ShelfEvidentSidewise Award for Alternate History
2024 Winner
Complete History
2010s
2000s
- 20091942 — Robert Conroy
- 2008The Dragon's Nine Sons — Chris Roberson
- 2007The Yiddish Policemen's Union — Michael Chabon
- 2006The Family Trade, The Hidden Family, and The Clan Corporate — Charles Stross
- 2005The Summer Isles — Ian R. MacLeod
- 2004The Plot Against America — Philip Roth
- 2003Collaborator — Murray Davies
- 2002The Severed Wing — Martin Gidron
- 2001The Children's War — J. N. Stroyar
- 2000Ash: A Secret History — Mary Gentle
About the Sidewise Award for Alternate History
The Sidewise Award for Alternate History is given annually to recognize the best works of alternate history fiction, covering both long-form (novel) and short-form (short story or novella) categories. The award has been presented since 1995 and is named after Murray Leinster's 1934 story 'Sidewise in Time,' widely considered an early foundational work of alternate history. Sidewise Awards are voted on by a small panel of alternate history enthusiasts and critics, and the winners are announced at the World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon). The award celebrates fiction that imagines how history might have unfolded differently—from battles not fought to inventions never made—and encompasses the full spectrum of alternate history, from serious literary explorations to pulpy adventure. Both domestic and international works published in English are eligible.
Frequently Asked Questions
- The Sidewise Award is given annually to the best alternate history works in two categories: Long Form (novels) and Short Form (short stories and novellas). It is named after Murray Leinster's 1934 alternate history story 'Sidewise in Time.'
- The first Sidewise Awards were announced in 1996 for works published in 1995, making 1995 the first eligible year. The award has been given every year since.
- A small panel of alternate history enthusiasts, editors, and critics evaluates eligible works and selects the winners. The panel is organized by the Uchronia.net alternate history bibliography project.
- Any work of fiction in which a significant historical event diverges from actual history, creating a different present or future timeline, is considered alternate history. This includes both outright alternate history and closely related subgenres like secret history or counterfactual fiction.
- Yes. Works originally written in languages other than English are eligible if they were published in English translation during the eligibility year. Several non-English-language works have won or been recognized.
- The Sidewise Award is traditionally announced at or around the World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon), though the announcement method and timing have varied over the years.
- The Sidewise Award is an honor award with no accompanying cash prize. Winners receive recognition within the alternate history fiction community.