BSFA award facts for kids

The BSFA Awards are special prizes given out every year by the British Science Fiction Association (BSFA). These awards celebrate the best works in science fiction, like amazing books, short stories, and artwork. The first BSFA Award was given in 1970, and since then, many talented writers and artists have won.

What are the BSFA Awards?

The BSFA Awards are given to excellent works of science fiction. They started in 1970. The awards are always for works that came out in the year before the award is given. For example, the 1970 award was for something published in 1969.

How Winners are Chosen

Members of the British Science Fiction Association vote for who they think should win. First, they pick a list of possible winners, called "nominees." Then, they vote again to choose the final winners from that list. Recently, people who attend Eastercon, a big science fiction convention, also get to vote.

Award Categories Over Time

When the BSFA Awards first started, they only gave a prize for the best novel (a long book). Over the years, new categories were added to celebrate different kinds of science fiction.

• In 1980, awards for short stories and artwork were added.
• From 1979 to 1992, there was also an award for "media," which included things like radio shows or movies.
• In 2002, a new award was created for nonfiction works. These are books or articles that share facts and information about science fiction.

Notable Winners Through the Years

Many famous and talented people have won BSFA Awards. Here are just a few examples of the types of works that have been honored:

• Novels: Many well-known science fiction novels have won, such as Rendezvous with Rama by Arthur C. Clarke and A Scanner Darkly by Philip K. Dick. Later winners include Pyramids by Terry Pratchett and The City and the City by China Mieville.
• Short Fiction: This category celebrates shorter stories. Coraline by Neil Gaiman and The Wolves in the Walls by Neil Gaiman & Dave McKean are examples of winning short fiction.
• Artwork: Artists who create amazing covers for books and magazines have also been recognized. Jim Burns has won this award many times for his detailed science fiction art.
• Media: The original radio series of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams won in this category.
• Non-fiction: Books that explore the history or ideas of science fiction, like Reading Science Fiction by Farah Mendlesohn, have won this award.

The BSFA Awards continue to celebrate the best and most exciting works in British science fiction each year.

See also

In Spanish: Premios BSFA para niños