Locus Awards

Origins and development

The first Locus Award was presented in 1971, marking the start of a recurring popularity poll organized by Locus Magazine. That initial award covered works published in 1970, establishing the pattern of honoring the previous year's publications. For more on the origins and early records, see the award's early history and the list of works eligible in that first year: works published in 1970.

Structure and categories

The awards are reported in several categories, which have changed and expanded over time to reflect new forms and industry developments. Typical categories include:

• Best Novel and Best First Novel
• Short fiction categories such as Novella, Novelette and Short Story
• Nonfiction, art and editor categories recognizing criticism, anthologies, and cover art

Category definitions and names have been adjusted periodically, so historical comparisons should account for those changes.

Ceremony, voting and notable features

Results are announced annually and winners are celebrated at a banquet the magazine hosts. One distinctive practice is that publishers of winning works receive a certificate in recognition of their publication role, a detail that emphasizes the awards' connection to the publishing community as well as creators. Because the outcome is driven by reader votes, the awards often highlight popular favorites alongside critically acclaimed works.

Importance and context

Within the landscape of speculative fiction honors, the Locus Awards are frequently mentioned alongside juried and peer awards. They offer a complementary perspective to prizes determined by professional panels or author organizations, and are used by readers, librarians and industry professionals to gauge trends, discover notable titles, and document the changing tastes of a broad readership.

For current categories, voting rules and recent winners consult Locus Magazine's coverage and archives via the links above and the magazine's dedicated pages.