Hugo Award (Best Novel)

The Hugo Award for Best Novel is the most celebrated prize in science fiction and fantasy literature, presented annually by the World Science Fiction Society (WSFS) at Worldcon, the World Science Fiction Convention. Named after Hugo Gernsback—the pioneering editor and publisher who founded *Amazing Stories* in 1926 and is regarded as the father of modern science fiction—the Hugos have been awarded since 1953 and are among the oldest speculative fiction honours in existence. Unlike most literary prizes, the Hugo Awards are determined entirely by popular vote from the membership of that year's Worldcon. Any member of the current or immediately prior Worldcon may nominate works, and the final ballot is voted on by all attending and supporting members. This democratic, fan-driven process gives the Hugos a unique character: they reflect the genuine enthusiasms of the science fiction and fantasy reading community rather than the deliberations of appointed judges. The Best Novel category encompasses science fiction and fantasy works of 40,000 words or more first published during the preceding calendar year. The award ceremony is held at the annual Worldcon, which rotates between cities and countries worldwide, meaning the announcement date varies each year but typically falls in late summer (July–September). There is no monetary prize; winners receive a rocket-shaped trophy. The Hugo for Best Novel has an extraordinary history, with past winners including Ursula K. Le Guin, Isaac Asimov, Arthur C. Clarke, Neil Gaiman, and N. K. Jemisin (who won three consecutive years with her Broken Earth trilogy from 2016 to 2018). It has also recognised translated works, most notably Cixin Liu's *The Three-Body Problem* in 2015, and continues to honour the full spectrum of speculative imagination.