Locus Awards 1979: Complete list of winners

The Locus Awards have long served as a unique barometer of science fiction and fantasy fandom—a democratic alternative to more establishment-focused accolades, determined by the passionate readers of Locus magazine itself. The 1979 ceremony proved particularly interesting for what it chose to celebrate and, notably, what it left vacant. While fantasy literature was flourishing in the mainstream literary world, the Best Fantasy Novel category went unawarded that year, suggesting either that the science fiction readership hadn’t yet fully embraced the genre or that no single fantasy work captured their collective imagination strongly enough to claim the prize.

The novella category, by contrast, showcased the form at its finest. John Varley’s The Persistence of Vision claimed the award, cementing Varley’s reputation as a writer capable of extraordinary emotional and philosophical depth within tightly constrained word counts. The story, which explores communication and connection in profoundly human ways, represented exactly the kind of ambitious, character-driven science fiction that resonated most powerfully with Locus readers of the era. Varley’s win reflected a broader appreciation for novellas as a vital literary form—one that could accomplish what novels sometimes labored to achieve through sheer narrative economy.

Below, you’ll find the complete list of 1979 Locus Awards winners across all categories, showcasing the tastes of the science fiction and fantasy community at a pivotal moment in the genre’s evolution.

Best Fantasy Novel

• Not awarded

Best Novella

• The Persistence of Vision by John Varley