The award for Best First Novel was first presented in 1981. Awards presented in a given year are for works published in the previous calendar year.
Locus Award for Best First Novel Public
Created by Phil in SF
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                Dragon's Egg by Robert L. Forward (Dragon's Egg, #1) 5 stars In a moving story of sacrifice and triumph, human scientists establish a relationship with intelligent lifeforms--the cheela--living on Dragon's Egg, … Phil in SF says: 1981 winner 
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                Phil in SF says: 1982 winner 
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                Courtship Rite by Donald Kingsbury Gaet, Hoemei and Joesai are three clone brothers, survivors of the rigorous and deadly process of nurture and weeding that … Phil in SF says: 1983 winner 
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                Tea with the Black Dragon by R.A. MacAvoy (Black Dragon, #1) Martha Macnamara knows that her daughter, Elizabeth, is in trouble—she just doesn’t know what kind. Mysterious phone calls from San … Phil in SF says: 1984 winner 
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                The Wild Shore by Kim Stanley Robinson (Three Californias (1)) 2 stars 2047: and for sixty years America has been quarantined after a devastating nuclear attack. Seventeen-year-old Henry wants to help make … Phil in SF says: 1985 winner 
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                4 stars In December, 1999, a multinational team journeys out to the stars, to the most awesome encounter in human history. Who … Phil in SF says: 1986 winner 
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                Phil in SF says: 1987 winner 
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                Phil in SF says: 1988 winner 
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                Phil in SF says: 1989 winner 
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                Phil in SF says: 1990 winner 
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                In the Country of the Blind by Michael Flynn What if it were all a plot? What if there really were a secret conspiracy running things behind the scenes…and … Phil in SF says: 1991 winner 
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                China Mountain Zhang by Maureen F. McHugh 4 stars China Mountain Zhang is a 1992 science fiction novel by American writer Maureen F. McHugh. The novel is made up … Phil in SF says: 1992 winner 
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                Phil in SF says: 1993 winner 
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                Phil in SF says: 1994 winner 
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                The Bohr Maker by Linda Nagata 3 stars Nikko is the first true "post human"-a man genetically engineered to survive in the airless void of space-but the research … Phil in SF says: 1995 winner 

 
                            












