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Locus Award
Locus Award
Locus Award
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Locus Award
Trophy used since 2018
Awarded forThe best science fiction, fantasy and horror of the previous year
Presented byLocus
First award1971; 55 years ago (1971)
Websitewww.sfadb.com/Locus_Awards

The Locus Awards are an annual set of literary awards voted on by readers of the science fiction and fantasy magazine Locus, a monthly magazine based in Oakland, California.[1] The awards are presented at an annual banquet.[2]

Originally a poll of Locus subscribers only, voting is now open to anyone, but the votes of subscribers count twice as much as the votes of non-subscribers.[3] The award was inaugurated in 1971, and was originally intended to provide suggestions and recommendations for the Hugo Awards.[2] They have come to be considered a prestigious prize in science fiction, fantasy and horror literature.[4][5] The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction regards the Locus Awards as sharing the stature of the Hugo and Nebula Awards.[1]

Gardner Dozois holds the record for the most wins (43), while Neil Gaiman has won the most awards for works of fiction (18). Robert Silverberg has received the highest number of nominations (158).[6]

Frequently nominated

[edit]

As of the 2021 awards, the following have had the most nominations:[6]

Person Nominations Nominations (fiction) Wins
Robert Silverberg 158 88 9
Gardner Dozois 133 21 43
Ellen Datlow 104 0 16
Michael Swanwick 84 74 3
Ursula K. Le Guin 80 56 24
Martin H. Greenberg 80 0 0
Gene Wolfe 74 67 6
Stephen Baxter 73 67 1
David G. Hartwell 73 0 1
Robert Reed 71 67 0
Lucius Shepard 70 60 8
Gregory Benford 69 54 0
Terri Windling 66 1 0
Frederik Pohl 65 46 3
Nancy Kress 64 57 2
George R. R. Martin 63 42 16

Categories

[edit]

In addition to the regular categories, there have been Special Awards

Inactive categories

[edit]

There are several categories that no longer receive Locus Awards:[13]

  • Locus Award for Best Original Anthology (1972–1975)[14]
  • Locus Award for Best Reprint Anthology/Collection (1972–1975)[15]
  • Locus Award for Best Fanzine (1971–1977)[16]
    • 1971: Locus
    • 1972: Locus
    • 1973: Locus
    • 1974: Locus
    • 1975: Outworlds
    • 1976: Locus
    • 1977: Locus
  • Locus Award for Best Single Fanzine Issue (1971)[17]
    • 1971: Locus #70
  • Locus Award for Best Critic (1974–1977)[18]
  • Locus Award for Best Fan Writer (1971–1973)[19]
    • 1971: Harry Warner, Jr.
    • 1972: Charlie Brown
    • 1973: Terry Carr
  • Locus Award for Best Fan Critic (1971)[20]
    • 1971: Ted Pauls
  • Locus Award for Best Publisher - Hardcover (1975–1976)[21]
    • 1975: Science Fiction Book Club
    • 1976: Science Fiction Book Club
  • Locus Award for Best Publisher - Paperback (1975–1976)[22]
  • Locus Award for Best Paperback Cover Artist (1971–1973)[23]
    • 1971: Leo & Diane Dillon
    • 1972: Gene Szafran
    • 1973: Frank Kelly Freas
  • Locus Award for Best Magazine Artist (1972–1973)[24]
    • 1972: Frank Kelly Freas
    • 1973: Frank Kelly Freas
  • Locus Award for Best Fan Artist (1971–1975)[25]
    • 1971: Alicia Austin
    • 1972: Bill Rotsler
    • 1973: Bill Rotsler
    • 1974: Tim Kirk
    • 1975: Tim Kirk
  • Locus Award for Best Fan Cartoonist (1971)[26]
    • 1971: Bill Rotsler
  • Locus Award for Best Convention (1971)[27]
    • 1971: Noreascon

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Locus Award

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The Locus Awards are annual literary prizes given for excellence in science fiction, fantasy, horror, and related non-fiction works, established in 1971 by Charles N. Brown, the founder of Locus magazine. These awards recognize outstanding achievements across various categories, including novels, short fiction, anthologies, magazines, and artists, with additional honors for debut authors and community contributions that amplify marginalized voices in the genre. The awards are determined through a readers' poll conducted by Locus magazine, open to all participants worldwide, though votes from magazine subscribers are weighted double to reflect engaged readership. Finalists are announced in May, with winners revealed during the Locus Awards Weekend, an annual event featuring panels, workshops, and a celebratory that emphasizes a relaxed, creative atmosphere without formal dress codes. Publishers of winning works also receive certificates, underscoring the awards' role in highlighting both creators and industry supporters. Regarded as one of the most prestigious honors in speculative fiction—alongside the Hugo and Nebula Awards—the Locus Awards have been presented every year since their inception, fostering recognition of diverse talents and innovations in the field.

History

Founding

The Locus Award was founded in 1971 by Charles N. Brown, the editor and publisher of Locus magazine, which he had established in 1968 as a newszine for the science fiction community. Brown created the award as an annual readers' poll to recognize excellence in science fiction and fantasy literature, drawing on the magazine's subscriber base to gauge popular opinion. Initially, the Locus Award served primarily as a popularity list rather than a formal literary honor, with its explicit intent to provide recommendations and suggestions to voters for the Hugo Awards, the premier fan-voted prizes in the genre. Unlike jury-based awards such as the , the Locus process emphasized reader-driven selection from the outset, with no professional panel involved; subscribers and poll participants nominated and voted on works, reflecting enthusiasm within the field. This approach positioned the awards as an accessible, community-oriented alternative that highlighted emerging and established talents. The first Locus Awards were presented in 1972, honoring works published in 1971, and focused initially on core categories such as Best Novel and Best Short Fiction. For instance, Ursula K. Le Guin's won Best Novel, while Poul Anderson's "The Queen of Air and Darkness" took Best Short Fiction. Fantasy and horror elements were incorporated gradually in subsequent years, but the early iterations remained centered on science fiction, underscoring the poll's role in amplifying reader preferences without institutional gatekeeping.

Evolution

The Locus Awards underwent significant evolution in the to accommodate the expanding landscape of and fantasy subgenres. Initially encompassing a single Best Novel category since 1971, the awards split this into separate Best Science Fiction Novel and Best Fantasy Novel categories in 1980, reflecting the growing distinction between these fields following a provisional separation in 1978. Additionally, the Best Horror Novel category was introduced in 1989 to recognize works in the emerging horror subgenre; it was awarded annually until 1999 with occasional name variations to Best Horror/Dark Fantasy Novel (e.g., 1991–1993, 1996–1997), then inactive from 2000 to 2016 before being revived in 2017 as Best Horror Novel. Following the death of founder Charles N. Brown in 2009, the awards continued under the leadership of Locus editor Liza Groen Trombi. During the and , the awards further diversified to include emerging voices and non-literary contributions, with the addition of the Best First Novel category in 1981 to honor debut authors, the Best Young Adult Book category in 2003 to address adolescent-oriented , and professional categories such as Best Editor in 1989 and Best Magazine in the early years, evolving to recognize periodical excellence. These expansions contributed to a peak of approximately 20 categories by the mid-, broadening the awards' scope beyond traditional to encompass , , and artistic achievements in the . In the post-2010 era, the Locus Awards adapted to technological and cultural shifts by incorporating digital formats, such as the category established in 2002, with existing categories like short fiction accommodating digitally published works in response to the rise of digital publishing in speculative genres. The Horror category's history mirrored broader blurring, allowing for more inclusive recognition of hybrid narratives. Key milestones underscore this ongoing relevance, reaching the 50th year in 2021 to highlight the awards' enduring impact, and continued annual updates through 2025 that emphasized diverse and inclusive nominees amid the magazine's sustained hybrid print-digital presence since its founding.

Selection Process

Nominations and Voting

The Locus Awards are determined by an annual readers' poll conducted by Locus magazine, open to participants worldwide with no subscription, membership, or professional affiliation required. The poll opens on February 1 and closes on April 15 each year. Eligible works must have been published in the preceding calendar year—for instance, books released in 2024 qualify for the 2025 awards. Participants may submit up to five ranked nominations per category from any qualifying work, including write-ins and translations of non-English originals. Rankings influence the tabulation under the Carr system to determine the overall rankings in each category. This single poll serves as both the nomination and voting mechanism: the top ten ranked works are announced as finalists in May, and the highest-ranked work is declared the winner, revealed in June during the Locus Awards Weekend. The Carr system assigns points based on rankings: 8 points for a first-place vote, 7 for second, 6 for third, 5 for fourth, and 4 for fifth. Total points determine the rankings, with ties resolved by the highest number of first-place votes. Votes from Locus magazine subscribers are weighted double those of non-subscribers. Historically, the process began as a poll restricted to Locus magazine subscribers in the 1970s but expanded to the general public by the 1980s. The top ten finalists have been publicly announced since around 2010, though earlier years revealed top five. For the 2025 awards, the poll from February 1 to April 15 attracted over 1,000 participants. In contrast to the Hugo Awards, administered by the World Science Fiction Society and limited to convention members, or the Nebula Awards, which involve professional jurors, the Locus process is purely reader-driven without gatekeeping.

Categories

Active Categories

The Locus Awards encompass 17 active categories as of 2025, spanning novels, short fiction, other literary works, and professional achievements in science fiction, fantasy, and horror genres. These categories are determined annually through reader polls and reflect the evolving landscape of , with eligibility generally limited to works published in the previous calendar year.

Novel Categories

Novel categories recognize full-length works exceeding 40,000 words, divided by genre to highlight distinct narrative styles and themes. The Novel category, introduced in 1980, honors innovative explorations of technology, space, and future societies. Similarly, the Fantasy Novel category, also established in 1980, celebrates epic tales, magical realms, and mythological elements. The Horror Novel category, which has been intermittent since its original run from 1989 to 1999 and reintroduced in 2017, focuses on works evoking fear, the supernatural, and psychological dread, remaining active through 2025. The Novel category, added in 2003, targets speculative stories aimed at teenage readers, often blending adventure with coming-of-age themes. Finally, the First Novel category, debuted in 1981, spotlights debut works regardless of genre, promoting emerging voices in the field.

Short Fiction Categories

Short fiction categories classify works by length, using standard industry benchmarks to categorize stories published in magazines, anthologies, or standalone formats. The category, active since 1973, covers pieces between 17,500 and 40,000 words, allowing for deeper character development than shorter forms while maintaining concise plotting. The Novelette category recognizes stories from 7,500 to 17,500 words, often featuring focused speculative concepts or pivotal events. The category, one of the longest-standing, includes works under 7,500 words, emphasizing tight narratives and impactful ideas within limited scope.

Other Literary Categories

These categories extend beyond original fiction to honor compilations, critical works, and visual storytelling. The Collection category awards single-author compilations of previously published or new short works, showcasing an author's range across speculative themes. The Original Anthology category recognizes edited volumes of new, unpublished stories by multiple contributors, fostering collaborative genre innovation. The Related/Non-fiction category, often encompassing , biographies, and books, highlights analytical or supplementary works that enrich understanding of , fantasy, and horror. Complementing this, the Illustrated and Art Book category celebrates visually driven books, such as graphic novels or artist portfolios, that integrate speculative with . Additionally, the Special Award category acknowledges exceptional contributions to the field, such as innovative programs or community initiatives, without fitting traditional molds.

Professional Categories

Professional categories recognize behind-the-scenes excellence in and creation. The Editor category, introduced in 1989, honors individuals shaping speculative literature through anthologies, magazines, or books. The Magazine category, dating back to 1971, awards periodical publications that consistently deliver high-quality , fantasy, and horror content. The Publisher category, established in 1972, salutes imprints or houses excelling in speculative output, often recusing dominant players to ensure diversity. The Artist category, dating to 1974, acknowledges cover artists, illustrators, and visual creators whose work defines the visual identity of the genres.

Inactive Categories

The Locus Awards have undergone several changes since their inception in , with certain categories discontinued or restructured to adapt to evolving reader preferences and to consolidate overlapping areas. The original Best Novel category, which recognized outstanding works across and fantasy without genre distinction, was awarded annually from 1971 to 1979 before being replaced by separate Best Science Fiction Novel and Best Fantasy Novel categories starting in ; this split allowed for more targeted recognition within the growing diversity of speculative genres. In the early years, anthologies received specialized attention through the Best Original Anthology and Best Reprint Anthology/Collection categories, both active from 1972 to 1975. These were discontinued after 1975 and merged into a unified category to streamline the awards process and reduce redundancy in evaluating collections of new versus previously published stories. The Best Critic category, honoring exemplary critical writing on and fantasy, operated from 1974 to 1977 but was eliminated thereafter as the focus shifted toward creative works and broader professional categories like editors and artists. The Best Art Book category debuted in 1979 and was awarded once more in 1980 before going inactive until its revival in 1994; it was briefly merged with the Best category in 2004 and again in 2009–2010, before being separated in 2011 as the Best Illustrated and Art Book category, reflecting a consolidation for relevance in visual and scholarly contributions to the field. The horror category has experienced multiple iterations and pauses, initially as Best Horror Novel from 1989 to 1990 and 1994, then under variants like Best Horror/Dark Fantasy Novel (1991–1993, 1996–1997) and Best Dark Fantasy/Horror Novel (1995, 1999, 2004–2016), before stabilizing as Best Horror Novel since 2017. Periods of inactivity arose from fluctuations in genre submissions and voter interest, leading to temporary discontinuation, primarily in 1998 and 2000–2003, until revival to maintain coverage of dark fantasy elements. No new inactive categories have been retired since 2010, emphasizing ongoing refinement rather than further cuts.

Ceremony

Event Format

The Locus Awards are presented annually during the Locus Awards Weekend, a multi-day literary organized by the Locus Science Fiction Foundation. Established in 1971, the event has evolved from an initial awards banquet into a comprehensive gathering for writers, readers, editors, and professionals, typically held in to coincide with the announcement of poll results. The contemporary format spans four days, from to , and includes a diverse program of author readings, writing workshops, panel discussions on topics, and autographing sessions. The weekend culminates in a catered awards banquet on evening, where winners deliver acceptance speeches and the event occasionally features musical or theatrical performances to enhance the celebratory mood. Primarily hosted in , at venues like Preservation Park or Nile Hall, the gathering draws around 150-200 participants, blending in-person networking with accessible virtual elements. In response to the , the event shifted to a fully virtual format in , 2021, and 2022, then adopted a hybrid model from 2023 onward, incorporating livestreamed panels and the ceremony via for broader participation. The 2025 Locus Awards Weekend, held June 18–21, continued the hybrid format post-pandemic, with online readings and Q&A sessions preceding the main in-person activities on . Finalists and nominees receive complimentary access to the banquet and select events at no entry fee, supporting their involvement without financial barriers.

Presentation

Winners of the Locus Awards are honored at the annual banquet held during the Locus Awards Weekend, a literary featuring panels, readings, and workshops. They receive plaques or certificates as symbols of recognition, with no monetary prize awarded, though the honors carry significant prestige within the and fantasy community. Acceptance speeches by winners are a key part of the ceremony, often delivered live or via pre-recorded video to keep the event flowing. These speeches are typically brief, contributing to the casual, reader-focused atmosphere that distinguishes the Locus Awards from more formal peer-voted honors like the Nebulas. The awards also include lifetime achievement honors, presented annually to individuals who have made enduring contributions to the genre, such as in 2016. Following the ceremony, full results including ranked ballots are published in the July issue of Locus Magazine and posted online at the official website, accompanied by press releases distributed to genre media outlets for broader publicity. The 2025 presentations exemplified the awards' emphasis on diversity, with winners including Canadian author Alexander Boldizar for Best Science Fiction Novel with The Man Who Saw Seconds.

Notable Winners

Multiple Award Recipients

Several authors and creators have achieved remarkable success in the Locus Awards, winning multiple times across various categories, reflecting their enduring influence in science fiction, fantasy, and related fields. holds the record for the most Locus Awards with 43 wins, primarily for his editorial work on anthologies such as The Year's Best Science Fiction series. For works of fiction, leads with 18 wins, including the 2002 Best Fantasy Novel for and the 2009 Young Adult Novel for . follows closely with 14 fiction wins, notably for her series, such as (1973 Best Fantasy Novel) and (2002 Best Young Adult Book). has secured 12 Locus Awards, often overlapping with Hugo and Nebula successes, including Doomsday Book (1993 Best Science Fiction Novel). has won 10 times for fiction, highlighted by (2001 Best Fantasy Novel). Editors have also dominated multiple categories, with Ellen Datlow earning 18 wins for her anthology work, such as The Best Horror of the Year series and Black Feathers: Dark Avian Tales (2014 Best Anthology). In the art category, Michael Whelan stands out with 31 Locus Awards for Best Artist, recognizing his iconic cover illustrations for works by authors like and . Recent years have seen emerging multiple winners building on this legacy. Martha Wells won the 2021 Best Science Fiction Novel for Network Effect and achieved a rare double in 2024 with System Collapse (Best Science Fiction Novel) and Witch King (Best Fantasy Novel). N. K. Jemisin secured three wins for her Broken Earth trilogy with consecutive Best Fantasy Novels for The Fifth Season (2016), The Obelisk Gate (2017), and The Stone Sky (2018), plus a fourth for The City We Became (2021 Best Fantasy Novel). These recipients frequently overlap with other major awards; for instance, Le Guin and Willis have multiple Hugo and wins alongside their Locus accolades, underscoring the awards' alignment with broader genre recognition.

Frequently Nominated

The Locus Awards, determined by reader votes, have highlighted several authors with exceptional frequency of nominations across categories, often reflecting sustained popularity in science fiction, fantasy, and horror. holds a prominent position among frequently nominated authors, with over 20 nominations since the awards' inception, though he has secured only 5 wins, underscoring his enduring appeal to Locus readers despite occasional near-misses. Similarly, garnered 29 nominations and 5 wins, particularly in fantasy and young adult categories for works like and , demonstrating his consistent resonance with the readership. , a staple in science fiction, received 25 nominations with 3 wins, frequently appearing in novel and novella ballots for her entries such as and Mirror Dance. Notable works and series have also accumulated multiple nominations, illustrating reader favorites that may not always clinch victory. Frank Herbert's Dune series earned 9 nominations for Herbert overall, with individual volumes like the original Dune and its sequels appearing repeatedly in science fiction novel ballots during the 1970s and beyond, capturing the epic scope that captivated voters. Douglas Adams's The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy received nominations in 1979 and 1980 for best science fiction novel, placing highly and reflecting its immediate cult status among readers. More recently, Martha Wells's The Murderbot Diaries series has seen multiple nominations in the 2020s, culminating in 5 wins for entries like All Systems Red and Network Effect, as well as a series award, highlighting its innovative blend of action and introspection. Post-2010 trends in Locus nominations reveal a marked increase in works and contributions from diverse authors, broadening the awards' representation beyond traditional heavyweights. This shift aligns with wider genre evolution, where BIPOC writers' presence in finalist lists grew from sparse in to more prominent by the mid-2020s, as seen in categories like best novel. For instance, the 2025 novel finalists included Rakesfall by Vajra Chandrasekera, a diverse voice exploring nonlinear timelines, which finished as runner-up. Such patterns emphasize the Locus Awards' role in mirroring reader preferences over juried selections, with indie presses like Tordotcom and Clash gaining traction through multiple nominations and wins for innovative titles.

References

  1. https://locusmag.com/aboutlocusonline/about-the-locus-awards/
  2. https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/awardtype.cgi?28
  3. https://www.sfadb.com/Locus_Awards_1972
  4. https://sf-encyclopedia.com/entry/locus_award
  5. https://www.sfadb.com/Locus_Awards_Winners_By_Category
  6. https://locusmag.com/aboutlocusonline/about-locus-magazine/
  7. https://locusmag.com/2024/05/2024-locus-awards-top-ten-finalists/
  8. https://www.sfadb.com/Locus_Awards
  9. https://locusmag.com/2025/05/2025-locus-awards-top-ten-finalists/
  10. https://locusmag.com/2025/06/2025-locus-awards-winners/
  11. https://claredeming.com/2024/05/16/musing-on-the-hugo-nebula-world-fantasy-and-locus-awards/
  12. https://www.sfadb.com/Locus_Awards_2025
  13. https://locusmag.com/2025-locus-awards-weekend/
  14. https://locusmag.com/feature/2023-locus-awards-online-report/
  15. https://locusmag.com/feature/locus-awards-weekend-report/
  16. https://locusmag.com/2022-locus-awards-weekend/
  17. https://locusmag.com/2023-locus-awards-weekend/
  18. https://locusmag.com/product/locus-awards-finalist-membership/
  19. https://bookriot.com/science-fiction-awards/
  20. https://www.cbc.ca/books/canadian-writers-alexander-boldizar-and-premee-mohamed-win-2025-locus-awards-for-science-fiction-1.7569445
  21. https://www.latimes.com/books/la-et-jc-locus-awards-20180626-story.html
  22. https://www.theguardian.com/books/2016/jun/27/locus-awards-go-to-ann-leckie-naomi-novik-terry-pratchett-neil-gaiman-george-rr-martin
  23. https://www.sfadb.com/2024/06/2024-locus-awards-winners/
  24. https://locusmag.com/2024/07/issue-762-table-of-contents-july-2024/
  25. https://locusmag.com/feature/2025-locus-awards-online-report/
  26. https://www.sfadb.com/Locus_Awards_Tallies
  27. https://www.sfadb.com/Connie_Willis
  28. https://www.sfadb.com/Ellen_Datlow
  29. https://www.sfadb.com/Michael_Whelan
  30. https://www.sfadb.com/Locus_Awards_2024
  31. https://www.sfadb.com/N_K_Jemisin
  32. https://www.sfadb.com/Ursula_K_Le_Guin
  33. https://www.sfadb.com/Terry_Pratchett
  34. https://www.sfadb.com/Lois_McMaster_Bujold
  35. https://www.sfadb.com/Frank_Herbert
  36. https://www.sfadb.com/Douglas_Adams
  37. https://www.sfadb.com/Martha_Wells
  38. https://www.sfwa.org/2024/09/04/the-inexorable-growth-of-bipoc-in-publishing/
  39. https://reactormag.com/here-are-the-winners-of-the-2025-locus-awards/
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