This presentation was given as part of Dragons in the Metcalfe, and readers advisory seminar on fantasy 9 March 2011

1. Dragons in the Metcalfe
Rowena Specht-Whyte
Judge
Aurealis Awards - Fantasy Novel 2010

2. Speculative Fiction
 Speculative fiction is an umbrella term encompassing the more highly
imaginative fiction genres, specifically science fiction, fantasy, horror, in
literature as well as related static, motion, and virtual arts.
 It is the visionary aspect, in the sense of an author’s vision beyond the
limitations of accepted fact, which distinguishes “speculative” art from
more naturalistic fiction.
“Its concept in its broadest sense captures both a conscious and
unconscious aspect of human psychology in making sense of the
world, reacting to it, and creating imaginary, inventive and artistic
expressions, some of which underlie practical progress through
interpersonal influences, social and cultural movements, scientific
research and advances, and philosophy of science.”
- Wikipedia

3. Aurealis Awards: A History
 The Aurealis Awards were established in 1995 by Chimaera Publications, the publishers of
Aurealis magazine, to recognise the achievements of Australian science fiction, fantasy and
horror writers.
 The Aurealis Awards are intended to complement the Annual Australian National Science
Fiction Convention’s Ditmar Awards and the Australian Children’s Book Council
Awards. Neither of those awards distinguishes between the different categories of speculative
fiction.
 The awards originally comprised four categories: science fiction, fantasy, horror, and young
adult (broadly, 12-16 years). A fifth category for children’s fiction (ages 8-12 years) was
added in 2001. The YA and children's categories cover works in all three speculative fiction
genres.
 The science fiction, fantasy, horror and young adult categories each have two separate awards,
one for novels and one for short fiction. The children’s fiction category also has two separate
awards, one for picture books and one for fiction.
 In 2008, two new categories were introduced: best anthology and collection (separated into
best anthology and best collection), and best illustrated work or graphic novel.

4. Aurealis Awards: Eligibility
 Any work of speculative fiction written by an Australian citizen or permanent
resident and published for the first time during the relevant period.
 When Fantastic Queensland managed the Aurealis Awards on behalf of Chimaera
Publications (2007, 2008, 2009), the eligible publication period was from 1
November to 31 October of each year.
 SpecFaction NSW presently manages the Aurealis Awards on behalf of Chimaera
Publications.
 For 2010, the eligible publication period was from 1 November 2009 to 31
December 2010.
 A work can be entered in more than one category. The judges of each category may
decide eligibility on a case by case basis. For example, if a work is entered into the
science fiction category but does not contain any science fiction elements, the panel
may decide it is ineligible for that category.

5. Aurealis Awards: Judging
 Judges are volunteers and are drawn from the speculative fiction community; from
diverse professions and backgrounds, and may include academics, booksellers,
librarians, published authors, publishing industry professionals, reviewers and
enthusiasts. The only qualification necessary is a demonstrated knowledge of and
interest in their chosen category.
 Being an Aurealis Awards’ judge involves reading entries in a single category,
which may comprise several dozen novels and/or more than a hundred short stories
in the process of evaluating the year’s entries.
 Judges from previous Aurealis Awards’ processes are welcome – indeed
encouraged – to re-apply. In the interests of transparency and impartiality, no one
may judge the same category for more than two consecutive years and a break of
two consecutive years is required before a judge can reapply to be a judge in that
particular category again.

6. Aurealis Awards: About Rowena
 Enthusiast
 Lawyer
 Judge of Horror category (both Novel and Short
Story) 2009
 Horror entries 2009
 approximately 90 short stories (including novellas)
 12 novels (including novellas)
 Fantasy entries 2010
 54 novels

7. Fantasy Novels
 World building
 Political system
 Religion
 Physical environment
 History
 Character
 Development
 Realism
 Some supernatural or “fantastic” element
 Consistency (particularly in “magic”)

8. Australian Fantasy Authors
 Sara Douglass
 Isobelle Carmody
 Juliet Marillier
 Garth Nix
 Traci Harding
 Patricia Wrightson
 Sean Williams
 Kim Wilkins
NB: Examples of “well-known” names only

9. Themes in Australian fantasy
 Flood
 Drought
 Racism
 Isolation
 Scarcity of resources
 Urban sprawl
 Death
 Feminism
 Mateship

10. Recommendations
 X6, coeur de lion publishing, edited by Keith
Stevenson
 “Sea-Hearts” Margo Lanagan – winner 36th
World Fantasy Awards – Novella (2009)
 “Wives” Paul Haines – winner Aurealis Awards –
Horror (2009)
 X6 – finalist Aurealis Awards – Anthology (2009)
NB: Personal opinion, not that of Aurealis Awards

11. Recommendations
 Madigan Mine by Kirstyn McDermott
 Horror
 Dark fantasy
 Possession
When Alex meets Madigan again everything changes. His
childhood sweetheart is beautiful and impulsive, but there is
something wrong with her. Something dangerous.
Then she commits suicide.
Now Alex can’t get Madigan out of his head. Is it all in his
mind, or is she communicating with him?
To save himself and those he loves, Alex must uncover the
sinister reason why Madigan took her own life – and why she
won’t lie still in her grave.
NB: Personal opinion, not that of Aurealis Awards

12. Recommendations
 Death Most Definite by Trent Jamieson
 Urban fantasy
 Detective noir
Steven de Selby has a hangover. Bright lights, loud noise, and lots of
exercise are the last thing he wants. But that’s exactly what he gets
when someone starts shooting at him.
Steven is no stranger to death-Mr. D’s his boss after all-but when a
dead girl saves him from sharing her fate, he finds himself on the
wrong end of the barrel. His job is to guide the restless dead to the
underworld but now his clients are his own colleagues, friends, and
family.
Mr. D’s gone missing and with no one in charge, the dead start to rise,
the living are hunted, and the whole city teeters on the brink of a
regional apocalypse-unless Steven can shake his hangover, not fall for
the dead girl, and find out what happened to his boss- that is, Death
himself.
NB: Personal opinion, not that of Aurealis Awards

13. Recommendations
 Power and Majesty by Tansy Rayner
Roberts
 Historical urban setting
 Magic
 Politics
She almost missed the sight of a naked youth falling out of the sky. He was long
and lean and muscled ... He was also completely off his face.
A war is being fought in the skies over the city of Aufleur. No one sees the
battles. No one knows how close they come to destruction every time the sun sets.
During daylight, all is well, but when nox falls and the sky turns bright, someone
has to step up and lead the Creature Court into battle.
Twelve years ago, Garnet kissed Velody and stole her magic. Five years ago, he
betrayed Ashiol, and took his powers by force. But now the Creature Court is at
a crossroads ... they need a Power and Majesty who won′t give up or lose
themselves in madness ...
NB: Personal opinion, not that of Aurealis Awards

14. Aurealis Awards 2010
 Entries closed 31 December 2010 – 54 novels entered
 Finalists and winner have been decided
 Finalists will be announced next week
 Winner will be announced at Awards’ ceremony in
Sydney on Saturday, 21 May 2011
 All welcome to attend! Details will be posted on the
website: http://www.aurealisawards.com

15. The “value add”
 Aurealis Awards’ judges’ report – 2009
Fantasy Novel
 List of award winners and finalists – Aurealis
Awards 1995-2009 – Fantasy Novel category
Happy reading!