The Dragon Awards are a set of literary and media awards presented annually by Dragon Con. Voted on by fandom, the awards highlight excellence in the speculative categories of science fiction, fantasy, horror, and alternate history across various media — novels, comic books, movies, television series, video games, and tabletop enterprises.
| Dragon Awards | |
|---|---|
| Awarded for | Best science fiction, fantasy, horror, and alternate history works of previous year |
| Location | Atlanta, Georgia |
| Country | United States |
| Presented by | Dragon Con |
| First award | 2016 |
| Website | awards |
History
editThe Dragon Awards were first presented in 2016,[1][2] created on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of Dragon Con to "recognize excellence in all things Science Fiction and Fantasy."[3][4] By 2018, 11,000 voters cast a ballot,[5] given out annually at Dragon Con in Atlanta, Georgia.
A distinct feature of the awards, there is a diverse set of subgenera on the ballot.[6]
The finalists for the first Dragon Awards were announced on August 11, 2016,[7] and the winners were announced on September 4 that year.[8]
In 2017, nominated authors Allison Littlewood, John Scalzi, and N. K. Jemisin asked Dragon Con to remove their names from the ballot; Scalzi subsequently reconsidered and remained in the contest. However, the coordinators of the Dragon Awards initially refused to remove the other authors' names from the running, which generated criticism across blogs and science fiction related publications, ultimately leading the organizers to comply with nominee wishes when they desire to abstain.[9][10][11]
Nomination and voting processes
editThe nominations and votes are collected electronically. Participation is available to everyone, requiring only an e-mail address, but no membership or other fees, to vote.[12] The Dragon Awards website states that they "[reserve] the right to invalidate suspect or questionable ballots without notice,"[13] and that "All decisions regarding the voting process and selection of winners shall be made by DRAGON CON in its sole discretion, shall be final, and shall not be subject to challenge or appeal."[14] Language describing the review of nominations does not state that nominations are counted numerically but are "gathered and reviewed to create a final ballot."[15] Neither counts of nominations nor votes have ever been made public.
The award process consists of two steps:
- a nomination step where each voter nominates one work of choice in each category. The nominations are "gathered and reviewed to create a final ballot."[15]
- a voting step where the finalists selected from the nominated works are voted on by each voter.
Reception
editThe Dragon Awards have been criticized because of the appearance that the awards were created in conjunction with campaigns by the Rabid and Sad Puppies to attack the Hugo Award.[12] Another concern raised is regarding the opaqueness of the nomination and voting process.[11]
Winners
editThe full list of last-stage nominees can be found at List of Dragon Award finalists.
Best Science Fiction Novel
edit| Year | Work | Author(s) | Publisher(s) | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Somewhither: Being the First Part of A Tale of the Unwithering Realm | John C. Wright | Castalia House | [16] |
| 2017 | Babylon's Ashes | James S. A. Corey | Orbit Books | [17] |
| 2018 | Artemis | Andy Weir | Crown Publishing Group | [18][19] |
| 2019 | A Star-Wheeled Sky | Brad R. Torgersen | Baen Books | [20] |
| 2020 | The Last Emperox | John Scalzi | Tor Books | [21] |
| 2021 | Project Hail Mary | Andy Weir | Ballantine Books | [22] |
| 2022 | Leviathan Falls | James S. A. Corey | Hachette Book Group | [23][24] |
| 2023 | The Icarus Plot | Timothy Zahn | Baen Books | [25] |
| 2024 | Starter Villain | John Scalzi | Tor Books | [26] |
| 2025 | This Inevitable Ruin | Matt Dinniman | Ace Books | [27] |
Best Fantasy Novel
editBest Horror Novel
edit| Year | Work | Author(s) | Publisher(s) | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Souldancer | Brian Niemeier | self-published | [16] |
| 2017 | The Changeling | Victor LaValle | Spiegel & Grau | [17] |
| 2018 | Sleeping Beauties | Stephen King and Owen King | Scribner | [18] |
| 2019 | Little Darlings | Melanie Golding | Crooked Lane Books | [20] |
| 2020 | The Twisted Ones | T. Kingfisher | Saga | [21] |
| 2021 | The Hollow Places | T. Kingfisher | Saga | [22] |
| 2022 | The Book of Accidents | Chuck Wendig | Del Rey Books | [23][24] |
| 2023 | A House with Good Bones | T. Kingfisher | Tor Books | [25] |
| 2024 | Black River Orchard | Chuck Wendig | Del Rey Books | [26] |
| 2025 | Bury Your Gays | Chuck Tingle | Tor Nightfire | [28] |
Best Alternate History Novel
edit| Year | Work | Author(s) | Publisher(s) | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | League of Dragons | Naomi Novik | Del Rey Books | [16] |
| 2017 | Fallout | Harry Turtledove | Del Rey Books | [17] |
| 2018 | Uncharted | Kevin J. Anderson and Sarah A. Hoyt | Baen Books | [18] |
| 2019 | Black Chamber | S. M. Stirling | Baen Books | [20] |
| 2020 | Witchy Kingdom | D. J. Butler | Baen Books | [21] |
| 2021 | 1637: No Peace Beyond the Line | Eric Flint and Charles E. Gannon | Baen Books | [22] |
| 2022 | The Silver Bullets of Annie Oakley | Mercedes Lackey | DAW Books | [23][24] |
| 2023 | Lost In Time | A. G. Riddle | Head of Zeus | [25] |
| 2024 | All the Dead Shall Weep | Charlaine Harris | Saga Press | [26] |
| 2025 | The Martian Contingency | Mary Robinette Kowal | Tor Books | [28] |
Best Military Science Fiction or Fantasy Novel
editThe category "Best Military Science Fiction or Fantasy Novel" was removed from the awards in 2023.
| Year | Work | Author(s) | Publisher(s) | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Hell's Foundations Quiver | David Weber | Tor Books | [16] |
| 2017 | Iron Dragoons | Richard Fox | Triplane Press | [17] |
| 2018 | A Call to Vengeance | Timothy Zahn, David Weber and Thomas Pope | Baen Books | [18] |
| 2019 | Uncompromising Honor | David Weber | Baen Books | [20] |
| 2020 | Savage Wars | Jason Anspach & Nick Cole (author) | Galaxy's Edge | [21] |
| 2021 | Gun Runner | Larry Correia & John Brown | Baen Books | [22] |
| 2022 | A Call to Insurrection | David Weber, Timothy Zahn, and Thomas Pope | Simon & Schuster | [23][24] |
Best Apocalyptic Novel
editBest Media Tie-In Novel
editThe category "Best Media Tie-In Novel" was first introduced in 2018 and removed from the awards in 2023.
| Year | Work | Author(s) | Publisher(s) | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Leia: Princess of Alderaan | Claudia Gray | Disney-Lucasfilm | [18] |
| 2019 | Thrawn: Alliances | Timothy Zahn | Penguin Random House | [20] |
| 2020 | Firefly: The Ghost Machine | James Lovegrove | Titan Books | [21] |
| 2021 | Firefly: Generations | Tim Lebbon | Titan Books | [22] |
| 2022 | Star Wars: Thrawn Ascendancy: Lesser Evil | Timothy Zahn | Random House Worlds | [23][24] |
Best Young Adult / Middle Grade Novel
editBest Illustrative Cover
editThe category "Best Illustrative Cover" was first introduced in 2023.
| Year | Work | Artist(s) | Author(s) | Publisher(s) | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Tower of Silence | Kurt Miller | Larry Correia | Baen Books | [25] |
| 2024 | Of Jade and Dragons | Kelly Chong | Amber Chen | Viking Books for Young Readers | [26] |
| 2025 | Wind and Truth | Michael Whelan | Brandon Sanderson | Tor Books | [28] |
Best Comic Book
editThe categories "Best Comic Book" and "Best Graphic Novel" were combined into a single category in 2023.
| Year | Work | Author(s)/ Artist(s) |
Publisher(s) | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Ms. Marvel | Sana Amanat, Stephen Wacker, G. Willow Wilson, Adrian Alphona | Marvel Comics | [31] |
| 2017 | The Dresden Files: Dog Men | Jim Butcher, Mark Powers | Dynamite Entertainment | [32][33] |
| 2018 | Mighty Thor | Jason Aaron and Russell Dauterman | Marvel Comics | [18][34] |
| 2019 | Saga | Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples | Image Comics | [20][34] |
| 2020 | Avengers | Jason Aaron & Ed McGuinness | Marvel | [21] |
| 2021 | X-Men | Jonathan Hickman & Mahmud Asrar | Marvel | [22] |
| 2022 | Immortal X-Men | Kieron Gillen and Mark Brooks | Marvel | [23][24] |
Best Graphic Novel
editThe categories "Best Comic Book" and "Best Graphic Novel" were combined into a single category in 2023.
| Year | Work | Author(s)/ Artist(s) |
Publisher(s) | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | The Sandman: Overture | Neil Gaiman, J. H. Williams III | Vertigo Comics | [16] |
| 2017 | The Dresden Files: Wild Card | Jim Butcher, Carlos Gomez | Dynamite Entertainment | [17] |
| 2018 | White Sand, Volume 1 | Brandon Sanderson, Rik Hoskin and Julius M. Gopez | Dynamite Entertainment | [18][35] |
| 2019 | X-Men: Grand Design – Second Genesis | Ed Piskor | Marvel Comics | [20][35] |
| 2020 | Battlestar Galactica: Counterstrike! | John Jackson Miller & Daniel HDR | Dynamite Entertainment | [21] |
| 2021 | The Magicians: New Class | Lev Grossman, Lilah Sturges & Pius Bak | Archaia Entertainment | [22] |
| 2022 | Dune: House Atreides Volume 2 | Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson, and Dev Pramanik | BOOM! Studios | [23][24] |
Best Comic Book/Graphic Novel
edit"Best Comic Book" and "Best Graphic Novel" existed as separate categories before 2023.
| Year | Work | Author(s)/ Artist(s) |
Publisher(s) | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Dune: House Harkonnen | Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson, and Michael Shelfer | BOOM! Studios | [25] |
| 2024 | Monstress | Marjorie Liu and Sana Takeda | Image Comics | [26] |
| 2025 | Daredevil: Cold Day In Hell | Charles Soule and Steve McNiven | Marvel Comics | [28] |
Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Movie
editBest Science Fiction or Fantasy TV Series
edit| Year | Work | Creator(s) | Released on | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Game of Thrones | David Benioff and D. B. Weiss | HBO | [31] |
| 2017 | Stranger Things | The Duffer Brothers | Netflix | [32] |
| 2018 | Game of Thrones | David Benioff and D. B. Weiss | HBO | [18] |
| 2019 | Good Omens | Neil Gaiman | Amazon Prime Video | [36] |
| 2020 | The Mandalorian | Jon Favreau | Disney+ | [21] |
| 2021 | The Expanse | Mark Fergus and Hawk Ostby | Amazon Prime Video | [22] |
| 2022 | Stranger Things | The Duffer Brothers | Netflix | [23][24] |
| 2023 | The Sandman | Neil Gaiman, David S. Goyer and Allan Heinberg | Netflix | [25] |
| 2024 | Fallout | Amazon Prime Video | [26] | |
| 2025 | Andor | Disney+ | [28] |
Best Science Fiction or Fantasy PC/Console Game
editThe categories "Best Science Fiction or Fantasy PC/Console Game" and "Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Mobile Game" were combined into a single category in 2023.
Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Mobile Game
editThe categories "Best Science Fiction or Fantasy PC/Console Game" and "Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Mobile Game" were combined into a single category in 2023.
| Year | Work | Developers(s) | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Fallout Shelter | Bethesda Softworks | [37] |
| 2017 | Pokémon Go | Niantic | [38] |
| 2018 | Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery | Jam City | [18] |
| 2019 | Harry Potter: Wizards Unite | Niantic, WB Games San Francisco | [20] |
| 2020 | Minecraft Earth | Mojang Studios | [39] |
| 2021 | Harry Potter: Puzzles and Spells | Zynga | [22] |
| 2022 | Diablo Immortal | Blizzard | [23][24] |
Best Digital Game
edit"Best Science Fiction or Fantasy PC/Console Game" and "Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Mobile Game" existed as separate categories before 2023.
| Year | Work | Publisher(s) | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom | Nintendo | [25] |
| 2024 | Baldur's Gate 3 | Larian Studios | [26] |
| 2025 | Assassin's Creed Shadows | Ubisoft Quebec | [28] |
Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Board Game
editThe categories "Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Board Game" and "Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Miniatures / Collectible Card / Role-Playing Game" were combined into a single category in 2023.
| Year | Work | Publisher(s) | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Pandemic: Legacy | Z-Man Games | [37] |
| 2017 | Betrayal at House on the Hill: Widow's Walk | Avalon Hill | [38] |
| 2018 | Red Dragon Inn 6: Villains | Slugfest Games | [18] |
| 2019 | Betrayal Legacy | Avalon Hill Games | [20] |
| 2020 | Tapestry | Stonemaier Games | [39] |
| 2021 | Imperium | Dire Wolf Games | [22] |
| 2022 | Star Wars Outer Rim: Unfinished Business | Fantasy Flight Games | [23][24] |
Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Miniatures / Collectible Card / Role-Playing Game
edit| Year | Work | Publisher(s) | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Call of Cthulhu Roleplaying Game (7th edition) | Chaosium | [37] |
| 2017 | Magic: The Gathering: Eldritch Moon | Wizards of the Coast | [38] |
| 2018 | Magic: The Gathering: Unstable | Wizards of the Coast | [18] |
| 2019 | Call of Cthulhu: Masks of Nyarlathotep Slipcase Set | Chaosium | [20] |
| 2020 | Magic: The Gathering: Throne of Eldraine | Wizards of the Coast | [39] |
| 2021 | Warhammer: Age of Sigmar: Soulbound Role-Playing Game | Cubicle 7 | [22] |
| 2022 | Magic: The Gathering, Dungeons & Dragons: Adventures in the Forgotten Realms | Wizards of the Coast | [23][24] |
Best Tabletop Game
edit"Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Board Game" and "Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Miniatures / Collectible Card / Role-Playing Game" existed as separate categories before 2023.
| Year | Work | Publisher(s) | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Magic the Gathering: The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth | Wizards of the Coast | [25] |
| 2024 | D&D The Deck of Many Things | Wizards of the Coast | [26] |
| 2025 | Magic the Gathering: Final Fantasy | Wizards of the Coast | [28] |
References
edit- ↑ Liptak, Andrew (September 4, 2016). "The inaugural Dragon Awards highlight the populist side of science fiction and fantasy". The Verge. Archived from the original on January 11, 2019. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
- ↑ Beth Elderkin (13 August 2016). "DragonCon Releases (Mostly) Puppy-Free Nominations For First Dragon Awards". Gizmodo. Retrieved 12 March 2019.
DragonCon, Atlanta's annual science fiction and fantasy competition, released the nominee list (see below) for the first-ever Dragon Awards
- ↑ "Dragon Con 2019 - Dragon Awards Nominations". The Dragon Awards. Archived from the original on March 30, 2019. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
- ↑ "Dragon Con Announces Creation of the Dragon Awards". Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. 25 April 2016. Archived from the original on 10 December 2018. Retrieved 12 March 2019.
In celebration of their 30th anniversary, they have announced the creation of the Dragon Awards.
- ↑ "Dragon Con packs in guests from all over the world, celebs in 2018". WSB-TV. 5 September 2018. Retrieved 12 March 2019.
he Dragon Awards are the only fan's choice award in fandom, with more than 11,000 people casting a ballot this year.
- ↑ Andrew Liptak (4 August 2017). "The 2017 Dragon Awards are a far-ranging sci-fi and fantasy reading list". The Verge. Retrieved 12 March 2019.
A key feature of the Dragon Awards is that, instead of one broad novel category (for any book over 50,000 words), they break down nominees by subgenre, for a much wider-ranging and more specific field of recognition.
- ↑ "2016 Dragon Awards Shortlist". Locus. 12 August 2016. Retrieved 12 March 2019.
- ↑ "2016 Dragon Awards Winners". Locus. 6 September 2016. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
Winners of the inaugural Dragon Awards were announced at Dragon Con, held September 2–5, 2016 in Atlanta GA.
- ↑ Hines, Jim C. (August 9, 2017). "Dragon Awards Refuse to Let Authors Withdraw". Jim C. Hines. Archived from the original on February 16, 2019. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
- ↑ Andrew Liptak (10 August 2017). "Two science-fiction authors say they're being used as proxies in a fandom culture war". The Verge. Retrieved 12 March 2019.
- 1 2 Jemisin, N. K. (August 10, 2017). "Withdrawing from the Dragon Awards". N. K. Jemisin. Archived from the original on March 21, 2019. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
- 1 2 Liptak, Andrew (August 13, 2016). "The first ever Dragon Awards shortlist aims to be the next major award for science fiction fans". The Verge. Retrieved March 25, 2019.
this award would be driven by fan participation: they would nominate their favorite works, and vote on the final shortlist. Unlike the Hugo Awards, which require a paid membership to vote, the Dragon Awards were a completely free process.
- ↑ "Fan FAQ". Dragon Con. Archived from the original on March 28, 2019. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
- ↑ "Dragon Awards Official Rules". Retrieved March 25, 2019.
- 1 2 "The Process". The Dragon Awards. Dragon Con. Archived from the original on March 26, 2019. Retrieved 13 March 2019.
Your nominations are gathered and reviewed to create a final ballot.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "2016 Dragon Award". Internet Speculative Fiction Database. Retrieved September 5, 2017.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "2017 Dragon Award". Internet Speculative Fiction Database. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 "2018 Recipients – The Dragon Award". Dragon Con. Retrieved September 19, 2018.
- ↑ "2018 Dragon Awards Winners". Locus. 4 September 2018. Retrieved 12 March 2019.
Best Science Fiction Novel WINNER: Artemis, Andy Weir (Crown)
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 "2019 Recipients – The Dragon Award". Dragon Con. Archived from the original on October 1, 2019. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "2020 Dragon Awards Winners". Locus Online. 8 September 2020. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 "2021 Recipients – The Dragon Award". Dragon Con. Archived from the original on September 11, 2021. Retrieved September 11, 2021.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 "2022 Dragon Award Nominees and Winners". Dragon Con. Archived from the original on September 28, 2022. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 "2022 Recipients – The Dragon Award". Dragon Con. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "2023 Recipients". Dragon Con. Retrieved February 11, 2023.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "2024 Recipients". Dragon Con. Retrieved September 2, 2024.
- ↑ "2025 Recipients". The Dragon Award. Retrieved September 4, 2025.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Cite error: The named reference
2025 Recipientswas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ↑ "More Dragon Awards News", Locus, August 11, 2017. Retrieved April 1, 2018.
- ↑ "2018 DRAGON AWARDS ANNOUNCED". Krypton Radio. 3 September 2018. Retrieved 12 March 2019.
Best Young Adult / Middle Grade Novel Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi
- 1 2 3 "2016 Dragon Awards Shortlist". Locus Online. August 12, 2016. Archived from the original on February 16, 2019. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
- 1 2 3 "2017 Dragon Awards Shortlist". Locus Online. August 4, 2017. Retrieved September 6, 2017. See revised list at More Dragon Awards News", Locus, August 11, 2017. Accessed April 1, 2018.
- ↑ "2017 Recipients". Dragon Con. Archived from the original on September 7, 2017. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
- 1 2 KYLE PINION (3 September 2018). "Dragon Con '18: THE MIGHTY THOR wins Best Comic at the Dragon Awards". Comics Beat. Retrieved 12 March 2019.
The Mighty Thor beat out a nominee slate that included Saga, Star Wars: Darth Vader, Doomsday Clock, Mister Miracle, and Aliens: Dead Orbit.
- 1 2 DONNA DICKENS (7 September 2018). "The Best in Sci-Fi Books This Week (9/7/18)". Geek.com.
celebrate the winners of the 2018 Dragon Awards. Among the science-fiction wins were Andy Weir's Artemis for Best Science Fiction Novel and Brandon Sanderson's White Sand Volume 1 for Best Graphic Novel.
- 1 2 "The Dragon Awards 2019 Recipients". DragonCon.org. Archived from the original on October 1, 2019. Retrieved September 13, 2019.
- 1 2 3 4 Liptak, Andrew (August 13, 2016). "The first ever Dragon Awards shortlist aims to be the next major award for science fiction fans". The Verge. Archived from the original on October 23, 2017. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
- 1 2 3 4 Liptak, Andrew (September 3, 2017). "Here are the winners of the 2017 Dragon Awards". The Verge. Archived from the original on September 7, 2017. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
- 1 2 3 4 "2020 Recipients". Dragon Con. Archived from the original on October 6, 2020. Retrieved August 12, 2021.