The Nova Awards were presented annually, between 1973 and 2014, at the UK science fiction convention Novacon and recognised achievement in British and Irish sf fanzines.

When initiated in 1973, members of Novacon could nominate fanzines but the actual judging was done by a panel of well-known fans, none of who could be said to be directly connected to a group or specific fanzine.

In 1974 the judging panel were unable to reach a consensus and so the award was given jointly to Zimri and Big Scab. Then : Science Fiction Fandom in the UK 1930-1980 by Rob Hansen, Ansible Editions, 2016, p311 In 1975 the panel announced that while they had wanted to give the award to Wrinkled Shrew they felt that under the rules it had to go to Maya.Then : Science Fiction Fandom in the UK 1930-1980 by Rob Hansen, Ansible Editions, 2016, p322 The manner of the presentation led to some criticism in fanzines at the time.Then : Science Fiction Fandom in the UK 1930-1980 by Rob Hansen, Ansible Editions, 2016, pp322-323, 331 From 1977 the judging panel was discontinued and the award was decided by popular vote of Novacon members able to demonstrate a basic familiarity with the field.Then : Science Fiction Fandom in the UK 1930-1980 by Rob Hansen, Ansible Editions, 2016, p349 Following a debate at Novacon 39 and follow-up discussions at Novacon 40, the rules were changed in 2011 to allow voting by non-Novacon members resident in the UK and Eire able to meet the 'familiarity' criterion.

Originally there was a sole award for best fanzine. From 1981 Novas were also presented to the best fanzine writer and best fanzine artist and from 1995 there were occasional committee awards for 'best fan'.

Past administrators have included Dave Langford, Pam Wells, Paul Vincent, Martin Tudor, Sandra Bond and Tony Berry. In 2009, Steve Green stepped down after seven years in the post, and Tudor resumed the reins; Tudor was unable to see the year out and Green returned to run the 2010 Novas.

In March 2015, Novacon 45 announced the main categories were being retired, although occasional 'committee awards' might still be made.

Past winners

Year Best Fanzine Best Fan Writer Best Fan Artist 1973 Speculation #32, ed. Peter Weston NA NA 1974 (tie) Zimri #6, ed. Lisa Conesa; Big Scab #2, ed. John Brosnan NA NA 1975 Maya #8, ed. Rob Jackson NA NA 1976 Maya, ed. Rob Jackson NA NA 1977 Twll-Ddu, ed. Dave Langford NA NA 1978 Gross Encounters, ed. Alan Dorey NA NA 1979 Seamonsters, ed. Simone Walsh NA NA 1980 One-Off, ed. Dave Bridges NA NA 1981 Tappen, ed. Malcolm Edwards Chris Atkinson Pete Lyon 1982 Epsilon, ed. Rob Hansen Chris Atkinson Rob Hansen 1983 A Cool Head, ed. Dave Bridges Dave Bridges Margaret Welbank 1984 Xyster, ed. Dave Wood Anne Hammill D West 1985 Prevert, ed. John Jarrold Abi Frost Ros Calverly 1986 Pink Fluffy Bedsocks, ed. Owen Whiteoak Owen Whiteoak Arthur Thomson ("Atom") 1987 Lip, ed. Hazel Ashworth D West D West 1988 Lip, ed. Hazel Ashworth Michael Ashley D West 1989 VSOP, ed. Jan Orys Simon Polley Dave Mooring 1990 Fuck the Tories, ed. Joseph Nicholas, Judith Hanna Dave Langford Dave Mooring 1991 Saliromania, ed. Michael Ashley Michael Ashley D West 1992 Bob?, ed. Ian Sorensen Michael Ashley Dave Mooring 1993 Lagoon, ed. Simon Ounsley Simon Ounsley Dave Mooring 1994 Rastus Johnson’s Cakewalk, ed. Greg Pickersgill Greg Pickersgill D West 1995 Attitude, ed. Michael Abbott, John Dallman, Pam Wells Simon Ounsley D West 1996 Banana Wings, ed. Claire Brialey, Mark Plummer Alison Freebairn D West 1997 Banana Wings, ed. Claire Brialey, Mark Plummer Mark Plummer Sue Mason 1998 Banana Wings, ed. Claire Brialey, Mark Plummer Maureen Kincaid Speller D West 1999 Barmaid, ed. Yvonne Rowse Yvonne Rowse Sue Mason 2000 Plokta, ed. Alison Scott, Steve Davies, Mike Scott Yvonne Rowse Sue Mason 2001 Head, ed. Doug Bell, Christina Lake Alison Freebairn Dave Hicks 2002 Plokta, ed. Alison Scott, Steve Davies, Mike Scott Claire Brialey Dave Hicks 2003 Zoo Nation, ed. Pete Young Claire Brialey Sue Mason 2004 Zoo Nation, ed. Pete Young Claire Brialey Sue Mason 2005 Banana Wings, ed. Claire Brialey, Mark Plummer Claire Brialey Alison Scott 2006 Banana Wings, ed. Claire Brialey, Mark Plummer Claire Brialey Sue Mason 2007 Prolapse, ed. Peter Weston Mark Plummer Alison Scott 2008 Prolapse, ed. Peter Weston Claire Brialey Alison Scott 2009 Banana Wings, eds. Claire Brialey, Mark Plummer Claire Brialey Sue Mason 2010 Journey Planet, eds. Christopher J Garcia, James Bacon, Claire Brialey Mark Plummer Arthur "Atom" Thomson (the first Nova Award ever won posthumously) 2011 Head, ed. Doug Bell, Christina Lake Claire Brialey Dave Hicks 2012 Banana Wings, eds. Claire Brialey, Mark Plummer Mark Plummer (tie) Sue Mason and D West 2013 Banana Wings, eds. Claire Brialey, Mark Plummer Mike Meara D West 2014 Vibrator, ed. Graham Charnock Christina Lake D West

Committee awards

Year Best Fan 1995 Brian Burgess 1996 Bob Shaw 1997 Ken Slater 2000 Vernon Brown 2003 Ina Shorrock 2004 Ray Bradbury (Note: not the US author but the Birmingham SF Group fan who made the Nova Award trophies.) 2007 Peter Weston 2013 David A. Hardy

References