The fantasy fiction
Balrog Award trophies were awarded from 1979 to 1985. The major (stable) categories were Best
Novel, Best
Short Fiction, and Best
Collection/
Anthology. Other awards were given (irregularly) in such categories as
poetry, amateur and professional
achievement and publication,
lifetime achievement, sci-fi and fantasy film
halls of fame, etc.
According to Locus Magazine's website(1), the honors were often "ironically" referred to as "the coveted Balrog Awards". Awards were determined among the nominees by process of fan voting, rather than evaluation by any panel of experts or judges. Thus, the Balrogs were more a measure of popularity than originality or technical merit.
1. Locus Magazine's About the Balrog Award web page at:
http://www.locusmag.com/SFAwards/Db/Balrog.html