By Tamara Wilhite and Declan Finn

What Are the Dragon Awards?

The Dragon Awards are a set of literary awards voted on by fandom. They’re presented at Dragon Con, a convention typically held in Atlanta, Georgia over Labor Day weekend. The Dragon Awards were first awarded in 2016. It has become one of the largest multi-media and pop culture conventions in the United States.

 

What Categories Do the Dragon Awards Recognize?

The Dragon Awards cover science fiction, fantasy, horror and alternate history. They also have awards for comic books, graphic novels, board games, collectibles and digital games.

 

Who Are the Serious Contenders for the 2021 Dragon Awards?

What 2020 works are likely to win the 2021 Dragon Awards? Declan Finn and I share our recommendations.

 

Best Science Fiction Novel

Declan Finn recommends Karl Gallagher’s book “Storm Between Stars”. While I’ve interviewed Mr. Gallagher for my Liberty Island Magazine column, I haven’t read it but I recommend other works by Karl.

 

Best Fantasy Novel (Including Paranormal)

Declan Finn recommends almost anything by Chris Nuttall. I do, as well, though Karina Fabian’s latest “Dragon Eye, PI” book “Murder Most Picante” should in my opinion be a contender.

 

Best Young Adult / Middle Grade Novel

Declan Finn said, “I couldn’t even begin to name someone. Largely because the last YA I read was L. Jagi Lamplighter Wright.” Personally, I’d recommend the “Schooled in Magic” series by Chris Nuttall. I’ve read and recommend the “The Zero Enigma” series, the last of which came out in 2020.

 

Best Military Science Fiction or Fantasy Novel

To quote Declan Finn, “At the moment, my best guess is Kai Wai ‘Benjamin’ Cheah’s novel, “Unmasked” (to win). Half of which was a military engagement of one sort or another. And he gives Larry a run for his money in the gun porn.”

I’ve interviewed Mr. Cheah and recommend his “Singularity Sunrise” novels. The first three books were released in 2020.

Richard Paolinelli has a MilSF novel coming up in the next few months. That work has a fair chance of winning, since his novel “Escaping Infinity” won in 2017.

 

Best Alternate History Novel

Declan Finn’s choice is “Educated Luck” by Mel Todd. He said, “(It is) heavily magic, heavy on alternate history and the development on the world. It would probably be best in fantasy, but I like it here.”

If Denton Salle had another alt-history steampunk novel out in 2020, I’d put it here.

 

Best Media Tie-In Novel

Per Declan Finn, “I’m going to just assume that Timothy Zahn is going to get it. After all, he wrote a Thrawn novel in the past year.”

 

Best Horror Novel

Per Declan Finn: “I got nothing. I don’t read horror.Okay, I write horror. You guys want to look up Hussar, by me, knock yourself out. (It’s UF, but I’ve been in horror so much I’ve stopped fighting.) The only other title I know offhand is “The Mummy of Monte Cristo” by J Trevor Robinson.”

“Hammer and Sleigh: The Rise of the Crimson North” by D.G. Martin is entertaining, but not worth a Dragon Award.

 

Best Comic Book

The second book in Mike Baron’s “Florida Man” series is worth considering.

 

Best Graphic Novel

Jon Del Arroz is a prolific science fiction author. I’ve read several of his novels. He’s the creator of the “Flying Sparks” comic. I would nominate his graphic novel “The Ember War” for this category. It was published in April, 2020.

 

Best Science Fiction or Fantasy TV Series

Declan Finn said, “I’m not even on it, but I’m sure that The Mandalorian, is probably going to win. Just because.”

I would say that is a contender, but “The Expanse” should also be considered. The fifth season was amazing.

 

Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Movie

Declan Finn couldn’t think of in this category. I’d nominate the Australian post-apocalyptic time travel movie “2067”. If the Dragon Awards had a category for best horror movie, I’d recommend “Vivarium”. However, it may not quite qualify as science fiction.

 

Best Science Fiction or Fantasy PC / Console Game

This is a category, but neither of us have any recommendations for it.

 

Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Mobile Game

This is a category, but neither of us have any recommendations for it.

 

Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Board Game

This is a category, but neither of us have any recommendations for it. However, almost anything from Munchkin is good. They even put out a Warhammer 40K game in 2019.

 

Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Miniatures / Collectible Card / Role-Playing Game

This is a category, but neither of us have any recommendations for it. However, almost anything from Munchkin is good. They even put out a Warhammer 40K game in 2019.

 

*****

Photo by catnap2015