Fantasy Book Awards
Comprehensive guide to awards for fantasy writers. From epic fantasy to urban fantasy and magical realism, discover competitions for your fantasy novels.
About Fantasy Book Awards
Fantasy literature has a rich tradition of prestigious awards. The World Fantasy Award, established in 1975, is considered the genre's highest honor alongside the Hugo and Nebula Awards (which cover both science fiction and fantasy). The British Fantasy Awards and Mythopoeic Awards also recognize excellence in fantasy writing.
Major Fantasy Awards
World Fantasy Award
Presented at the annual World Fantasy Convention. Categories include Best Novel, Novella, Short Fiction, and Anthology.
Hugo Award (Fantasy)
Fan-voted awards at Worldcon covering both science fiction and fantasy. Many fantasy novels have won.
Nebula Award (Fantasy)
SFWA's peer-voted awards include fantasy alongside science fiction in all categories.
British Fantasy Awards
Presented by the British Fantasy Society. Categories include Best Novel (Robert Holdstock Award) and Best Novella.
Mythopoeic Awards
Honors works in the spirit of the Inklings (Tolkien, Lewis, Williams). Adult and Children's Literature categories.
Locus Award - Fantasy Novel
Reader-voted award from Locus Magazine with a dedicated Fantasy Novel category.
Debut & First Novel Awards
Fantasy Awards FAQ
What's the most prestigious fantasy award?
The World Fantasy Award is often considered the most prestigious fantasy-specific award. However, the Hugo and Nebula Awards (which include fantasy) carry significant prestige due to their history and recognition.
Can fantasy novels win the Hugo Award?
Yes! Many fantasy novels have won Hugo Awards, including works by N.K. Jemisin, Susanna Clarke, and Neil Gaiman. The Hugo covers both science fiction and fantasy.