2016 Hugo Award Winners

 

I got to watch my first ever Hugo Award Ceremony this morning. I enjoyed Pat Cadigan as the host, and whilst not all the winners were my first picks (which is to be expected in such a diverse fandom) I don’t think there were any undeserving winners. I also feel that this was a better outcome than last year’s sweep of No Awards. Mr. Noah Ward only picked up two wins (Best Fancast and Best Related Work), but the Rabid Puppies were well and truly put in their place. Well, mostly. But that’s a debate for another day. For now, here is a list of the winners.

 

 

Best Novel: The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin (Orbit)

Best Novella: Binti by Nnedi Okorafor (Tor.com)

Best Novelette: Folding Beijing by Hao Jingfang, translated by Ken Liu (Uncanny Magazine)

Best Short Story: Cat Pictures Please by Naomi Kritzer (Clarksworld)

Best Related Work: No Award

Best Graphic Story: The Sandman: Overture written by Neil Gaiman, art by J.H. Williams III (Vertigo)

Best Dramatic Presentation (Long Form): The Martian screenplay by Drew Goddard directed by Ridley Scott (Scott Free Productions; Kinberg Genre; TSG Entertainment; 20th Century Fox)

Best Dramatic Presentation (Short Form): Jessica Jones: “AKA Smile” written by Scott Reynolds, Melissa Rosenberg, and Jamies King, directed by Michael Rymer (Marvel Television; ABC Studios; Tall Girls Production; Netflix)

Best Editor (Short Form): Ellen Datlow

Best Editor (Long Form): Sheila E. Gilbert

Best Professional Artist: Abigail Larson

Best Semiprozine: Uncanny Magazine edited by Lynne M. Thomas & Michael Damian Thomas, Michi Trota, and Erika Ensign & Steven Schapansky

Best Fanzine: File 770 edited by Mike Glyer

Best Fancast: No Award

Best Fan Artist: Steve Stiles

Best Fan Writer: Mike Glyer

John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer: Andy Weir

 

Congratulations to all the winners. Especially N.K Jemisin for taking out the ‘Big One’. I loved The Fifth Season so much. I have the sequel The Obelisk Gate waiting on my Kindle, and cannot wait to continue the story.

On a lighter note, it seems that no talk of this year’s Hugo’s is complete without mentioning Chuck Tingle. Space Raptor Butt Invasion came in 3^rd Place in the short story category (right after No Award). After the awards, I began wondering what the Rabid Puppies had to say about the results. My search led to this gem of a website. So, I just want to say a big thank-you to Chuck Tingle, for all the silly laughs.

I think I should also acknowledge the 1941 Retro Hugo Awards. I haven’t said much about them because I knew I wouldn’t have the time to read two sets of nominees. However, some classics were nominated for the awards, and on Thursday the winners were announced. They are;

 

Best Novel: Slan by A. E. Van Vogt (Astounding Science-Fiction)

Best Novella: If This Goes On… by Robert A. Heinlein (Astounding Science-Fiction)

Best Novelette: The Roads Must Roll by Robert A. Heinlein (Astounding Science-Fiction)

Best Short Story: Robbie by Isaac Asimov (Super Science Stories)

Best Related Work: Category Dropped

Best Graphic Story: Batman #1 (Detective Comics)

Best Dramatic Presentation (Long Form): Fantasia written by Joe Grant and Dick Huemer, directed by Samuel Armstrong et al. (Walt Disney Productions, RKO Radio Pictures)

Best Dramatic Presentation (Short Form): Pinocchio written by Ted Sears et al., directed by Ben Sharpsteen and Hamilton Luske (Walt Disney Productions, RKO Radio Pictures)

Best Editor (Short Form): John W. Campbell

Best Editor (Long Form): Category Dropped

Best Professional Artist: Virgil Finlay

Best Semiprozine: Category Dropped

Best Fanzine: Futuria Fantasia by Ray Bradbury

Best Fancast: Category Dropped

Best Fan Artist: Category Dropped

Best Fan Writer: Ray Bradbury

 

All in all, I think this year has been a good one for the Hugo Awards. The Retro Hugos showcased some of the classics of the genre, while the 2016 winners paint a bright picture of our genre’s future. This year’s winners represent diversity; not diversity as in some new PC trend or quota system, but diversity as in a range of ideas and voices and stories that will keep science fiction and fantasy exciting for many years to come.

 

~Lauren