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 December2025[update], 199 unique titles and approximately 308 volumes, including hardcover, revised, or reprinted editions, have been published.
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.
Not all printings include a number stamp. 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 October2025[update].
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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