World Fantasy Award—Novel

Literary award for science fiction or fantasy novels in English From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The World Fantasy Awards are given each year by the World Fantasy Convention for the best fantasy fiction published in English during the previous calendar year. The awards have been described by book critics such as The Guardian as a "prestigious fantasy prize",[1] and one of the three most prestigious speculative fiction awards, along with the Hugo and Nebula Awards (which cover both fantasy and science fiction).[2][3] The World Fantasy Award—Novel is given each year for fantasy novels published in English or translated into English. A work of fiction is defined by the organization as a novel if it is 40,000 words or longer; awards are also given out for pieces of shorter lengths in the Short Fiction and Novella categories. The Novel category has been awarded annually since 1975.[4]

Awarded forThe best fantasy story of 40,000 words or more published in English in the prior calendar year
Presented byWorld Fantasy Convention
First award1975
Most recent winnerRobert Jackson Bennett (The Tainted Cup)
Quick facts Awarded for, Presented by ...
World Fantasy Award—Novel
Awarded forThe best fantasy story of 40,000 words or more published in English in the prior calendar year
Presented byWorld Fantasy Convention
First award1975
Most recent winnerRobert Jackson Bennett (The Tainted Cup)
Websiteworldfantasy.org/awards/
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World Fantasy Award nominees and winners are decided by attendees and judges at the annual World Fantasy Convention. A ballot is posted in June for attendees of the current and previous two conferences to determine two of the finalists, and a panel of five judges adds three or more nominees before voting on the overall winner.[4][5] The panel of judges is typically made up of fantasy authors[6] and is chosen each year by the World Fantasy Awards Administration, which has the power to break ties.[4] The final results are presented at the World Fantasy Convention at the end of October.[5] Winners were presented with a statue in the form of a bust of H. P. Lovecraft through the 2015 awards; more recent winners receive a statuette of a tree.[7]

During the 51 nomination years, 184 authors have had works nominated; 52 of them have won, including ties. Five authors have won twice: Gene Wolfe, out of eight nominations; Tim Powers, out of five; Patricia McKillip, out of four; Jeffrey Ford, out of three; and James K. Morrow for both of his nominations. Wolfe has the most nominations for an author who has won at least once, while Stephen King has the most nominations without winning, at nine, followed by Charles L. Grant at six and Jonathan Carroll at five.

A photograph of a bald man with a grey moustache wearing glasses and a black tuxedo, looking at the camera, and holding a drinking glass
Gene Wolfe is one of only five authors who have won the World Fantasy Award Novel category twice.

Winners and nominees

In the following table, the years correspond to the date of the ceremony, rather than when the novel was first published. Each year links to the corresponding "year in literature". Entries with a yellow background and an asterisk (*) next to the writer's name have won the award; the other entries are the other nominees on the shortlist.

  *   Winners

More information Year, Author ...
Winners and nominees
Year Author Novel Publisher(s)/publication Ref.
1975 Patricia A. McKillip*The Forgotten Beasts of EldAtheneum Books [8]
H. Warner MunnMerlin's RingBallantine Books [8]
Poul AndersonA Midsummer TempestDoubleday [8]
1976 Richard Matheson*Bid Time ReturnViking Press [9]
Stephen KingSalem's LotDoubleday [9]
1977 William Kotzwinkle*Doctor RatAlfred A. Knopf [10]
John SteinbeckThe Acts of King Arthur and His Noble KnightsFarrar, Straus and Giroux [10]
Karl Edward WagnerDark CrusadeWarner [10]
Ramsey CampbellThe Doll Who Ate His MotherBobbs-Merrill Company [10]
Gordon R. DicksonThe Dragon and the GeorgeBallantine Books [10]
Michael MoorcockThe Sailor on the Seas of FateQuartet, DAW Books [10]
1978 Fritz Leiber*Our Lady of DarknessBerkley Books [11]
Stephen R. DonaldsonThe Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, the UnbelieverHolt, Rinehart & Winston [11]
Charles L. GrantThe Hour of the Oxrun DeadDoubleday [11]
1979 Michael Moorcock*GlorianaAvon Publications [12]
Les DanielsThe Black CastleCharles Scribner's Sons [12]
Tanith LeeNight's MasterDAW Books [12]
Charles L. GrantThe Sound of MidnightDoubleday [12]
Stephen KingThe StandDoubleday [12]
1980 Elizabeth A. Lynn*WatchtowerBerkley Books [13]
Elizabeth A. LynnThe Dancers of ArunBerkley Books [13]
Patricia WrightsonThe Dark Bright WaterAtheneum Books [13]
Patricia A. McKillipHarpist in the WindAtheneum Books [13]
Charles L. GrantThe Last Call of MourningDoubleday [13]
Chelsea Quinn YarbroThe PalaceSt. Martin's Press [13]
1981 Gene Wolfe*The Shadow of the TorturerSimon & Schuster [14]
Chelsea Quinn YarbroAriostoPocket Books [14]
Parke GodwinFirelordDoubleday [14]
Stephen KingThe MistDark Forces (Viking Press) [14]
Peter StraubShadowlandCoward, McCann & Geoghegan [14]
1982 John Crowley*Little, BigBantam Books [15]
Gene WolfeThe Claw of the ConciliatorTimescape Books [15]
Ramsey CampbellThe NamelessMacmillan Publishers [15]
Michael MoorcockThe War Hound and the World's PainTimescape Books [15]
D. M. ThomasThe White HotelViking Press [15]
1983 Michael Shea*Nifft the LeanDAW Books [16]
George R. R. MartinFevre DreamPoseidon Press [16]
Charles L. GrantThe NestlingPocket Books [16]
Thomas TessierPhantomAtheneum Books [16]
Gene WolfeThe Sword of the LictorTimescape Books [16]
1984 John M. Ford*The Dragon WaitingTimescape Books [17]
George R. R. MartinThe Armageddon RagPoseidon Press [17]
Jack VanceLyonesseBerkley Books [17]
Stephen KingPet SemataryDoubleday [17]
R. A. MacAvoyTea with the Black DragonBantam Books [17]
Manuel Mujica LainezThe Wandering UnicornTaplinger [17]
1985 Barry Hughart*Bridge of BirdsSt. Martin's Press [18]
Robert Holdstock*Mythago WoodVictor Gollancz [18]
Diana Wynne JonesArcher's GoonMethuen Publishing [18]
T. E. D. KleinThe CeremoniesViking Press [18]
Stephen King The Talisman Viking Press [18]
Peter Straub
1986 Dan Simmons*Song of KaliBluejay Books [19]
Clive BarkerThe Damnation GameWeidenfeld & Nicolson [19]
Lisa GoldsteinThe Dream YearsBantam Spectra [19]
Peter CareyIllywhackerHarper & Row [19]
Anne RiceThe Vampire LestatAlfred A. Knopf [19]
Paul HazelWinterkingAtlantic Monthly Press [19]
1987 Patrick Süskind*PerfumeAlfred A. Knopf [20]
Stephen KingItViking Press [20]
Charles L. GrantThe PetTor Books [20]
Gene WolfeSoldier of the MistTor Books [20]
Dean KoontzStrangersPutnam Publishing Group [20]
Terry BissonTalking ManArbor House [20]
Margaret MahyThe TrickstersJ. M. Dent & Sons [20]
1988 Ken Grimwood*ReplayArbor House [21]
John CrowleyÆgyptBantam Spectra [21]
Stephen KingMiseryViking Press [21]
Tim PowersOn Stranger TidesAce Books [21]
Orson Scott CardSeventh SonTor Books [21]
Robert R. McCammonSwan SongPocket Books [21]
Clive BarkerWeaveworldPoseidon Press, William Collins, Sons [21]
1989 Peter Straub*KokoE. P. Dutton, Viking Press [22]
Joe R. LansdaleThe Drive-InBantam Spectra [22]
Robert CormierFadeVictor Gollancz, Delacorte Press [22]
James BlaylockThe Last CoinMark V. Ziesing, Ace Books [22]
Thomas HarrisThe Silence of the LambsSt. Martin's Press [22]
Jonathan CarrollSleeping in FlameLegend, Doubleday [22]
1990 Jack Vance*MadoucUnderwood–Miller [23]
Dan SimmonsCarrion ComfortDark Harvest [23]
Jonathan CarrollA Child Across the SkyLegend, Century [23]
Charles L. GrantIn a Dark DreamTor Books [23]
Gene WolfeSoldier of AreteTor Books [23]
Tim PowersThe Stress of Her RegardAce Books [23]
1991 James K. Morrow*Only Begotten DaughterWilliam Morrow and Company [24]
Ellen Kushner*Thomas the RhymerWilliam Morrow and Company [24]
Terry Pratchett Good Omens Victor Gollancz, Workman Publishing Company [24]
Neil Gaiman
Valerie MartinMary ReillyDoubleday [24]
Guy Gavriel KayTiganaViking Press [24]
1992 Robert R. McCammon*Boy's LifePocket Books [25]
Emma BullBone DanceAce Books [25]
A. A. AttanasioHunting the Ghost DancerHarperCollins [25]
Charles de LintThe Little CountryWilliam Morrow and Company [25]
Jonathan CarrollOutside the Dog MuseumMacdonald [25]
James BlaylockThe Paper GrailAce Books [25]
1993 Tim Powers*Last CallWilliam Morrow and Company [26]
Kim NewmanAnno DraculaSimon & Schuster, Carroll & Graf Publishers [26]
Jane YolenBriar RoseTor Books [26]
Steve SzilagyiPhotographing FairiesBallantine Books [26]
Geoff RymanWasHarperCollins, Alfred A. Knopf [26]
1994 Lewis Shiner*GlimpsesWilliam Morrow and Company [27]
Poppy Z. BriteDrawing BloodDelacorte Abyss [27]
Peter S. BeagleThe Innkeeper's SongRoc Books [27]
Michael SwanwickThe Iron Dragon's DaughterMillennium, Morrow AvoNova [27]
Judith TarrLord of the Two LandsTor Books [27]
Kathe KojaSkinDelacorte Abyss [27]
Peter StraubThe ThroatE. P. Dutton, Borderlands Press [27]
1995 James K. Morrow*Towing JehovahHarcourt Brace [28]
Michael BishopBrittle InningsBantam Books [28]
Brooke StevensThe Circus of the Earth and the AirHarcourt Brace [28]
Jonathan CarrollFrom the Teeth of AngelsHarperCollins, Doubleday [28]
John CrowleyLove & SleepBantam Books [28]
Elizabeth HandWaking the MoonHarperCollins, HarperPrism [28]
1996 Christopher Priest*The PrestigeTouchstone Books [29]
James BlaylockAll the Bells on EarthAce Books [29]
Tim PowersExpiration DateHarperCollins, Tor Books [29]
Vikram ChandraRed Earth and Pouring RainLittle, Brown and Company [29]
Graham JoyceRequiemMichael Joseph, Signet Creed [29]
Nina Kiriki HoffmanThe Silent Strength of StonesAvoNova [29]
1997 Rachel Pollack*Godmother NightSt. Martin's Press [30]
Marc LaidlawThe 37th MandalaSt. Martin's Press [30]
William KotzwinkleThe Bear Went Over the MountainDoubleday [30]
Mark SumnerDevil's TowerDel Rey Books [30]
George R. R. MartinA Game of ThronesHarperCollins Voyager, Bantam Spectra [30]
Melanie Rawn The Golden Key DAW Books [30]
Jennifer Roberson
Kate Elliott
Terence M. GreenShadow of AshlandForge Books [30]
1998 Jeffrey Ford*The PhysiognomyAvon Publications [31]
Harvey JacobsAmerican GoliathSt. Martin's Press [31]
Arturo Pérez-ReverteThe Club Dumas (nomination withdrawn)[a]Harcourt Brace [31]
Eric NylundDry WaterAvon Publications [31]
Patrick O'LearyThe GiftTor Books [31]
Charles de LintTraderTor Books [31]
1999 Louise Erdrich*The Antelope WifeHarperFlamingo [32]
Thomas SullivanThe MartyringForge Books [32]
Sean StewartMockingbirdAce Books [32]
Guy Gavriel KaySailing to SarantiumEarthlight, Viking Press [32]
Charles de LintSomeplace to Be FlyingTor Books [32]
2000 Martin Scott*ThraxasOrbit Books [33]
Steven EriksonGardens of the MoonBantam Books [33]
James BlaylockThe Rainy SeasonAce Books [33]
Nina Kiriki HoffmanA Red Heart of MemoriesAce Books [33]
Peter S. BeagleTamsinRoc Books [33]
Terence M. GreenA Witness to LifeForge Books [33]
2001 Tim Powers*DeclareSubterranean Press, William Morrow and Company [34]
Sean Stewart*GalvestonAce Books [34]
Philip PullmanThe Amber SpyglassScholastic, Alfred A. Knopf [34]
Paula VolskyThe Grand EllipseBantam Spectra [34]
Guy Gavriel KayLord of EmperorsViking Press, HarperPrism [34]
China MiévillePerdido Street StationMacmillan Publishers, Del Rey Books [34]
2002 Ursula K. Le Guin*The Other WindHarcourt [35]
Neil GaimanAmerican GodsWilliam Morrow and Company [35]
Jay RussellBrown HarvestFour Walls Eight Windows [35]
Lois McMaster BujoldThe Curse of ChalionEos [35]
Ray BradburyFrom the Dust ReturnedWilliam Morrow and Company [35]
Charles de LintThe Onion GirlTor Books [35]
Jonathan CarrollThe Wooden SeaTor Books [35]
2003 Graham Joyce*The Facts of LifeVictor Gollancz [36]
Patricia A. McKillip*Ombria in ShadowAce Books [36]
Gregory FrostFitcher's BridesTor Books [36]
Jeffrey FordThe Portrait of Mrs. CharbuqueWilliam Morrow and Company [36]
China MiévilleThe ScarMacmillan Publishers, Del Rey Books [36]
2004 Jo Walton*Tooth and ClawTor Books [37]
K. J. BishopThe Etched CityPrime Books [37]
Kij JohnsonFudokiTor Books [37]
Ian R. MacLeodThe Light AgesAce Books [37]
Jeff VanderMeerVeniss UndergroundPrime Books [37]
2005 Susanna Clarke*Jonathan Strange & Mr NorrellBloomsbury Press [38]
China MiévilleIron CouncilDel Rey Books, Macmillan Publishers [38]
Sean StewartPerfect CircleSmall Beer Press [38]
Stephen R. DonaldsonThe Runes of the EarthPutnam Publishing Group, Victor Gollancz [38]
Gene WolfeThe Wizard KnightTor Books [38]
2006 Haruki Murakami*Kafka on the ShoreHarvill Press, Alfred A. Knopf [39]
Graham JoyceThe Limits of EnchantmentVictor Gollancz, Atria [39]
Bret Easton EllisLunar ParkAlfred A. Knopf, Macmillan Publishers [39]
Patricia A. McKillipOd MagicAce Books [39]
Paul ParkA Princess of RoumaniaTor Books [39]
Hal DuncanVellumMacmillan Publishers, Del Rey Books [39]
2007 Gene Wolfe*Soldier of SidonTor Books [40]
Scott LynchThe Lies of Locke LamoraVictor Gollancz, Bantam Spectra [40]
Stephen KingLisey's StoryCharles Scribner's Sons, Hodder & Stoughton [40]
Catherynne M. ValenteIn the Night GardenBantam Spectra [40]
Ellen KushnerThe Privilege of the SwordBantam Spectra, Small Beer Press [40]
2008 Guy Gavriel Kay*YsabelViking Press, Roc Books [41]
John MarksFanglandPenguin Press [41]
Will ShetterlyThe Gospel of the KnifeTor Books [41]
Michael Marshall SmithThe ServantsEarthling Publications [41]
Emma BullTerritoryTor Books [41]
2009 Jeffrey Ford*The Shadow YearWilliam Morrow and Company [42]
Margo Lanagan*Tender MorselsAllen & Unwin, Alfred A. Knopf [42]
Neil GaimanThe Graveyard BookHarperCollins, Bloomsbury Press [42]
Kage BakerThe House of the StagTor Books [42]
Daryl GregoryPandemoniumDel Rey Books [42]
2010 China Miéville*The City & the CityMacmillan Publishers, Del Rey Books [43]
James EngeBlood of AmbrosePyr [43]
Jeff VanderMeerFinchUnderland Press [43]
Kit WhitfieldIn Great WatersJonathan Cape, Del Rey Books [43]
Caitlín R. KiernanThe Red TreeRoc Books [43]
2011 Nnedi Okorafor*Who Fears DeathDAW Books [44]
N. K. JemisinThe Hundred Thousand KingdomsOrbit Books [44]
Karen LordRedemption in IndigoSmall Beer Press [44]
Graham JoyceThe Silent LandVictor Gollancz, Doubleday [44]
Guy Gavriel KayUnder HeavenViking Press, Roc Books [44]
Lauren BeukesZoo CityJacana Media, Angry Robot [44]
2012 Lavie Tidhar*OsamaDAW Books [45]
Stephen King11/22/63Charles Scribner's Sons [45]
Jo WaltonAmong OthersTor Books [45]
George R. R. MartinA Dance with DragonsTor Books [45]
Christopher BuehlmanThose Across the RiverAce Books [45]
2013 G. Willow Wilson*Alif the UnseenGrove, Corvus [46]
N. K. JemisinThe Killing MoonOrbit Books [46]
Graham JoyceSome Kind of Fairy TaleVictor Gollancz [46]
Caitlín R. KiernanThe Drowning GirlRoc Books [46]
Anna TambourCrandolinChomu Press [46]
2014 Sofia Samatar*A Stranger in OlondriaSmall Beer Press [47]
Richard BowesDust Devil on a Quiet StreetLethe Press [47]
Marie BrennanA Natural History of Dragons: A Memoir by Lady TrentTor Books [47]
Neil GaimanThe Ocean at the End of the LaneWilliam Morrow and Company [47]
Helene WeckerThe Golem and the JinniHarper [47]
Gene WolfeThe Land AcrossTor Books [47]
2015 David Mitchell*The Bone ClocksRandom House [48]
Jeff VanderMeerArea X: The Southern Reach TrilogyFarrar, Straus and Giroux [48]
Robert Jackson BennettCity of StairsJo Fletcher Books [48]
Katherine AddisonThe Goblin EmperorTor Books [48]
Jo WaltonMy Real ChildrenTor Books [48]
2016 Anna Smaill*The ChimesSceptre [49]
N. K. JemisinThe Fifth SeasonOrbit Books [49]
Naomi NovikUprootedDel Rey Books [49]
K. J. ParkerSavagesSubterranean Press [49]
Kazuo IshiguroThe Buried GiantAlfred A. Knopf [49]
Paul TremblayA Head Full of GhostsWilliam Morrow and Company [49]
2017 Claire North*The Sudden Appearance of HopeRedhook Books [50]
Mishell BakerBorderlineSaga Press [50]
Matt RuffLovecraft CountryHarper [50]
N. K. JemisinThe Obelisk GateOrbit Books [50]
Betsy JamesRoadsoulsAqueduct Press [50]
2018 Victor LaValle*The ChangelingSpiegel & Grau [51]
Fonda Lee*Jade CityOrbit Books [51]
S. A. ChakrabortyThe City of BrassHarper Voyager [51]
John CrowleyKa: Dar Oakley in the Ruin of YmrSaga Press [51]
Daryl GregorySpoonbendersAlfred A. Knopf [51]
Theodora GossThe Strange Case of the Alchemist's DaughterSaga Press [51]
2019 C. L. Polk*WitchmarkTor.com Publishing [52]
Dale BaileyIn the Night WoodJohn Joseph Adams Books [52]
Maria Dahvana HeadleyThe Mere WifeMCD [52]
R. F. KuangThe Poppy WarHarper Voyager [52]
Rebecca RoanhorseTrail of LightningSaga Press [52]
2020 Kacen Callender*Queen of the ConqueredOrbit Books [53]
Alix E. HarrowThe Ten Thousand Doors of JanuaryRedhook Books/Orbit UK [53]
Ann LeckieThe Raven TowerOrbit Books [53]
Tamsyn MuirGideon the NinthTor.com Publishing [53]
Yōko Ogawa The Memory Police Pantheon Books/Harvill Secker [53]
Stephen Snyder (translator)
2021 Alaya Dawn Johnson*Trouble the SaintsTor Books [54]
Susanna ClarkePiranesiBloomsbury Press [54]
Stephen Graham JonesThe Only Good IndiansSaga Press/Titan UK [54]
Silvia Moreno-GarciaMexican GothicDel Rey Books/Jo Fletcher UK [54]
C. L. PolkThe Midnight BargainErewhon/Orbit UK [54]
2022 Tasha Suri*The Jasmine ThroneOrbit Books [55]
Zen ChoBlack Water SisterAce Books/Macmillan Publishers [55]
Aden PolydorosThe City BeautifulInkyard Press [55]
Catriona WardThe Last House on Needless StreetNightfire Books/Viper Books [55]
P. Djèlí ClarkA Master of DjinnTor.com Publishing/Orbit UK [55]
2023 C. S. E. Cooney*Saint Death's DaughterSolaris Books [56]
R. F. KuangBabelHarper Voyager [56]
Alex JenningsThe Ballad of Perilous GravesRedhook Books/Orbit UK [56]
Nghi VoSiren QueenTordotcom [56]
Nicola GriffithSpearTordotcom [56]
2024 Tananarive Due*The ReformatorySaga Press/Titan UK [57]
Catriona WardLooking Glass SoundViper Books/Nightfire Books [57]
Yael Goldstein-LoveThe PossibilitiesRandom House [57]
Wole TalabiShigidi and the Brass Head of ObalufonDAW Books/Victor Gollancz [57]
Alix E. HarrowStarling HouseTor Books [57]
Martha WellsWitch KingTordotcom [57]
2025 Robert Jackson Bennett*The Tainted CupDel Rey Books/Hodderscape [58]
Yangsze ChooThe Fox WifeHenry Holt and Company/Quercus UK [58]
Kay ChronisterThe Bog WifeCounterpoint/Titan UK [58]
Lev GrossmanThe Bright SwordViking Press/Del Rey UK [58]
Samantha MillsThe Wings Upon Her BackTachyon Publications [58]
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Notes

  1. [a]
    The Club Dumas, originally published in Spanish in 1993, was initially nominated for its 1997 English publication, but the nomination was withdrawn when a 1996 English translation came to light. It was replaced on the ballot with Dry Water by Eric Nylund.[31]

References

External links

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