View source for Locus Award

{{Short description|Speculative fiction literary awards by Locus magazine}}
{{Primary sources|date=April 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2022}}
{{Infobox award
|name        = Locus Award
|image       = Locus award.png
|caption     = Trophy used since 2018
|alt         = 
|awarded_for = The best science fiction, fantasy and horror of the previous year
|presenter   = ''[[Locus (magazine)|Locus]]''
|country     = 
|location    = 
|year        = {{start date and age|1971}}
|website     = {{URL|http://www.sfadb.com/Locus_Awards}}
}}
The '''Locus Awards''' are an annual set of literary awards voted on by readers of the science fiction and fantasy magazine ''[[Locus (magazine)|Locus]]'', a monthly magazine based in [[Oakland, California]].<ref name=SFE-locus-award/> The awards are presented at an annual banquet.<ref name="about">{{cite web |title=Locus Awards |url=https://www.sfadb.com/Locus_Awards |website=Science Fiction Awards Database |access-date=21 February 2021}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{Cite web|title=2020 Locus Poll and Survey|url=https://locusmag.com/2020-locus-poll-and-survey/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200413131518/https://locusmag.com/2020-locus-poll-and-survey/|archive-date=Apr 13, 2020|website=Locus}}</ref> The award was inaugurated in 1971, and was originally intended to provide suggestions and recommendations for the [[Hugo Award]]s.<ref name="about" /> They have come to be considered a prestigious prize in science fiction, fantasy and horror literature.<ref name=latimes-2018/><ref name=guardian-2016/> ''[[The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction]]'' regards the Locus Awards as sharing the stature of the Hugo and [[Nebula Awards]].<ref name=SFE-locus-award/> 

[[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).<ref name=SFADB-tallies/>

== Frequently nominated ==
As of the 2021 awards, the following have had the most nominations:<ref name=SFADB-tallies>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sfadb.com/Locus_Awards_Tallies|title=Locus Awards Tallies|website=[[Science Fiction Awards Database]]|access-date=May 11, 2022}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+
!Person
!Nominations
!Nominations (fiction)
!Wins
|-
|[[Robert Silverberg]]
|158
|88
|9
|-
|[[Gardner Dozois]]
|133
|21
|43
|-
|[[Ellen Datlow]]
|104
|0
|16
|-
|[[Michael Swanwick]]
|84
|74
|3
|-
|[[Ursula K. Le Guin]]
|80
|56
|24
|-
|[[Martin H. Greenberg]]
|80
|0
|0
|-
|[[Gene Wolfe]]
|74
|67
|6
|-
|[[Stephen Baxter (author)|Stephen Baxter]]
|73
|67
|1
|-
|[[David G. Hartwell]]
|73
|0
|1
|-
|[[Robert Reed (author)|Robert Reed]]
|71
|67
|0
|-
|[[Lucius Shepard]]
|70
|60
|8
|-
|[[Gregory Benford]]
|69
|54
|0
|-
|[[Terri Windling]]
|66
|1
|0
|-
|[[Frederik Pohl]]
|65
|46
|3
|-
|[[Nancy Kress]]
|64
|57
|2
|-
|[[George R. R. Martin]]
|63
|42
|16
|}

==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<!-- https://web.archive.org/web/20150910032602/http://www.locusmag.com/SFAwards/Db/Locus1989.html -->–90<!-- https://web.archive.org/web/20150910033301/http://www.locusmag.com/SFAwards/Db/Locus1990.html -->, 1994<!-- https://web.archive.org/web/20150910041010/http://www.locusmag.com/SFAwards/Db/Locus1994.html -->, 2017–present)<ref name="SFE-locus-award" />
***[[Locus Award for Best Horror/Dark Fantasy Novel]] (1991<!-- https://web.archive.org/web/20150913100838/http://www.locusmag.com/SFAwards/Db/Locus1991.html -->–93<!-- https://web.archive.org/web/20150910013632/http://www.locusmag.com/SFAwards/Db/Locus1993.html -->, 1996<!-- https://web.archive.org/web/20150910033838/http://www.locusmag.com/SFAwards/Db/Locus1996.html -->–97<!-- https://web.archive.org/web/20150913103305/http://www.locusmag.com/SFAwards/Db/Locus1997.html -->)
***[[Locus Award for Best Dark Fantasy/Horror Novel]] (1995<!-- https://web.archive.org/web/20150914161425/http://www.locusmag.com/SFAwards/Db/Locus1995.html -->, 1999<!-- https://web.archive.org/web/20150914162533/http://www.locusmag.com/SFAwards/Db/Locus1999.html -->)
**[[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)<ref>{{cite web | url=https://locusmag.com/2023/04/2023-locus-awards-top-ten-finalists-2/ | title=2023 Locus Awards Top Ten Finalists | date=April 28, 2023 }}</ref>

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

*2018: [[Clarion West Writers Workshop|Clarion West]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sfadb.com/Locus_Awards_2018|title=Locus Awards 2018|accessdate=June 23, 2025}}</ref>
*2022: [[Codex Writers Group|The Codex Writers' Group]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sfadb.com/Locus_Awards_2022|title=Locus Awards 2022|accessdate=June 23, 2025}}</ref>
*2023: [[Carl Brandon Society]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sfadb.com/Locus_Awards_2023|title=Locus Awards 2025|accessdate=June 23, 2023}}</ref>
*2024: [[Jeanne Cavelos]] (and the [[Odyssey Writing Workshop]])<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sfadb.com/Locus_Awards_2024|title=Locus Awards 2024|accessdate=June 23, 2025}}</ref>
*2025: [[Ignyte Awards]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sfadb.com/Locus_Awards_2025|title=Locus Awards 2025|accessdate=June 23, 2025}}</ref>

==Inactive categories==
There are several categories that no longer receive Locus Awards:<ref>[http://www.locusmag.com/SFAwards/Db/LocusWinsByCategory.html/ Locus Award Winners by Category] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002065333/http://www.locusmag.com/SFAwards/Db/LocusWinsByCategory.html |date=2013-10-02 }} accessed 14 June 2013</ref>

*Locus Award for Best Original Anthology (1972–1975)<ref>[http://www.locusmag.com/SFAwards/Db/LocusWinsByCategory.html#antho Locus Awards for Best Original Anthology] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201034720/http://www.locusmag.com/SFAwards/Db/LocusWinsByCategory.html |date=2008-12-01 }} accessed 14 June 2013</ref>
**1972: ''[[Universe 1 (Carr anthology)|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 (writer)|Harry Harrison]]
**1975: ''[[Universe 4]]'' edited by [[Terry Carr]]
*Locus Award for Best Reprint Anthology/Collection (1972–1975)<ref>[http://www.locusmag.com/SFAwards/Db/LocusWinsByCategory.html#anthc Locus Award for Best Reprint Anthology/Collection] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201034720/http://www.locusmag.com/SFAwards/Db/LocusWinsByCategory.html |date=2008-12-01 }} accessed 14 June 2013</ref>
**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)<ref>[http://www.locusmag.com/SFAwards/Db/LocusWinsByCategory.html#fanz Locus Award for Best Fanzine] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201034720/http://www.locusmag.com/SFAwards/Db/LocusWinsByCategory.html |date=2008-12-01 }} accessed 14 June 2013</ref>
**1971: ''[[Locus Magazine|Locus]]''
**1972: ''Locus''
**1973: ''Locus''
**1974: ''Locus''
**1975: ''Outworlds''
**1976: ''Locus''
**1977: ''Locus''
*Locus Award for Best Single Fanzine Issue (1971)<ref>[http://www.locusmag.com/SFAwards/Db/LocusWinsByCategory.html#fanz1 Locus Award for Best Single Fanzine Issue] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201034720/http://www.locusmag.com/SFAwards/Db/LocusWinsByCategory.html |date=2008-12-01 }} accessed 14 June 2013</ref>
**1971: ''Locus #70''
*Locus Award for Best Critic (1974–1977)<ref>[http://www.locusmag.com/SFAwards/Db/LocusWinsByCategory.html#critic Locus Award for Best Critic] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201034720/http://www.locusmag.com/SFAwards/Db/LocusWinsByCategory.html |date=2008-12-01 }} accessed 14 June 2013</ref>
**1974: Richard Geis
**1975: [[P. Schuyler Miller]]
**1976: Richard Geis
**1977: [[Spider Robinson]]
*Locus Award for Best Fan Writer (1971–1973)<ref>[http://www.locusmag.com/SFAwards/Db/LocusWinsByCategory.html#fanw Locus Award for Best Fan Writer] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201034720/http://www.locusmag.com/SFAwards/Db/LocusWinsByCategory.html |date=2008-12-01 }} accessed 14 June 2013</ref>
**1971: Harry Warner, Jr.
**1972: Charlie Brown
**1973: [[Terry Carr]]
*Locus Award for Best Fan Critic (1971)<ref>[http://www.locusmag.com/SFAwards/Db/LocusWinsByCategory.html#fanc Locus Award for Best Fan Critic] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201034720/http://www.locusmag.com/SFAwards/Db/LocusWinsByCategory.html |date=2008-12-01 }} accessed 14 June 2013</ref>
**1971: Ted Pauls
*Locus Award for Best Publisher - Hardcover (1975–1976)<ref>[http://www.locusmag.com/SFAwards/Db/LocusWinsByCategory.html#pubh Locus Award for Best Publisher - Hardcover] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201034720/http://www.locusmag.com/SFAwards/Db/LocusWinsByCategory.html |date=2008-12-01 }} accessed 14 June 2013</ref>
**1975: Science Fiction Book Club
**1976: Science Fiction Book Club
*Locus Award for Best Publisher - Paperback (1975–1976)<ref>[http://www.locusmag.com/SFAwards/Db/LocusWinsByCategory.html#pubp Locus Award for Best Publisher - Paperback] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201034720/http://www.locusmag.com/SFAwards/Db/LocusWinsByCategory.html |date=2008-12-01 }} accessed 14 June 2013</ref>
**1975: [[Ballantine Books|Ballantine]]
**1976: Ballantine
*Locus Award for Best Paperback Cover Artist (1971–1973)<ref>[http://www.locusmag.com/SFAwards/Db/LocusWinsByCategory.html#artistpb Locus Award for Best Paperback Cover Artist] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201034720/http://www.locusmag.com/SFAwards/Db/LocusWinsByCategory.html |date=2008-12-01 }} accessed 14 June 2013</ref>
**1971: Leo & Diane Dillon
**1972: Gene Szafran
**1973: Frank Kelly Freas
*Locus Award for Best Magazine Artist (1972–1973)<ref>[http://www.locusmag.com/SFAwards/Db/LocusWinsByCategory.html#artistmg Locus Award for Best Magazine Artist] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201034720/http://www.locusmag.com/SFAwards/Db/LocusWinsByCategory.html |date=2008-12-01 }} accessed 14 June 2013</ref>
**1972: Frank Kelly Freas
**1973: Frank Kelly Freas
*Locus Award for Best Fan Artist (1971–1975)<ref>[http://www.locusmag.com/SFAwards/Db/LocusWinsByCategory.html#fana Locus Award for Best Fan Artist] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201034720/http://www.locusmag.com/SFAwards/Db/LocusWinsByCategory.html |date=2008-12-01 }} accessed 14 June 2013</ref>
**1971: Alicia Austin
**1972: Bill Rotsler
**1973: Bill Rotsler
**1974: Tim Kirk
**1975: Tim Kirk
*Locus Award for Best Fan Cartoonist (1971)<ref>[http://www.locusmag.com/SFAwards/Db/LocusWinsByCategory.html#fancar Locus Award for Best Fan Cartoonist] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201034720/http://www.locusmag.com/SFAwards/Db/LocusWinsByCategory.html |date=2008-12-01 }} accessed 14 June 2013</ref>
**1971: Bill Rotsler
*Locus Award for Best Convention (1971)<ref>[http://www.locusmag.com/SFAwards/Db/LocusWinsByCategory.html#con Locus Award for Best Convention] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201034720/http://www.locusmag.com/SFAwards/Db/LocusWinsByCategory.html |date=2008-12-01 }} accessed 14 June 2013</ref>
**1971: Noreascon

==See also==
* {{anl|Big Heart Award}}
* {{anl|BSFA Award}}
* [[Outline of science fiction#Awards|List of science fiction awards]]
* {{anl|Hugo Award}}
* {{anl|Nebula Award}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em|refs=
<ref name=SFE-locus-award>
{{cite encyclopedia |url=http://www.sf-encyclopedia.com/entry/locus_award |title=Locus Award |encyclopedia=[[The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction]] |publisher=Gollancz |edition=3rd |author-last=Langford |author-first=David |author-link=David Langford |display-editors=etal |editor-last=Clute |editor-first=John |editor-link=John Clute |access-date=September 11, 2021}}
</ref>
<ref name=latimes-2018>
{{cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/books/la-et-jc-locus-awards-20180626-story.html |title=Locus Award winners include N.K. Jemisin, Victor LaValle and John Scalzi |last=Schaub |first=Michael |date=June 26, 2018 |work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]}}
</ref>
<ref name=guardian-2016>
{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2016/jun/27/locus-awards-go-to-ann-leckie-naomi-novik-terry-pratchett-neil-gaiman-george-rr-martin |title=Locus awards go to Ann Leckie, Naomi Novik and other stars |last=Flood |first=Allison |date=June 27, 2016 |work=[[The Guardian]]}}
</ref>
}}

==External links==
* [http://www.worldswithoutend.com/books_locus.asp Excerpts and synopses for Locus winning and nominated novels]
{{Locus Award}}{{Science fiction}}
{{Fantasy fiction}}

[[Category:American literary awards]]
[[Category:American speculative fiction awards|L]]
[[Category:Science fiction awards]]
[[Category:Fantasy awards]]
[[Category:Horror fiction awards]]
[[Category:Culture of Oakland, California]]
[[Category:Locus (magazine)| *]]
[[Category:Awards established in 1970]]
[[Category:1970 establishments in California]]
[[Category:Anthology awards]]
[[Category:Short story collection awards]]
[[Category:Locus Award–winning works]]