The Hugo Award, also known as the Science Fiction Achievement Award, is given annually by the World Science Fiction Society (WSFS). The distinguishing characteristics of the Hugo Award are that it is sponsored by WSFS, administered by the committee of the World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon) held that year, and determined by nominations from and a popular vote of the membership of WSFS. In general, a Hugo Award given in a particular year is for work that appeared in the previous calendar year.
The information below covers the Hugos and three other types of awards: the Campbell Award, Special Awards, and the Gandalf Award.
The
John W. Campbell Memorial Award for the Best New Writer
is
administered by the Worldcon Committee and determined by the same
nomination and voting mechanism as the Hugo. The Campbell Award was
originally sponsored by Condé Nast Publications and Davis Publications
in 1979. In 1993 sponsorship of the Cambell Award was
assumed by Dell Magazines.
Special Awards
are determined directly by a Worldcon Committee
without any popular nominations or vote.
The Gandalf Award was an
award which, like the Campbell Award, was administered by the
Worldcon Committee and determined by the Hugo nomination and voting
mechanism. It was sponsored by Lin Carter and S.A.G.A. (The Swordsmen
and Sorcerers' Guild of America, Ltd.) and was awarded in 1974
through 1980 inclusive.
Present WSFS rules
allow the Hugo nomination and voting
mechanisms to be used only for the Hugo Award and the Campbell Award.
"World Science Fiction Society",
"WSFS", "World Science Fiction Convention", "Worldcon",
"NASFiC" and "Hugo Award" are service marks of
the World Science Fiction Society, an unincorporated
literary society. You can contact the WSFS Mark Protection Committee
at <mpc@wsfs.org>.
To WSFS/Worldcon home page.