SF Masterworks

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SF Masterworks
SF Masterworks collection.jpg
A bookshelf containing every published SF Masterworks title, as of August 2025

CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish
Genre Science fiction
Publisher
Published1999–present
Media typePrint
No. of books
  • 83 numbered vols.
  • 196 relaunch vols.
Website store.gollancz.co.uk

S.F. Masterworks is a series of science fiction novel reprints published by UK-based company Orion Publishing Group, a subsidiary of Hachette UK. The series is intended for the UK and Australian markets, but many editions are distributed to the United States and Canada by Hachette Book Group. As of July 2025, there are 198 unique titles in the series, 196 of which have been printed in the relaunched series. The 200th SF Masterwork is scheduled for publication on 31 December 2025. Approximately 308 volumes, including hardcover, revised, or reprinted editions, have been published in total.

Contents

Superseding the earlier series Gollancz Classic SF (1986–1987) and VGSF Classics (1988–1990), [1] the SF Masterworks series began publication in 1999. Developed to feature important and out of print science fiction novels, the selections were described by science fiction author Iain M. Banks as "amazing" and "genuinely the best novels from sixty years of SF". [2] Many of the selections had been out of print in the United Kingdom for many years.

Its companion series include Fantasy Masterworks and Gateway Essentials.

Numbered series

Softcover editions (1999–2007)

Not all printings include a number stamp. [3] Some printings do not include markings or cover designs to indicate they are volumes of any series.

In 2010, several volumes were reprinted with cover designs and colored spines matching the relaunch series. The ISBNs for those volumes were not changed.

  • † Hardcover editions only.
  • ^ No relaunch edition with distinct ISBN as of October 2025.

Hardcover editions (2001)

Not all printings include a number stamp. Some printings do not include markings or cover designs to indicate they are volumes of any series.

Relaunch series

A selection of titles from the series on display at a London bookshop. SF Masterworks table display at London bookshop, May 2017.jpg
A selection of titles from the series on display at a London bookshop.

Softcover editions (2010–present)

The relaunched series features yellow–white spines, the S.F. Masterworks marquee printed vertically atop tinted artwork, and newly typeset and corrected text. As with the numbered volumes, many printings, with identical ISBNs, do not include markings or cover designs to indicate they are volumes of any series.

Hardcover editions (2010–2019)

Hardcover editions distributed to the U.K. market, initially. Many printings distributed outside the U.K. market do not include markings or cover designs to indicate they are volumes of any series.

Forthcoming editions

Announced editions:

Unpublished softcover editions

The following editions were announced, but appear to have been withdrawn:

Other series originally marketed as S.F. Masterworks by Gollancz and its publishing partners. Many printings do not include markings or cover designs to indicate they are volumes of any series.

Rounded-corner editions (2006)

A special edition collection with matte, non-glossy covers, rounded corners and minimalist cover art by Marc Adams.

Gollancz 50th Anniversary (2011)

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Gollancz imprint, Orion published a ten-volume series of fan-chosen volumes. Each volume featured a yellow–red typeset cover designs similar to designs used by Gollancz from 1929 until the mid-1980s.

Golden Age Masterworks (2019–present)

Initially marketed as part the S.F. Masterworks series until adopting the Gold Age Masterworks series name. Yellow cover designs for the series were inspired by cover designs used by Gollancz from 1929 until the mid-1980s.

Best of the Masterworks (2022–23)

Softcover volumes

Hardcover volumes

See also

References