Lambda Literary Award for Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror

Lambda Literary Awards (also known as the "Lammys") are awarded yearly by the United States-based Lambda Literary Foundation to published works that celebrate or explore LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) themes. The awards are presented annually for books published in the previous year. The Lambda Literary Foundation states that its mission is "to celebrate LGBT literature and provide resources for writers, readers, booksellers, publishers, and librarians—the whole literary community."[1]

Since their inception in 1989, awards have been given in various categories in fiction and non-fiction.[2] The category for speculative fiction works has changed several times; from Science Fiction and Mystery, to Science Fiction and Fantasy, and finally to LGBT Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror.

Eligibility guidelines

To be eligible for the award, a book must meet the following requirements:[3]

  • The book must have been published for the first time in the United States between January 1 and December 31 of the previous calendar year.
  • The book must be published in English; translations are accepted.
  • The book must be available for purchase in a bound or collected format. Self-published books are eligible, provided they exist in a single published file; books published exclusively on social or subscription-based sites (including blogs, personal newsletters, Wattpad, and Patreon) are not eligible.

This category includes science fiction, fantasy, horror and related genres; submissions can be in the form of novels, novellas, or short story collections.[3]

As with other Lambda Literary Awards, the books nominated for the Lambda Literary Award for Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror are selected based on several factors, including LGBTQ+ content, quality of writing and artistic merit.[4]

Winners and nominees

The Lambda Literary Award Medal Design 2008

In the following table, the years correspond to the year of the book's release. The ceremonies are always held the following year. Entries with a yellow background have won the relevant award, while those with a white background are the nominees. Categories are abbreviated; the official category titles are presented in the key.

Key

Official Category TitleAbbreviationAward Year(s)
Gay Men's Mystery/Science FictionGay M/SF1989
Lesbian Mystery/Science FictionLesb. M/SF1989
Gay Men's Science Fiction/FantasyGay SF/F1991–1993
Lesbian Science Fiction/FantasyLesb. SF/F1990–1993
Science Fiction/FantasySF/F1994–2000
Horror/Science Fiction/FantasySF/F/H2001
Science Fiction/Fantasy/HorrorSF/F/H2002–2006
LGBT Sci-Fi/Fantasy/HorrorLGBT SF/F/H2007–2021
LGBTQ Speculative Fiction2022–present

Recipients

Multi-time winners of the award include Melissa Scott (4),[5][6][7][8] Nicola Griffith (3),[9][10][11] Jim Grimsley (2), and Stephen Pagel (2).[10][11] Nicola Griffith holds the record for most nominations (6), and Perry Brass has the most nominations without winning (4).[12]

Lambda Literary Award for Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror winners and finalists
YearCategoryAuthorTitlePublisherResultRef.
1989Gay M/SFMichael NavaGoldenboyAlysonWinner[A][13]
Donald WardDeath Takes the StageSt. Martin's PressFinalist[13]
Joseph HansenObedienceMysterious Press
Michael BishopUnicorn MountainWilliam Morrow and Co.
George BaxtWho NextInternational Polygonics
Lesb. M/SFAntoinette AzolakovSkiptraceBanned BooksWinner[13]
Dolores KlaichHeavy GiltNaiad PressFinalist[13]
Claire McNabLessons In MurderNaiad Press
Judy GrahnMundane WorldCrossing Press
Sandy BayerThe Crystal CurtainAlyson
1990Gay SF/FJeffrey N. McMahanSomewhere in the NightAlysonWinner[B][14]
Geoff MainsGentle WarriorsKnights PressFinalist[14]
William K. EakinsKey West 2720 ADKnights Press
Mercedes LackeyMagic's PawnDAW Books
Thom NickelsWalking Water / After All ThisBanned Books
Lesb. SF/FJessica Amanda Salmonson (ed.)What Did Miss Darrington See?Feminist PressWinner[14]
Nancy Tyler GlennClicking StonesNaiad PressFinalist[14]
Lauren Wright DouglasIn The BloodNaiad Press
Susanna J. Sturgis (ed.)Memories and VisionsCrossing Press
Lee LynchSue Slate: Private EyeNaiad Press
1991Gay SF/FMercedes LackeyMagic's PriceDAW BooksWinner[15]
Toby JohnsonSecret MatterLavender
Marsh CassadyAlternate CastsBanned BooksFinalist[15]
Storm ConstantineEnchantments of Flesh and SpiritTor Books
Scott EdelmanThe GiftSpace and Time
Lesb. SF/FGael BaudinoGossamer AxeRocWinner[15]
Patrick CalifiaDoc and FluffAlysonFinalist[15]
Melissa ScottMighty Good RoadBaen Books
Lynda LyonsPrioritiesNaiad Press
Karen Marie Christa MinnsViragoNaiad Press
1992Gay SF/FFrank M. RobinsonThe Dark Beyond the StarsTor BooksWinner[16]
Eric Garber (ed.)Embracing the DarkAlysonFinalist[16]
Perry BrassMirageBelhue
Jay B. LawsSteamAlyson
Jeffrey N. McMahanVampires AnonymousAlyson
Lesb. SF/FJewelle GomezThe Gilda StoriesFirebrand BooksWinner[C][16]
B.L. HolmesMegaMother CourageFinalist[16]
Chris Anne WolfeShadows of AggarNew Victoria
Camarin GraeStrandedNaiad Press
Judith AlguireZeta BaseNaiad Press
1993Gay SF/FMaureen F. McHughChina Mountain ZhangTor BooksWinner[9]
Thomas T. ThomasCry GenderBaen BooksFinalist[9]
Poppy Z. BriteLost SoulsAbyss / Delacorte
Lewis GannettThe Living OneRandom House
Anne RiceThe Tale of the Body ThiefKnopf
Lesb. SF/FNicola GriffithAmmoniteDel Rey BooksWinner[9]
Melissa ScottDreamshipsTor BooksFinalist[9]
Jean StewartReturn to IsisRising Tide
Judith KatzRunning Fiercely Toward a High Thin SoundFirebrand Books[D][9]
Severna ParkSpeaking DreamsFirebrand Books[9]
1994SF/FStarhawk The Fifth Sacred ThingBantam BooksWinner[17]
Melissa ScottBurning BrightTor BooksFinalist[17]
Poppy BriteDrawing BloodDelacorte Books
Sybil ClaiborneIn the Garden of Dead CarsCleis Press
Jay B. LawsThe UnfinishedAlyson Books
1995SF/FMelissa ScottTrouble and Her FriendsTor BooksWinner[5]
Nancy SpringerMetal AngelRocFinalist[5]
Mercedes LackeyStorm WarningDAW Books
Suzy McKee CharnasThe FuriesTor Books
Jean StewartWarriors of IsisDAW Books
1996SF/FMelissa ScottShadow ManTor BooksWinner[6]
Nicola GriffithSlow RiverDel Rey BooksFinalist[6]
Samuel R. DelanyAtlantis: Three TalesWesleyan
Pam KeeseyDark AngelsCleis Press
Felice PicanoDryland EndRichard Kasak
1997SF/FClive BarkerSacramentHarperCollinsWinner[18]
Rachel PollackGodmother NightSt. Martin's PressFinalist[18]
Michael Rowe and Thomas S. Roche (eds.)Sons of DarknessCleis Press
Eric Garber and Jewelle Gomez (eds.)Swords of the RainbowAlyson
Pam Keesey (eds.)Women Who Run With WerewolvesCleis Press
1998SF/FNicola Griffith and Stephen Pagel (eds.)Bending The Landscape: FantasyWhite WolfWinner[10]
William J. MannGrave Passions: Tales of the Gay SupernaturalMasqueradeFinalist[10]
Harry M. Benshoff (ed.)Monsters in the ClosetManchester University Press[E][10]
Lawrence Schimel (ed.)The Drag Queen of ElflandCirclet Press[10]
Perry BrassThe HarvestBelhue
1999SF/FNicola Griffith and Stephen Pagel (eds.)Bending the Landscape: Science FictionOverlook PressWinner[11]
Ulysses G. DietzDesmondAlysonFinalist[11]
Elizabeth BrownriggFalling to EarthFirebrand Books
Clive BarkerGalileeHarperCollins
Lawrence Schimel (ed.)Things Invisible to SeeUltra Violet
2000SF/FRichard BowesMinions of the MoonTor BooksWinner[19]
Victoria Brownworth and Judith Redding (eds.)Night Shade: Gothic Tales by WomenSeal PressFinalist[19]
Severna ParkThe AnnunciateAvon
Keith HartmanThe Gumshoe, the Witch, and the Virtual CorpseMeisha Merlin[F][19]
Delia ShermanThrough a Brazen MirrorCirclet Press / Ace[19]
2001SF/F/HJim GrimsleyKirith KirinMeisha MerlinWinner[20]
Perry BrassAngel LustBelhueFinalist[20]
David GerroldJumping off the PlanetTor Books
Anne RiceMerrickKnopf
Michael Rowe (ed.)Queer FearArsenal Pulp Press[G][20]
2002SF/F/HMelissa Scott and Lisa A. BarnettPoint of DreamsTor BooksWinner[7]
Nicola Griffith and Stephen Pagel (eds.)Bending the Landscape: HorrorOverlook PressFinalist[7]
David Thomas LordBound in BloodKensington
Keith HartmanGumshoe GorillaMeisha Merlin
Michael SchiefelbeinVampire VowAlyson
2003SF/F/HMichael Rowe (ed.)Queer Fear IIArsenal PulpWinner[H][21]
Katherine V. ForrestDaughters of an Amber NoonOverlook PressFinalist[21]
Karin Kallmaker (as Laura Adams)Seeds of FireBella Books
Randy BoydThe Devil InsideWest Beach
Cecilia Tan (ed.)Wired Hard 3Circlet Press
2004SF/F/HHelen Sandler (ed.)NecrologueDivaWinner[22]
David M. PierceElf ChildSouthern TierFinalist[22]
Diana RiversThe Red Line of YarmaldBella Books
Perry BrassThe Substance of GodBelhue
Michael SchiefelbeinVampire ThrallAlyson
2005SF/F/HJim GrimsleyThe OrdinaryTor BooksWinner[23]
Michael JensenFirelandsAlysonFinalist[23]
Greg Herren (ed.)Shadows of the Night: Queer Tales of the Uncanny and UnusualSouthern Tier
Jean StewartThe Wizard of IsisBella Books
Nicola GriffithWith Her BodyAqueduct Press
2006LGBT SF/F/HKatherine V. ForrestDaughters of an Emerald DuskAlysonWinner[24]
Octavia ButlerFledglingSeven Stories PressFinalist[24]
Jeanne GӆellersNo Sister of MineBella Books
David B. CoeShapers of DarknessTor Books
Jane FletcherTemple LandfallBold Strokes Books
2007LGBT SF/F/HNeal DrinnanIzzy and EveGreen Candy PressWinner[I][25]
R.W. DayA Strong and Sudden ThawIris PrintFinalist[25]
Elizabeth BearCarnivalBantam Spectra
Douglas CleggMordred, Bastard SonAlyson
Chris MoriartySpin ControlBantam Spectra
2008LGBT SF/F/HLee ThomasThe Dust of WonderlandAlysonWinner[26][27]
Elizabeth Bear and Sarah MonetteA Companion to WolvesTor BooksFinalist[26]
Jo WaltonHa'pennyTor Books
Brian Francis SlatterySpaceman BluesTor Books
Ginn HaleWicked GentlemenBlind Eye Books
2009LGBT SF/F/HNicole KimberlingTurnskinBlind Eye BooksWinner[28]
Craig Laurance GidneySea, Swallow Me and Other StoriesLethe PressFinalist[28]
Astrid AmaraThe Archer's HeartBlind Eye Books
Barth AndersonThe Magician and the FoolBantam / Del Ray
Steve BermanWilde Stories 2008Lethe Press
2010LGBT SF/F/HCatherynne M. ValentePalimpsestBantam BooksWinner[29]
Rebecca OreCenturies Ago and Very FastAqueduct PressFinalist[29]
Amber DawnFist of the Spider WomanArsenal Pulp Press
Lee ThomasIn the Closet, Under the BedDark Scribe Press
Tom CardamonePumpkin TeethLethe Press
2011LGBT SF/F/HSandra McDonaldDiana Comet and Other Improbable StoriesLethe PressWinner[30][31]
Tanith LeeDisturbed by Her SongLethe PressFinalist[32]
Nene AdamsFlowers of EdoBlack Car Publishing
Steve Berman (ed.)Wilde Stories 2010Lethe Press
Jane FletcherWolfsbane WinterBold Strokes Books
2012LGBT SF/F/HLee ThomasThe GermanLethe PressWinner[33]
Geoff RymanParadise Tales: and Other StoriesSmall Beer PressFinalist
L.A. WittStaticAmber Allure / Amber Quill Press
JoSelle VanderhooftSteam-powered: Lesbian Steampunk StoriesTorquere Press
J.M. FreyTriptychDragon Moon Press
2013LGBT SF/F/HTom CardamoneGreen ThumbLethe PressWinner[34]
Lee MandeloBeyond Binary: Genderqueer and Sexually Fluid Speculative FictionLethe PressFinalist[34]
H.B. KurtzwildeChocolatiers of the High Winds: A Gay Steampunk RomanceCirclet Press
Connie Wilkins and Steve BermanHeiresses of Russ 2012: the Year’s Best Lesbian Speculative FictionLethe Press
Kelly SinclairIn the NowBlue Feather Books
Greg Herren and J.M. RedmannNight Shadows: Queer HorrorBold Strokes Books
Sean EadsThe SurvivorsLethe Press
2014LGBT SF/F/HMelissa Scott and Amy GriswoldDeath by SilverWinner[8][35][36]
Deborah WheelerCollaboratorsFinalist[37][35]
Alex JeffersDeprivation; or, Benedetto furioso: an oneiromancy
Isabella CarterDragon Slayer
Richard BowesDust Devil on a Quiet Street
Marie CastleHell's Belle
Roberta DegnoreInvisible Soft Return
Nathan BurgoineLight
Lee ThomasLike Light for Flies
Mary Anne MohanrajThe Stars Change
2015LGBT SF/F/HChaz BrenchleyBitter WatersWinner[38][39]
Daryl GregoryAfterpartyFinalist[40]
Lee ThomasButcher's Road
A. M. DellamonicaChild of a Hidden Sea
Max GladstoneFull Fathom Five
Lea DaleyFutureDyke
Craig Laurance GidneySkin Deep Magic
2016LGBT SF/F/HKirsty LoganThe GracekeepersWinner[41][42]
Ally BlueDownFinalist[43][44]
J.A. RockMinotaur
Kate SherwoodSacrati
John InmanThe Boys on the Mountain
Fletcher DeLanceyThe Caphenon
Robert LevyThe Glittering World
Jude McLaughlinWonder City Stories
2017LGBT SF/F/HIndra DasThe DevourersWinner[45]
Sassafras LowreyA Little Queermas CarolFinalist[46]
Dayna IngramAll Good Children
David LennonIrish Black
A. C. WiseKissing Booth Girl
Michael Thomas FordLily
Ras Mashramani, Rasheedah Phillips, Alex Smith, and M. Eighteen TéllezStyle of Attack Report
Andrea HairstonWill Do Magic for Small Change
2018LGBT SF/F/HAnnalee NewitzAutonomousWinner[47][48][49]
Lara Elena DonnellyAmberloughFinalist[50]
Maggie Shen KingAn Excess Male
Rivers SolomonAn Unkindness of Ghosts
Kristen RingmanI Stole You
Owen KeehnenNight Visitors
Lindsey DragerThe Lost Daughter Collective
Nicky DraydenThe Prey of Gods
2019LGBT SF/F/HIsaac R. FellmanThe Breath of the SunAqueduct PressWinner[51][52]
Sonya TaaffeForget the Sleepless ShoresLethe PressFinalist[53]
Aliette de BodardIn the Vanishers’ PalaceJABberwocky
Clay ADMetabolize, If AbleMonster House Press
Fletcher DeLanceyResilienceHeartsome Publishing
Margaret KilljoyThe Barrow Will Send What It MayTor Books
JY YangThe Descent of MonstersTor Books
C.L. PolkWitchmarkTor Books
2020LGBT SF/F/HRivers Solomon, Daveed Diggs, William Hutson, and Jonathan SnipesThe DeepSaga Press / GalleryWinner[54][55][56]
Craig Laurance GidneyA Spectral HueWord HordeFinalist[57][58]
Marlon JamesBlack Leopard, Red WolfRiverhead Books
Jac JemcFalse BingoDzanc Books
Matthew BrightStories to Sing in the DarkLethe Press
Samantha ShannonThe Priory of the Orange TreeBloomsbury Publishing
Julie C. DayThe RampantAqueduct Press
Nina MacLaughlinWake, SirenFarrar, Straus and Giroux
2021LGBT SF/F/HJulian K. JarboeEveryone on the Moon is Essential PersonnelLethe PressWinner[59][60][61]
Rebecca RoanhorseBlack SunSaga Press / GalleryFinalist[62]
Zen ChoThe Order of the Pure Moon Reflected in WaterTor Books
Tlotlo TsamaaseThe Silence of the Wilting SkinPink Narcissus Press
Aaron A. ReedSubcutaneanSelf-published
2022LGBTQ Speculative FictionCadwell TurnbullNo Gods, No MonstersBlackstone PublishingWinner[63]
Arkady MartineA Desolation Called PeaceTor BooksFinalist[64]
Honni van RijswijkBreederBlackstone Publishing
Olivia Tapiero with Kit Schluter (trans.)PhototaxisNightboat Books
Neon YangThe Tensorate SeriesTor Books
2023LGBTQ Speculative FictionLianyu TanThe Wicked and the WillingShattered Scepter PressWinner[65]
Sunyi DeanThe Book EatersTor BooksFinalist[66]
Nghi VoInto the RiverlandsTor.com
Khan WongThe Circus InfiniteAngry Robot
Rob HartThe Paradox HotelBallantine Books

Notes

A Also jointly won Gay Men's Small Press Book Award.
B Also nominated for Gay Men's Mystery.
C Also jointly won Lesbian Fiction.
D Also won Lesbian fiction.
E Also nominated for Drama.
F Also nominated for Gay Men's Mystery.
G Also nominated for Gay Men's Anthology-Fiction.
H Also nominated for Gay Men's Anthology-Fiction.
I Also nominated for Gay Fiction.

See also

References

External links