Anticipation, the 2009 World Science Fiction Convention, has announced that they’ll be adding a special category Hugo Award for Best Graphic Story, “to honor works in which illustrations are integral to the movement of the plot, whether or not text is present. The special Hugo, to be called ‘Best Graphic Story,’ will cover any science fiction or fantasy narrative in graphic form appearing for the first time in 2008. It may potentially be ratified as an annual award at the WSFS Business meeting at the convention.” This year’s WSFS Business meeting passed a motion to add a Best Graphic Story category to the Hugos, but such changes require ratification at two successive WorldCons.
Individual WorldCons always have the option to offer a special Hugo “to recognize a category of work for which there is no existing award,” though few avail themselves of the opportunity. Recent special Hugos have been for Best Web Site in both 2002 and 2005. Nominating and voting for the special Hugo is handled in the same way as the regular Hugos.
Nominating ballots for next year’s awards, which will cover works of 2008, will be released after the first of January. Members of this year’s WorldCon, the just passed Denvention, as well as members of Anticipation, are eligible to nominate. Only members of Anticipation will be eligible to vote on the final ballot, which will be released next Spring.
Anticipation, the 67th World Science Fiction Convention, will be held in Montréal, Québec, Canada, from 6 to 10 August 2009. Guests of Honor include Neil Gaiman, Élisabeth Vonarburg, Ralph Bakshi, Taral Wayne, Tom Doherty, David Hartwell, and Julie Czerneda.