Nova Award

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The Nova Awards were presented annually between 1973 and 2014 at the UK convention Novacon and recognised achievement in British and (later) Irish sf fanzines.

When initiated in 1973, members of Novacon could nominate fanzines but the actual judging was done by a panel of well-known fans, none of who could be said to be directly connected to a group or specific fanzine.

In 1974 the judging panel were unable to reach a consensus and so the award was given jointly to Zimri and Big Scab. In 1975 the panel announced that while they had wanted to give the award to Wrinkled Shrew they felt that under the rules it had to go to Maya. The manner of the presentation led to some criticism in fanzines at the time.

From 1977 the judging panel was discontinued and the award was decided by popular vote of Novacon members able to demonstrate a basic familiarity with the field. Following a debate at Novacon 39 and follow-up discussions at Novacon 40, the rules were changed in 2011 to allow voting by non-Novacon members resident in the UK and Ireland able to meet the 'familiarity' criterion.

Originally there was a sole award for best fanzine. From 1981 Novas were also presented to the best fanzine writer and best fanzine artist and from 1995 there were occasional committee awards for 'best fan'.

Past administrators have included Dave Langford, Pam Wells, Paul Vincent, Martin Tudor, Sandra Bond and Tony Berry.

In March 2015, Novacon 45 announced the main categories were being retired, although occasional 'committee awards' might still be made.

Year Best Fanzine Best Fan Writer Best Fan Artist Notes
1973 Speculation ed. Peter Weston N/A N/A
1974 Zimri ed. Lisa Conesa & Big Scab ed. John Brosnan (tie) N/A N/A
1975 Maya ed. Rob Jackson N/A N/A
1976 Maya ed. Rob Jackson N/A N/A
1977 Twll-Ddu ed. Dave Langford N/A N/A The first popular vote award.
1978 Gross Encounters ed. Alan Dorey N/A N/A
1979 Seamonsters ed. Simone Walsh N/A N/A
1980 One-Off ed. Dave Bridges N/A N/A
1981 Tappen ed. by Malcolm Edwards Chris Atkinson Pete Lyon
1982 Epsilon ed. by Rob Hansen Chris Atkinson Rob Hansen This was the first occasion one fan received two Novas in the same year.
1983 A Cool Head ed. by Dave Bridges Dave Bridges Margaret Welbank
1984 Xyster ed. by Dave Wood Anne Hamill D. West
1985 Prevert ed. by John Jarrold Abi Frost Ros Calverly
1986 Variously named fanzines by Owen Whiteoak Owen Whiteoak Arthur "ATom" Thomson
1987 Lip ed. by Hazel Ashworth D. West D. West
1988 Lip ed. by Hazel Ashworth Michael Ashley D. West
1989 VSOP ed. by Jan Orys Simon Polley Dave Mooring
1990 FTT* ed. by Joseph Nicholas, Judith Hanna Dave Langford Dave Mooring *A polite acronym for Fuck The Tories.
1991 Saliromania ed. by Michael Ashley Michael Ashley D. West
1992 Bob? ed. by Ian Sorensen Michael Ashley Dave Mooring
1993 Lagoon ed. by Simon Ounsley Simon Ounsley Dave Mooring
1994 Rastus Johnson's Cakewalk ed. by Greg Pickersgill Greg Pickersgill D. West
1995 Attitude ed. by Michael Abbott, John Dallman and Pam Wells Simon Ounsley D. West Intriguingly, Attitude was intended both as a fanzine and a thematic progress report for the eponymous 1997 convention.
1996 Banana Wings ed. by Claire Brialey and Mark Plummer Alison Freebairn D. West This year's "best fanzine" began as two separate titles, which merged after their first issues, Waxen Wings & Banana Skins -- later contracted to Banana Wings -- carried on the numbering and made its debut with #2.
1997 Banana Wings ed. by Claire Brialey and Mark Plummer Mark Plummer Sue Mason
1998 Banana Wings ed. by Claire Brialey and Mark Plummer Maureen Kincaid Speller D. West
1999 Barmaid ed. by Yvonne Rowse Yvonne Rowse Sue Mason
2000 Plokta ed. by Alison Scott, Steve Davies and Mike Scott Yvonne Rowse Sue Mason
2001 Head! ed. by Doug Bell and Christina Lake Alison Freebairn Dave Hicks
2002 Plokta ed. by Alison Scott, Steve Davies and Mike Scott Claire Brialey Dave Hicks
2003 Zoo Nation ed. by Pete Young Claire Brialey Sue Mason
2004 Zoo Nation ed. by Pete Young Claire Brialey Sue Mason
2005 Banana Wings ed. by Claire Brialey and Mark Plummer Claire Brialey Alison Scott
2006 Banana Wings ed. by Claire Brialey and Mark Plummer Claire Brialey Sue Mason
2007 Prolapse ed. by Peter Weston Mark Plummer Alison Scott Peter Weston was also presented with one of the occasional "best fan" Novas, awarded by the Novacon committee.
2008 Prolapse ed. by Peter Weston Claire Brialey Alison Scott
2009 Banana Wings ed. by Claire Brialey and Mark Plummer Claire Brialey Sue Mason
2010 Journey Planet ed. by James Bacon, Claire Brialey, James Bacon and Chris Garcia (with guest editor Pete Young) Mark Plummer Arthur "ATom" Thomson Chris Garcia and Pete Young were the first non-UK/Irish residents to win a Nova, ATom the first person to be awarded one posthumously.
2011 Head! ed. by Doug Bell & Christina Lake Claire Brialey Dave Hicks
2012 Banana Wings ed. by Claire Brialey and Mark Plummer Mark Plummer Sue Mason & D. West (tie)
2013 Banana Wings ed. by Claire Brialey and Mark Plummer Mike Meara D. West
2014 Vibrator ed. by Graham Charnock Christina Lake D. West


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