Living Canon

Locus Awards 2018: Complete list of winners

The 2018 Locus Awards ceremony celebrated some of science fiction and fantasy’s most inventive voices, with a particularly thrilling finish in the fantasy category. N. K. Jemisin claimed the Best Fantasy Novel award for The Stone Sky, the concluding chapter of her Broken Earth trilogy—a win that capped off an extraordinary run for the author, who dominated the prestigious award in consecutive years. The Locus Awards, given annually by the readers of Locus Magazine, represent one of fandom’s most important honors, and this year’s selections reflected the genre’s growing diversity and ambition across multiple categories.

The 2018 ceremony showcased emerging talent alongside established names, with Theodora Goss earning the Best First Novel award for The Strange Case of the Alchemist’s Daughter, a Victorian-era tale that brought fresh energy to the category. Meanwhile, John Scalzi returned to the winner’s circle with The Collapsing Empire, claiming Best Science Fiction Novel with his signature blend of wit and world-building, while Nnedi Okorafor’s Akata Warrior took the Best Young Adult Book award, affirming her place among the genre’s most important contemporary voices. The diversity of winners—across geography, background, and storytelling approach—made the 2018 Locus Awards a particularly exciting year for science fiction and fantasy enthusiasts.

Here’s the full breakdown of the 2018 Locus Awards winners:

Best Fantasy Novel

Best First Novel

Best Science Fiction Novel

Best Young Adult Book