Named after the mountain that the mythological Nine Muses called home, the Helicon Awards recognizes the best in science fiction, fantasy and horror for each calendar year.
The 2019 Helicon Awards covers works from 2018, serving as the inaugural year of eligibility. From 2019 though the 2024 Helicon Awards, a panel of up to nine judges met 3-4 times during the year to discuss eligible works in each category. At the end of year they recorded and reported their final decision to the award administrator.
The identities of the judges were never released, nor were judges permitted to acknowledge that they are serving as, or have served as, judges. This was to prevent doxxing, harassment, and/or campaigning of the judges.
Eligible works by authors that are considered are to be superversive and represent the best of each category. There are only three rules: (1) As both founder of The Helicon Society, the Helicon Awards and the administrator of the Helicon Awards, Richard Paolinelli is not eligible to receive a Helicon Award. Nor can he serve as a judge nor participate in any conversation with a judge regarding the awards; (2) No one may receive more than one Helicon Award per year unless the second award is one of the two special recognition awards (John W. Campbell Best New Author Award or Frank Herbert Lifetime Achievement Award); and (3) membership in the Helicon Society is not required for an author’s work to be eligible for a Helicon Award.
Beginning with the 2025 Helicon Awards, the members of The Helicon Society will vote for the award. The awards will be announced each year in May beginning in 2025.
The Helicon Society 