Nebula Award (Best Novel)

The Nebula Award for Best Novel is one of the most prestigious honors in science fiction and fantasy literature, presented annually by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association (SFWA). Established in 1966, the award recognizes the best novel-length work of science fiction or fantasy published in English during the previous calendar year. Unlike many literary prizes, the Nebula is voted on exclusively by professional members of SFWA, making it a peer-voted award that reflects the judgment of working writers in the genre. The award carries no monetary prize but bestows a distinctive trophy: a transparent block containing an embedded glitter spiral nebula and gemstones cut to resemble planets, designed for the inaugural ceremony in 1966. Being nominated or winning the Nebula is widely regarded as one of the highest forms of recognition in speculative fiction, and the designation frequently appears on book covers. The award covers novels of 40,000 words or more, with works nominated by SFWA members between November and February and voted on through March. Over its history the Nebula has recognized landmark works that have shaped science fiction and fantasy, from Ursula K. Le Guin's explorations of gender and society to N. K. Jemisin's Broken Earth trilogy—the first work to win the Hugo Award for Best Novel three consecutive years, all three of which were also Nebula winners or nominees. The award has increasingly highlighted diverse voices, with recent years showcasing authors whose work engages questions of race, colonialism, identity, and climate change through speculative frameworks.