Bram Stoker Award

History

The Awards were established in 1987 and have been presented annually since 1988, and the winners are selected by ballot of the Active members of the HWA. They are named after Irish horror writer Bram Stoker, author of the novel Dracula, among others.

Several members of the HWA—including Dean Koontz—were reluctant to endorse such writing awards, fearing it would incite competitiveness rather than friendly admiration. The HWA therefore went to lengths to avoid mean-spirited competition, they agreed to specifically seek out new and neglected writers and works, and officially issue Awards not based on "best of the year" criteria, but "for superior achievement", which allows for ties.

Nominated works come from two different processes. Works can be recommended by any member of the HWA and a separate list of works is presented by a Jury for each category. Members with Active status then vote on works appearing on preliminary ballots. The field is thereby narrowed to the Final ballot; and Active members vote to choose the winners from that Final Ballot. Winners of a Bram Stoker Award receive a statuette made by the New York firm Society Awards.

The terms Bram Stoker Award and Bram Stoker Awards are registered trademarks of the Horror Writers Association.

Categories

Current categories

year of eligibility, with the ceremony convened in 2022, the Bram Stoker Award is presented for "Superior Achievement" in the following categories:

• Novel (1987–)
• First Novel (1987–)
• Young Adult Novel (2011–)
• Middle Grade Novel (2022–)
• Graphic Novel (2011–)
• Long Fiction (1998–)
• Short Fiction (1998–)
• Anthology (1998–)
• Fiction Collection (1998–)
• Poetry Collection (2000–)
• Non-Fiction (1987–)
• Short Non-Fiction (2019–)
• Screenplay (1998–2004, 2011–)
• Lifetime Achievement (1987–)

Discontinued categories

Discontinued categories include:

• Novelette (1987–1997)
• Short Story (1987–1997)
• Collection (1987–1997)
• Work for Young Readers (1998–2004)
• Alternative Forms:
  • Other Media (1993, 1998–2000)
  • Alternative Forms (2001–2004)
• Illustrated Narrative (1998–2004)

Past winners

Stephen King holds the record for both the most nominations (33) and wins (13). Other past award winners include:

• Linda Addison
• Maria Alexander
• Michael Arnzen
• Clive Barker
• Laird Barron
• Charles Beaumont
• Robert Bloch
• Bruce Boston
• Ray Bradbury
• Christopher Lee
• Gary A. Braunbeck
• Ramsey Campbell
• Douglas Clegg
• Don Coscarelli
• Ellen Datlow
• Harlan Ellison
• Neil Gaiman
• David Gerrold
• Owl Goingback
• Christopher Golden
• Rain Graves
• Eric J. Guignard
• Thomas Harris
• Joe Hill
• Nina Kiriki Hoffman
• Nancy Holder
• Brian A. Hopkins
• Del Howison
• Charlee Jacob
• Stephen Jones
• Steven A. Katz
• Brian Keene
• Jack Ketchum
• Caitlin R. Kiernan
• Stephen King
• EV Knight
• Michael Knost
• Kathe Koja
• Sarah Langan
• Joe R. Lansdale
• Richard Laymon
• Thomas Ligotti
• Bentley Little
• Jonathan Maberry
• George R. R. Martin
• Elizabeth Massie
• Rena Mason
• Richard Matheson
• Glen Mazzara
• Robert McCammon
• Thomas F. Monteleone
• Michael Moorcock
• Alan Moore
• David Morrell
• Lisa Morton
• Yvonne Navarro
• William F. Nolan
• Joyce Carol Oates
• Weston Ochse
• Robert Ottone
• Norman Partridge
• Tom Piccirilli
• Alex Proyas
• Alan Rodgers
• Bruce Holland Rogers
• J. K. Rowling
• Al Sarrantonio
• John Shirley
• Dan Simmons
• Marge Simon
• Lucy A. Snyder
• Peter Straub
• Steve and Melanie Tem
• Robert Weinberg
• Rocky Wood

References

References

1. "The Bram Stoker Awards". Horror Writers Association.
2. (18 April 2010). "Logan County horror writer's success is scary". [[Charleston Gazette-Mail]].
3. "The Bram Stoker Awards 2020 – The Bram Stoker Awards".
4. "Bram Stoker Awards Tallies". Science Fiction Awards Database.
5. (2011-06-13). "Past Bram Stoker Award Nominees & Winners". [[Horror Writers Association]].