The Space Odyssey Award is the National Literary Award Committee’s recognition for the best in science fiction literature, independent and mainstream. It’s named after one of the most beloved science fiction novels in the 20^th century – 2001 Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke. This award recognizes the best books in science fiction published today. It’s also for the books that best exemplify what’s great in science fiction and being the proponent of imagination within literature. This award is given out to books in this category published within the last three years of the award year.