1988 in science fiction

The year 1988 was marked, in science fiction, by the following:

Events

• The 46th annual Worldcon, Nolacon II, was held in New Orleans, USA

Births and deaths

Births

• Pierce Brown

Deaths

• Robert A. Heinlein
• Clifford D. Simak

Literary releases

Novels

Further information: Category:1988 science fiction novels

• Mona Lisa Overdrive , by William Gibson
• Wetware , by Rudy Rucker

Comics

• Berserk , by Kentaro Miura

Movies

Further information: Category:1988 science fiction films

• Akira , dir. by Katsuhiro Otomo
• They Live , dir. by John Carpenter

Television

• La Hora Marcada
• Red Dwarf

Video games

• Snatcher
• Wasteland

Other Media

• Cyberpunk , table-top role-playing game, designed by Mike Pondsmith

Awards

Hugos

• Best novel: The Uplift War , by David Brin ^[1]
• Best novella: Eye for Eye , by Orson Scott Card ^[1]
• Best novelette: "Buffalo Gals, Won't You Come Out Tonight", by Ursula K. LeGuin ^[1]
• Best short story: "Why I Left Harry's All-Night Hamburgers", by Lawrence Watt-Evans ^[1]
• Best related work: Michael Whelan's Works of Wonder, by Michael Whelan ^[1]
• Other Forms: Watchmen , by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons ^[1]
• Best dramatic presentation: The Princess Bride , dir. by Rob Reiner; Screenplay by William Goldman; based on his novel ^[1]
• Best professional editor: Gardner Dozois ^[1]
• Best professional artist: Michael Whelan ^[1]
• Best Semiprozine: Locus , ed. by Charles N. Brown ^[1]
• Best fanzine: Texas SF Enquirer, ed. by Pat Mueller ^[1]
• Best fan writer: Mike Glyer ^[1]
• Best fan artist: Brad W. Foster ^[1]

Nebulas

• Best novel: Falling Free , by Lois McMaster Bujold ^[2]
• Best novella: The Last of the Winnebagos , by Connie Willis ^[2]
• Best novelette: "Schrodinger's Kitten", by George Alec Effinger ^[2]
• Best short story: "Bible Stories for Adults, No. 17: The Deluge", by James Morrow ^[2]

Other awards

• Arthur C. Clarke Award: The Seam and Summer , by George Turner
• BSFA Award for Best Novel: Lavondyss , by Robert Holdstock
• Locus Award for Best Science Fiction Novel: The Uplift War, by David Brin
• Saturn Award for Best Science Fiction Film: Alien Nation

References

1. "1988 Hugo Awards". The Hugo Award. Retrieved 25 October 2025.
2. "1988 - The Nebula Awards". The Nebula Awards. Retrieved 25 October 2025.