The Hugo Awards date back to 1953. They are named after Hugo Gernsback ... he is called the father of the science fiction magazine. The Hugo awards are the oldest and most prestigious science fiction awards.
Alfred Bester won the first award in 1953 for The Demolished Man.
Requirements are that the book be either science fiction or fantasy. (J.K. Rowling won in 2004 for Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire).
For the 2008 awards, the book must have been published in 2007. And in the best novel category, the book must be 40,000 words or more.
World Science Fiction Society members nominate and vote to determine winners. Books are nominated in January through March A shortlist of finalists is determined in April.
Balloting is in July ... and the convention is usually in August or September.
The awards are given each year at the World Science Fiction Convention. Each award is a new design and must include a rocket.
In 2008 ... the awards will be presented in Denver at Denvention 3. This will be from Aug. 6 - 10.
