Snowball is a science fiction novella by Poul Anderson. Simon s new source of power promised a new era for Mankind. But what happens to world economy when anyone can manufacture it in the kitchen oven?… Here s one answer! Snowball was first published in Worlds of If Science Fiction, May 1955. AUDIO: Reading by Ralston Peak, running time: 1 hour, 43 min. Unabridged full version. E-book: ePUB, 14 400 words, reading time approximately 1 hour, 10 min. Poul William Anderson (1926-2001) was an American science fiction author who began his career during one of the Golden Ages of the genre and continued to write and remain popular into the 21st century. Anderson also authored several works of fantasy, historical novels, and a prodigious number of short stories. He received numerous awards for his writing, including seven Hugo Awards and three Nebula Awards.