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Sfinks Award

Entry updated 6 October 2025. Tagged: Award.

Polish Award for Fantastika published in Poland in the preceding year, established in 1995 by the editors of SFinks and awarded until 2015.

Initially, the winners were chosen by SFinks readers and customers of the Warsaw bookshop Verbum 2. First given in 1995 for work published in the previous calendar year, the awards were normally announced and presented on the third day of the Międzynarodowy Festiwal Fantastyki [International Festival of Fantastic Fiction] held annually in the town of Nidzica. As SFinks ceased publication in 2003, since 2005 the award was also under the patronage of the Solaris Foundation (the Verbum 2 bookstore was also gone by that time).

The award, initially a diploma and later a cast-bronze statuette designed by Wojtek Sedeńko (who was also the founder of SFinks, the Verbum 2 bookstore, the Nidzica festival and the Solaris Foundation), was intended as a broad popularity poll: in the main category, Książka Roku [Book of the Year], every fantastika book published in Poland during the year – original or translated, novel or collection, first edition or reprint – was eligible, the only requirement being that it be obtainable in the Polish market. Other more specific categories were Polska Powieść Roku [Polish Novel of the Year], Polskie Opowiadanie Roku [Polish Short Story of the Year], Zagraniczna Powieść Roku [Foreign Novel of the Year] and Zagraniczne Opowiadanie Roku [Foreign Short Story of the Year]. In 1996 a new category was introduced – Debiut Roku [Debut of the Year] – but it was quickly removed, lasting only a single edition. In Polish categories the award went to the author; in foreign categories to the Polish publisher of the relevant book. Voters could list up to three preferred works in each category, all votes carrying equal weight. A work could win multiple awards in a year in the Best Polish/Foreign and general categories, although this happened rarely; see for example the novel winners in 1998 and 2002. Voting, conducted by post or (later) online, was administered from 2000 by a small committee comprising Elżbieta Magiera, Ewa Łupińska and Bożena Wasak. Turnout in the award's peak years was in the thousands: in 2011 over 4,000 valid ballots were counted.

After the 2014 awards (for 2013 publications) presented at the 21st Nidzica Festival, the Sfinks Award was suspended. Organizers cited a steep decline in voting numbers from the high levels of the early 2000s, reflecting both reduced reach of SFinks – by then a small-circulation revival distributed mainly through Solaris Publishing House (again a Sedeńko initiative) – and shifting patterns of fan engagement. Unofficial commentary pointed also to the award's increasingly niche voter base, rooted in the readership of SFinks, whose preferences could seem out of step with broader trends, and to overlap with other honours, especially the convention-based Janusz A Zajdel Award. Whether its electorate was broader than that of the Zajdel is hard to determine. There was also some skew towards works promoted/published by Sedeńko's outlets (nearly a quarter, i.e. 14 out of 61 awards, went to works published by SFinks and Solaris). The award has not been formally abolished, and Sedeńko has indicated that a revival remains possible should fan interest warrant, but no ballots have been issued since 2015. Solaris Foundation, founded to support the award, was liquidated in 2019; SFinks itself, after a hiatus from 2003 to 2009, has been reactivated and is still being published as of 2025.

The electorate's tastes leaned towards established names, classic sf reissues and popular Anglophone fantasy. Giving reprints (such as the 2013 Book of the Year was a Lovecraft's collection) and translations equal footing with new work distinguished the Sfinks from other Polish awards like the Zajdel Award, which focus solely on contemporary Polish fiction. It also provides interesting if somewhat random data on which older works can still appeal to the modern readers: Lovecraft, but also for example Bretnor. Additionally, the results served as an informal gauge of whether voters preferred Polish or translated works in a given year; in the Book of the Year category, Polish titles prevailed only about a quarter of the time.

The award recorded domestic successes – notably repeated wins by Jacek Dukaj, Jarosław Grzędowicz, Andrzej Sapkowski and Rafał A Ziemkiewicz – alongside the strong presence in translation of Ted Chiang, Neil Gaiman, China Miéville and Dan Simmons. The unusually broad Book of the Year category produced wins for reprints and Anthologies as well as novels, reflecting the award's aim to measure popularity rather than novelty. At its early-2000s peak it rivalled the Zajdel in visibility, though its rules gave it a different, more international character. Despite a possible bias over works published by SFinks/Solaris, over its two decades, the Sfinks Award traced a useful history of the tastes of Poland's Fantastika readership. [PKo/DRL]

Book of the year

Note: the award could be (and often was) given to a reprint or retranslation, so not all winners below are first editions or first translations.

  • 1995: J R R Tolkien, Niedokończone opowieści (Warsaw: Atlantis-Rubicon, 1994; trans by Paulina Braiter and Agnieszka Sylwanowicz of Unfinished Tales coll 1980)
  • 1996: Ursula K Le Guin, Lewa ręka ciemności (Warsaw: Prószyński i S-ka, 1995; trans by Lech Jęczmyk of The Left Hand of Darkness 1969)
  • 1997: Philip K Dick, Człowiek z Wysokiego Zamku (Poznań: Zysk i S-ka, 1996; trans by Lech Jęczmyk of The Man in the High Castle 1962)
  • 1998: Andrzej Sapkowski, Wieża Jaskółki (Warsaw: SuperNowa, 1997; trans by David French as The Tower of the Swallow 2006)
  • 1999: Mikhail Bulgakov, Mistrz i Małgorzata (Warsaw: Prószyński i S-ka, 1998; trans by Witold Dąbrowski and Irena Lewandowska of Master i Margarita 1977; trans by Michael Glenny as The Master and Margarita 1967)
  • 2000: J R R Tolkien, Władca Pierścieni (Poznań: Zysk i S-ka, 1999; trans by Jerzy Łoziński of The Lord of the Rings 1954-1955 3vols)
  • 2001: Jacek Dukaj, W kraju niewiernych ["In the Land of the Unbelievers"] (Warsaw: SuperNowa, coll 2000)
  • 2002: Jacek Dukaj, Czarne oceany ["Black Oceans"] (Warsaw: SuperNowa, 2001)
  • 2003: Harlan Ellison, Niebezpieczne wizje (Olsztyn: Solaris, 2002; trans by various translators of Dangerous Visions anth 1967)
  • 2004: China Miéville, Dworzec Perdido (Poznań: Zysk i S-ka, 2003; trans by Maciej Szymański of Perdido Street Station 2000)
  • 2005: Andreas Eschbach, Wideo z Jezusem (Olsztyn: Solaris, 2004; trans by Joanna Filipek of Das Jesus Video 1998)
  • 2006: Kroki w nieznane 2005 ["Steps into the Unknown 2005"] (Olsztyn: Solaris, anth 2005)
  • 2007: Ted Chiang, Historia twojego życia (Olsztyn: Solaris, 2006; trans by various translators of Story of Your Life coll 2002)
  • 2008: Frank Herbert, Diuna (Poznań: Rebis, 2007; trans by Jerzy Łoziński of Dune fixup 1965)
  • 2009: Cormac McCarthy, Droga (Kraków: Wydawnictwo Literackie, 2008; trans by Robert Sudół of The Road 2006)
  • 2010: Michael Chabon, Związek żydowskich policjantów (Warszawa : W.A.B. 2009; trans of The Yiddish Policemen's Union 2007)
  • 2011: Jacek Dukaj, Król Bólu (Kraków: Wydawnictwo Literackie, coll 2010)
  • 2012: Lech Jęczmyk, Rakietowe szlaki Vol 1 "Rocket Trails Vol 1" (Olsztyn: Solaris, anth 2011)
  • 2013: George R R Martin, Taniec ze smokami Vol 2 (Poznań: Zysk i S-ka, 2012; trans by Michał Jakuszewski of A Dance with Dragons 2011)
  • 2014: H P Lovecraft, Zgroza w Dunwich ["The Dunwich Horror"] (Poznań: Vesper; coll 2013; trans by Maciej Płaza of various Lovecraft stories, most previously published in Poland)

Polish novel of the year

Polish short story of the year

  • 1995: Ewa Białołęcka, "Tkacz iluzji" ["Weaver of Illusions"] (August 1994 Nowa Fantastyka)
  • 1996: Konrad T Lewandowski, "Noteka 2015" (April 1995 Nowa Fantastyka)
  • 1997: Rafał A Ziemkiewicz, "Śpiąca królewna" ["Sleeping Beauty"] in Czerwone dywany, odmierzony krok ["Red Carpets, Measured Step"] (coll 1996)
  • 1998: Adam Wiśniewski-Snerg, "Dzikus" ["Wildman"] (August 1997 Nowa Fantastyka)
  • 1999: Jacek Dukaj, "Serce mroku" ["Heart of Darkness"] (November 1998 Nowa Fantastyka)
  • 2000: Marek Oramus, "Miejsce na Ziemi" ["Place on Earth"] (August 1999 Nowa Fantastyka)
  • 2001: Andrzej Ziemiański, "Bomba Heisenberga" ["Heisenberg Bomb"] (September 2000 Nowa Fantastyka)
  • 2002: Andrzej Ziemiański, "Waniliowe plantacje Wrocławia" ["Vanilla Plantations of Wrocław"] (September 2001 Nowa Fantastyka)
  • 2003: Andrzej Ziemiański, "Legenda, czyli pijąc wódkę we Wrocławiu" ["Legend, that is Drinking Vodka in Wrocław"] (October 2002 Nowa Fantastyka)
  • 2004: Andrzej Ziemiański, "Zapach szkła" ["The Smell of Glass"] (October 2003 Nowa Fantastyka)
  • 2005: Jarosław Grzędowicz, "Buran wieje z tamtej strony" ["Buran Blows from the Other Side"] (Kroki w nieznane ["Steps into the Unknown"] anth 2004)
  • 2006: Krzysztof Kochański, "Interesy nie idą dobrze" ["Business Is Not Going Well"] (April 2005 Nowa Fantastyka)
  • 2007: Łukasz Orbitowski, "Nie umieraj przede mną" ["Don't Die Before Me"] (June 2006 Nowa Fantastyka)
  • 2008: Łukasz Orbitowski, "Cichy dom" ["Quiet House"] (A. D. XIII Vol. 2 anth 2007)
  • 2009: Maja Lidia Kossakowska, "Beznogi tancerz" (Żarna niebios ["Millstones of Heaven"] coll 2008)
  • 2010: Łukasz Orbitowski, "Głowa węża" ["Snake's Head"](October 2009 Nowa Fantastyka)
  • 2011: Robert M Wegner, "Najlepsze, jakie można kupić" ["Best You Can Buy"] (Opowieści z meekhańskiego pogranicza. Wschód-Zachód ["Tales from the Meekhan Borderlands. East-West"] coll 2010)
  • 2012: Maja Lidia Kossakowska, "Szefie, mamy problem" ["Boss, We Have a Problem"] (December 2011 Science Fiction, Fantasy i Horror) (see Science Fiction)
  • 2013: Rafał Kosik, "Miasto ponad i pod" ["City Above and Below"] (Herosi ["Heroes"] anth 2012)
  • 2014: Andrzej Pilipiuk, "Czarne parasole" ["Black Umbrellas"] (Opowieści niesamowite ["Amazing Stories"] anth 2013)

Foreign novel of the year

  • 1995: Dan Simmons, Hyperion (Warsaw: Amber, 1994; trans by Arkadiusz Nakoniecznik of Hyperion 1989)
  • 1996: Joe Haldeman, Wieczna wojna (Poznań: Zysk i S-ka, 1995; trans by Zbigniew A. Królicki of The Forever War fixup 1974)
  • 1997: Philip K Dick, Płyńcie łzy moje, rzekł policjant (Poznań: Zysk i S-ka, 1996; trans by Zbigniew A. Królicki of Flow My Tears, the Policeman Said 1974)
  • 1998: Neal Stephenson, Diamentowy wiek (Poznań: Zysk i S-ka, 1997; trans by Jędrzej Polak of The Diamond Age 1995)
  • 1999: Walter Jon Williams, Metropolita (Warsaw: Mag, 1998; trans by Grażyna Grygiel and Piotr Staniewski of Metropolitan 1995)
  • 2000: Neal Stephenson, Zamieć (Poznań: Zysk i S-ka, 1999; trans by Jędrzej Polak of Snow Crash 1992)
  • 2001: George R R Martin, Starcie królów (Poznań: Zysk i S-ka, 2000; trans by Michał Jakuszewski of A Clash of Kings 1997)
  • 2002: Umberto Eco, Baudolino (Warsaw: Noir sur Blanc; trans by Adam Szymanowski of Baudolino 2000; trans by William Weaver as Baudolino 2001)
  • 2003: Neil Gaiman, Amerykańscy bogowie (Warsaw: Mag, 2002; trans by Paulina Braiter of American Gods 2001)
  • 2004: Marina & Sergey Dyachenko, Czas wiedźm (2002; trans by Eugeniusz Dębski of Ved'min vek ["Time of the Witches"], date not ascertained)
  • 2005: Dan Simmons, Ilion (Warsaw: Amber, 2004; trans by Grzegorz Komerski of Ilium 2003)
  • 2006: Steph Swainston, Rok naszej wojny (Olsztyn: Solaris, 2005; trans by Agnieszka Jacewicz of The Year of Our War 2004)
  • 2007: China Miéville, Blizna (Poznań: Zysk i S-ka, 2006; trans by Tomasz Bieroń of The Scar 2002)
  • 2008: Terry Pratchett, Prawda (Warsaw: Prószyński i S-ka, 2000; trans by Piotr W. Cholewa of The Truth 2000)
  • 2009: Peter Watts, Ślepowidzenie (Warsaw: Mag, 2008; trans by Wojciech M. Próchniewicz of Blindsight 2006)
  • 2010: Charles Stross, Accelerando (Warsaw: Mag, 2009; trans by Wojciech M. Próchniewicz of Accelerando fixup 2005)
  • 2011: China Miéville, Miasto i miasto (Poznań: Zysk i S-ka, 2006; trans by Michał Jakuszewski of The City & the City 2009)
  • 2012: George R R Martin, Taniec ze smokami Vol 1 (Poznań: Zysk i S-ka, 2011; trans by Michał Jakuszewski of A Dance with Dragons Volume 1 2011)
  • 2013: Dan Simmons, Drood (Warsaw: Mag, 2009; trans by Wojciech Szypuła and Małgorzata Strzelec of Drood 2009)
  • 2014: China Miéville, Ambasadoria (Poznań: Zysk i S-ka, 2013; trans by Krystyna Chodorowska of Embassytown 2012)

Foreign short story of the year

  • 1995: Mike Conner, "Pies przewodnik" (January 1994 Nowa Fantastyka; trans of "Guide Dog", May 1991 F&SF)
  • 1996: David Gerrold, "Dziecko z Marsa" (December 1995 Nowa Fantastyka; trans of "The Martian Child", September 1994 F&SF)
  • 1997: Mike Resnick, "Kirinyaga" (April 1996 Nowa Fantastyka; trans of "Kirinyaga", November 1988 F&SF)
  • 1998: Mike Resnick, "Kiedy starzy bogowie umierają" (August 1997 Nowa Fantastyka; trans of "When the Old Gods Die", April 1995 Asimov's)
  • 1999: Peter S Beagle, "Czarodziej z Karakosk" (September 1998 Nowa Fantastyka; trans of "The Magician of Karakosk" in David Copperfield's Beyond Imagination, anth 1996, ed David Copperfield and Janet Berliner)
  • 2000: Reginald Bretnor, "Kolekcjoner tajemnic" (September 1999 Nowa Fantastyka; trans of "The Gnurrs Come from the Voodvork Out", Winter/Spring 1950 F&SF)
  • 2001: Mike Resnick, "Łowy na Snarka" (October 2000 Nowa Fantastyka; trans of "Hunting the Snark", December 1999 Asimov's)
  • 2002: George R R Martin and Howard Waldrop (the award names only Martin), "Nie wolno zabijać człowieka" (September 2001 Nowa Fantastyka; trans of "Men of Greywater Station", March 1976 Amazing)
  • 2003: Ted Chiang, "Historia twojego życia" (February 2002 SFinks; trans of "Story of Your Life" in Starlight 2, anth 1998, ed Patrick Nielsen Hayden)
  • 2004: Fritz Leiber, "Zdążyć na Zeppelina" (April 2003 Nowa Fantastyka; trans of "Catch That Zeppelin!", March 1975 F&SF)
  • 2005: Gregory Benford, "Taniec w rytmie niezwykłej muzyki" (Poznań: Zysk i S-ka, To, co najlepsze w SF 4 2004 ["Year's Best SF 1998"] anth 1999; trans of "A Dance to Strange Musics", November 1998 Science Fiction Age)
  • 2006: Ted Chiang, "72 litery" (Olsztyn: Solaris; Kroki w nieznane 2005 ["Steps into the Unknown 2005"] 2005 anth, trans of "Seventy-Two Letters" in Vanishing Acts, anth 2000, ed Ellen Datlow)
  • 2007: Neil Gaiman, "Studium w szmaragdzie" (April 2006 Nowa Fantastyka; trans of "A Study in Emerald" in Shadows Over Baker Street anth 2003 ed John Pelan and Michael Reeves)
  • 2008: Neil Gaiman, "Ja, Cthulhu" (March 2007 Nowa Fantastyka; trans of "I, Cthulhu", 1987 Dagon #16)
  • 2009: Marina and Sergey Dyachenko, "Ostatni Don Kichote" (Olsztyn: Solaris; Rytuał ["Ritual"] 2008 anth, trans of "Posliednij Don Kichot" ["Last Don Quixote"] July 2000 Yesli ["If"])
  • 2010: Ian McDonald, "Mała bogini" (Olsztyn: Solaris; Kroki w nieznane 2009 ["Steps into the Unknown 2009"] 2009 anth; trans of "The Little Goddess", June 2005 Asimov's)
  • 2011: Ted Chiang, "Cykl życia oprogramowania" (Olsztyn: Solaris; Kroki w nieznane 2010 ["Steps into the Unknown 2010"] 2010 anth; trans of The Lifecycle of Software Objects 2010)
  • 2012: Neil Gaiman, "Inwokacja Obojętności" ["An Invocation of Incuriosity"] (Olsztyn: Solaris; Pieśni Umierającej Ziemi anth 2011; trans of "An Invocation of Incuriosity" in Songs of the Dying Earth, anth 2009, ed Gardner Dozois and George R R Martin)
  • 2013: Ted Chiang, "Automatyczna niania Daceya" (Olsztyn: Solaris; Kroki w nieznane 2012 ["Steps into the Unknown 2012"] 2012 anth; trans of "Dacey's Patent Automatic Nanny" in The Thackery T. Lambshead Cabinet of Curiosities, anth 2011, ed Ann VanderMeer and Jeff VanderMeer)
  • 2014: Brandon Sanderson, "Nowa dusza cesarza" (Olsztyn: Solaris; Kroki w nieznane 2013 ["Steps into the Unknown 2013"] anth 2013; trans of The Emperor's Soul 2012)

Debut of the year

  • 1996: Tomasz Lechociński, "Łzy Boga" ["God Tears"] (September 1995 Nowa Fantastyka)

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