[2][3][4][5] In 2009 the awards were described as "one of the most recognizable honors in science and fiction podcasting".
Nominations were accepted from the listening public annually in each of the categories.
The list was vetted for eligibility by the steering committee before producers were invited to submit samples of work for consideration by a panel of judges.
The finalists' work was submitted for judging and the winner was selected by that panel of authors, podcasters, and others knowledgeable in the field of speculative fiction, podcasting, and/or publishing.
[7] Past finalist judges have included Catherine Asaro, Charles de Lint, Cory Doctorow, and Evo Terra.