There are a couple of interesting fantasy book awards each year. Three of the ones that are getting a bit more attention are World fantasy awards, Hugo award and Goodreads choice awards. There are some differences in all three’s voting systems, none better than the other. I like the diversity in the fantasy book awards voting systems because it produces interesting and diverse results. Below you find summaries of the events and their process, and a few sentences about why you should keep an eye out for the fantasy book awards.

World fantasy awards

The world fantasy awards is a part of at the world fantasy convention. Professionals, collectors and mere fantasy fans are annually gathering to present the fantasy book awards winners. 850 people who are interested in light and dark fantasy art and literature attend the banquet and 9 different awards are presented. The world fantasy awards 9 categories are novel, novella, short fiction, anthology, collection, artist, special award professional, special award non-professional and lifetime achievement.

One thing about the World fantasy convention that separates it from other fantasy book awards is that very few members wear costumes and there’s not any gaming or masquerade going on. Another is that if there are any videos or films’ showing it’s only if it’s directly tied to the literature.

The judges for the convention are chosen by the World fantasy awards administration. 2011 five judges were chosen. The members of the convention, together with the members from the past two conventions, get to nominate two entries for each category each year.

The Hugo award

The Hugo award got its name from the founder of a science fiction magazine called Amazing Stories, Hugo Gernsback. The first awards were given in 1953 but then it was called Science fiction achievement awards. In 1992 it was renamed the Hugo awards. The awards are each year presented at the World science fiction convention that’s overseen by the World science fiction society.

The award is given to the best science fiction or fantasy work for the year before. The categories included have changed over the years to fit the field’s development. Today there are 15 awards given for best written and dramatic works. These are for best novel, novella, novelette, short story, related work, graphic story, dramatic presentation (long form), dramatic presentation (short form), editor (long form), editor (short form), professional artist, semiprozine, fanzine, fan writer and fan artist. It has been said to be “among the highest honors bestowed in science fiction and fantasy writing” to get a Hugo award.

There are two stages in the voting process for the Hugo award; a nomination period and a final voting period. If you want to vote you need only to become a member by joining the World science fiction convention that year. Each member has the chance nominate up to five pieces in each category. Unlike other fantasy book awards voting systems The Hugo award system is designed to make sure the winners has majority support from the voters. Some people find the system to be very complicated but others argue that it’s fairer.

Goodreads choice awards

These awards are the only major book awards that are decided by readers only. Goodreads, that has created the award, is one of the largest sites on book recommendations. They got about 7 500 000 members who each year get the opportunity to vote for the best novel in 22 different genres. And one of the genres is of course fantasy.

The nominees are chosen based on how the books are rated and reviews on the site. The 15 most popular books in the 22 categories get to enter the competition. There are three voting rounds; the semifinal, top 5 and final elimination.

One good reason for keeping an eye on the fantasy book awards is that they present some really good reads if we have happened to missed them before. And it’s not just the winners that are interesting but also all the nominees. The chance is that many of them are also worth your time. I know most of us cling to a certain subgenre in the massive world of fantasy literature but the books that each year gets this special attention presents a great opportunity to try something new.

You also get a chance to influence who wins, and in the long run what other people read. By voting in one of the fantasy book awards you help people noticing some really great stories. Sharing is caring!