List of Gaylactic Spectrum Award winners and nominees for best novel

The Gaylactic Spectrum Awards are given to works of science fiction, fantasy and horror that explore LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender) topics in a positive way. They were founded in 1998, first presented by the Gaylactic Network in 1999. In 2002 they were given their own organization, the Gaylactic Spectrum Awards Foundation.[1]

Logo of the Gaylactic Spectrum Award Foundation

Since their inception, awards have been given in categories for novels, short fiction, and best other work. Other categories have also been added and removed in intervening years. Works produced before the inception of the awards are eligible to be inducted into the "Hall of Fame". The novels category is open to submissions of novels released during the prior calendar year in North America that includes "significant positive GLBT content". The results are decided by a panel of judges from the list of submitted nominees; the long list of nominees is reduced to a short list of finalists, and the results are generally announced and presented at Gaylaxicon, an annual convention devoted to LGBT-themed science fiction. This article lists all the "Best Novel" award nominees and winners and novels inducted into the Hall of Fame.[2]

Each award consists of an etched image on lucite on a stand, using a spiral galaxy in a triangle logo, based on the logo the Gaylactic Network. The award winner's name, work title, award year, and award category are etched on a small plaque on the base or on the plexiglass itself. A small cash stipend is awarded to winners in the Best Novel category. The cost of the awards is met through individual donations and fundraising events.[2]

Laurie J. Marks and Melissa Scott have both won the award twice. Elizabeth Bear holds the record for most nominations, with ten nominations and one win.

Novel winners and nominees

In the following table, the years correspond to the year of the award ceremonies; the books were released is the preceding years. Entries with a lavender background have won the relevant award; those with a white background are the nominees on the short-list. Superscript letters after the result indicate simultaneous nominations in other categories.

  Winners and joint winners
  Finalists/Short-listed nominees
YearAuthor(s)Book titlePublisherResultRef.
1999
Anne HarrisAccidental CreaturesTorWon (joint)[3]
1999
Stephen LeighDark Water's EmbraceAvon EosWon (joint)[3]
1999
Carolyn Ives GilmanHalfway HumanAvon EosNominated[3]
1999
Nancy KressMaximum LightTorNominated[3]
1999
Fiona PattonThe Painter KnightDAW BooksNominated[3]
2000
Keith HartmanThe Gumshoe, the Witch, and the Virtual Corpse Meisha MerlinWon (joint)[A][4]
2000
Peg KerrThe Wild SwansWarner AspectWon (joint)[4]
2000
Severna ParkThe AnnunciateAvon EosNominated[4]
2000
Fiona PattonThe Granite ShieldDAW BooksNominated[4]
2000
Tanya HuffThe Quartered SeaDAW BooksNominated[4]
2000
Lynn FlewellingTraitor's MoonBantam SpectraNominated[4]
2001
David GerroldJumping Off the PlanetTorWon[5]
2001
Michael ChabonThe Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & ClayRandom HouseNominated[5]
2001
Ricardo PintoThe ChosenTorNominated[5]
2001
Rick ReedThe Face without a HeartDesign Image GroupNominated[5]
2001
Melissa ScottThe JazzTorNominated[5]
2001
Jim GrimsleyKirith KirinMeisha MerlinNominated[5]
2001
Greg EganTeranesiaAvon Harpercollins EosNominated[5]
2002
Hugh NissensonThe Song of the EarthAlgonquin BooksWon[6]
2002
David GerroldBouncing Off the MoonTorNominated[6]
2002
Steven HarperDreamerRocNominated[6]
2002
Liz WilliamsThe Ghost SisterBantam SpectraNominated[6]
2002
Hiromi GotoThe Kappa ChildRed Deer PressNominated[6]
2002
Jacqueline CareyKushiel's DartTorNominated[6]
2002
Candas Jane DorseyA Paradigm of EarthTorNominated[6]
2002
Melissa Scott & Lisa A. BarnettPoint of DreamsTorNominated[6]
2003
Laurie J. MarksFire LogicTorWon[7]
2003
Don SakersDance for the Ivory MadonnaSpeed-of-CNominated[7]
2003
Ellen Kushner & Delia Sherman The Fall of the KingsBantam SpectraNominated[7]
2003
Robert J. SawyerHominidsTorNominated[7]
2003
Jane FletcherLorimal's ChaliceFortitude PressNominated[7]
2003
Steven HarperNightmare: A Novel of the Silent EmpireRocNominated[7]
2003
Kelley EskridgeSolitaireEosNominated[7]
2004
Nalo HopkinsonThe Salt RoadsWarnerWon[8]
2004
Lynn FlewellingThe Hidden WarriorBantam SpectraNominated[8]
2004
Robert SawyerHybridsTorNominated[8]
2004
Geoff RymanLustSt. Martin's PressNominated[8]
2004
Chris MoriartySpin StateBantam DellNominated[8]
2004
Amy ThomsonStorytellerAceNominated[8]
2004
Steven HarperTricksterRocNominated[8]
2004
Johanna SinisaloTrollGroveNominated[8]
2005
Laurie J. MarksEarth LogicTorWon[9]
2005
Wen SpencerDog WarriorRocNominated[9]
2005
Mark AnthonyThe First StoneBantam SpectraNominated[9]
2005
Caitlin KiernanMurder of AngelsRocNominated[9]
2005
Steven HarperOffspringRocNominated[9]
2005
Jim GrimsleyThe OrdinaryTorNominated[9]
2005
Selina RosenReruns Yard DogNominated[9]
2005
Tanya HuffSmoke and ShadowsDAW BooksNominated[9]
2006
Karin LowacheeCagebirdWarner AspectWon[10]
2006
Hal BodnerBite ClubAlysonNominated[10]
2006
James HetleyDragon's EyeAceNominated[10]
2006
Tanya HuffSmoke and MirrorsDAW BooksNominated[10]
2006
Tim PrattThe Strange Adventures of RangergirlBantam SpectraNominated[10]
2006
Ian R. MacLeodThe Summer IslesAioNominated[10]
2006
Mark GatissThe Vesuvius ClubScribnerNominated[10]
2007
Hal DuncanVellumDel ReyWon[11]
2007
Elizabeth BearCarnivalBantam SpectraNominated[11]
2007
James HetleyDragon's TeethAceNominated[10]
2007
Susanne M. Beck & Okasha Skat'siThe GrowingP.D. PublishingNominated[11]
2007
Ellen KushnerThe Privilege Of The SwordBantam SpectraNominated[11]
2007
Tanya HuffSmoke and AshesDAW BooksNominated[11]
2007
Wheeler ScottSnowTorquereNominated[11]
2007
Chris MoriartySpin ControlBantam SpectraNominated[11]
2007
Sarah MonetteThe VirtuAceNominated[11]
2008
Ginn HaleWicked GentlemenDel ReyWon[12]
2008
L-J BakerLady KnightBold Strokes BooksNominated[12]
2008
Elizabeth BearDustBantam SpectraNominated[12]
2008
Elizabeth BearNew AmsterdamFar TerritoriesNominated[12]
2008
Elizabeth BearWhiskey and Water: A Novel of the Promethean AgeRocNominated[12]
2008
Steve BermanVintage: A Ghost StoryHaworth PositronicNominated[12]
2008
Hal DuncanInkDel ReyNominated[12]
2008
Sarah HallDaughters of the North aka The Carhullan ArmyFaber & FaberNominated[12]
2008
Perry MooreHeroDoubledayNominated[12]
2008
Darieck ScottHex: A Novel of Love SpellsCarroll & GrafNominated[12]
2008
Brian Francis SlatterySpaceman Blues: A Love SongTorNominated[12]
2008
Jo WaltonHa'pennyTorNominated[12]
2009
Elizabeth BearThe Stratford Man (Hell and Earth/Ink and Steel)RocWon[13]
2009
Elizabeth BearAll the Windwracked StarsTorNominated[13]
2009
Cassandra ClareCity of AshesMcElderryNominated[13]
2009
Jaida Jones & Danielle BennettHavemercyBantam SpectraNominated[13]
2009
Lynn FlewellingShadow's ReturnBantam SpectraNominated[13]
2009
Nicole KimberlingTurnskinBlind Eye BooksNominated[13]
2010
Richard MorganThe Steel RemainsDel ReyWon[14]
2010
Malinda LoAshLittle, Brown and CompanyNominated[14]
2010
Elizabeth BearBy the Mountain BoundTorNominated[14]
2010
Rebecca OreCenturies Ago and Very FastAqueduct PressNominated[14]
2010
Tanya HuffThe Enchantment EmporiumDAW BooksNominated[14]
2010
Jacqueline CareyNaamah's KissGrand CentralNominated[14]
2010
Catherynne ValentePalimpsestDel ReyNominated[14]
2010
Caitlin KiernanThe Red TreeRocNominated[14]
2010
Elizabeth BearSeven for a SecretSubterranean PressNominated[14]
2010
Josh LanyonStrange FortuneBlind EyeNominated[14]
2011
Kathe Koja Under the PoppySmall Beer PressWon[15]
2011
J.A. PittsBlack Blade BluesTorNominated[15]
2011
David PrattBob the BookChelsea Street EditionsNominated[15]
2011
Gemma FilesA Book of TonguesChiZine PublicationsNominated[15]
2011
Jim C. HinesRed Hood's RevengeDAW BooksNominated[15]
2011
Jo GrahamStealing FireOrbitNominated[15]
2011
Lynn FlewellingThe White RoadBantam SpectraNominated[15]
2011
Jameson CurrierThe Wolf at the DoorChelsea Street EditionsNominated[15]
2012
J.A. PittsHoneyed WordsTorWon[16]
2012
Richard K. MorganThe Cold CommandsDel ReyNominated[16]
2012
Kameron HurleyGod's War/InfidelNight ShadeNominated[16]
2012
Elizabeth BearGrailBantam SpectraNominated[16]
2012
Joan SlonczewskiThe Highest FrontierTorNominated[16]
2012
Malinda LoHuntressLittle, Brown and CompanyNominated[16]
2012
Gemma FilesA Rope of ThornsChiZine PublicationsNominated[16]
2012
Charles StrossRule 34AceNominated[16]
2012
L.A. WittStaticAmber Quill PressNominated[16]
2012
Tanya HuffThe Wild WaysDAW BooksNominated[16]
2013
Madeline MillerThe Song of AchillesEcco PressWon[17]
2013
Lynn FlewellingCasket of SoulsBantam SpectraNominated[17]
2013
J.A. PittsForged in FireTorNominated[17]
2013
Melissa ScottPoint of KnivesLethe PressNominated[17]
2013
Kameron HurleyRaptureNight Shade BooksNominated[17]
2014[B]
Melissa Scott & Amy GriswoldDeath By SilverLethe PressWon[18]
2014
Jill SchultzAngel on the RopesSelf-publishedNominated[18]
2014
Kathleen TierneyBlood OrangesRoc BooksNominated[18]
2014
Lou HarperDead in the DesertHarper BooksNominated[18]
2014
Ginn HaleThe Holy Road/His Sacred BonesBlind Eye BooksNominated[18]
2014
Seanan McGuireIndexing47NorthNominated[18]
2014
Jess FaradayThe Left Hand of JusticeBold Strokes BooksNominated[18]
2014
KJ CharlesThe Magpie LordSamhain PublishingNominated[18]
2014
Ian TregillisSomething More Than NightTor BooksNominated[18]
2014
Alaya Dawn JohnsonThe Summer PrinceArthur A. Levine BooksNominated[18]
2014
Lavie TidharThe Violent CenturyHodder & StoughtonNominated[18]
2014
Jordan L. HawkWiddershins / Threshold / StormhavenSelf-publishedNominated[18]
2015[B]

Melissa ScottFairs' PointLethe PressWon[18]
2015
KJ CharlesA Case of Possession / Flight of MagpiesSamhain PublishingNominated[18]
2015
Richard K. MorganThe Dark DefilesDel Rey BooksNominated[18]
2015
Heather Rose JonesDaughter of MysteryBella BooksNominated[18]
2015
Melissa Scott & Amy GriswoldA Death at the Dionysus ClubLethe PressNominated[18]
2015
Tanya HuffThe Future FallsDAWNominated[18]
2015
Tim PrattHeirs of Grace47NorthNominated[18]
2015
Lisa Henry & Heidi BellauKing of DublinRiptide PublishingNominated[18]
2015
Kathe KojaThe Mercury WaltzRoadswell EditionsNominated[18]
2015
Jordan L. HawkNecropolis / BloodlineWiddershins PressNominated[18]
2015
Kathleen TierneyRed DeliciousPenguin BooksNominated[18]
2015
James L. SutterPathfinder Tales: The Redemption EnginePaizo PublishingNominated[18]
2015
Lynn FlewellingShards of TimeDel Rey BooksNominated[18]
2015
Melissa Scott & Jo GrahamWind RakerCrossroad PressNominated[18]
2016
Ian McDonaldLuna: New MoonTor BooksWon[19]
2016
Kathe KojaThe Bastards' ParadiseRoadswell EditionsNominated[19]
2016
Kelly Jensen & Jenn BurkeChaos StationCarina PressNominated[19]
2016
Kathleen TierneyCherry BombRoc/PenguinNominated[19]
2016
JoSelle VanderhooftEbenezerZumaya BoundlessNominated[19]
2016
Elizabeth BearKaren MemoryTor BooksNominated[19]
2016
Jo WaltonMy Real ChildrenTor BooksNominated[19]
2016
Heather Rose JonesThe Mystic MarriageBella BooksNominated[19]
2016
Emma NewmanPlanetfallAce/RocNominated[19]
2016
Natasha PulleyThe Watchmaker of Filigree StreetBloomsburyNominated[19]
2017
Heather Rose JonesMother of SoulsBella BooksWon[20]
2017
Julie MayhewThe Big LieCandlewick PressNominated[20]
2017
Don BassingthwaiteCocktails at Seven, Apocalypse at Eight: The Derby Cavendish StoriesChiZine PublicationsNominated[20]
2017
Jordan L. HawkeFallowWiddershins PressNominated[20]
2017
Jordan L. HawkeHexbreaker / HexmakerWiddershins PressNominated[20]
2017
Michael Thomas FordLilyLethe PressNominated[20]
2017
Kirby CrowMalachiteBonecamp PressNominated[20]
2017
Ginn HaleMaze-Born TroubleBlind Eye BooksNominated[20]
2017
J.A. PittNight TerrorsWordFire PressNominated[20]
2018
Ellen KlagesPassing StrangeTor.comWon[21]
2018
Cynthia WardThe Adventures of the Incognita CountessAqueduct PressNominated[21]
2018
Lara Elena DonnellyAmberloughTor BooksNominated[21]
2018
J.Y. YangThe Black Tides of HeavenTor.comNominated[21]
2018
Mark Allan GunnellsThe Cult of OcastaEvil Jester PressNominated[21]
2018
Maggie Shen KingAn Excess MaleHarper VoyagerNominated[21]
2018
Jordan L. HawkHexslayerJLH PublishingNominated[21]
2018
F.T. LukensThe Rules and Regulations for Mediating Myths & MagicDuet Imprint / Interlude PressNominated[21]
2018
Ellen Kushner et alTremontaine Season 1Serial Box/Saga PressNominated[21]
2018
Rivers SolomonAn Unkindness of GhostsAkashic BooksNominated[21]

A Also won the People's Choice Award.

B The awards for 2014 and 2015 were combined into a single ceremony and presented in 2015

Hall of Fame novels

In the following table, the years correspond to the year of the award ceremonies; the books were all first published before the founding of the awards in 1998. No novels have been inducted into the Hall of Fame since 2003. Entries in bold and with a lavender background were inducted into the Hall of Fame that year; those that are neither highlighted nor in bold were not inducted that year (NI), but may be inducted later (IL). Superscript letters after the result indicate simultaneous nominations in other categories.

  Inductees
  Non-inductees (that year)
YearAuthor(s)Book titlePublisherResultRef.
1999
Maureen McHughChina Mountain ZhangTor   Inducted   [3]
1999
Lawrence SchimelDrag Queen of ElflandUltra VioletNI[3]
1999
Toby JohnsonSecret MatterPeregrine Ventures     NI[3]
1999
Melissa ScottShadow ManTorNI - IL[A][3]
2000
Nicola GriffithSlow RiverDel ReyInducted[4]
2000
Ellen KushnerSwordspointTorInducted[4]
2000
Thomas Burnett Swann          How Are The Mighty FallenDAW BooksNI[4]
2000
Diane DuaneTale of the Five series aka The Middle Kingdoms       TorNI - IL[4]
2001
Arthur C. ClarkeImperial EarthOrionInducted[5]
2001
Mary Doria RussellThe Sparrow & Children of GodFawcettInducted[5]
2001
Francesca Lia BlockDangerous Angels aka The Weetzie Bat booksHarpercollinsInducted[5]
2001
Tanya HuffThe Blood booksDAW BooksNI[5]
2001
Marion Zimmer BradleyThe Darkover booksDAW BooksNI[5]
2001
Ursula Le GuinThe Left Hand of DarknessAceNI - IL[5]
2002
Samuel R. DelanyDhalgrenBantam BooksInducted[6]
2002
Joanna RussThe Female ManBantam BooksInducted[6]
2002
Geoff RymanWasHarpercollinsInducted[6]
2003
Suzy McKee CharnasThe Holdfast ChroniclesBallantine / TorInducted[7]
2003
Ursula Le GuinThe Left Hand of DarknessAceInducted[7]
2003
Melissa ScottShadow ManTorInducted[7]
2003
Diane DuaneTale of the Five series aka The Middle KingdomsTorInducted[7]

A Also won the People's Choice Award.

See also

References

External links