The Aldiss Award

WORLD BUILDING

An annual award to acknowledge endeavours in literature and gaming, specifically around world building, in the science fiction & fantasy genre.

British Science Fiction Association
UK Interactive Entertainment
British Fantasy Society

World Building
Our Definition

World building in a story is about how the author or writer (in the context of games) is able to create a sense of the setting, scene and character of their fiction in the mind of their audience. It is about reaching out to the imaginations of others and creating a world for them to explore whilst engaging with the text, as well as afterwards. Good worlds linger in the mind, they spark ideas and encourage people to dream.

Why The Aldiss Award

Throughout his career Brian Aldiss, Science Fiction Grandmaster, first president of the British Science Fiction Association, and creator of worlds, helped nurture the creative spirit of modern fiction that is alive and well today. In conjunction with what would have been his centenary year and with the blessing of the Aldiss Literary Estate, this new prestigious award will help triumph this special skill within today’s cultural nebula, and embraces gaming as well as literature.

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Our Partners

Our judging panel will be made up of select members of the British Science Fiction Association, the British Fantasy Society, and the UK Interactive Entertainment Association.

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Our Reach

Streamed live, the award is presented at the start of the Saturday evening awards ceremony at the prestigious World Fantasy Awards on the Saturday night of the World Fantasy Convention. Held in October 2025 in front of an audience of 1,000 delegates, the inaugural award was broadcast to a global audience.

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“This tremendous world I have inside of me. How to free myself, and this world, without tearing myself to pieces. And rather tear myself to a thousand pieces than be buried with this world within me.”

Kafka Franz

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Diaries, 1910-1923

Publishers & Independents can submit their work here.

✓ PUBLISHERS

✓ INDEPENDENTS

Read more about submissions

Frequently Asked Questions

How does this differ from every other award?

We believe that any award celebrating the creative process is a good one, and hope that we have found a niche to celebrate in world building.

When do submissions open and close?

We’re honouring Brian W. Aldiss’s birthday and opening submissions on the 18th August 2024.

What’s the submission criteria?

Titles must have been published in the UK in 2024.

Where will the award be given?

We are still looking for a home! There’s talk of the World Science Fiction or Fantasy Conventions, so watch this space!

What’s the award?

We are hoping to make the award a cash award along with a trophy which will honour the other great trophies given in the literary world.

What’s the cost of entry?

We have a tiered submission cost based on whether you are an independent or a publishing house. See the submission page for more detail.

“Whatever creativity is, it is in part a solution to a problem.”

Brian Aldiss

Discover the ART OF WORLD BUILDING

World Building one blog at a time