Difference between revisions of "Nova Award"

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In 1973, [[Novacon]] instituted the annual Nova Awards to celebrate achievement in [[British]] [[science fiction]] [[fanzines]]. Originally decided by a panel of judges, voting was subsequently extended to all [[Novacon]] members who could demonstrate a basic knowledge of current [[fanzines]].
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'''The Nova Awards''' recognised achievement in [[British]] and (later) [[Irish]] [[sf]] [[fanzines]] and were presented annually between 1973 and 2014 at the UK [[convention]] [[Novacon]]. Originally given to a single issue of a fanzine and then from 1976 for its year's run, from 1981 onward there were three awards: for fanzine,  [[fan writer]] and [[fan artist]]. From 1995 there were also occasional 'best fan' [[committee]] awards. The eligibility period was typically 'Novacon to Novacon' so usually 1 November to 31 October.
  
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Following [[Novacon 32]], the three categories - best [[fanzine]], best [[fanzine writer]], best [[fanzine artist]] - were extended to cover [[fanzines]] produced in [[Ireland]]. In addition, [[electronic fanzines]] are now eligible.
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'''Origins'''
  
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Beginning with the 2011 Nova Awards, voting was extended to all [[UK]] / [[Irish]] residents who have read at least six qualifying [[fanzines]] published during the eligibility period.  
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In a letter in ''[[Checkpoint]]'' #31 (February 1973), [[Keith Walker]] floated the idea of a British fanzine award. #34 (March 1974) reported Walker saying that he'd learned that the Novacon committee were planning something similar and he'd support that. #39 (June 1974) announced that the award would be called The Nova. Members of Novacon could propose fanzines to be considered by a panel of judges and suggestions could be sent to the administrator, [[Gillon Field]]. Field is usually cited as the founder/creator of the Award<ref>e.g. [[Novacon 17]] [[progress report]] 1:'The NOVA is an award for fanzines produced by Science Fiction Fandom in the British Isles, created in 1973 by the late Gillon Field...'.</ref> but there may be a case for considering [[Hazel Reynolds]] as a joint creator<ref>In ''[[Cynic]]'' #6, [[Jim Linwood]] said that Reynolds wrote to him inviting him to be a judge, and in ''Cynic'' #7 Reynolds described the award as 'our little brainchild' and talked of how she encouraged people to nominate fanzines in its first year.</ref>.
  
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The award was suspended in 2015 and no further awards will be presented other than occasional Special Novas.
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'''1973 Award'''
  
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<tab head=top>
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The jury was selected by Field and Reynolds and consisted of [[Ken Bulmer]], [[Jim Linwood]], [[Phil Rogers]] and [[Tony Walsh]]. The award was for a single issue published between November 1, 1972, and October 31, 1973. Titles submitted were ''[[Egg]]'' #6, ''[[Idiocy Couchant]]'' #2, ''[[Maya]]'' #5, ''[[Sfinx]]'' #7, ''[[Shadow (Sutton)|Shadow]]'' #19, ''[[Siddhartha]]'' #3, ''[[Speculation]]'' #32 and ''[[Zimri]]'' #5. The jury met on the Friday of [[Novacon 3]] and were joined by Field and [[Ray Bradbury (UK)|Ray Bradbury]]. Linwood later stressed that, despite some people's assumptions, ''Speculation'' was not the unanimous choice but it was the winner nevertheless. The award was an 'attractive sculpture in perspex designed and built by Gillon and engraved ... by Ray Bradbury'<ref>This and other details for 1973 from Jim Linwood writing in ''[[Cynic]]'' #6.</ref>.  
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Year || Best Fanzine || Notes
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1973 ||''[[Speculation (fanzine)|Speculation]] #32'' ed. by [[Peter Weston]] ||At this point, the award was decided by a panel of "worthy fans". Also nominated were [[Peter Roberts]]' ''[[Egg]]'' #6, [[Arthur Cruttenden]]'s ''[[Idiocy Couchant]]'' #2, [[Ian Maule]]'s ''[[Maya]]'' #5, [[Ian Williams]]' ''[[Siddhartha]]'' #3, [[Kevin Smith]]'s ''[[Sfinx]]'' #7, [[Dave Sutton]]'s ''[[Shadow]]'' #19 and [[Lisa Conesa]]'s ''[[Zimri]]'' #5. The initial judges were [[Ken Bulmer]], [[Jim Linwood]], [[Phil Rogers]] and [[Tony Walsh]]. [[jim linwood|Linwood]] wrote in ''[[C]]'' #6 that an open vote "would lead to partisan voting, accusations of undue pressure and ballot rigging, and [[faneds]] wanting the award might tend to play to the gallery".
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'''1974 Award'''
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1974 ||''[[Zimri #6]]'' ed. by [[Lisa Conesa]] and ''[[Big Scab #2]]'' ed. by [[John Brosnan]]. ||This was the only occasion when the panel opted for a tie. The current rules allow a tie only if the voting patterns are identical.  
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1975 ||''[[Maya #8]]'' ed. by [[Rob Jackson]] ||This was the final year where the award was made to a specific issue of a [[fanzine]].
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The 1974 jury consisting of Jim Linwood, [[Greg Pickersgill]], [[Ina Shorrock]], [[Andrew Stephenson]] and [[Keith Walker]]<ref>''[[Checkpoint]]'' #46 (March 1974)</ref> was chosen by Field before her death in March. Reynolds took over as administrator and also attended the meeting, as did [[Ken Slater]] who would be presenting the award<ref>''Checkpoint'' #57 (November 1974)</ref>, although neither acted as judges. That panel were unable to reach a consensus and so the award was given jointly to ''[[Zimri]]'' #6 and ''[[Big Scab]]'' #2. [[Peter Roberts]] wrote in ''[[Checkpoint]]'' #56:
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1976 ||''[[Maya]]'' ed. by [[Rob Jackson]] ||
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I have my reservations about the award itself, but I must admit that the trophy looks nice (Ray Bradbury got a Special Award for his work on it). The trouble with the Nova award is (first) that it's given by a panel of aspiring Secret Masters (which wouldn't be so bad if they'd all read all the fmz under consideration) and (second) that only nominated fmz were considered, instead of the whole field. The panel was initially 3 people, but by the time of the convention it somehow swelled to about eight.
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1977 ||''[[Twll-Ddu]]'' ed. by [[Dave Langford]] ||
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1978 ||''[[Gross Encounters]]'' ed. by [[Alan Dorey]] ||
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'''1975 Award'''
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1979 ||''[[Seamonsters]]'' ed. by [[Simone Walsh]] ||
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1980 ||''[[One-Off]]'' ed. by [[Dave Bridges]] ||
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In 1975 jury consisted of Greg Pickersgill, [[Malcolm Edwards]], Peter Roberts, and Andrew Stephenson<ref>''[[Then]]'', page 322.</ref>. There was some uncertainty over whether the award was for a single issue or the year's run. [[Peter Weston]] announced that while the jury had wanted to give the award to ''[[Wrinkled Shrew]]'' on the strength of one exceptional issue they felt that under the rules it had to go to ''[[Maya]]''Ibid<ref></ref>. The implication is that the jury were acknowledging the year's run of ''Maya'' but its editor [[Rob Jackson]] seemingly considered it an award for ''Maya'' #8<ref>See ''Checkpoint'' #65, March 1976.</ref>. The manner of the presentation led to some criticism in fanzines at the time. ''Checkpoint'' was now edited by [[Ian Maule]] and in #63 (December 1975) he wrote:
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</tab>
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I feel that although the award itself is quite laudable the rules and actual process for adjudging the nominated fanzines could be adjusted somewhat to avoid any confusion at a future date. For example: nominations should close at a set date say one month before the convention and the judges subsequently chosen as opposed to the current practice of selecting the judges first, this to avoid as far as possible any bias among those giving the award. I also feel that the rules should specify whether the award is for the best issue during the year or the best series of issues.
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'''1976 Award'''
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The last juried award was given in 1976. A letter from Jim Linwood quoted in ''Checkpoint'' #73 (August 1976) suggests the jury may have consisted of [[Gray Boak]], [[Dave Rowe]], [[Ian Williams]] and one other. Linwood was invited to be a judge but chose not to participate. There was reportedly discussion of making the award explicitly for the year's run and also of making judges' fanzines eligible. The award went to [[Rob Jackson]]'s ''Maya'', seemingly on the strength of the year's run rather than for a single issue.
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'''1977 onward'''
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From 1977 the judging panel was discontinued. Dave Langford was asked to devise a comprehensive set of voting rules<ref>''Then'', page 349.</ref> for the award winner to be chosen by popular vote of Novacon members able to demonstrate a basic familiarity with the field.
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From 1981 Novas were also presented to the best [[fanzine writer]] and best [[fanzine artist]] and from 1995 there were occasional [[Convention-committee|committee]] awards for 'best fan'.
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From 2003 electronic fanzines were made eligible subject to a print copy being lodged with the administrator and 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.
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In March 2015, [[Novacon 45]] announced the main categories were being retired, although occasional 'committee awards' might still be made.
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Past administrators have included Gillon Field, Hazel Reynolds, [[Dave Langford]], [[Pam Wells]], [[Paul Vincent]], [[Martin Tudor]], [[Sandra Bond]], [[Tony Berry]] and [[Steve Green]].
  
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Starting in 1981, two additional awards were given for Best Fan Writer and Artist.
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In early years the award took various physical forms but from the mid-1990s it was standardised as a silver rocketship designed by [[Birmingham, UK|Birmingham]] fan [[Ray Bradbury (UK)]].
  
 
<tab head=top>
 
<tab head=top>
−
  Year || Best Fanzine || Best Fan Writer || Best Fan Artist || Notes  
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  Year || Best Fanzine || Best Fan Writer || Best Fan Artist || Notes
−
1981 ||''[[Tappen]]'' ed. by [[Malcolm Edwards]] ||[[Chris Atkinson]] ||[[Pete Lyon]] ||  
+
1973 || ''[[Speculation]]'' #32 ed. [[Peter Weston]] || N/A || N/A ||
−
1982 ||''[[Epsilon]]'' ed. by [[Rob Hansen]] ||[[Chris Atkinson]] ||[[Rob Hansen]] ||This was the first occasion one [[fan]] received two Novas in the same year.
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1974 || ''[[Zimri]]'' #6 ed. [[Lisa Conesa]] & ''[[Big Scab]]'' #2 ed. [[John Brosnan]] (tie) || N/A || N/A ||
−
1983 ||''[[A Cool Head]]'' ed. by [[Dave Bridges]] ||[[Dave Bridges]] ||[[Margaret Welbank]] ||  
+
1975 || ''[[Maya]]'' #8 ed. [[Rob Jackson]] || N/A || N/A ||
−
1984 ||''[[Xyster]]'' ed. by [[Dave Wood]] ||[[Anne Hammill]] ||[[D. West]] ||  
+
1976 || ''[[Maya]]'' ed. [[Rob Jackson]] || N/A || N/A ||
−
1985 ||''[[Prevert]]'' ed. by [[John Jarrold]] ||[[Abi Frost]] ||[[Ros Calverly]] ||  
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1977 || ''[[Twll-Ddu]]'' ed. [[Dave Langford]] || N/A || N/A || The first popular vote award.
−
1986 ||Variously named fanzines by [[Owen Whiteoak]] ||[[Owen Whiteoak]] ||[[Arthur "ATom" Thomson]] ||  
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1978 || ''[[Gross Encounters]]'' ed. [[Alan Dorey]] || N/A || N/A ||
−
1987 ||''[[Lip]]'' ed. by [[Hazel Ashworth]] ||[[D. West]] ||[[D. West]] ||  
+
1979 || ''[[Seamonsters]]'' ed. [[Simone Walsh]] || N/A || N/A ||
−
1988 ||''[[Lip]]'' ed. by [[Hazel Ashworth]] ||[[Michael Ashley]] ||[[D. West]] ||  
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1980 || ''[[One-Off_(Bridges)|One-Off]]'' ed. [[Dave Bridges]] || N/A || N/A ||
−
1989 ||''[[VSOP]]'' ed. by [[Jan Orys]] ||[[Simon Polley]] ||[[Dave Mooring]] ||  
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1981 || ''[[Tappen]]'' ed. [[Malcolm Edwards]] || [[Chris Atkinson]] || [[Pete Lyon]] ||  
−
1990 ||''[[FTT]]*'' ed. by [[Joseph Nicholas]], [[Judith Hanna]] ||[[Dave Langford]] ||[[Dave Mooring]] ||*A polite acronym for Fuck The Tories.
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1982 || ''[[Epsilon]]'' ed. [[Rob Hansen]] || [[Chris Atkinson]] || [[Rob Hansen]]<ref>This was the first occasion one [[fan]] received two Novas in the same year</ref>.||  
−
1991 ||''[[Saliromania]]'' ed. by [[Michael Ashley]] ||[[Michael Ashley]] ||[[D. West]] ||  
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1983 || ''[[A Cool Head]]'' ed. [[Dave Bridges]] || [[Dave Bridges]] || [[Margaret Welbank]] ||  
−
1992 ||''[[Bob?]]'' ed. by [[Ian Sorensen]] ||[[Michael Ashley]] ||[[Dave Mooring]] ||  
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1984 || ''[[Xyster]]'' ed. [[Dave Wood]] || [[Anne Hamill]] || [[D. West]] ||  
−
1993 ||''[[Lagoon]]'' ed. by [[Simon Ounsley]] ||[[Simon Ounsley]] ||[[Dave Mooring]] ||  
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1985 || ''[[Prevert]]'' ed. [[John Jarrold]] || [[Abi Frost]] || [[Ros Calverly]] ||  
−
[1994 ||''[[Rastus Johnson's Cakewalk]]'' ed. by [[Greg Pickersgill]] ||[[Greg Pickersgill]] ||[[D. West]] ||  
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1986 || ''[[Pink Fluffy Bedsocks]]''<ref>An umbrella title for a series of individually-titled fanzines.</ref> ed: [[Owen Whiteoak]] || [[Owen Whiteoak]] || {{nowrap|[[ATom|Arthur 'Atom' Thomson]]}} ||  
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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.
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1987 || ''[[Lip]]'' ed. [[Hazel Ashworth]] || [[D. West]] || [[D. West]] ||  
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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.
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1988 || ''[[Lip]]'' ed. [[Hazel Ashworth]] || [[Michael Ashley (Leeds)]] || [[D. West]] ||
−
1997 ||''[[Banana Wings]]'' ed. by [[Claire Brialey]] and [[Mark Plummer]] ||[[Mark Plummer]] ||[[Sue Mason]] ||  
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1989 || ''[[VSOP]]'' ed. [[Jan Orys]] || [[Simon Polley]] || [[Dave Mooring]] ||
−
1998 ||''[[Banana Wings]]'' ed. by [[Claire Brialey]] and [[Mark Plummer]] ||[[Maureen Kincaid Speller]] ||[[D. West]] ||  
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1990 || ''[[FTT]]'' ed. [[Judith Hanna]] and [[Joseph Nicholas]]|| [[Dave Langford]] || [[Dave Mooring]] || 
−
1999 ||''[[Barmaid]]'' ed. by [[Yvonne Rowse]] ||[[Yvonne Rowse]] ||[[Sue Mason]] ||  
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1991 || ''[[Saliromania]]'' ed. [[Michael Ashley (Leeds)]] || [[Michael Ashley (Leeds)]] || [[D. West]] ||  
−
2000 ||''[[Plokta]]'' ed. by [[Alison Scott]], [[Steve Davies]] and [[Mike Scott]] ||[[Yvonne Rowse]] ||[[Sue Mason]] ||  
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1992 || ''[[Bob?]]'' ed. [[Ian Sorensen]] || [[Michael Ashley (Leeds)]] || [[Dave Mooring]] ||  
−
2001 ||''[[Head]]'' ed. by [[Doug Bell]] and [[Christina Lake]] ||[[Alison Freebairn]] ||[[Dave Hicks]] ||  
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1993 || ''[[Lagoon]]'' ed. [[Simon Ounsley]] || [[Simon Ounsley]] || [[Dave Mooring]] ||  
−
2002 ||''[[Plokta]]'' ed. by [[Alison Scott]], [[Steve Davies]] and [[Mike Scott]] ||[[Claire Brialey]] ||[[Dave Hicks]] ||
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1994 || ''[[Rastus Johnson's Cakewalk]]'' ed. [[Greg Pickersgill]] || {{nowrap|[[Greg Pickersgill]]}} || [[D. West]] ||  
−
2003 ||''[[Zoo Nation]]'' ed. by [[Pete Young]] ||[[Claire Brialey]] ||[[Sue Mason]] ||  
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1995 || ''[[Attitude]]'' ed. [[Michael Abbott]], [[John Dallman]] and [[Pam Wells]] || [[Simon Ounsley]] || [[D. West]] || Best fan: [[Brian Burgess]].
−
2004 ||''[[Zoo Nation]]'' ed. by [[Pete Young]] ||[[Claire Brialey]] ||[[Sue Mason]] ||  
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1996 || ''[[Banana Wings]]'' ed. [[Claire Brialey]] and [[Mark Plummer]]<ref>Originally two separate titles, ''[[Waxen Wings]]'' and ''[[Banana Skins]]'', in November 1995. From Easter 1996 they were merged as the cumbersome ''Waxen Wings and Banana Skins'' and from November 1996 the title was contracted to ''[[Banana Wings]]''.</ref> || [[Alison Freebairn]] || [[D. West]] || Best fan: [[Bob Shaw]].
−
2005 ||''[[Banana Wings]]'' ed. by [[Claire Brialey]] and [[Mark Plummer]] ||[[Claire Brialey]] ||[[Alison Scott]] ||  
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1997 || ''[[Banana Wings]]'' ed. [[Claire Brialey]] and [[Mark Plummer]] || [[Mark Plummer]] || [[Sue Mason]] || Best fan: [[Ken Slater]]
−
2006 ||''[[Banana Wings]]'' ed. by [[Claire Brialey]] and [[Mark Plummer]] ||[[Claire Brialey]] ||[[Sue Mason]] ||  
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1998 || ''[[Banana Wings]]'' ed. [[Claire Brialey]] and [[Mark Plummer]] || [[Maureen Kincaid Speller]] || [[D. West]] ||  
−
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]].
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1999 || ''[[Barmaid]]'' ed. [[Yvonne Rowse]] || [[Yvonne Rowse]] || [[Sue Mason]] ||  
−
2008 ||''[[Prolapse]]'' ed. by [[Peter Weston]] ||[[Claire Brialey]] ||[[Alison Scott]] ||  
+
2000 || ''[[Plokta]]'' ed. [[Alison Scott]], [[Steve Davies]] and [[Mike Scott]] || [[Yvonne Rowse]] || [[Sue Mason]] || Best fan: [[Vernon Brown]]
−
2009 ||''[[Banana Wings]]'' ed. by [[Claire Brialey]] and [[Mark Plummer]] ||[[Claire Brialey]] ||[[Sue Mason]] ||  
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2001 || ''[[Head!]]'' ed. [[Doug Bell]] and [[Christina Lake]] || [[Alison Freebairn]] || [[Dave Hicks]] ||  
−
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.
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2002 || ''[[Plokta]]'' ed. [[Alison Scott]], [[Steve Davies]] and [[Mike Scott]] || [[Claire Brialey]] || [[Dave Hicks]] ||  
−
2011 ||''[[Head]]'' ed. by [[Doug Bell]] & [[Christina Lake]] ||[[Claire Brialey]] ||[[Dave Hicks]] ||  
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2003 || ''[[Zoo Nation]]'' ed. [[Pete Young]] || [[Claire Brialey]] || [[Sue Mason]] || Best fan: [[Ina Shorrock]]
−
2012 ||''[[Banana Wings]]'' ed. by [[Claire Brialey]] and [[Mark Plummer]] ||[[Mark Plummer]] ||[[Sue Mason]] & [[D. West]] (tie) ||  
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2004 || ''[[Zoo Nation]]'' ed. [[Pete Young]] || [[Claire Brialey]] || [[Sue Mason]] || Best fan: [[Ray Bradbury (UK)]]
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2013 ||''[[Banana Wings]]'' ed. by [[Claire Brialey]] and [[Mark Plummer]] ||[[Mike Meara]] ||[[D. West]] ||
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2005 || ''[[Banana Wings]]'' ed. [[Claire Brialey]] and [[Mark Plummer]] || [[Claire Brialey]] || [[Alison Scott]] ||  
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2014 ||''[[Vibrator]]'' ed. by [[Graham Charnock]] ||[[Christina Lake]] ||[[D. West]] ||  
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2006 || ''[[Banana Wings]]'' ed. [[Claire Brialey]] and [[Mark Plummer]] || [[Claire Brialey]] || [[Sue Mason]] ||  
 +
2007 || ''[[Prolapse]]'' ed. [[Peter Weston]] || [[Mark Plummer]] || [[Alison Scott]] || Best fan: [[Peter Weston]]
 +
2008 || ''[[Prolapse]]'' ed. [[Peter Weston]] || [[Claire Brialey]] || [[Alison Scott]] ||
 +
2009 || ''[[Banana Wings]]'' ed. [[Claire Brialey]] and [[Mark Plummer]] || [[Claire Brialey]] || [[Sue Mason]] ||
 +
2010 || ''[[Journey Planet]]'' ed. [[James Bacon]], [[Claire Brialey]], [[James Bacon]] and [[Chris Garcia]] (with guest editor [[Pete Young]])<ref>Chris Garcia and Pete Young were the first non-[[UK]]/[[Irish]] residents to win a Nova.</ref> || [[Mark Plummer]] || [[ATom|Arthur 'Atom' Thomson]]<ref>Atom was the first person and only person to be awarded a Nova posthumously.</ref> || 
 +
2011 || ''[[Head!]]'' ed. by [[Doug Bell]] & [[Christina Lake]] || [[Claire Brialey]] || [[Dave Hicks]] ||
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2012 || ''[[Banana Wings]]'' ed. [[Claire Brialey]] and [[Mark Plummer]] || [[Mark Plummer]] || [[Sue Mason]] & [[D. West]] (tie) ||
 +
2013 || ''[[Banana Wings]]'' ed. [[Claire Brialey]] and [[Mark Plummer]] || [[Mike Meara]] || [[D. West]] || Best fan: [[David Hardy]]
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2014 || ''[[Vibrator]]'' ed. [[Graham Charnock]] || [[Christina Lake]] || [[D. West]] ||  
 
</tab>
 
</tab>
  

Latest revision as of 05:03, 9 September 2024

The Nova Awards recognised achievement in British and (later) Irish sf fanzines and were presented annually between 1973 and 2014 at the UK convention Novacon. Originally given to a single issue of a fanzine and then from 1976 for its year's run, from 1981 onward there were three awards: for fanzine, fan writer and fan artist. From 1995 there were also occasional 'best fan' committee awards. The eligibility period was typically 'Novacon to Novacon' so usually 1 November to 31 October.

Origins

In a letter in Checkpoint #31 (February 1973), Keith Walker floated the idea of a British fanzine award. #34 (March 1974) reported Walker saying that he'd learned that the Novacon committee were planning something similar and he'd support that. #39 (June 1974) announced that the award would be called The Nova. Members of Novacon could propose fanzines to be considered by a panel of judges and suggestions could be sent to the administrator, Gillon Field. Field is usually cited as the founder/creator of the Award[1] but there may be a case for considering Hazel Reynolds as a joint creator[2].

1973 Award

The jury was selected by Field and Reynolds and consisted of Ken Bulmer, Jim Linwood, Phil Rogers and Tony Walsh. The award was for a single issue published between November 1, 1972, and October 31, 1973. Titles submitted were Egg #6, Idiocy Couchant #2, Maya #5, Sfinx #7, Shadow #19, Siddhartha #3, Speculation #32 and Zimri #5. The jury met on the Friday of Novacon 3 and were joined by Field and Ray Bradbury. Linwood later stressed that, despite some people's assumptions, Speculation was not the unanimous choice but it was the winner nevertheless. The award was an 'attractive sculpture in perspex designed and built by Gillon and engraved ... by Ray Bradbury'[3].

1974 Award

The 1974 jury consisting of Jim Linwood, Greg Pickersgill, Ina Shorrock, Andrew Stephenson and Keith Walker[4] was chosen by Field before her death in March. Reynolds took over as administrator and also attended the meeting, as did Ken Slater who would be presenting the award[5], although neither acted as judges. That panel were unable to reach a consensus and so the award was given jointly to Zimri #6 and Big Scab #2. Peter Roberts wrote in Checkpoint #56: 

I have my reservations about the award itself, but I must admit that the trophy looks nice (Ray Bradbury got a Special Award for his work on it). The trouble with the Nova award is (first) that it's given by a panel of aspiring Secret Masters (which wouldn't be so bad if they'd all read all the fmz under consideration) and (second) that only nominated fmz were considered, instead of the whole field. The panel was initially 3 people, but by the time of the convention it somehow swelled to about eight.

1975 Award

In 1975 jury consisted of Greg Pickersgill, Malcolm Edwards, Peter Roberts, and Andrew Stephenson[6]. There was some uncertainty over whether the award was for a single issue or the year's run. Peter Weston announced that while the jury had wanted to give the award to Wrinkled Shrew on the strength of one exceptional issue they felt that under the rules it had to go to MayaIbidCite error: Invalid <ref> tag; refs with no name must have content. The implication is that the jury were acknowledging the year's run of Maya but its editor Rob Jackson seemingly considered it an award for Maya #8[7]. The manner of the presentation led to some criticism in fanzines at the time. Checkpoint was now edited by Ian Maule and in #63 (December 1975) he wrote: 

I feel that although the award itself is quite laudable the rules and actual process for adjudging the nominated fanzines could be adjusted somewhat to avoid any confusion at a future date. For example: nominations should close at a set date say one month before the convention and the judges subsequently chosen as opposed to the current practice of selecting the judges first, this to avoid as far as possible any bias among those giving the award. I also feel that the rules should specify whether the award is for the best issue during the year or the best series of issues.

1976 Award

The last juried award was given in 1976. A letter from Jim Linwood quoted in Checkpoint #73 (August 1976) suggests the jury may have consisted of Gray Boak, Dave Rowe, Ian Williams and one other. Linwood was invited to be a judge but chose not to participate. There was reportedly discussion of making the award explicitly for the year's run and also of making judges' fanzines eligible. The award went to Rob Jackson's Maya, seemingly on the strength of the year's run rather than for a single issue.

1977 onward

From 1977 the judging panel was discontinued. Dave Langford was asked to devise a comprehensive set of voting rules[8] for the award winner to be chosen by popular vote of Novacon members able to demonstrate a basic familiarity with the field.

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'.

From 2003 electronic fanzines were made eligible subject to a print copy being lodged with the administrator and 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.

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

Past administrators have included Gillon Field, Hazel Reynolds, Dave Langford, Pam Wells, Paul Vincent, Martin Tudor, Sandra Bond, Tony Berry and Steve Green.

In early years the award took various physical forms but from the mid-1990s it was standardised as a silver rocketship designed by Birmingham fan Ray Bradbury.

Year Best Fanzine Best Fan Writer Best Fan Artist Notes
1973 Speculation #32 ed. Peter Weston N/A N/A
1974 Zimri #6 ed. Lisa Conesa & Big Scab #2 ed. John Brosnan (tie) N/A N/A
1975 Maya #8 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. Malcolm Edwards Chris Atkinson Pete Lyon
1982 Epsilon ed. Rob Hansen Chris Atkinson Rob Hansen[9].
1983 A Cool Head ed. Dave Bridges Dave Bridges Margaret Welbank
1984 Xyster ed. Dave Wood Anne Hamill D. West
1985 Prevert ed. John Jarrold Abi Frost Ros Calverly
1986 Pink Fluffy Bedsocks[10] ed: Owen Whiteoak Owen Whiteoak Arthur 'Atom' Thomson
1987 Lip ed. Hazel Ashworth D. West D. West
1988 Lip ed. Hazel Ashworth Michael Ashley D. West
1989 VSOP ed. Jan Orys Simon Polley Dave Mooring
1990 FTT ed. Judith Hanna and Joseph Nicholas Dave Langford Dave Mooring
1991 Saliromania ed. Michael Ashley Michael Ashley D. West
1992 Bob? ed. Ian Sorensen Michael Ashley Dave Mooring
1993 Lagoon ed. Simon Ounsley Simon Ounsley Dave Mooring
1994 Rastus Johnson's Cakewalk ed. Greg Pickersgill Greg Pickersgill D. West
1995 Attitude ed. Michael Abbott, John Dallman and Pam Wells Simon Ounsley D. West Best fan: Brian Burgess.
1996 Banana Wings ed. Claire Brialey and Mark Plummer[11] Alison Freebairn D. West Best fan: Bob Shaw.
1997 Banana Wings ed. Claire Brialey and Mark Plummer Mark Plummer Sue Mason Best fan: Ken Slater
1998 Banana Wings ed. Claire Brialey and Mark Plummer Maureen Kincaid Speller D. West
1999 Barmaid ed. Yvonne Rowse Yvonne Rowse Sue Mason
2000 Plokta ed. Alison Scott, Steve Davies and Mike Scott Yvonne Rowse Sue Mason Best fan: Vernon Brown
2001 Head! ed. Doug Bell and Christina Lake Alison Freebairn Dave Hicks
2002 Plokta ed. Alison Scott, Steve Davies and Mike Scott Claire Brialey Dave Hicks
2003 Zoo Nation ed. Pete Young Claire Brialey Sue Mason Best fan: Ina Shorrock
2004 Zoo Nation ed. Pete Young Claire Brialey Sue Mason Best fan: Ray Bradbury
2005 Banana Wings ed. Claire Brialey and Mark Plummer Claire Brialey Alison Scott
2006 Banana Wings ed. Claire Brialey and Mark Plummer Claire Brialey Sue Mason
2007 Prolapse ed. Peter Weston Mark Plummer Alison Scott Best fan: Peter Weston
2008 Prolapse ed. Peter Weston Claire Brialey Alison Scott
2009 Banana Wings ed. Claire Brialey and Mark Plummer Claire Brialey Sue Mason
2010 Journey Planet ed. James Bacon, Claire Brialey, James Bacon and Chris Garcia (with guest editor Pete Young)[12] Mark Plummer Arthur 'Atom' Thomson[13]
2011 Head! ed. by Doug Bell & Christina Lake Claire Brialey Dave Hicks
2012 Banana Wings ed. Claire Brialey and Mark Plummer Mark Plummer Sue Mason & D. West (tie)
2013 Banana Wings ed. Claire Brialey and Mark Plummer Mike Meara D. West Best fan: David Hardy
2014 Vibrator ed. Graham Charnock Christina Lake D. West
  1. ↑ e.g. Novacon 17 progress report 1:'The NOVA is an award for fanzines produced by Science Fiction Fandom in the British Isles, created in 1973 by the late Gillon Field...'.
  2. ↑ In Cynic #6, Jim Linwood said that Reynolds wrote to him inviting him to be a judge, and in Cynic #7 Reynolds described the award as 'our little brainchild' and talked of how she encouraged people to nominate fanzines in its first year.
  3. ↑ This and other details for 1973 from Jim Linwood writing in Cynic #6.
  4. ↑ Checkpoint #46 (March 1974)
  5. ↑ Checkpoint #57 (November 1974)
  6. ↑ Then, page 322.
  7. ↑ See Checkpoint #65, March 1976.
  8. ↑ Then, page 349.
  9. ↑ This was the first occasion one fan received two Novas in the same year
  10. ↑ An umbrella title for a series of individually-titled fanzines.
  11. ↑ Originally two separate titles, Waxen Wings and Banana Skins, in November 1995. From Easter 1996 they were merged as the cumbersome Waxen Wings and Banana Skins and from November 1996 the title was contracted to Banana Wings.
  12. ↑ Chris Garcia and Pete Young were the first non-UK/Irish residents to win a Nova.
  13. ↑ Atom was the first person and only person to be awarded a Nova posthumously.

Award 1973—2014
This is an award page. If you know something about it, such as who awarded it, who the winners were, what the criteria were, and when it was awarded, please add it! See Standards for Awards.
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