 The novel was published by J. B. Lippincott & Co. as a hardcover in 1960 ( although the copyright is 1959 ) , and demand for the book was sufficient to prompt two reprints within the first year . In 1961 it was awarded the Hugo Award for Best Novel by The World Science Fiction Convention . Since then A Canticle for Leibowitz has had new editions and reprints issued in paperback and hardcover more than 40 times , and has never been out of print . It regularly appears on " best of " lists and has been recognized three times with Locus Poll Awards for best all @-@ time science fiction novel . 
