The 2026 Locus Award finalists have been announced, and we’re thrilled to see many Norwescon former guests of honor, Philip K. Dick Award nominees and winners, and attending professionals on the list of finalists. Here’s a rundown of names you may recognize from Norwescons past (and if we’ve missed any, please feel free to let us know):
- Angry Robot Books, Norwescon 40 Spotlight Publisher; nominated for best publisher.
- Robert Jackson Bennett, 2011 Philip K. Dick Special Citation winner; A Drop of Corruption nominated for best fantasy novel.
- Elizabeth Bear, attending professional; The Folding Sky nominated for best science fiction novel, “The Witch and the Wyrm” nominated for best novelette.
- Brom, Norwescon 25 GoH; nominated for best artist.
- Bora Chung, 2024 Philip K. Dick Award nominee; Red Sword and The Midnight Timetable nominated for best translated novel.
- Neil Clarke, Norwescon 42 and Norwescon 46 GoH; nominated for best editor.
- Clarkesworld, Norwescon 46 Spotlight Publisher; nominated for best magazine.
- Galen Dara, Norwescon 41 GoH; nominated for best artist.
- DAW, Norwescon 29, Norwescon 35, Norwescon 39, and Norwescon 49 Spotlight Publisher; nominated for best publisher.
- Del Rey, Norwescon 26 Spotlight Publisher; nominated for best publisher.
- Cory Doctorow, Norwescon 33 GoH; Picks & Shovels nominated for best science fiction novel, Enshittification nominated for best non-fiction.
- Bob Eggleton, Norwescon 24 GoH; nominated for best artist.
- Carol Emshwiller, 2002 Philip K. Dick Award winner; Moon Songs nominated for best collection.
- Thomas Ha, 2025 Philip K. Dick Special Citation winner; “Uncertain Sons” nominated for best novelette, “In My Country” nominated for best short story, Uncertain Sons and Other Stories nominated for best collection.
- Stephen King, early attending professional; Never Flinch nominated for best horror novel.
- T. Kingfisher, Norwescon 48 GoH; Hemlock & Silver nominated for best fantasy novel, What Stalks the Deep nominated for best novella.
- Ken Liu, Norwescon 41 GoH; All That We See or Seem nominated for best science fiction novel.
- Patricia A. McKillip, Norwescon 34 GoH; The Essential Patricia A. McKillip nominated for best collection.
- Claire North, 2018 Philip K. Dick Award nominee; Slow Gods nominated for best science fiction novel.
- Orbit, Norwescon 48 Spotlight Publisher; nominated for best publisher.
- John Picacio, Norwescon 35 GoH; nominated for best artist, The Invisible Parade nominated for best illustrated and art book.
- Sarah Pinsker, 2019 Philip K. Dick Award winner; “The Millay Illusion” nominated for best novelette.
- Cherie Priest, 2014 Philip K. Dick Award nominee; It Was Her House First nominated for best horror novel.
- Alastair Reynolds, 2017 and 2020 Philip K. Dick Award nominee; The Revelation Space Collection Volumes 1 & 2 nominated for best collection.
- Jonathan Strahan, 2014 Philip K. Dick Award nominee; nominated for best editor.
- Adrian Tchaikovsky, 2020 Philip K. Dick Award nominee and 2025 Philip K. Dick Special Citation winner; Shroud nominated for best science fiction novel, Lives of Bitter Rain nominated for best novella.
- Uncanny Magazine, Norwescon 45 Spotlight Publisher; nominated for best magazine.
- Catherynne M. Valente, Norwescon 47 GoH; “When He Calls Your Name” nominated for best novelette.
- Charles Vess, Norwescon 46 GoH; nominated for best artist.
- Martha Wells, 2017 Philip K. Dick Award nominee; Queen Demon nominated for best fantasy novel.
- Michael Whelan, Norwescon 5 and Norwescon 26 GoH; nominated for best artist.
Congratulations and best of luck to all of these and all the other finalists! We hope to see you at Norwescon again, and look forward to seeing which other friendly faces from Norwescon are nominated in the future.
https://www.norwescon.org/2026/04/14/congratulations-to-the-2026-locus-award-finalists/
#LocusAwards