BSFA Award facts for kids
Quick facts for kids BSFA Awards |
|
|---|---|
| Presented by | British Science Fiction Association |
| Country | UK |
| First awarded | 1970 |
The BSFA Awards are special prizes given out every year for the best science fiction books, stories, and art. They are presented by the British Science Fiction Association (BSFA). These awards started in 1970.
People who are members of the BSFA vote for their favorite works. Recently, people attending the Eastercon convention can also vote. It's a way to celebrate amazing science fiction and fantasy!
Contents
What are the BSFA Award Categories?
When the BSFA Awards first started, they only had a prize for the best novel. Over the years, new categories were added to celebrate more types of creative work.
- In 1980, awards for short stories and artists were added.
- The "artists" award became "artwork" in 1986.
- In 2002, a category for non-fiction (true stories or essays about science fiction) was created.
- A special category for younger readers was added in 2021.
The awards are named after the year the works were published. For example, the 2023 awards are for works published in 2023, even if the ceremony happens in 2024.
Current Award Categories
Today, the main categories for the BSFA Awards are:
- BSFA Award for Best Novel: For the best full-length science fiction book.
- BSFA Award for Best Short Fiction: For the best short stories or novellas.
- BSFA Award for Best Non-Fiction: For the best non-fiction book or article about science fiction.
- BSFA Award for Best Artwork: For the best science fiction-related art.
- BSFA Award for Best Fiction for Younger Readers: For the best science fiction book written for kids and teens.
Past Award Categories
There used to be a "Media" category from 1979 to 1992. This award honored science fiction in other forms, like radio shows or films.
Who Has Won BSFA Awards?
Many famous and talented writers and artists have won BSFA Awards over the years. Here are some of the winners from recent years, and a few notable ones from earlier times.
| Year | Category | Work | Author(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Novel | Stand on Zanzibar | John Brunner |
| 1973 | Novel | Rendezvous with Rama | Arthur C. Clarke |
| 1978 | Novel | A Scanner Darkly | Philip K. Dick |
| Media | The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (original radio series) | Douglas Adams | |
| 1984 | Novel | Mythago Wood | Robert Holdstock |
| 1989 | Novel | Pyramids | Terry Pratchett |
| 2018 | Novel | Embers of War | Gareth L Powell |
| Short Fiction | Time Was | Ian McDonald | |
| Artwork | In the Vanishers’ Palace: Dragon I and II | Likhain | |
| Non-Fiction | On motherhood and erasure: people-shaped holes, hollow characters and the illusion of impossible adventures | Aliette de Bodard | |
| 2019 | Novel | Children of Ruin | Adrian Tchaikovsky |
| Short Fiction | This is How You Lose the Time War | Amal El-Mohtar & Max Gladstone | |
| Artwork | Cover of Wourism and Other Stories (Luna Press) | Chris "Fangorn" Baker | |
| Non-Fiction | The Pleasant Profession of Robert A. Heinlein | Farah Mendlesohn | |
| 2020 | Novel | The City We Became | N. K. Jemisin |
| Short Fiction | Infinite Tea in the Demara Cafe | Ida Keogh | |
| Artwork | Shipbuilding Over the Clyde | Iain Clark | |
| Non-Fiction | It's the End of the World: But What Are We Really Afraid Of | Adam Roberts | |
| 2021 | Novel | Shards of Earth | Adrian Tchaikovsky |
| Short Fiction | Fireheart Tiger | Aliette de Bodard | |
| Artwork | Glasgow Green Woman | Iain Clark | |
| Non-Fiction | Worlds Apart: Worldbuilding in Fantasy and Science Fiction | edited by Francesca T. Barbini | |
| Best Book for Younger Readers | Iron Widow | Xiran Jay Zhao | |
| 2022 | Novel | City of Last Chances | Adrian Tchaikovsky |
| Short Fiction | Of Charms, Ghosts and Grievances | Aliette de Bodard | |
| Artwork | Cover of The Red Scholar's Wake (Gollancz) | Alyssa Winans | |
| Non-Fiction | Terry Pratchett: A Life with Footnotes | Rob Wilkins | |
| Best Book for Younger Readers | Unraveller | Frances Hardinge |
External Resources
- You can find more information on the official BSFA website.
- There is also a list of all winning and nominated novels.
See also
In Spanish: Premios BSFA para niños
