More authoritatively, from the WSFS Constitution, which officially defines the Hugo rules, among other things:

[...] Section 3.2: General.

3.2.1: Unless otherwise specified, Hugo Awards are given for work in the field of science fiction or fantasy appearing for the first time during the previous calendar year.

Moreover, no committee, nor Hugo subcommittee, nor Hugo Administrator, has ever ruled out a piece of fiction because of any judgment on its content (as opposed to place/time/degree of publication): in content, it’s up to the voters to vote for whatever they think they want to nominate, and then vote for.

Naturally, people will always disagree, and some prefer sf, some fantasy, lots of people have different definitions, etc., but none of that is the business of anyone with any power over the Hugos other than each individual voter. And then, of course, everyone gets to opine about how right or wrong the voters were. :-)

Meanwhile, if you want early examples of outright fantasy winning Hugos, note, say, Best Short Story Winner: “Or All the Seas with Oysters” by Avram Davidson [Galaxy May 1958], or “That Hell-Bound Train” by Robert Bloch [F&SF Sep 1958, although a 1959 Hugo winner, since Hugos don't't run by calendar year]. Similarly, the 1959 Best Professional Magazine Hugo winner was The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, which won innumerable times over magazines that focused more on “just” sf. Etc., etc., etc.

This question is a perennial.

The Palais des congrès was a very interesting building, but I swear there’s a space warp in there on the 5th floor. Walking from one end of the building to the other end on the 1st or 2nd floor didn’t seem all that far. However, on the 5th floor it really seemed as if there was an extra building in there somewhere.

And having seen you and your lovely wife together at the Convention, I have to say, she is not only beautiful and tolerant, but also very patient.

Gaiman was nominated for best novel . . . not best science fiction novel. Again from the Hugo Awards web site: “Best Novel: Awarded for a science fiction or fantasy story of forty thousand (40,000) words or more.”

I’m guessing the confusion comes from it being called the “World Science Fiction Convention” and the “World Science Fiction Society,” but it’s really about more than just science fiction. :-)

As for the Hugo for best novel, I voted for Zoe’s Tale and although I love Neil Gaiman’s stuff, I can’t understand why he was nominated for best SCIENCE FICTION novel. Aren’t his books fantasy? No big deal and maybe I’m missing something.

Thanks again, Mr. Scalzi!
Dave Christie
Whitehorse, Yukon

I called them “The entourage for hire” since I almost always saw them in the company of a more than one well known writer.

I share your appreciation of Silverberg. The first time I chaired a Philcon, I called him, out of the blue, to be my GOH and he accepted and was the perfect guest, with the same dry wit. This year, at Anticipation, I was in the Green Room having breakfast before a panel, and Silverberg, Larry Niven and Tom Easton joined me at the table and we started reminiscing about Charlie Brown, who I’d seen at Readercon just before he passed away. People who aren’t in fandom just don’t relaize how awesome it is that things like this happen.

Liz@47:

The Brits are making rumblings about another bid for 2014, so keep an eye out- you may be at a Worldcon sooner than you think.