Locus Awards 1986: Complete list of winners

The Locus Awards have long held a special place in speculative fiction circles—voted on entirely by subscribers to Locus Magazine, they represent perhaps the most democratic measure of reader preference in science fiction and fantasy. The 1986 Locus Awards proved to be a particularly compelling year, celebrating established masters while also honoring a remarkable debut that would reshape how the world thought about humanity’s place in the cosmos. Roger Zelazny’s Trumps of Doom, the third book in his enduring Amber Chronicles series, claimed the Best Fantasy Novel honor, demonstrating the award voters’ deep affection for this richly imagined universe of parallel worlds and supernatural intrigue.

What made 1986 especially memorable was Carl Sagan’s triumph in the Best First Novel category for Contact—a stunning achievement for the renowned astronomer and science communicator who had never published a novel before. His win spoke to readers’ hunger for science fiction that grounded cosmic wonder in real scientific inquiry. Meanwhile, David Brin’s post-apocalyptic epic The Postman secured the Best Science Fiction Novel award, a choice that reflected the Locus readership’s appreciation for thoughtful, character-driven speculation about civilization’s fragility and resilience.

These three winners showcase the breadth of imagination that defines the Locus Awards: from Zelazny’s intricate fantasy architecture to Sagan’s scientifically rigorous vision of first contact to Brin’s intimate portrait of survival and hope. Below are the complete details on these winners and other notable honorees from the 1986 Locus Awards voting.

Best Fantasy Novel

• Trumps of Doom by Roger Zelazny

Best First Novel

• Contact by Carl Sagan

Best Science Fiction Novel

• The Postman by David Brin