The Locus Awards are an annual set of literary awards voted on by readers of the science fiction and fantasy magazine ''

Locus Locus (plural loci) is Latin for "place". It may refer to: Entertainment * Locus (comics), a Marvel Comics mutant villainess, a member of the Mutant Liberation Front * ''Locus'' (magazine), science fiction and fantasy magazine ** ''Locus Award ...

'', a monthly magazine based in

Oakland, California Oakland is the largest city and the county seat of Alameda County, California, United States. A major West Coast of the United States, West Coast port, Oakland is the largest city in the East Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area, the third ...

. The awards are presented at an annual banquet. In addition to the plaques awarded to the winners,

publisher Publishing is the activity of making information, literature, music, software and other content available to the public for sale or for free. Traditionally, the term refers to the creation and distribution of printed works, such as books, newsp ...

s of winning works are honored with certificates, which is unique in the field. 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 Award The Hugo Award is an annual literary award for the best science fiction or fantasy works and achievements of the previous year, given at the World Science Fiction Convention and chosen by its members. The Hugo is widely considered the premier ...

s. They have come to be considered a prestigious prize in science fiction, fantasy and horror literature. ''

The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction ''The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction'' (SFE) is an English language reference work on science fiction, first published in 1979. It has won the Hugo, Locus and British SF Awards. Two print editions appeared in 1979 and 1993. A third, contin ...

'' regards the Locus Awards as sharing the reputation of the Hugo and

Nebula Awards The Nebula Awards annually recognize the best works of science fiction or fantasy published in the United States. The awards are organized and awarded by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA), a nonprofit organization, nonpro ...

Gardner Dozois Gardner Raymond Dozois ( ; July 23, 1947 – May 27, 2018) was an American science fiction author and editor. He was the founding editor of ''The Year's Best Science Fiction'' anthologies (1984–2018) and was editor of ''Asimov's Science Ficti ...

holds the record for the most wins (43), while

Neil Gaiman Neil Richard MacKinnon GaimanBorn as Neil Richard Gaiman, with "MacKinnon" added on the occasion of his marriage to Amanda Palmer. ; ( Neil Richard Gaiman; born 10 November 1960) is an English author of short fiction, novels, comic books, gr ...

has won the most awards for works of fiction (18).

Robert Silverberg Robert Silverberg (born January 15, 1935) is an American author and editor, best known for writing science fiction. He is a multiple winner of both Hugo and Nebula Awards, a member of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame, and a Grand ...

has received the highest number of nominations (158).

Frequently nominated

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

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 Terry Gene Carr (February 19, 1937 – April 7, 1987) was an American science fiction fan, author, editor, and writing instructor. Background and discovery of fandom Carr was born in Grants Pass, Oregon. He attended the City College of San ...

**1973: '' Again, Dangerous Visions'' edited by

Harlan Ellison Harlan Jay Ellison (May 27, 1934 – June 28, 2018) was an American writer, known for his prolific and influential work in New Wave speculative fiction and for his outspoken, combative personality. Robert Bloch, the author of ''Psycho'', ...

**1974: ''Astounding'' edited by Harry Harrison **1975: '' Universe 4'' edited by

*Locus Award for Best Reprint Anthology/Collection (1972–1975) **1972: ''World's Best Science Fiction: 1971'' edited by

Donald A. Wollheim Donald Allen Wollheim (October 1, 1914 – November 2, 1990) was an American science fiction editor, publisher, writer, and fan. As an author, he published under his own name as well as under pseudonyms, including David Grinnell, Martin Pearso ...

and

**1973: ''The Best Science Fiction of the Year #2'' edited by

**1974: ''The Best Science Fiction of the Year #2'' edited by

**1975: ''Before the Golden Age'' edited by

Isaac Asimov Isaac Asimov ( ; 1920 – April 6, 1992) was an American writer and professor of biochemistry at Boston University. During his lifetime, Asimov was considered one of the "Big Three" science fiction writers, along with Robert A. Heinlein and ...

*Locus Award for Best Fanzine (1971–1977) **1971: ''

'' **1972: ''

'' **1973: ''

'' **1974: ''

'' **1975: ''Outworlds'' **1976: ''

'' **1977: ''

'' *Locus Award for Best Single Fanzine Issue (1971) **1971: ''

'' *Locus Award for Best Critic (1974–1977) **1974: Richard Geis **1975: P. Schuyler Miller **1976: Richard Geis **1977:

Spider Robinson Spider Robinson (born November 24, 1948) is an American-born Canadian science fiction author. He has won a number of awards for his hard science fiction and humorous stories, including the Hugo Award 1977 and 1983, and another Hugo with his co-a ...

*Locus Award for Best Fan Writer (1971–1973) **1971: Harry Warner, Jr. **1972: Charlie Brown **1973:

*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)Locus Award for Best Convention
accessed 14 June 2013 **1971: Noreascon

References

External links

Excerpts and synopses for Locus winning and nominated novels
{{Fantasy fiction * American literary awards L Science fiction awards Fantasy awards Horror fiction awards Culture of Oakland, California

Award An award, sometimes called a distinction, is something given to a recipient as a token of recognition of excellence in a certain field. When the token is a medal, ribbon or other item designed for wearing, it is known as a decoration. An awar ...

Awards established in 1970 1970 establishments in California Magazine awards Anthology awards Short story collection awards

Frequently nominated

Categories

Inactive categories

References

External links