The Bram Stoker Award is a recognition presented by the Horror Writer's Association (HWA) for "superior achievement" in horror writing. The awards have been presented annually since 1987, and the winners are selected by ballot of the members of the HWA.

Several members of the HWA—including Dean Koontz—were reluctant to endorse such writing awards, fearing it would incite competitiveness rather than friendly admiration. The HWA therefore went to lengths to avoid mean-spirited competition: They agreed to specically seek out new and neglected writers and works, and officially issue awards not based on "best of the year" criteria, but "for superior achievement", which allows for frequent ties.

Currently, the Stoker award is presented in the following categories:

• Best Novel (1987—)
• Best First Novel (1987—)
• Best Long Fiction (1998—)
• Best Short Fiction (1998—)
• Best Fiction Collection (1998—)
• Best Anthology (1998—)
• Best Non-Fiction (1987—)
• Best Illustrated Narrative (1998—)
• Best Screenplay (1998—)
• Best Work for Young Readers (1998—)
• Best Poetry Collection (2000—)
• Best Alternative Forms (1998—)
• Lifetime Achievement (1987—)

Discontinued categories include:

• Best Novelette (1987–1997)
• Best Short Story (1987–1997)
• Best Collection (1987–1997)

External links

• Official website (http://www.horror.org/stokers.htm)