Bram Stoker Award

ぶらむ・すとーかーしょう

Annual award by the Horror Writers Association (HWA) recognizing 'superior achievements' in dark fantasy and horror works.

NovelFirst NovelYoung Adult NovelMiddle Grade NovelGraphic NovelLong FictionShort FictionFiction CollectionPoetry CollectionNonfictionShort Non-FictionScreenplayAnthologyLifetime Achievement

Established: 1987
Organizer: Horror Writers Association
Category: Children's Literature, Fairy Tales, and Picture Books
Selection Method: Recommendation
Target: Newcomer
Frequency: 1 per year
Announcement Period: around February
Status: Active

Description

The Bram Stoker Award was established in 1987 and is an annual award presented by the Horror Writers Association (HWA) to recognize 'Superior Achievement' in dark fantasy and horror works. Nominees are selected from recommendations by HWA members and recommendation lists by the Jury in each category, with winners determined by voting from Active members (preliminary ballot → final ballot). Winners receive a statuette manufactured by Society Awards (New York). Named after writer Bram Stoker, it is distinctive in honoring 'superior achievements' rather than simply the 'best of the year,' and ties (co-winners) can occur.

Prize

Main Prize: Winners receive a statuette manufactured by Society Awards (New York) (honorary award)

Listing of award history on HWA official website, etc.
Enhancement of reputation and recognition as a writer

Selection

Selection Process

Stage	Judges	Pass Rate	Announcement
Nominee Recommendations	Combination of recommendations by any HWA member and candidate lists presented by the Jury for each category	—	The nominee list is published on the preliminary ballot for preliminary voting
Preliminary Voting (Preliminary Ballot)	Active status HWA members vote to narrow the field to final nominees (Final Ballot)	—	Top nominees are confirmed as final nominees and proceed to final voting
Final Voting (Final Ballot)	Active status HWA members conduct final voting to determine winners in each category	—	Winners are announced at the HWA annual ceremony, and statuettes are presented to winners

Nominee Recommendations

Judges Combination of recommendations by any HWA member and candidate lists presented by the Jury for each category

Announcement The nominee list is published on the preliminary ballot for preliminary voting

Preliminary Voting (Preliminary Ballot)

Judges Active status HWA members vote to narrow the field to final nominees (Final Ballot)

Announcement Top nominees are confirmed as final nominees and proceed to final voting

Final Voting (Final Ballot)

Judges Active status HWA members conduct final voting to determine winners in each category

Announcement Winners are announced at the HWA annual ceremony, and statuettes are presented to winners

Criteria

"Superior Achievement" as the criterion, not simply "the best of the year"
Genre suitability (horror, dark fantasy)
Originality, style, depth of themes, contribution to the genre
Appropriate work in line with the definition of each category

Application Tips

Dos

Confirm and obtain HWA membership eligibility (member recommendations and votes are involved in selection)
Accurately check the entry requirements and category definitions
Confirm eligibility for the target year (publication/release year)
Enhance the work's quality (proofreading/editing) and make genre suitability clear

Don''ts

Do not submit entries that violate rules or provide inaccurate information
Do not force works that do not fit the genre or category into the relevant category
Do not engage in copyright infringement or plagiarism

From Judges

Emphasis on storytelling, voice, consistency and originality of tone
Understanding genre conventions while demonstrating novelty is likely to be highly evaluated
Obtain thorough proofreading and feedback from peers before submission