Parsec Awards
Encyclopedia
The Parsec Awards are a set of annual awards created to recognize excellence in science fiction
podcast
s and podcast novel
s. The awards were created by Mur Lafferty
, Tracy Hickman
and Michael R. Mennenga
and awarded by FarPoint Media. They were first presented in 2006 at DragonCon and have since become "one of the most recognizable honors in science and fiction podcasting".
Nominations are accepted from the listening public annually in each of the categories. The list is vetted for eligibility by the steering committee, before producers are invited to submit samples of work for consideration by a panel of judges. The panel reduces the list of nominees to five finalists in each category. The finalists' work is submitted for judging and the winner is selected by that panel of authors, podcasters, and others knowledgeable in the field of speculative fiction, podcasting, and/or publishing. Past finalist judges have included Catherine Asaro
, Charles de Lint
, Cory Doctorow
, and Evo Terra
, among others.
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
podcast
Podcast
A podcast is a series of digital media files that are released episodically and often downloaded through web syndication...
s and podcast novel
Podcast novel
The Podcast Novel is a literary format that combines the concepts of a podcast and an audiobook. Like a traditional novel, a podcast novel is a work of long literary fiction, however this form of novel is recorded into episodes that are delivered over the Internet, usually on a regular basis...
s. The awards were created by Mur Lafferty
Mur Lafferty
Mur Lafferty is an American podcaster and writer based in Durham, North Carolina. She attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and graduated with a degree in English. She is the editor and host of Escape Pod since 2010, when she took over from Steve Eley...
, Tracy Hickman
Tracy Hickman
Tracy Raye Hickman is a best-selling fantasy author, best known for his work on Dragonlance as a game designer and co-author with Margaret Weis, while he worked for TSR...
and Michael R. Mennenga
Michael R. Mennenga
Michael R. Mennenga founded FarPoint Media in early 2006 and currently serves as its President, COO, and primary audio engineer. In addition, Michael is a co-host of the “Slice of SciFi” and “The Dragon Page Cover to Cover” podcasts, and contributor to many other Farpoint Programs.Michael’s...
and awarded by FarPoint Media. They were first presented in 2006 at DragonCon and have since become "one of the most recognizable honors in science and fiction podcasting".
Nominations are accepted from the listening public annually in each of the categories. The list is vetted for eligibility by the steering committee, before producers are invited to submit samples of work for consideration by a panel of judges. The panel reduces the list of nominees to five finalists in each category. The finalists' work is submitted for judging and the winner is selected by that panel of authors, podcasters, and others knowledgeable in the field of speculative fiction, podcasting, and/or publishing. Past finalist judges have included Catherine Asaro
Catherine Asaro
Catherine Asaro is an American science fiction and fantasy author. She is best known for her books about the Ruby Dynasty, called the Saga of the Skolian Empire.- Biography :...
, Charles de Lint
Charles de Lint
Charles de Lint is a Canadian fantasy author and folk musician. He is also the chief book critic for The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction....
, Cory Doctorow
Cory Doctorow
Cory Efram Doctorow is a Canadian-British blogger, journalist, and science fiction author who serves as co-editor of the blog Boing Boing. He is an activist in favour of liberalising copyright laws and a proponent of the Creative Commons organization, using some of their licences for his books...
, and Evo Terra
Evo Terra
Evo Terra is an American podcaster, writer and businessman based in Arizona.Evo Terra founded Podiobooks.com in 2004, an audiobook service that uses podcasting technology to distribute serialized versions of novels, non-fiction books, anthologies and short story collections.In 2005, Terra was a...
, among others.
Award categories
Categories are modified from year to year. This is a list of some past categories:- Best Speculative Fiction Story (Short Form)
- Best Speculative Fiction Story (Novella Form)
- Best Speculative Fiction Story (Long Form)
- Best Speculative Fiction Audio Drama (Short Form including Independents)
- Best Speculative Fiction Audio Drama (Long Form including Independents)
- Best Speculative Fiction Video Podcast
- Best Speculative Fiction Magazine or Anthology Podcast
- Best Speculative Fiction Comedy/Parody Podcast
- Best Speculative Fiction Fan Podcast
- Best Speculative Fiction News Podcast
- Best Writing-related Podcast
- Best “Infotainment” Cast
- Best Gaming Podcast
- Best Anime Podcast
- Best New Speculative Fiction Podcaster/Team
- Best Speculative Fiction Music Podcast
- The Joe Murphy Memorial Award
2006
- Best Fiction (Short): Absolution Insured by Matt Wallace (from Variant Frequencies)
- Best Fiction (Long): How to Succeed in Evil by The Seanachai & Patrick McLean
- Best Audio Production: Virgin Falls by Jeff Folchinsky
- Best Writing Podcast: The Secrets by Michael A. StackpoleMichael A. StackpoleMichael A. Stackpole is a science fiction and fantasy author best known for his Star Wars and Battletech books. He was born in Wausau, Wisconsin, but raised in Vermont...
- Best Audio Drama (Long): The Stargate Café by Planet Retcon
- Best Audio Drama (Short): The Radio Adventures of Dr. FloydThe Radio Adventures of Dr. FloydThe Radio Adventures Of Dr. Floyd is a short audio and video series distributed via podcasting. Created by Grant Baciocco and Doug Price, it is a family friendly show in the style of old-time radio. The show also draws much inspiration from The Rocky & Bullwinkle Show. The show first began in April...
by Grant Baciocco & Doug Price - Best Fiction (Non-speculative): Death of A Dish Washer by The Seanachai & Patrick McLean
- Best Fan Podcast: The Scapecast by Kevin Bachelder, Lindy Rae, and crew
- Best News Podcast: The Future and YouThe Future And YouThe Future and You is a podcast hosted by Stephen Euin Cobb and teamed with Jim Baen's Universe Magazine...
by Stephen Euin CobbStephen Euin CobbStephen Euin Cobb is a U.S. author, magazine writer, interviewer and host of the award-winning podcast The Future and You...
2007
- Best Speculative Fiction Story (Short Form): "No World for Warriors" Variant Frequencies by Matt Wallace
- Best Speculative Fiction Story (Novella Form): The Arwen by Timothy P. Callahan
- Best Speculative Fiction Story (Novel Form): The Immortalsby Tracy Hickman
- Best Audio Drama (Short Form including Independents): The Radio Adventures Of Dr. Floyd by Grant Baciocco, Doug Price
- Best Audio Drama (Long Form including Independents):Prometheus Radio Theatre by Steven H. Wilson, Scott D. Farquhar
- Best Audio Production: The Radio Adventures Of Dr. Floyd by Grant Baciocco, Doug Price
- Best Video Production: Missing Pages by Jerome Olivier
- Best Video Podcast: Missing Pages by Jerome Olivier
- Best Non-Speculative Fiction: Number One with a Bullet by Mark Yoshimoto Nemcoff
- Best Fan Podcast: The Signal by Jill Arroway, Les Howard, Kari Haley, & crew
- Best Speculative Fiction News Podcast: Skepticality: The Official Podcast of Skeptic Magazine by Derek Colanduno & Robynn "Swoopy" McCarthy
- Best Anime Podcast: GeekNights Wednesdays: Anime Manga Comics by Rym and Scott
- Best Gaming Podcast: Pulp Gamer: Inside Track
- Best Graphic Literature Podcast: Comics Radar by JM Campbell and Matt Melnyk
- Best "Infotainment" Cast: Pulp Gamer: Out of Character
- Best Reality Podcast: Tag in the Seam by Leann
- Best Tech Podcast: The Command Line by Thomas Gideon
- Best Writing Related Podcast: I Should Be Writing by Mur Lafferty
2008
- Best Speculative Fiction Story (Short Form): Red Man by Scott SiglerScott SiglerScott Carl Sigler is a contemporary American author of science fiction and horror as well as an avid podcaster. Originally from Michigan he now resides in San Francisco, California with his wife and their dog, Emma.-Biography:...
- Best Speculative Fiction Story (Novella Form): Heaven - Season Four: Wasteland by Mur LaffertyMur LaffertyMur Lafferty is an American podcaster and writer based in Durham, North Carolina. She attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and graduated with a degree in English. She is the editor and host of Escape Pod since 2010, when she took over from Steve Eley...
- Best Speculative Fiction Story (Long Form): Playing for Keeps by Mur LaffertyMur LaffertyMur Lafferty is an American podcaster and writer based in Durham, North Carolina. She attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and graduated with a degree in English. She is the editor and host of Escape Pod since 2010, when she took over from Steve Eley...
- Best Speculative Fiction Audio Drama (Short Form including Independents): Space Casey by Christiana Ellis
- Best Speculative Fiction Audio Drama (Long Form including Independents): Billibub Baddings and the Case of the Singing Sword by Tee MorrisTee MorrisThomas Earl "Tee" Morris is a contemporary American author of Epic Fantasy, Detective Fiction, and Steampunk as well as a classical actor and avid podcaster. He is a graduate of James Madison University with a degree in theater and mass communications, and resides in Manassas,...
- Best Speculative Fiction Video Podcast: Stranger Things
- Best Speculative Fiction Magazine or Anthology Podcast: Variant Frequencies
- Best Speculative Fiction Comedy/Parody Podcast: Short Cummings Audio
- Best Speculative Fiction Fan Podcast: Galactica Quorum
- Best Speculative Fiction News Podcast: Slice of SciFiSlice of SciFiSlice of SciFi is a podcast and website and part of the FarPoint Media Network that looks into the world of science fiction, fantasy and horror...
- Best Writing-related Podcast: Adventures in Scifi Publishing
- Best “Infotainment” Cast: The Weird Show
- Best Gaming Podcast: The Game Kennel
2009
- Best Speculative Fiction Story (Long Form / Novel): FETIDUS: The Foundation for the Ethical Treatment of the Innocently Damned, Undead and Supernatural by James Durham
- Best Speculative Fiction Story (Novella Form): Eusocial Networking by Scott SiglerScott SiglerScott Carl Sigler is a contemporary American author of science fiction and horror as well as an avid podcaster. Originally from Michigan he now resides in San Francisco, California with his wife and their dog, Emma.-Biography:...
- Best Speculative Fiction Story (Short Form): Under The Bed by Michael Natale (from Variant Frequencies)
- Best Speculative Fiction Audio Drama (Short Form): The Radio Adventures of Dr. FloydThe Radio Adventures of Dr. FloydThe Radio Adventures Of Dr. Floyd is a short audio and video series distributed via podcasting. Created by Grant Baciocco and Doug Price, it is a family friendly show in the style of old-time radio. The show also draws much inspiration from The Rocky & Bullwinkle Show. The show first began in April...
- Best Speculative Fiction Audio Drama (Long Form): Metamor City: Making the Cut
- Best Speculative Fiction Infotainment Podcast: The 365 Days of Astronomy365 Days Of Astronomy365 Days of Astronomy is an educational podcast, inspired by the International Year of Astronomy, that has been published daily since 2009. The podcast episodes are written, recorded and produced by people all around the world....
, the daily podcast of the International Year of Astronomy 2009 - Best Speculative Fiction Comedy /Parody Podcast: Bell's in the Batfry
- Best Speculative Fiction Magazine or Anthology Podcast: PseudopodPseudopod (podcast)Pseudopod is a podcast launched on 11 August 2006 which presents horror genre short stories. It is part of Escape Artists, Inc. which also podcasts Escape Pod and PodCastle. Pseudopod is currently edited by Shawn M. Garrett and hosted by Alasdair Stuart...
- Best Anime Podcast: Anime World Order
- Best Speculative Fiction Fan Podcast: The ScapeCast
- Best Speculative Fiction Video Podcast: Stranger Things
- Best Gaming Podcast: Brilliant Gameologists
- Best Speculative Fiction Music Podcast: The FuMP
- Best Writing Related Podcast: Writing Excuses
- Best Speculative Fiction News Podcast: (Cool) Shite on the Tube
- Best New Speculative Fiction Podcaster/Team: FETIDUS: The Foundation for the Ethical Treatment of the Innocently Damned, Undead and Supernatural
2010
- Best Speculative Fiction Story (Short Form): The Tank by Scott Sigler
- Best Speculative Fiction Story (Novella Form): Personal Effects: Sword of Blood by J.C. Hutchins
- Best Speculative Fiction Story (Long Form): Captain's Share by Nathan Lowell
- Best Speculative Fiction Audio Drama (Short Form): The Metamor City Podcast - "Whispers in the Wood" by Chris Lester
- Best Speculative Fiction Audio Drama (Long Form): Decoder Ring Theatre by Gregg Taylor
- Best Speculative Fiction Video Story: GOLD: Season 1 by David Nett & Andrew R. Deutsch
- Best Speculative Fiction Magazine or Anthology Podcast: The Drabblecast edited by Norm Sherman
- Best New Speculative Fiction Podcaster/Team: In The Gloaming by Nathaniel Tapley
- Best Speculative Fiction Fan or News Podcast (Specific): The Signal featuring Kari Haley, Kevin Bachelder, Kara Helgren, Les Howard, Jutta Jordans, Dave Tomasic, Andy King, Nick Edwards, Miranda Thomas, Helen Eaton, Anna Snyder, James Parkinson, & Jill Arroway
- Best Speculative Fiction Fan or News Podcast (General): Galactic Watercooler featuring Audra, Chuck, & Sean
- Best Podcast about Speculative Fiction Content Creation: Writing Excuses featuring Brandon Sanderson, Dan Wells, Eric James Stone, Howard Tayler, & Stacy Whitman
- Best Fact Behind the Fiction Podcast: Skeptoid featuring Brian Dunning
- Best Speculative Fiction Comedy/Parody Podcast: Teknikal Diffikulties featuring Cayenne Chris Conroy
- Best Speculative Fiction Music Podcast: Radio Free Hipster featuring Z.