Category: News

I’m delighted to finally get a chance to read the judges report from the Aurealis Awards.

“The judges shortlisted the last two installments of Marianne de Pierres’ Sentients of Orion series.

“Transformation Space marks the end of this ambitious space opera series. Much more than a convergence of long running plot strands, Transformation Space owes its success to economical prose, controlled manipulation of many narrative threads, and gritty characterisation. Coming through strongly, is de Pierres overriding desire to examine what it means to be human, by means of her all-too–human dramatis-personae. Transformation Space is a gripping conclusion to an epic series filled with intimate personal drama, high concept speculation, and planet smashing action.”

I’ve had some lovely reviews this week that are really worth linking to. The first is a Nylon Angel review from Book Chick City, in tandem with my post on my researching confessions.

The second is this fascinating review of Burn Bright from a GoodReads reader. I love it when people put some real thought into their reflections. Reading Time (magazine of the CBCA) also gave Burn Bright an excellent review which you can read here.

Aside from that, my Aurealis Award turned up in the mail today, so photos are coming soon :)

I’m working on edits of Angel Arias and Tara Sharp book 3, so am back in the writing groove after the disruption of book tour excitement. Now I’m a little more focused, I’ve been thinking of making the Sentients of Orion series available on Smashwords. Since Nightshade Books withdrew from the contract, I’ve been a bit unhappy and unsure as to how to go forward. Winning the award has given me a bit of confidence to pursue making the series more widely available. Currently you can only buy it in Commonwealth countries, and I would really like North American readers to be able to purchase it. If you have an comments or thoughts or advice on this, I would welcome them.

June is going to be a big month for me with two Supanovas and Voices on the Coast, so I need to keep my head down and working up until then. However, while I’m being boring, I think I’ve nearly managed to persuade Tricia Sullivan to guest blog for us soon. Fingers crossed!

In my excitement last night I neglected to say a few things. Below is the full list of winners from the Aurealis Awards. My dear friends Margo Lanagan, Richard Harland and Tansy Rayner Roberts are among them, which totally warms my heart; and am thrilled for Angie Slatter and Helen Merrick. Congrats to all the nominees and winners!

• KRIS HEMBURY ENCOURAGEMENT AWARD: Jodie Cleghorn
• PETER MCNAMARA CONVENORS’ AWARD: Helen Merrick
• BEST SCIENCE FICTION NOVEL: Transformation Space by Marianne de Pierres
• BEST SCIENCE FICTION SHORT STORY: “The Heart of a Mouse” by K.J. Bishop
• BEST FANTASY NOVEL: Power and Majesty by Tansy Rayner Roberts
• BEST FANTASY SHORT STORY [TIE]: “The February Dragon” by L.L. Hannett & Angela Slatter and “Yowie” by Thoraiya Dyer
• BEST HORROR NOVEL: Madigan Mine by Kirstyn McDermott
• BEST HORROR SHORT STORY: “The Fear” by Richard Harland
• BEST ANTHOLOGY: Wings of Fire, Edited by Jonathan Strahan and Marianne S. Jablon
• BEST COLLECTION: The Girl With No Hands by Angela Slatter
• BEST ILLUSTRATED BOOK/GRAPHIC NOVEL: Changing Ways: Book 1 by Justin Randall
• BEST YOUNG ADULT NOVEL: Guardian of the Dead by Karen Healey
• BEST YOUNG ADULT SHORT STORY: “A Thousand Flowers” by Margo Lanagan
• BEST CHILDREN’S FICTION(told primarily through pictures): The Boy and the Toy, Sonya Hartnett (writer) & Lucia Masciullo (illustrator)
• BEST CHILDREN’S FICTION (told primarily through words): The Keepers, Lian Tanner

I also have some great pics from last night’s fundraiser.