| Years in science fiction |
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History of science fiction Timeline of science fiction |
The year 1981 was marked, in science fiction, by the following:
Events
- The Kurd Laßwitz Award, for German-language science fiction, is established
- The 39th annual Worldcon, Denvention Two, was held in Denver, USA
Births and deaths
Births
Deaths
Literary releases
Novels
Short stories
Anthologies
Children's books
Other books
Comics
- First issue of Nexus, by Mike Baron and Steve Rude
- The first Rogue Trooper story, by Gerry Finley-Day and Dave Gibbons, is published in 2000 AD
Movies
- Escape from New York, dir. by John Carpenter
- Heavy Metal, dir. by Gerald Potterton
- Mad Max 2/The Road Warrior, dir. by George Miller
- Scanners, dir. by David Cronenberg
Television
Video games
Awards
Hugos
- Best novel: The Snow Queen, by Joan D. Vinge[1]
- Best novella: Lost Dorsai, by Gordon R. Dickson[1]
- Best novelette: "The Cloak and the Staff", by Gordon R. Dickson[1]
- Best short story: "Grotto of the Dancing Deer", by Clifford D. Simak[1]
- Best related work: Cosmos, by Carl Sagan[1]
- Best dramatic presentation: The Empire Strikes Back, dir. by Irvin Kershner; screenplay by Leigh Brackett and Lawrence Kasdan; story by George Lucas[1]
- Best professional editor: Edward L. Ferman[1]
- Best professional artist: Michael Whelan[1]
- Best fanzine: Locus, ed. by Charles N. Brown[1]
- Best fan writer: Susan Wood[1]
- Best fan artist: Victoria Poyser[1]
Nebulas
- Best novel: The Claw of the Conciliator, by Gene Wolfe[2]
- Best novella: The Saturn Game, by Poul Anderson[2]
- Best novelette: The Quickening, by Michael Bishop[2]
- Best short story: The Bone Flute, by Lisa Tuttle[2]
Other awards
- BSFA Award for Best Novel: The Shadow of the Torturer, by Gene Wolfe
- Locus Award for Best Science Fiction Novel: The Snow Queen, by Joan D. Vinge
- Saturn Award for Best Science Fiction Film: Superman II
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "1981 Hugo Awards". The Hugo Award. Archived from the original on 3 October 2025. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
- ^ a b c d "1981 Nebula Awards". The Nebula Awards. Archived from the original on 2 June 2025. Retrieved 22 November 2025.