Hugo Award for Best Novel


The Hugo Award for Best Novel is one of the Hugo Awards given each year for science fiction or fantasy stories published or translated into English during the previous calendar year. The novel award is available for works of fiction of 40,000 words or more; awards are also given out in the short story, novelette, and novella categories. The Hugo Awards have been described as "a fine showcase for speculative fiction" and "the best known literary award for science fiction writing".
The Hugo Award for Best Novel has been awarded annually by the World Science Fiction Society since 1953, except in 1954 and 1957. In addition to the regular Hugo awards, beginning in 1996 Retrospective Hugo Awards, or "Retro-Hugos", have been available to be awarded for 50, 75, or 100 years prior. Retro-Hugos may only be awarded for years after 1939 in which no awards were originally given. To date, Retro-Hugo awards have been given for novels for 1939, 1941, 1943—1946, 1951, and 1954.
Hugo Award nominees and winners are chosen by supporting or attending members of the annual World Science Fiction Convention, or Worldcon, and the presentation evening constitutes its central event. The selection process is defined in the World Science Fiction Society Constitution as instant-runoff voting with six nominees, except in the case of a tie. The novels on the ballot are the six most-nominated by members that year, with no limit on the number of stories that can be nominated. The 1953, 1955, and 1958 awards did not include any recognition of runner-up novels, but since 1959 all final candidates have been recorded. Initial nominations are made by members in January through March, while voting on the ballot of six nominations is performed roughly in April through July, subject to change depending on when that year's Worldcon is held. Prior to 2017, the final ballot was five works; it was changed that year to six, with each initial nominator limited to five nominations. Worldcons are generally held in August or early September, and are held in a different city around the world each year.
During the 74 nomination years, 158 authors have had works nominated; 49 of these have won, including co-authors, ties, and Retro Hugos. One translator, Ken Liu, has been noted along with the author whose works he translated, while a second, Rita Barisse, was retroactively noted in 2019 as the translator of a 1963 work. Robert A. Heinlein has received the most Hugos for Best Novel as well as the most nominations, with six wins and twelve nominations. Lois McMaster Bujold has received four Hugos on ten nominations; the only other authors to win more than twice are Isaac Asimov, N. K. Jemisin, Connie Willis, and Vernor Vinge, who have each won three times. Nine other authors have won the award twice. The next-most nominations by a winning author are held by Robert J. Sawyer and Larry Niven, who have been nominated nine and eight times, respectively, and each have only won once, while Robert Silverberg has the greatest number of nominations without winning at nine. Three authors have won the award in consecutive years: Orson Scott Card, Lois McMaster Bujold, and N. K. Jemisin.

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 blue background have won the award; those with a white background are the nominees on the short-list.
* Winners and joint winners
YearAuthorNovelPublisher Ref.
1953*Galaxy Science Fiction
1955*They'd Rather Be Right Astounding Science-Fiction
1955*They'd Rather Be Right Astounding Science-Fiction
1956*Double StarAstounding Science-Fiction
1956Call Him Dead Astounding Science-Fiction
1956Doubleday
1956Not This AugustDoubleday
1956Doubleday
1958*Galaxy Science Fiction
1959*Ballantine Books
1959We Have Fed Our Sea Astounding Science-Fiction
1959Who?Pyramid Books
1959Have Space Suit — Will Travel'
1959Time Killer Galaxy Science Fiction
1960*Starship Troopers'
1960Dorsai! Astounding Science-Fiction
1960Astounding Science-Fiction
1960That Sweet Little Old Lady Astounding Science-Fiction
1960Dell Publishing
1961*J. B. Lippincott & Co.
1961Astounding Science-Fiction
1961Rogue Moon'
1961DeathworldAstounding Science-Fiction
1961Venus Plus XPyramid Books
1962*Stranger in a Strange LandPutnam Publishing Group
1962Dark UniverseBantam Books
1962Planet of the Damned Analog Science Fact & Fiction
1962' Analog Science Fact & Fiction
1962Second EndingFantastic
1963*Putnam Publishing Group
1963Ace Books
1963Harcourt Trade Publishers
1963Little FuzzyAvon Publications
1963 SylvaPutnam Publishing Group
1963 SylvaPutnam Publishing Group
1964*Here Gather the Stars Galaxy Science Fiction
1964Glory Road'
1964Witch WorldAce Books
1964Dune WorldAnalog Science Fact & Fiction
1964Cat's CradleHolt, Rinehart and Winston
1965*Ballantine Books
1965Ballantine Books
1965DavyBallantine Books
1965Pyramid Books
1966*DuneChilton Company
1966*...And Call Me Conrad '
1966Ballantine Books
1966If
1966Skylark DuQuesneIf
1967*If
1967Babel-17Ace Books
1967Too Many MagiciansAnalog Science Fact & Fiction
1967Flowers for AlgernonHarcourt Trade Publishers
1967Chilton Company
1967Day of the MinotaurAce Books
1968*Lord of LightDoubleday
1968Ace Books
1968ChthonBallantine Books
1968Pyramid Books
1968ThornsBallantine Books
1969*Stand on ZanzibarDoubleday
1969Rite of PassageAce Books
1969NovaDoubleday
1969Past MasterAce Books
1969Galaxy Science Fiction
1970*Ace Books
1970Up the LineBallantine Books
1970MacroscopeAvon Publications
1970Slaughterhouse-FiveDelacorte Press
1970Bug Jack BarronAvon Publications
1971*RingworldBallantine Books
1971Tau ZeroDoubleday
1971Tower of GlassCharles Scribner's Sons
1971Ace Books
1971Star LightAnalog Science Fact & Fiction
1972*To Your Scattered Bodies GoPutnam Publishing Group
1972Amazing Stories
1972DragonquestBallantine Books
1972Jack of Shadows'
1972Galaxy Science Fiction
1973*Galaxy Science Fiction
1973When HARLIE Was OneBallantine Books
1973There Will Be TimeSignet Books
1973Charles Scribner's Sons
1973Dying InsideGalaxy Science Fiction
1973Putnam Publishing Group
1974*Rendezvous with RamaGalaxy Science Fiction
1974Time Enough for LovePutnam Publishing Group
1974ProtectorBallantine Books
1974Analog Science Fact & Fiction
1974Random House
1975*Harper & Row
1975Fire TimeDoubleday
1975Flow My Tears, the Policeman SaidDoubleday
1975Simon & Schuster
1975Simon & Schuster
1975Galaxy Science Fiction
1976*St. Martin's Press
1976Doorways in the SandAnalog Science Fact & Fiction
1976InfernoGalaxy Science Fiction
1976InfernoGalaxy Science Fiction
1976 Berkley Putnam
1976Harper & Row
1977*Where Late the Sweet Birds SangHarper & Row
1977MindbridgeSt. Martin's Press
1977Children of DuneAnalog Science Fact & Fiction
1977Man Plus'
1977Shadrach in the FurnaceAnalog Science Fact & Fiction
1978*GatewayGalaxy Science Fiction
1978DAW Books
1978Lucifer's HammerPlayboy Press
1978Lucifer's HammerPlayboy Press
1978Time StormSt. Martin's Press
1978Dying of the LightAnalog Science Fact & Fiction
1979*DreamsnakeHoughton Mifflin
1979Del Rey Books
1979Galaxy Science Fiction
1979Blind VoicesBerkley Putnam
1980*Victor Gollancz Ltd
1980TitanBerkley Putnam
1980JemSt. Martin's Press
1980Harpist in the WindAtheneum Books
1980On Wings of Song'
1981*Dial Press
1981Lord Valentine's Castle'
1981Galileo Magazine of Science & Fiction
1981Beyond the Blue Event HorizonDel Rey Books
1981WizardBerkley Putnam
1982*Downbelow StationDAW Books
1982Timescape Books
1982Houghton Mifflin
1982Project PopeDel Rey Books
1982Little, BigBantam Books
1983*Foundation's EdgeDoubleday
1983DAW Books
1983'Del Rey Books
1983FridayHolt, Rinehart and Winston
1983Courtship RiteTimescape
1983Timescape
1984*Startide RisingBantam Books
1984Tea with the Black DragonBantam Books
1984MillenniumBerkley Books
1984'Del Rey Books
1984Doubleday
1985*NeuromancerAce Books
1985EmergenceBantam Books
1985Bluejay Books
1985'Del Rey Books
1985Del Rey Books
1986*Ender's GameTor Books
1986Cuckoo's EggDAW Books
1986Bantam Spectra
1986FootfallDel Rey Books
1986FootfallDel Rey Books
1986Blood MusicArbor House
1987*Speaker for the DeadTor Books
1987Victor Gollancz Ltd
1987Count ZeroAsimov's Science Fiction
1987Marooned in RealtimeAnalog Science Fact & Fiction
1987Black GenesisBridge Publications
1988*Bantam Spectra
1988When Gravity FailsArbor House
1988Seventh SonTor Books
1988Tor Books
1988Tor Books
1989*CyteenWarner Books
1989Red ProphetTor Books
1989Falling FreeAnalog Science Fact & Fiction
1989Islands in the NetArbor House
1989Mona Lisa OverdriveVictor Gollancz Ltd
1990*HyperionDoubleday
1990Doubleday
1990Prentice AlvinTor Books
1990Tor Books
1990GrassDoubleday
1991*Baen Books
1991EarthBantam Spectra
1991Doubleday
1991Ace Books
1991Queen of AngelsWarner Questar
1992*BarrayarAnalog Science Fact & Fiction
1992Bone DanceAce Books
1992All the Weyrs of PernDel Rey Books
1992Warner Questar
1992XenocideTor Books
1992Stations of the TideAsimov's Science Fiction
1993*Tor Books
1993*Doomsday BookBantam Spectra
1993Red MarsHarperCollins
1993China Mountain ZhangTor Books
1993Steel BeachAce Books/Putnam Publishing Group
1994*Green MarsHarperCollins
1994Moving MarsTor Books
1994Beggars in SpainMorrow AvoNova
1994Glory SeasonBantam Spectra
1994Virtual LightBantam Spectra
1995*Mirror DanceBaen Books
1995Mother of StormsTor Books
1995Beggars and ChoosersTor Books
1995Brittle InningsBantam Books
1995Towing JehovahHarcourt Brace
1996*Bantam Spectra
1996HarperPrism
1996Brightness ReefBantam Books
1996Analog Science Fiction and Fact
1996RemakeBantam Spectra
1997*Blue MarsHarperCollins Voyager
1997MemoryBaen Books
1997Remnant PopulationBaen Books
1997StarplexAnalog Science Fiction and Fact
1997Holy FireBantam Spectra
1998*Forever PeaceAce Books
1998City on FireHarperPrism
1998Bantam Spectra
1998FrameshiftTor Books
1998Jack FaustAvon Publications
1999*To Say Nothing of the DogBantam Spectra
1999Children of GodVillard Books
1999DarwiniaTor Books
1999DistractionBantam Spectra
1999Factoring HumanityTor Books
2000*Tor Books
2000Baen Books
2000CryptonomiconAvon Publications
2000Darwin's RadioHarperCollins
2000Harry Potter and the Prisoner of AzkabanBloomsbury Publishing
2001*Harry Potter and the Goblet of FireBloomsbury Publishing
2001HarperCollins Voyager
2001Calculating GodTor Books
2001Tor Books
2001Midnight RobberWarner Aspect
2002*American GodsWilliam Morrow and Company
2002Eos
2002PassageBantam Books
2002Perdido Street StationMacmillan Publishers
2002Tor Books
2002Cosmonaut KeepOrbit Books
2003*HominidsAnalog Science Fiction and Fact
2003Kiln People Tor Books
2003Bones of the EarthEos
2003Del Rey Books
2003Bantam Books
2004*Paladin of SoulsEos
2004IliumEos
2004Singularity SkyAce Books
2004Blind LakeTor Books
2004HumansTor Books
2005*Jonathan Strange & Mr NorrellBloomsbury Publishing
2005River of GodsSimon & Schuster
2005Orbit Books
2005Iron SunriseAce Books
2005Iron CouncilDel Rey Books
2006*SpinTor Books
2006Learning the WorldOrbit Books
2006Voyager Books
2006Old Man's WarTor Books
2006AccelerandoAce Books
2007*Rainbows EndTor Books
2007GlasshouseAce Books
2007His Majesty's DragonVoyager Books
2007EifelheimTor Books
2007BlindsightTor Books
2008*HarperCollins
2008Tor Books
2008Halting StateAce Books
2008RollbackTor Books
2008BrasylPyr
2009*HarperCollins
2009Little BrotherTor Books
2009AnathemMorrow
2009Saturn's ChildrenAce Books
2009Zoe's TaleTor Books
2010*Night Shade Books
2010*Del Rey Books
2010BoneshakerTor Books
2010WakeAce Books
2010PalimpsestBantam Spectra
2010'Tor Books
2011*Blackout/All ClearSpectra Books
2011CryoburnBaen Books
2011Gollancz / Pyr
2011FeedOrbit Books
2011Orbit Books
2012*Among OthersTor Books
2012A Dance with DragonsBantam Spectra
2012DeadlineOrbit Books
2012EmbassytownMacmillan Publishers / Del Rey Books
2012Leviathan WakesOrbit Books
2013*RedshirtsTor Books
20132312Orbit Books
2013BlackoutOrbit Books
2013Captain Vorpatril's AllianceBaen Books
2013Throne of the Crescent MoonDAW Books
2014*Ancillary JusticeOrbit Books
2014Neptune's BroodAce Books
2014ParasiteOrbit Books
2014WarboundBaen Books
2014Tor Books
2014Tor Books
2015 *Chongqing Press
Tor Books
2015 *Chongqing Press
Tor Books
2015Tor Books
2015Tor Books
2015Skin GameRoc Books
2015Ancillary SwordOrbit Books
2016*The Fifth SeasonOrbit Books
2016UprootedDel Rey Books
2016Ancillary MercyOrbit Books
2016SevenevesWilliam Morrow and Company
2016Roc Books
2017*Orbit Books
2017All the Birds in the SkyTor Books
2017Hodder & Stoughton
2017 Death's EndChongqing Press
Tor Books
2017 Death's EndChongqing Press
Tor Books
2017Ninefox GambitSolaris Books
2017Too Like the LightningTor Books
2018*Orbit Books
2018Tor Books
2018New York 2140Orbit Books
2018ProvenanceOrbit Books
2018Raven StratagemSolaris Books
2018Six WakesOrbit Books
2019*Tor Books
2019Hodder & Stoughton
2019Revenant GunSolaris Books
2019Spinning SilverDel Rey Books
2019Trail of LightningSaga Press
2019Space OperaSaga Press
2020*Tor Books
2020Tor Books
2020Gideon the NinthTor.com Publishing
2020Saga Press
2020MiddlegameTor.com Publishing
2020Redhook

Retro-Hugos

Beginning with the 1996 Worldcon, the World Science Fiction Society created the concept of "Retro-Hugos", in which the Hugo award could be retroactively awarded for 50, 75, or 100 years prior. Retro-Hugos may only be awarded for years after 1939 in which no Hugos were originally awarded. Retro-Hugos have been awarded eight times, for 1939, 1941, 1943—1946, 1951, and 1954.
YearYear awardedAuthorNovelPublisher or publicationRef.
19392014*William Collins, Sons
19392014Carson of VenusArgosy
19392014Galactic PatrolAstounding Stories
19392014Astounding Science-Fiction
19392014Out of the Silent Planet
19412016*SlanAstounding Science Fiction
19412016Gray LensmanAstounding Science Fiction
19412016William Collins, Sons
19412016KallocainBonnier Group
19412016Unknown
19432018 *Beyond This HorizonAstounding Science Fiction
19432018Darkness and the LightMethuen Publishing
19432018Donovan's BrainBlack Mask
19432018IslandiaFarrar & Rinehart
19432018Second Stage LensmenAstounding Science Fiction
19432018Doubleday
19442019*Conjure WifeUnknown Worlds
19442019Earth's Last CitadelArgosy
19442019Earth's Last CitadelArgosy
19442019Gather, Darkness!Astounding Science-Fiction
19442019Das Glasperlenspiel Fretz & Wasmuth
19442019PerelandraJohn Lane, The Bodley Head
19442019Astounding Science-Fiction
19452020*Startling Stories
19452020Cassell
19452020Land of TerrorEdgar Rice Burroughs, Inc.
19452020Sirius: A Fantasy of Love and DiscordSecker & Warburg
19452020Macmillan Publishers
19452020Astounding Science-Fiction
19452020Astounding Science-Fiction
19461996*Astounding Science-Fiction
19461996Astounding Science-Fiction
19461996That Hideous Strength John Lane
19461996Destiny Times ThreeAstounding Science-Fiction
19461996 Red Sun of Danger Startling Stories
19512001*Farmer in the SkyBoys' Life
19512001Pebble in the SkyDoubleday
19512001Geoffrey Bles
19512001First LensmanFantasy Press
19512001Hillman Periodicals
19542004*Fahrenheit 451Ballantine Books
19542004Childhood's EndBallantine Books
19542004Mission of GravityAstounding Science-Fiction
19542004Galaxy Science Fiction
19542004More Than HumanFarrar, Straus and Giroux