I only said "Maybe!" I didn't promise anything!

.... Maaaaaybe?

Done!

You can follow all the finalists (or at least all the ones who have Bsky accounts) for the 2026 Hugo Awards right here with this starter pack.

go.bsky.app/mR4XaC

There have been instances in which there was a tie at the Hugo Awards, including the Best Novel award in 1993 when Connie Willis and Vernor Vinge both received the award.

So it is possible for there to be circumstances where both get the award.

Have done so.

To anyone going to the @laworldcon.bsky.social -

1. Zankou Chicken is great
2. The top of Runyon Canyon (near Mulholland) is the best view in LA
3. The Huntington Library/Gardens is worth the trip
4. Check out some Frank Lloyd Wright homes

Astounding Award for Best New Writer (sponsored by Dell Magazines) Sophie Burnham (2nd year of eligibility) Kamilah Cole (2nd year of eligibility) Antonia Hodgson (1st year of eligibility) Molly O'Neill (1st year of eligibility) H.H. Pak (2nd year of eligibility) Jared Pechaček (2nd year of eligibility) 290 ballots cast for 156 nominees. Finalists range 17-76.

Astounding Award for Best New Writer 💫 (cont.)
Molly O'Neill (1st year of eligibility) @mollyoneillwrites.bsky.social
H.H. Pak (2nd year of eligibility) @hhpak.bsky.social
Jared Pechaček (2nd year of eligibility) @vandroidhelsing.bsky.social

Astounding Award for Best New Writer (sponsored by Dell Magazines) Sophie Burnham (2nd year of eligibility) Kamilah Cole (2nd year of eligibility) Antonia Hodgson (1st year of eligibility) Molly O'Neill (1st year of eligibility) H.H. Pak (2nd year of eligibility) Jared Pechaček (2nd year of eligibility) 290 ballots cast for 156 nominees. Finalists range 17-76.

Astounding Award for Best New Writer 💫
Sophie Burnham (2nd year of eligibility) @sophieburnham.bsky.social
Kamilah Cole (2nd year of eligibility)
Antonia Hodgson (1st year of eligibility)

Lodestar Award Finalists for Best YA Book 💫 (cont.) Oathbound by Tracy Deonn (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers) Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins (Scholastic Press) They Bloom at Night by Trang Thanh Tran (Bloomsbury US; Bloomsbury UK)

Lodestar Award Finalists for Best YA Book 💫 (cont.)
Oathbound by Tracy Deonn (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers)
Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins (Scholastic Press)
They Bloom at Night by Trang Thanh Tran (Bloomsbury US; Bloomsbury UK)

Lodestar Award for Best YA Book Among Ghosts by Rachel Hartman (Random House Books for Young Readers) Coffeeshop in an Alternate Universe by C.B. Lee (Feiwel & Friends) Holy Terrors by Margaret Owen (Henry Holt; Hodderscape UK) Oathbound by Tracy Deonn (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers) Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins (Scholastic Press) They Bloom at Night by Trang Thanh Tran (Bloomsbury US; Bloomsbury UK) 244 ballots cast for 169 nominees. Finalists range 12-48.

Lodestar Award Finalists for Best YA Book 💫
Among Ghosts by Rachel Hartman rachelhartmanbooks.com (Random House Books for Young Readers)
Coffeeshop in an Alternate Universe by C.B. Lee (Feiwel & Friends)
Holy Terrors by Margaret Owen @what-eats-owls.bsky.social (Henry Holt; Hodderscape UK)

Best Poem “Care for Lightning” by Mari Ness (Uncanny Magazine, Issue 62) “Hex Supply Customer Support Log” by Elis Montgomery (Strange Horizons, Issue 25 August 2025) “How to Become a Sea Witch” by Theodora Goss (The Orange & Bee, Issue 5) “Landing: Seattle” by Brandon O'Brien (Seattle Worldcon 2025 Opening Ceremony) “The Mourning Robot” by Angela Liu (Uncanny Magazine, Issue 66) “The World to Come” by Jennifer Hudak (Strange Horizons, Issue 22 December 2025) 202 ballots cast for 229 nominees. Finalists range 12-35.

Best Poem (cont.)
“Landing: Seattle” by Brandon O'Brien (Seattle Worldcon 2025 Opening Ceremony)
“The Mourning Robot” by Angela Liu (Uncanny Magazine, Issue 66)
“The World to Come” by Jennifer Hudak (Strange Horizons, Issue 22 December 2025)
202 ballots cast for 229 nominees. Finalists range 12-35.

Best Poem “Care for Lightning” by Mari Ness (Uncanny Magazine, Issue 62) “Hex Supply Customer Support Log” by Elis Montgomery (Strange Horizons, Issue 25 August 2025) “How to Become a Sea Witch” by Theodora Goss (The Orange & Bee, Issue 5) “Landing: Seattle” by Brandon O'Brien (Seattle Worldcon 2025 Opening Ceremony) “The Mourning Robot” by Angela Liu (Uncanny Magazine, Issue 66) “The World to Come” by Jennifer Hudak (Strange Horizons, Issue 22 December 2025) 202 ballots cast for 229 nominees. Finalists range 12-35.

Best Poem 📝
“Care for Lightning” by Mari Ness (Uncanny Magazine, Issue 62)
“Hex Supply Customer Support Log” by Elis Montgomery (Strange Horizons, Issue 25 August 2025)
“How to Become a Sea Witch” by Theodora Goss (The Orange & Bee, Issue 5)

Best Dramatic Presentation, Short Form Doctor Who: “The Story & the Engine”, written by Inua Ellams, directed by Makalla McPherson (BBC One, Disney +) Murderbot: “All Systems Red”, written by Paul Weitz & Chris Weitz, directed by Roseanne Liang, based on the book All Systems Red by Martha Wells (Apple TV) Murderbot: “The Perimeter”, written Chris Weitz & Paul Weitz, directed by Paul Weitz, based on the book All Systems Red by Martha Wells (Apple TV) Pluribus: “We Is Us”, written and directed by Vince Gilligan, directed by Vince Gilligan (Apple TV) Severance: “Cold Harbor”, written by Dan Erickson, directed by Ben Stiller (Apple TV) The Wheel of Time: “The Road to the Spear”, written by Rafe Lee Judkins, directed by Thomas Napper, based on the book The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan (Amazon Prime Video) 471 ballots cast for 249 nominees. Finalists range 40-98.

Best Dramatic Presentation, Short Form
The Wheel of Time: “The Road to the Spear”, written by Rafe Lee Judkins, directed by Thomas Napper, based on the book The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan (Amazon Prime Video)
471 ballots cast for 249 nominees. Finalists range 40-98.

26/26

Best Dramatic Presentation, Short Form Doctor Who: “The Story & the Engine”, written by Inua Ellams, directed by Makalla McPherson (BBC One, Disney +) Murderbot: “All Systems Red”, written by Paul Weitz & Chris Weitz, directed by Roseanne Liang, based on the book All Systems Red by Martha Wells (Apple TV) Murderbot: “The Perimeter”, written Chris Weitz & Paul Weitz, directed by Paul Weitz, based on the book All Systems Red by Martha Wells (Apple TV) Pluribus: “We Is Us”, written and directed by Vince Gilligan, directed by Vince Gilligan (Apple TV) Severance: “Cold Harbor”, written by Dan Erickson, directed by Ben Stiller (Apple TV) The Wheel of Time: “The Road to the Spear”, written by Rafe Lee Judkins, directed by Thomas Napper, based on the book The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan (Amazon Prime Video) 471 ballots cast for 249 nominees. Finalists range 40-98.

Best Dramatic Presentation, Short Form
Severance: “Cold Harbor”, written by Dan Erickson, directed by Ben Stiller (Apple TV)

25/

Best Dramatic Presentation, Short Form Doctor Who: “The Story & the Engine”, written by Inua Ellams, directed by Makalla McPherson (BBC One, Disney +) Murderbot: “All Systems Red”, written by Paul Weitz & Chris Weitz, directed by Roseanne Liang, based on the book All Systems Red by Martha Wells (Apple TV) Murderbot: “The Perimeter”, written Chris Weitz & Paul Weitz, directed by Paul Weitz, based on the book All Systems Red by Martha Wells (Apple TV) Pluribus: “We Is Us”, written and directed by Vince Gilligan, directed by Vince Gilligan (Apple TV) Severance: “Cold Harbor”, written by Dan Erickson, directed by Ben Stiller (Apple TV) The Wheel of Time: “The Road to the Spear”, written by Rafe Lee Judkins, directed by Thomas Napper, based on the book The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan (Amazon Prime Video) 471 ballots cast for 249 nominees. Finalists range 40-98.

Best Dramatic Presentation, Short Form
Murderbot: “The Perimeter”, written Chris Weitz & Paul Weitz, directed by Paul Weitz, based on the book All Systems Red by Martha Wells (Apple TV)
Pluribus: “We Is Us”, written and directed by Vince Gilligan, directed by Vince Gilligan (Apple TV)

24/

Best Dramatic Presentation, Short Form Doctor Who: “The Story & the Engine”, written by Inua Ellams, directed by Makalla McPherson (BBC One, Disney +) Murderbot: “All Systems Red”, written by Paul Weitz & Chris Weitz, directed by Roseanne Liang, based on the book All Systems Red by Martha Wells (Apple TV) Murderbot: “The Perimeter”, written Chris Weitz & Paul Weitz, directed by Paul Weitz, based on the book All Systems Red by Martha Wells (Apple TV) Pluribus: “We Is Us”, written and directed by Vince Gilligan, directed by Vince Gilligan (Apple TV) Severance: “Cold Harbor”, written by Dan Erickson, directed by Ben Stiller (Apple TV) The Wheel of Time: “The Road to the Spear”, written by Rafe Lee Judkins, directed by Thomas Napper, based on the book The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan (Amazon Prime Video) 471 ballots cast for 249 nominees. Finalists range 40-98.

Best Dramatic Presentation, Short Form
Doctor Who: “The Story & the Engine”, written, Inua Ellams, directed, Makalla McPherson (BBC 1, Disney+)
Murderbot: “All Systems Red”, written by Paul Weitz & Chris Weitz, directed by Roseanne Liang, based on the book All Systems Red by Martha Wells (Apple TV)

Best Dramatic Presentation, Long Form Andor (Season 2), written by Tom Bissell, Dan Gilroy, Tony Gilroy, and Beau Willimon, directed by Ariel Kleiman, Janus Metz, Alonso Ruizpalacios, (Disney+) Frankenstein, screenplay by Guillermo del Toro, directed by Guillermo del Toro (Netflix) KPop Demon Hunters, screenplay by Danya Jimenez & Hannah McMechan, Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans; directed by Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans (Sony Pictures Animation for Netflix) Mickey 17, screenplay by Bong Joon Ho, directed by Bong Joon Ho (Warner Bros. Pictures) Sinners, screenplay by Ryan Coogler, directed by Ryan Coogler (Proximity Media, Warner Bros. Pictures) Superman, screenplay by James Gunn, directed by James Gunn (DC Studios) 650 ballots cast for 149 nominees. Finalists range 85-313.

Best Dramatic Presentation, Long Form

Sinners, screenplay by Ryan Coogler, directed by Ryan Coogler (Proximity Media, Warner Bros. Pictures)
Superman, screenplay by James Gunn, directed by James Gunn (DC Studios)
650 ballots cast for 149 nominees. Finalists range 85-313.

22/

Best Dramatic Presentation, Long Form Andor (Season 2), written by Tom Bissell, Dan Gilroy, Tony Gilroy, and Beau Willimon, directed by Ariel Kleiman, Janus Metz, Alonso Ruizpalacios, (Disney+) Frankenstein, screenplay by Guillermo del Toro, directed by Guillermo del Toro (Netflix) KPop Demon Hunters, screenplay by Danya Jimenez & Hannah McMechan, Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans; directed by Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans (Sony Pictures Animation for Netflix) Mickey 17, screenplay by Bong Joon Ho, directed by Bong Joon Ho (Warner Bros. Pictures) Sinners, screenplay by Ryan Coogler, directed by Ryan Coogler (Proximity Media, Warner Bros. Pictures) Superman, screenplay by James Gunn, directed by James Gunn (DC Studios) 650 ballots cast for 149 nominees. Finalists range 85-313.

Best Dramatic Presentation, Long Form (cont.)

KPop Demon Hunters, screenplay by Danya Jimenez & Hannah McMechan, Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans; directed by Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans (Sony Pictures Animation for Netflix)
Mickey 17, screenplay & directed by Bong Joon Ho, (Warner Bros.)

21/

Best Dramatic Presentation, Long Form Andor (Season 2), written by Tom Bissell, Dan Gilroy, Tony Gilroy, and Beau Willimon, directed by Ariel Kleiman, Janus Metz, Alonso Ruizpalacios, (Disney+) Frankenstein, screenplay by Guillermo del Toro, directed by Guillermo del Toro (Netflix) KPop Demon Hunters, screenplay by Danya Jimenez & Hannah McMechan, Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans; directed by Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans (Sony Pictures Animation for Netflix) Mickey 17, screenplay by Bong Joon Ho, directed by Bong Joon Ho (Warner Bros. Pictures) Sinners, screenplay by Ryan Coogler, directed by Ryan Coogler (Proximity Media, Warner Bros. Pictures) Superman, screenplay by James Gunn, directed by James Gunn (DC Studios) 650 ballots cast for 149 nominees. Finalists range 85-313.

Best Dramatic Presentation, Long Form
Andor (Season 2), written by Tom Bissell, Dan Gilroy, Tony Gilroy, and Beau Willimon, directed by Ariel Kleiman, Janus Metz, Alonso Ruizpalacios, (Disney+)
Frankenstein, screenplay by Guillermo del Toro, directed by Guillermo del Toro (Netflix)

20/

Across five prose fiction categories, there are 30 different authors shortlisted.

That means no author was shortlisted more than once for a novel, short story, novelette, novella, or series.

Awesome to note there are 10 authors who appear on the ballot in those five categories for the first time.

(We tagged Laura, Felicia, Sean, Elise, Nicasio from the Deadlands team, but missed the main account).

Yes! Sorry that I missed you when creating this list this morning.

Best Related Work Colourfields: Writing About Writing About Science Fiction by Paul Kincaid (Briardene Books) Inventing the Renaissance by Ada Palmer (University of Chicago Press US, Head of Zeus UK) Last War in Albion: "The Cuddled Little Vice (Sandman)" by Elizabeth Sandifer (Eruditorum Press) Positive Obsession: The Life and Times of Octavia Butler by Susana M. Morris (Amistad) “Ragnarök vs the Long Night” by Ashaya and Aziz (History of Westeros Podcast, August 10, 2025) The Hugo Spreadsheet of Doom, maintained by Renay (Google Spreadsheet) 479 ballots cast for 250 nominees. Finalists range 31-70.

“Ragnarök vs the Long Night” by Ashaya and Aziz ( @historyofwesteros.com , August 10 2025)

The Hugo Spreadsheet of Doom, maintained by @renay.bsky.social (Google Spreadsheet)

479 ballots cast for 250 nominees. Finalists range 31-70.

19/

Best Related Work Colourfields: Writing About Writing About Science Fiction by Paul Kincaid (Briardene Books) Inventing the Renaissance by Ada Palmer (University of Chicago Press US, Head of Zeus UK) Last War in Albion: "The Cuddled Little Vice (Sandman)" by Elizabeth Sandifer (Eruditorum Press) Positive Obsession: The Life and Times of Octavia Butler by Susana M. Morris (Amistad) “Ragnarök vs the Long Night” by Ashaya and Aziz (History of Westeros Podcast, August 10, 2025) The Hugo Spreadsheet of Doom, maintained by Renay (Google Spreadsheet) 479 ballots cast for 250 nominees. Finalists range 31-70.

Related work (cont)

Last War in Albion: "The Cuddled Little Vice (Sandman)" by Elizabeth Sandifer ( @eruditorumpress.com)

Positive Obsession: The Life and Times of Octavia E. Butler by @susanamorris.bsky.social (Amistad)

18/

Best Related Work Colourfields: Writing About Writing About Science Fiction by Paul Kincaid (Briardene Books) Inventing the Renaissance by Ada Palmer (University of Chicago Press US, Head of Zeus UK) Last War in Albion: "The Cuddled Little Vice (Sandman)" by Elizabeth Sandifer (Eruditorum Press) Positive Obsession: The Life and Times of Octavia Butler by Susana M. Morris (Amistad) “Ragnarök vs the Long Night” by Ashaya and Aziz (History of Westeros Podcast, August 10, 2025) The Hugo Spreadsheet of Doom, maintained by Renay (Google Spreadsheet) 479 ballots cast for 250 nominees. Finalists range 31-70.

Best Related Work

Colourfields: Writing About Writing About Science Fiction by Paul Kincaid (Briardene Books)

Inventing the Renaissance by @adapalmer.bsky.social (University of Chicago Press US, Head of Zeus UK)

17/

If you like to get your updates directly here, this is the start of the finalists thread.

The press release version is here: www.lacon.org/hugofinalists/

Best Graphic Story or Comic Absolute Wonder Woman Vol. 1: The Last Amazon, written by Kelly Thompson, art by Hayden Sherman and Mattia de Iulis, coloring by Jordie Bellaire, lettering by Becca Carey (DC Comics) A Girl and Her Fed, written by KB Spangler, art by Ale Presser (www.agirlandherfed.com) A Wizard of Earthsea: A Graphic Novel, written by Ursula K. Le Guin, adapted and art by Fred Fordham (Clarion Books; Walker UK) The Invisible Parade by Leigh Bardugo and John Picacio (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers; Orion UK) The Power Fantasy Volume 1: The Superpowers, written by Kieron Gillen, art by Caspar Wijngaard, lettering by Clayton Cowles (Image Comics) The Space Cat, written by Nnedi Okorafor, art by Tana Ford (First Second) 362 ballots cast for 243 nominees. Finalists range 19-42.

The Invisible Parade by Leigh Bardugo and @johnpicacio.bsky.social (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers; Orion UK)

The Space Cat, written by @nnedi.bsky.social, art by @tanaford.bsky.social (First Second)

362 ballots cast for 243 nominees. Finalists range 19-42

16/

Best Graphic Story or Comic Absolute Wonder Woman Vol. 1: The Last Amazon, written by Kelly Thompson, art by Hayden Sherman and Mattia de Iulis, coloring by Jordie Bellaire, lettering by Becca Carey (DC Comics) A Girl and Her Fed, written by KB Spangler, art by Ale Presser (www.agirlandherfed.com) A Wizard of Earthsea: A Graphic Novel, written by Ursula K. Le Guin, adapted and art by Fred Fordham (Clarion Books; Walker UK) The Invisible Parade by Leigh Bardugo and John Picacio (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers; Orion UK) The Power Fantasy Volume 1: The Superpowers, written by Kieron Gillen, art by Caspar Wijngaard, lettering by Clayton Cowles (Image Comics) The Space Cat, written by Nnedi Okorafor, art by Tana Ford (First Second) 362 ballots cast for 243 nominees. Finalists range 19-42.

Best graphic story (cont.)

A Girl and Her Fed, written by @kbspangler.com, art by @alepresser.com (www.agirlandherfed.com)

A Wizard of Earthsea: A Graphic Novel, written by Ursula K. Le Guin, adapted and art by Fred Fordham (Clarion Books; Walker UK)

15/

Best Graphic Story or Comic Absolute Wonder Woman Vol. 1: The Last Amazon, written by Kelly Thompson, art by Hayden Sherman and Mattia de Iulis, coloring by Jordie Bellaire, lettering by Becca Carey (DC Comics) A Girl and Her Fed, written by KB Spangler, art by Ale Presser (www.agirlandherfed.com) A Wizard of Earthsea: A Graphic Novel, written by Ursula K. Le Guin, adapted and art by Fred Fordham (Clarion Books; Walker UK) The Invisible Parade by Leigh Bardugo and John Picacio (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers; Orion UK) The Power Fantasy Volume 1: The Superpowers, written by Kieron Gillen, art by Caspar Wijngaard, lettering by Clayton Cowles (Image Comics) The Space Cat, written by Nnedi Okorafor, art by Tana Ford (First Second) 362 ballots cast for 243 nominees. Finalists range 19-42.

Best Graphic Story or Comic

Absolute Wonder Woman Vol. 1: The Last Amazon, written by @kellythompson.bsky.social, art by @cleanlined.bsky.social and Mattia de Iulis, coloring by Jordie Bellaire, lettering by Becca Carey (DC Comics)

14/