Locus Award

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. The awards are presented at an annual banquet.

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. The award was inaugurated in 1971, and was originally intended to provide suggestions and recommendations for the Hugo Awards. They have come to be considered a prestigious prize in science fiction, fantasy and horror literature. The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction regards the Locus Awards as sharing the stature of the Hugo and Nebula Awards.

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).

Frequently nominated

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

Categories

• Locus Award for Best Novel (1971–1979)
• Locus Award for Best Science Fiction Novel (1980–)
• Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel (1980–)
• Locus Award for Best Horror Novel (1989–90, 1994, 2017–present)
• Locus Award for Best Horror/Dark Fantasy Novel (1991–93, 1996–97)
• Locus Award for Best Dark Fantasy/Horror Novel (1995, 1999)
• Locus Award for Best First Novel (1981–)
• Locus Award for Best Young Adult Book (2003–)
• Locus Award for Best Novella
• Locus Award for Best Novelette
• Locus Award for Best Short Story
• Locus Award for Best Magazine
• Locus Award for Best Publisher
• Locus Award for Best Anthology (1976-)
• Locus Award for Best Collection (1975-)
• Locus Award for Best Editor (1989-)
• Locus Award for Best Artist
• Locus Award for Best Non-fiction (1979-, briefly merged with Art Book in 2004, 2009-2010)
• Locus Award for Best Illustrated and Art Book (1979-1980, 1994-, merged with Non-Fiction in 2004, 2009-2010)

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

• 2018: Clarion West
• 2022: The Codex Writers' Group
• 2023: Carl Brandon Society
• 2024: Jeanne Cavelos (and the Odyssey Writing Workshop)
• 2025: Ignyte Awards

Inactive categories

There are several categories that no longer receive Locus Awards:

• Locus Award for Best Original Anthology (1972–1975)
• 1972: Universe 1 edited by Terry Carr
• 1973: Again, Dangerous Visions edited by Harlan Ellison
• 1974: ' edited by Harry Harrison
• 1975: Universe 4 edited by Terry Carr
• Locus Award for Best Reprint Anthology/Collection (1972–1975)
• 1972: World's Best Science Fiction: 1971 edited by Donald A. Wollheim and Terry Carr
• 1973: The Best Science Fiction of the Year #2 edited by Terry Carr
• 1974: The Best Science Fiction of the Year #2 edited by Terry Carr
• 1975: Before the Golden Age edited by Isaac Asimov
• Locus Award for Best Fanzine (1971–1977)
• 1971: Locus
• 1972: Locus
• 1973: Locus
• 1974: Locus
• 1975: Outworlds
• 1976: Locus
• 1977: Locus
• Locus Award for Best Single Fanzine Issue (1971)
• 1971: Locus #70
• Locus Award for Best Critic (1974–1977)
• 1974: Richard Geis
• 1975: P. Schuyler Miller
• 1976: Richard Geis
• 1977: Spider Robinson
• Locus Award for Best Fan Writer (1971–1973)
• 1971: Harry Warner, Jr.
• 1972: Charlie Brown
• 1973: Terry Carr
• Locus Award for Best Fan Critic (1971)
• 1971: Ted Pauls
• Locus Award for Best Publisher - Hardcover (1975–1976)
• 1975: Science Fiction Book Club
• 1976: Science Fiction Book Club
• Locus Award for Best Publisher - Paperback (1975–1976)
• 1975: Ballantine
• 1976: Ballantine
• Locus Award for Best Paperback Cover Artist (1971–1973)
• 1971: Leo & Diane Dillon
• 1972: Gene Szafran
• 1973: Frank Kelly Freas
• Locus Award for Best Magazine Artist (1972–1973)
• 1972: Frank Kelly Freas
• 1973: Frank Kelly Freas
• Locus Award for Best Fan Artist (1971–1975)
• 1971: Alicia Austin
• 1972: Bill Rotsler
• 1973: Bill Rotsler
• 1974: Tim Kirk
• 1975: Tim Kirk
• Locus Award for Best Fan Cartoonist (1971)
• 1971: Bill Rotsler
• Locus Award for Best Convention (1971)
• 1971: Noreascon