Dragon Con, the pop culture convention held annually over Labor Day weekend in Atlanta, has opened nominations for the newly-created Dragon Awards . The official press release sets the vision for the award:

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 30th 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.

There are seven novel categories, four game categories, a comic book, a graphic novel, a TV and a movie category.

There are no short fiction, editing, magazine or fan award categories.

Winners will be selected in a two-step process.

Nominations: Fans can nominate one (and only one) item in an award category. Nominations are open until July 25.

Finalists: “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.”

The categories are:

Best science fiction novel

Best fantasy novel (including paranormal)

Best young adult/middle grade novel

Best military science fiction or fantasy novel

Best alternate history novel

Best apocalyptic novel

Best horror novel

Best comic book

Best graphic novel

Best episode in a continuing science fiction or fantasy series, TV or internet

Best science fiction or fantasy movie

Best science fiction or fantasy PC / console game

Best science fiction or fantasy mobile game

Best science fiction or fantasy board game

Best science fiction or fantasy miniatures / collectible card / role-playing game

All voting will be done electronically on the Dragon Awards site here .

Voters will be required to register . The FAQ explains:

I’m honest, why do I need to register? We ask you to register for ballot security and to prevent fraud by others. If there is any concern, we may ask you later for identifying information such as a mailing address. We will NEVER ask for confidential, personal information such as your SSN. Once you register, you can access the Dragon Awards site and vote. Once you complete this, you will receive an email to the registered address. Respond to that email and you can begin to nominate and vote. The Dragon Awards reserves the right to invalidate suspect or questionable ballots without notice.

The FAQ also defines the eligible works :

When does my book, game, comic or show have to have been released to qualify for this year? To be eligible for the 2016 Dragon Awards the book, comic, game, movie, or, at least, one episode of any series has to have been released Between April 1, 2015, and the close of nominations, July 25, 2016.

Voting on the finalists will begin in early August and end on the Saturday at Noon of Dragoncon weekend, September 3, 2016.

The 15 category definitions will be of interest to conrunners — the full text follows the jump.

[Thanks to Steven H Silver for the story.]

Best Science Fiction Novel

What is the best and most outstanding science fiction novel you have read in the last year, one that you would tell your friends to read?

Qualifying is any book that is at least 70,000 words long, containing a single story (no anthologies), and has been first released in print or ebook format between 1/1/2015 and 3/1/2016 containing and based upon scientific or science and engineering premises or technology. The release date is shown on the verso, legal information page, at the front of the book. A book may have more than one release date if it comes out in different formats.

Best Fantasy Novel (Including Paranormal)

What is the best and most outstanding novel featuring magic or mythic creatures that you have read in the last year, one that you would tell your friends to read?

Qualifying is any book that is at least 70,000 words long, containing a single story (no anthologies), and has been first released in print or ebook format between 1/1/2015 and 3/1/2016 containing and based upon scientific or science and engineering premises or technology. Release date is shown on the verso, legal information page, at the front of the book. A book may have more than one release date if it comes out in different formats.

Best Young Adult/Middle Grade Novel

What is the best and most outstanding novel for young adults, ages 12 to 18, that you have read in the last year, one that you would recommend for all teenagers to read?

Qualifying is any book written for readers ages 12 to 18 that is at least 45,000 words long, containing a single story (no anthologies), and has been first released in print or ebook format between 1/1/2015 and 2/1/2016 containing significant science fiction or fantasy elements.

Best Military Science Fiction or Fantasy Novel

What is the best and most outstanding novel featuring main characters who are in the military and combat that you have read in the last year, one that you would tell your friends to read?

Qualifying is any book that is at least 70,000 words long, containing a single story (no anthologies), and has been first released in print or ebook format between 1/1/2015 and 2/1/2016 which contains and is based upon some aspect of military combat in any form and in any time period which contains significant science fiction or fantasy elements.

Best Alternate History Novel

What is the best and most outstanding novel whose story takes place in a world that did not happen, but could have been, so is an alternative to the world as we know it that you have read in the last year, one that you would tell your friends to read?

Qualifying is any book that is at least 70,000 words long, containing a single story (no anthologies), and has been first released in print or ebook format between 1/1/2015 and 2/1/2016 whose story is set in a variant future or past universe including those with steam powered technology.

Best Apocalyptic Novel

What is the best and most outstanding novel whose story is based upon a the end of the world, the collapse of civilization, or the destruction of the human race as we know it that you have read in the last year, one that you would tell your friends to read?

Qualifying is any book that is at least 70,000 words long, containing a single story (no anthologies), and has been first released in print or ebook format between 1/1/2015 and 2/1/2016 themed or set after a major and world changing disaster which occurs in the future. This can include ecological, social, zombie, or other world changing events.

Best Horror Novel

What is the best and most outstanding novel whose story is based upon horrific events that you have read in the last year, one that you would tell your friends to read?

Qualifying book featuring and primarily based upon one or more horrific elements that is at least 70,000 words long, containing a single story (no anthologies), and has been first released in print or ebook format between 1/1/2015 and 2/1/2016.

Best Comic Book

What is the best comic or comic book series you have read in the last year, one that you would tell your friends to read?

Qualifying is any publication that contains illustrated story in traditional comic book format (non-animated) that is at least 20 pages long with a consistent set of characters, premises and series title that appears at least four times per year and at least one volume has been first released in print or electronic format between 1/1/2015 and 2/1/2016.

Best Graphic Novel

What is the best single graphic novel that you have read in the last year, one that you would tell your friends to read?

A publication that contains illustrated story in traditional comic book format (non-animated) that is at least 36 pages long and has been first released in print or electronic format between 1/1/2015 and 2/1/2016.

Best Episode in a Continuing Science Fiction or Fantasy Series, TV or Internet

What is the best TV or internet series you have watched and enjoyed over the last year?

Nominate a series as a whole, not a single episode.

Qualifying is any series of media (video and sound) presentations of which no less than four related episodes have appeared between 1/1/2015 and 2/1/2016 which featuring continuing cast or characters, plot elements, and series name presented in any medium.

Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Movie

What is the best theatrical, TV, or internet movie you have watched and enjoyed over the last year?

Qualifying is any single presentation of a story featuring fantasy or science fiction elements no shorter than 74 minutes run time that is not part of any continuing series (movie sequels can be included here) which was first was shown in television, in theaters, or over the internet between 1/1/2015 and 2/1/2016.

Best Science Fiction or Fantasy PC / Console Game

What is the best, absolute most fun to play and look at new science fiction or fantasy themed electronic game that you played in the last year? One that you would recommend to your friends.Please put both the name of the game, and game company.

Qualifying is any science fiction or fantasy themed game that is played primarily on a computer or game console which may or may not include an internet connection and which was released between 1/1/2015 and 2/1/2016.

Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Mobile Game

What is the best, absolute most fun to play and look at new science fiction or fantasy themed electronic game that you played on your phone or tablet in the last year? One that you would recommend to your friends.

Qualifying is any science fiction or fantasy themed game that is played primarily on tablets or phones which may or may not include an internet connection and which was released between 1/1/2015 and 2/1/2016.

Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Board Game

What is the best science fiction or fantasy themed game that is played using a game board of form, including those which are assembled during play, that you have played with or would recommend to your friends.

Qualifying is any non-electronic game for any number of players in which a central board plays an important role in the game play and which was first released between 1/1/2015 and 2/1/2016.

Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Miniatures / Collectable Card / Role-Playing Game

What is the best science fiction or fantasy themed non-electronic game that is not played using a game board of form that you have played with or would recommend to your friends. This can be any type of game or game rules set.

Qualifying is any non-electronic game for any number of players whose central game play element is not a board.