The trade journal that became a cornerstone of speculative fiction
In short: Most people see science fiction as mere entertainment, but for the industry, it is a complex ecosystem of rights, distribution, and prestige. Locus magazine serves as the central nervous system for this world, tracking every book sold, award won, and convention held in the genre.
Founded in 1968 by Charles N. Brown, Ed Meskys, and Dave Vanderwerf, Locus began with a very specific, temporary goal: to help secure Boston as the host for the 1971 World Science Fiction Convention. However, after the 1969 convention in St. Louis, Brown decided to keep the publication running. It eventually filled the void left by 'Science Fiction Times' in 1970, evolving from a mimeographed newszine into the primary trade journal for English-language science fiction and fantasy.
The magazine functions as an essential database for the industry rather than just a fan site. It tracks 'The Data File,' which includes details on rights sales, book deliveries, and publishing promotions. It also maintains the Locus Index to Science Fiction, compiled from its own records of received books. By providing comprehensive listings of new publications—excluding self-published works—it serves as a primary source for what is being produced in the professional market.
Locus's influence is perhaps most visible through its awards and recognition. The Locus Awards, voted on by the magazine's readership, were originally conceived as a reading list for the Hugo Awards but have since become one of the genre's most prestigious honors. The publication has also been a major winner at the Hugos, notably securing 22 'Best Semiprozine' awards between 1984 and 2012 before the category was redefined to exclude professional publications like Locus.
Today, the magazine is owned by a non-profit corporation, the Locus Science Fiction Foundation. While it maintains its print presence in Oakland, California, it also operates an online component that won the first Hugo Award for Best Web Site in 2002. It continues to balance news reporting with critical reviews from notable figures and bimonthly commentary from prominent authors like Cory Doctorow.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Locus (magazine)
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