the Hugo Prize for Fantasy and Science Fiction literature

The Hugo Award^sm for science fiction literature—more formally known as the Science Fiction Achievement Awards—are granted annually by the World Science Fiction Society^sm (WSFS^sm).

recent winner list

Award winners read like a who's who in science fiction.

• See winners by category at the WSFS web site: click here.

Past winners

• See winners by year at the WSFS web site: click here.

Award categories have changed over the years:

• See a complete list of all winners in all categories and years at the WSFS web site: click here.

About the WSFS

WSFS membership consists of science fiction readers and advocates around the world. No special qualifications are needed to become a member; anyone with an interest in science fiction may join.

The purpose and main activity of the WSFS is sponsorship of the annual World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon), an impressively large and busy annual convention of science fiction fans. Fans are loyal and active readers.

The WSFS plans, organizes, and conducts Worldcon. Worldcon locations change from year to year, and a convention may take place anywhere in the world. To be a member of WSFS, you must be a member of the upcoming Worldcon, and if you are a member of the upcoming Worldcom, you are automatically a member of WSFA.

• Visit the WSFS web site: click here.

background and history of the Hugo

Another purpose of the WSFS and one of its principal aims is to select the recipient of the Hugo Award. Hugo Awards, also known as the Science Fiction Achievement Awards, are given annually in numerous categories by the WSFS. A particular Hugo Award given in a given year is for a work that appeared in the previous calendar year.

Nomination and selection is by popular vote of the membership. You must be a member of WSFA Worldcon to nominate or vote.

Because the Hugo is a prestigious award granted by majority vote of a large number of devoted fans from around the world, for a writer or other creative artist it is an indicator of commercial success and popular appeal at the time of the award. Consequently, although literary quality counts, a Hugo winner may not necessarily indicate literary quality or lasting appeal.

recent award Categories

Over the years the chief categories for which awards are given have changed; and they are likely to change in future years as the field develops and reader tastes change. Nor does the WSFS formally distinguish between genres related to science fiction, such as fantasy or wizardry, science-fiction off-shoots, or other genres "of the science fiction kind;" it includes them all. Any medium is fair game, too, from printed matter to television, drama, or film.

Here is a list of award categories that are current as of the time of this compilation:

• Novel.
• Novella.
• Novelette.
• Short Story.
• Related Book.
• Dramatic Presentation.
• Professional Editor.
• Professional Artist.
• Semiprozine.
• Fanzine.
• Fan Writer.
• Fan Artist.

Visit the SFWA web site for possible revisions.

All award categories

Award categories change in response to changing trends in science fiction writing. Here is a complete list of all Hugo Award categories, past and present, as of the time of this compilation. Some are no longer in use.

All-Time Series, Amateur Magazine, American Professional Magazine, Artist, Book Length Fantasy, Book Reviewer, British Professional Magazine, Campbell Award, Cover Artist, Dramatic Presentation, Excellence in Fact Articles, Fan Artist, Fan Magazine, Fan Writer, Fanzine, Feature Writer, Gandalf Award, Grand Master, Interior Illustrator, Magazine, Most Promising New Author, New Author of 1958, New SF Author or Artist, Non-Fiction Book, Novel, Novel or Novelette, Novelette, Novella, Number 1 Fan Personality, Original Artwork, Other Forms, Outstanding Actifan, Outstanding Artist, Outstanding Movie, Professional Artist, Professional Editor, Professional Magazine, Publisher, Related Book, Semiprozine, SF Book Publisher, SF or Fantasy Movie, Short Fiction, Short Story, Special Award, Special Drama, Web Site.

Visit the SFWA web site for possible additions.

Other WSFS Awards

The WSFS also grants these awards:

• The John W. Campbell Memorial Award for the Best New Writer. Visit the WSFS web site for a list of these awards: click here.
• The Gandalf Award for book-length fantasy. Visit the WSFS web site for a list of these awards: click here.

compare a Related Award—the nebula

As noted above, science fiction readers elect winners of the Hugo. The Nebula is another kind of science fiction award, one where winners are selected by science fiction writers, who of course are peers of the winning authors, not by fans. This makes a difference in the winners as well as in the kinds of authors and works that tend to be picked.

Compare the Hugos and the Nebulas by visiting The Muse's page on Nebula Awards^®. There, explore the differences that electorates can make in winning authors and works. What kinds of consistent differences do you find in the choices electors make for winning authors and their works? Do you see patterns in literary quality, style, or genre? To find out, visit The Muse Of Literature's page on the Nebula Awards.

• Visit The Muse Of Literature's page on the Nebula Prize For Fantasy And Science Fiction Literature: click here.

ETAF Recommends

Many of the extant literary creations that have received Hugo Awards and are still in print are in the ETAF-Amazon Collection.

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