The Nova Awards are presented annually at the UK science fiction convention Novacon and recognise achievement in British and Irish sf fanzines.
When initiated in 1973, a panel of sf fans named the best fanzine that year. Subsequently, voting has been opened up to all members of the convention able to demonstrate a basic familiarity with the field; in addition, Novas were also presented to the best fanzine writer and best fanzine artist. In 2011, the poll was opened up to all British and Irish sf fans able to meet the 'familiarity' criterion.
Past administrators have included Dave Langford, Pam Wells, Paul Vincent, Martin Tudor, Sandra Bond and Tony Berry. In 2009, Steve Green stepped down after seven years in post, and Tudor resumed the reins; unfortunately, Tudor was unable to see the year out and Green returned to run the 2010 Novas.
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 Eire.
In March 2015, Novacon 45 announced the main categories were being retired, although occasional 'committee awards' might still be made.
(Text) CC BY-SA
