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: +PersonNominationsNominations (fiction)WinsRobert Silverberg158889Gardner Dozois1332143Ellen Datlow104016Michael Swanwick84743Ursula K. Le Guin805624Martin H. Greenberg8000Gene Wolfe74676Stephen Baxter73671David G. Hartwell7301Robert Reed71670Lucius Shepard70608Gregory Benford69540Terri Windling6610Frederik Pohl65463Nancy Kress64572George R. R. Martin634216
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 Translated Novel (2026-) 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 2026: The Submission Grinder, David Steffen & Volunteers
Inactive categories There are several categories that no longer receive Locus Awards:Locus Award Winners by Category accessed 14 June 2013
Locus Award for Best Original Anthology (1972–1975)Locus Awards for Best Original Anthology accessed 14 June 2013 1972: Universe 1 edited by Terry Carr 1973: Again, Dangerous Visions edited by Harlan Ellison 1974: Astounding: John W. Campbell Memorial Anthology edited by Harry Harrison 1975: Universe 4 edited by Terry Carr Locus Award for Best Reprint Anthology/Collection (1972–1975)Locus Award for Best Reprint Anthology/Collection accessed 14 June 2013 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)Locus Award for Best Fanzine accessed 14 June 2013 1971: Locus 1972: Locus 1973: Locus 1974: Locus 1975: Outworlds 1976: Locus 1977: Locus Locus Award for Best Single Fanzine Issue (1971)Locus Award for Best Single Fanzine Issue accessed 14 June 2013 1971: Locus #70 Locus Award for Best Critic (1974–1977)Locus Award for Best Critic accessed 14 June 2013 1974: Richard E. Geis 1975: P. Schuyler Miller 1976: Richard E. Geis 1977: Spider Robinson Locus Award for Best Fan Writer (1971–1973)Locus Award for Best Fan Writer accessed 14 June 2013 1971: Harry Warner Jr. 1972: Charles N. Brown 1973: Terry Carr Locus Award for Best Fan Critic (1971)Locus Award for Best Fan Critic accessed 14 June 2013 1971: Ted Pauls Locus Award for Best Publisher - Hardcover (1975–1976)Locus Award for Best Publisher - Hardcover accessed 14 June 2013 1975: Science Fiction Book Club 1976: Science Fiction Book Club Locus Award for Best Publisher - Paperback (1975–1976)Locus Award for Best Publisher - Paperback accessed 14 June 2013 1975: Ballantine Books 1976: Ballantine Books Locus Award for Best Paperback Cover Artist (1971–1973)Locus Award for Best Paperback Cover Artist accessed 14 June 2013 1971: Leo and Diane Dillon 1972: Gene Szafran 1973: Frank Kelly Freas Locus Award for Best Magazine Artist (1972–1973)Locus Award for Best Magazine Artist accessed 14 June 2013 1972: Frank Kelly Freas 1973: Frank Kelly Freas Locus Award for Best Fan Artist (1971–1975)Locus Award for Best Fan Artist accessed 14 June 2013 1971: Alicia Austin 1972: Bill Rotsler 1973: Bill Rotsler 1974: Tim Kirk 1975: Tim Kirk Locus Award for Best Fan Cartoonist (1971)Locus Award for Best Fan Cartoonist accessed 14 June 2013 1971: Bill Rotsler Locus Award for Best Convention (1971)Locus Award for Best Convention accessed 14 June 2013 1971: Noreascon
See also Big Heart Award – award for supporting SF fandom BSFA Award – British science fiction awards List of science fiction awards Hugo Award – annual award for science fiction or fantasy Nebula Award – literature prize for science fiction and fantasy works from the United States
References
External links Excerpts and synopses for Locus winning and nominated novels