybernetic wonder with an elusive captain no one has ever seen in the flesh. Soon, however, the crew discovers that their greatest mystery -- and most dangerous threat -- is an unexpected force wielding a thirst for blood and terror. Also included are five additional classic George R. R. Martin tales of science fiction that explore the breadth of technology and the dark corners of the human mind.

11

Plot details hidden until you finish "Nightflyers & Other Stories".

Best-selling author Rick Riordan presents Yoon Ha Lee's second space opera inspired by Korean mythology, this time narrated by a nonbinary tiger spirit. "With a delightful mix of Korean mythology and science fiction, Lee expands on the intriguing world of his previous novel to create another exhilarating adventure with a new precocious protagonist."--Booklist Sebin, a young tiger spirit from the Juhwang Clan, wants nothing more than to join the Thousand World Space Forces and, like their Uncle Hwan, captain a battle cruiser someday. But when Sebin's acceptance letter finally arrives, it's accompanied by the shocking news that Hwan has been declared a traitor. Apparently the captain abandoned his duty to steal a magical artifact, the Dragon Pearl, and his whereabouts are still unknown. Sebin hopes to help clear their hero's name and restore honor to the clan. Nothing goes according to plan, however. As soon as Sebin arrives for orientation, they are met by a special investigator named Yi and Yi's assistant, a girl named Min. Yi informs Sebin that they must immediately report to the ship Haetae and await further instructions. Sebin finds this highly unusual, but soon all protocol is forgotten when there's an explosion on the ship, the crew is knocked out, and the communication system goes down. It's up to Sebin, three other cadets, and Yi and Min to determine who is sabotaging the battle cruiser. When Sebin is suddenly accused of collaborating with the enemy, the cadet realizes that Min is the most dangerous foe of all... Yoon Ha Lee brilliantly turns the tables on DRAGON PEARL in another unputdownable sci-fi adventure about what honor really means. Endorsed by Rick Riordan, author of Percy Jackson and the Olympians, soon to be a series on Disney+. Complete your middle grade fantasy collection with: Rick Riordan Presents: DRAGON PEARL by Yoon Ha Lee Rick Riordan Presents: RACE TO THE SUN by Rebecca Roanhorse Rick Riordan Presents: SAL AND GABI BREAK THE UNIVERSE by Carlos Hernandez Rick Riordan Presents: THE LAST FALLEN STAR by Graci Kim Rick Riordan Presents: PAHUA AND THE SOUL STEALER by Lori M. Lee

12

Meathouse Man

Pub: 2014

Plot details hidden until you finish "Thousand Worlds".

2014 Hugo Award finalist for Best Graphic StoryBased on the short story by George R.R. Martin, bestselling author of A Game of Thrones, Meathouse Man is a darkly poignant tale set on a collection of planets called corpse worlds. On these planets, corpse handlers transmit their wills to an army of brainless bodies—once living people now rendered expendable. Perversion abounds as these corpses are exposed to appalling conditions at the whim of handlers.The grim story follows one such handler—a man who remains nameless—through his teenage years and into adulthood, across corpse brothels, monotonous jobs, heartbreak, and betrayals. His increased detachment from reality becomes a spiraling descent into rejection and desensitization to the horrors around him. Set among towering buildings, giant rolling planetary processing units, and vast forest terrains on several different worlds, this journey serves as a modern fable of warning and a fascinating exploration of an alternate world perhaps not so different from our own.This comic contains explicit content and is recommended for mature readers.

13

Plot details hidden until you finish "Meathouse Man".

Randi Wade's world is spiraling into a dark labyrinth of secrets and lies. Her only friend is keeping something from her. Innocent victims are being savagely attacked and left for dead, all but their skins. There is an eerie connection between the crime scenes and her own father's murder nearly twenty years before, unsolved to this day. Despite this, Chief of Police Joe Urquhart, her father's former partner and best friend, beckons her to drop the case, drop everything. Is he protecting her, or something else? As the case unfolds, Randi is pulled ever closer to realizing her darkest fear: that werewolves do exist, and they'll do anything necessary to keep their secrets safe in this once quiet town... Even if it means killing their own. All the while, an eccentric but powerful family watches closely from inside the black iron gates of Blackstone Manor, as the horrendous truth behind it all begins to bubble toward the top. - The Skin Trade movie website.

14

The Pear-shaped Man

Pub: 1991Optional

Plot details hidden until you finish "The Skin Trade".

15

Plot details hidden until you finish "The Pear-shaped Man".

The dark days of the war are over, but the family secrets they held are only just dawning. In the hot summer of 1949, a group of family and friends gather at Harry Denholm's country house in Kent. There's Meg and Dan Ranscombe, emerging from a scandal of their own making; Dan's godmother, Sonia and her two young girls, Laura and Avril. Only one of whom is Sonia's biological daughter. Amid the heat, memories, and infatuations, a secret is revealed to Meg's son, Max. Then a terrible tragedy unfolds that has consequences for them all. 'A great big satisfying saga full of passionate love, ghastly betrayal [and] thrilling drama' DAILY MAIL. 'Fraser keeps the reader hooked' SUNDAY TIMES.

16

Starlady And Fastfriend

Pub: 2008Optional

Plot details hidden until you finish "Summer Of Love".

Fast-friend looks at an enduring human dream: travel to the stars.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is it okay to skip books in the Short Story Collections & Novellas (Author Compiled) series?

We recommend ignoring novellas and short stories until you finish the core sequence. However, main sequence novels should never be skipped as they contain critical character development and plot progression.

What is the best order to read Short Story Collections & Novellas (Author Compiled)?

The final answer for the best experience is to start with "A Song For Lya And Other Stories" and proceed in publication order. This sequence preserves character developments and plot reveals exactly as George R. R. Martin intended.

Can I read Short Story Collections & Novellas (Author Compiled) books in any order?

No. The main narrative is strictly sequential. Skipping volumes or reading out of order will lead to significant plot spoilers and confusion regarding character arcs.

Are there spin-offs or companion books?

Yes, the Short Story Collections & Novellas (Author Compiled) universe includes several companion works. These are marked as 'Optional' in our guide and can be read at any time without disrupting the main storyline.