DRAGON AWARDS TO RECOGNIZE EXCELLENCE IN FICTION, COMICS, GAMING, TV AND MOVIES

 Fans-Focused Process Will Recognize the Best Science Fiction Properties in Fifteen Categories

Awards Will Be Announced at Dragon Con over Labor Day Weekend

ATLANTA – April 5, 2016 – Dragon Con, Atlanta’s internationally known pop culture, fantasy, sci-fi and gaming convention, announced the introduction of the Dragon Awards, a program of fan-chosen awards to recognize outstanding achievement in science fiction and fantasy literature, comics, gaming and filmed entertainment.

The introduction of the Dragon Awards is part of the convention’s 30^th Anniversary celebration.

Dragon Award winners will be selected by all fans – not just Dragon Con members or attendees – in an open nomination and final voting system.  To accommodate as many creative genres as possible, awards will be given in each of 15 categories covering the full range of fiction, comics, television, movies, video gaming and tabletop gaming.  Winners will be announced at the 30^th Anniversary Dragon Con convention, which will be held September 2 to September 5, 2016 in Atlanta.

“We wanted to offer fans an opportunity to vote for their favorite book, comic, movie, television show or game, which just about covers all the different ways that we enjoy science fiction and fantasy today,” said Pat Henry, president of Dragon Con, Inc.  “In the last 30 years, the way we enjoy science fiction and fantasy has changed so much, but the demand for quality has never diminished.  These awards are our way of recognizing the best writers, artists, directors and game designers who breathe life into the things we love.”

Because of the unprecedentedly large pool of fans who are expected to participate in the nominating process, the Dragon Awards will be a true reflection of the works that are genuinely most beloved by the core audience.

Winners will be selected in a two-step process. Using a dedicated Dragon Awards website, fans can nominate one (and only one) of their favorite properties in any or all the award categories.  Nominations will be open from early April until July 25. The best and most popular of the nominated properties in each category will then be offered for a second and final vote beginning August 2. Fans will be allowed to vote just once for each category’s best in this final round of voting.

All voting will be done electronically and only on the Dragon Awards site. No memberships or other qualifiers are required, making the voting open to all of the fans of all forms of science fiction.

The categories for 2016 will be:

1. Best science fiction novel
2. Best fantasy novel (including paranormal)
3. Best young adult/middle grade novel
4. Best military science fiction or fantasy novel
5. Best alternate history novel
6. Best apocalyptic novel
7. Best horror novel
8. Best comic book
9. Best graphic novel
10. Best episode in a continuing science fiction or fantasy series, TV or internet
11. Best science fiction or fantasy movie
12. Best science fiction or fantasy PC / console game
13. Best science fiction or fantasy mobile game
14. Best science fiction or fantasy board game
15. Best science fiction or fantasy miniatures / collectable card / role-playing game

Further details are available on the awards website https://awards.dragoncon.org. Please direct all inquiries to dcawards@dragoncon.org or mail them to: Dragon Awards, PO Box 16459, Atlanta, GA  30321-0459 USA

About Dragon Con

Dragon Con is the internationally known pop culture convention held each Labor Day in Atlanta. Organized for fans, Dragon Con features more than about 3,000 hours of comics, film, television, costuming, art, music and gaming over four days. For more information, please visit www.dragoncon.org and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.