Aurealis Award for best fantasy short story
Encyclopedia
The Aurealis Awards are presented annually by the Australia-based Chimaera Publications
and SpecFaction NSW to published works in order to "recognise the achievements of Australian science fiction
, fantasy
, horror
writers". To qualify, a work must have been first published by an Australian citizen or permanent resident between 1 November of the prior year and 31 October of the current year; the presentation ceremony is held the following year. It has grown from a small function of around 20 people to a two-day event attended by over 200 people.
Since their creation in 1995, awards have been given in various categories of speculative fiction
. Categories currently include science fiction, fantasy, horror, speculative young-adult fiction—with separate awards for novels and short fiction—collections, anthologies, illustrative works or graphic novel
s, children's novel
s, children's illustrative work or picture book, and an award for excellence in speculative fiction. The awards have attracted the attention of publishers by setting down a benchmark in science fiction and fantasy. The continued sponsorship by publishers such as HarperCollins
and Orbit
has identified the award as an honour to be taken seriously.
The results are decided by a panel of judges from a list of submitted nominees; the long-list of nominees is reduced to a short-list of finalists. Ties can occur if the panel decides both entries show equal merit, however they are encouraged to choose a single winner. The judges may declare a "no award" if there is unanimous agreement that none of the nominees are worthy. The judges are selected from a public application process by the Award's management team.
This article lists all the short-list nominees and winners in the best fantasy short story category, as well as short stories that have received honourable mentions or have been highly commended. Since 2003, hounarable mentions and high commendations have been awarded intermittently. Of the 20 winners, two people have won the award twice – Richard Harland
and Lucy Sussex
. Sussex shares the record for most nominations with Angela Slatter, both having been nominated five times.
Winners and joint winners
Nominees on the shortlist
Highly commended
Honourable mentions
Chimaera Publications
Chimaera Publications is a publisher based in Mount Waverley, Victoria, Australia. The company currently publishes the speculative fiction magazine Aurealis as well as running the Aurealis Awards.-History:...
and SpecFaction NSW to published works in order to "recognise the achievements of Australian science fiction
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
, fantasy
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
, horror
Horror fiction
Horror fiction also Horror fantasy is a philosophy of literature, which is intended to, or has the capacity to frighten its readers, inducing feelings of horror and terror. It creates an eerie atmosphere. Horror can be either supernatural or non-supernatural...
writers". To qualify, a work must have been first published by an Australian citizen or permanent resident between 1 November of the prior year and 31 October of the current year; the presentation ceremony is held the following year. It has grown from a small function of around 20 people to a two-day event attended by over 200 people.
Since their creation in 1995, awards have been given in various categories of speculative fiction
Speculative fiction
Speculative fiction is an umbrella term encompassing the more fantastical fiction genres, specifically science fiction, fantasy, horror, supernatural fiction, superhero fiction, utopian and dystopian fiction, apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction, and alternate history in literature as well as...
. Categories currently include science fiction, fantasy, horror, speculative young-adult fiction—with separate awards for novels and short fiction—collections, anthologies, illustrative works or graphic novel
Graphic novel
A graphic novel is a narrative work in which the story is conveyed to the reader using sequential art in either an experimental design or in a traditional comics format...
s, children's novel
Children's literature
Children's literature is for readers and listeners up to about age twelve; it is often defined in four different ways: books written by children, books written for children, books chosen by children, or books chosen for children. It is often illustrated. The term is used in senses which sometimes...
s, children's illustrative work or picture book, and an award for excellence in speculative fiction. The awards have attracted the attention of publishers by setting down a benchmark in science fiction and fantasy. The continued sponsorship by publishers such as HarperCollins
HarperCollins
HarperCollins is a publishing company owned by News Corporation. It is the combination of the publishers William Collins, Sons and Co Ltd, a British company, and Harper & Row, an American company, itself the result of an earlier merger of Harper & Brothers and Row, Peterson & Company. The worldwide...
and Orbit
Orbit Books
Orbit Books is an international publisher that specialises in science fiction and fantasy books. It was founded in 1974 as part of the Macdonald Futura publishing company...
has identified the award as an honour to be taken seriously.
The results are decided by a panel of judges from a list of submitted nominees; the long-list of nominees is reduced to a short-list of finalists. Ties can occur if the panel decides both entries show equal merit, however they are encouraged to choose a single winner. The judges may declare a "no award" if there is unanimous agreement that none of the nominees are worthy. The judges are selected from a public application process by the Award's management team.
This article lists all the short-list nominees and winners in the best fantasy short story category, as well as short stories that have received honourable mentions or have been highly commended. Since 2003, hounarable mentions and high commendations have been awarded intermittently. Of the 20 winners, two people have won the award twice – Richard Harland
Richard Harland
Richard Harland Richard Harland Richard Harland (born 15 January 1947 in Yorkshire is an English fantasy and science fiction writer, living in New South Wales, Australia. He was born in 1947 in Huddersfield, United Kingdom and migrated to Australia in 1970...
and Lucy Sussex
Lucy Sussex
Lucy Sussex is a fantasy and science fiction author, editor, academic and teacher currently residing in Melbourne, Australia.She is often associated with feminist science fiction.-Personal life:...
. Sussex shares the record for most nominations with Angela Slatter, both having been nominated five times.
Winners and nominees
In the following table, the years correspond to the year of the book's eligibility; the ceremonies are always held the following year. Each year links to the corresponding "year in literature" article. Entries with a blue background have won the award; those with a white background are the nominees on the short-list. If the short story was originally published in a book with other stories rather than by itself or in a magazine, the book title is included after the publisher's name.Winners and joint winners
Nominees on the shortlist
| Year | Author(s) | Short story | Publisher or publication | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| * | Eidolon | |||
| Sybylla (She's Fantastical) | ||||
| Aurealis Aurealis Aurealis is a Australian speculative fiction magazine published by Chimaera Publications. The magazine was launched in September 1990 to provide a market for speculative fiction writers, with a particular emphasis on raising the profile of Australian authors.In 1995 the magazine instituted the... |
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| Aurealis Aurealis Aurealis is a Australian speculative fiction magazine published by Chimaera Publications. The magazine was launched in September 1990 to provide a market for speculative fiction writers, with a particular emphasis on raising the profile of Australian authors.In 1995 the magazine instituted the... |
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| Eidolon | ||||
| * | Penguin Penguin Books Penguin Books is a publisher founded in 1935 by Sir Allen Lane and V.K. Krishna Menon. Penguin revolutionised publishing in the 1930s through its high quality, inexpensive paperbacks, sold through Woolworths and other high street stores for sixpence. Penguin's success demonstrated that large... (Dream Weavers Dream Weavers (anthology) Dream Weavers is a 1996 fantasy anthology edited by Paul Collins.-Background:Dream Weavers was first published in September 1996 by Penguin Books in trade paperback format. It was a short-list nominee for the 1997 Ditmar Award for best long fiction but lost to Lucy Sussex' The Scarlet Rider. Dream... ) |
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| Viking Viking Press Viking Press is an American publishing company owned by the Penguin Group, which has owned the company since 1975. It was founded in New York City on March 1, 1925, by Harold K. Guinzburg and George S. Oppenheim... (Green Monkey Dreams) |
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| UQP University of Queensland Press Established in 1948, University of Queensland Press is a dynamic publishing house known for its innovative philosophy and commitment to producing books of high quality and cultural significance... (Original Sin) |
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| Eidolon | ||||
| Allen & Unwin Allen & Unwin Allen & Unwin, formerly a major British publishing house, is now an independent book publisher and distributor based in Australia. The Australian directors have been the sole owners of the Allen & Unwin name since effecting a management buy out at the time the UK parent company, Unwin Hyman, was... (Letters to Francesca) |
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| * | Roc Roc Books Roc Books is a fantasy imprint of Penguin Group, as part of their New American Library. The imprint was launched in April 1990 after Penguin Chairman, Peter Mayer, asked John Silbersack, the editor in chief of New American Library's science fiction program, to launch a new imprint that would draw... (The Horns of Elfland The Horns of Elfland The Horns of Elfland is a 1997 fantasy anthology edited by Ellen Kushner, Delia Sherman and Donald G. Keller.-Background:The Horns of Elfland was first published in April 1997 by Roc Books in paperback format. It was a nominee in the 1998 Locus Awards for best anthology, finishing eighth out of 17.... ) |
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| Penguin Penguin Books Penguin Books is a publisher founded in 1935 by Sir Allen Lane and V.K. Krishna Menon. Penguin revolutionised publishing in the 1930s through its high quality, inexpensive paperbacks, sold through Woolworths and other high street stores for sixpence. Penguin's success demonstrated that large... (Twins) |
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| Anchor (Influence: Australian Voices) | ||||
| Eidolon | ||||
| HarperCollins HarperCollins HarperCollins is a publishing company owned by News Corporation. It is the combination of the publishers William Collins, Sons and Co Ltd, a British company, and Harper & Row, an American company, itself the result of an earlier merger of Harper & Brothers and Row, Peterson & Company. The worldwide... (Enter: HQ/Flamingo Short Story Collection) |
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| * | Voyager (Dreaming Down-Under Dreaming Down-Under Dreaming Down-Under is a 1998 speculative fiction anthology edited by Jack Dann and Janeen Webb-Background:Dreaming Down-Under was first published in Australia in November 1998 by Voyager Books in trade paperback format.... ) |
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| Voyager (Dreaming Down-Under Dreaming Down-Under Dreaming Down-Under is a 1998 speculative fiction anthology edited by Jack Dann and Janeen Webb-Background:Dreaming Down-Under was first published in Australia in November 1998 by Voyager Books in trade paperback format.... ) |
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| Voyager (Dreaming Down-Under Dreaming Down-Under Dreaming Down-Under is a 1998 speculative fiction anthology edited by Jack Dann and Janeen Webb-Background:Dreaming Down-Under was first published in Australia in November 1998 by Voyager Books in trade paperback format.... ) |
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| Voyager (Dreaming Down-Under Dreaming Down-Under Dreaming Down-Under is a 1998 speculative fiction anthology edited by Jack Dann and Janeen Webb-Background:Dreaming Down-Under was first published in Australia in November 1998 by Voyager Books in trade paperback format.... ) |
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| Moonstone (Fantastic Worlds) | ||||
| * | Aurealis Aurealis Aurealis is a Australian speculative fiction magazine published by Chimaera Publications. The magazine was launched in September 1990 to provide a market for speculative fiction writers, with a particular emphasis on raising the profile of Australian authors.In 1995 the magazine instituted the... |
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| HQ Magazine | ||||
| HQ Magazine | ||||
| F&SF | ||||
| HQ Magazine | ||||
| * | Aurealis Aurealis Aurealis is a Australian speculative fiction magazine published by Chimaera Publications. The magazine was launched in September 1990 to provide a market for speculative fiction writers, with a particular emphasis on raising the profile of Australian authors.In 1995 the magazine instituted the... |
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| Voyager (Mystery, Magic, Voodoo & The Holy Grail) | ||||
| Altair | ||||
| Allen & Unwin Allen & Unwin Allen & Unwin, formerly a major British publishing house, is now an independent book publisher and distributor based in Australia. The Australian directors have been the sole owners of the Allen & Unwin name since effecting a management buy out at the time the UK parent company, Unwin Hyman, was... (White Time) |
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| Orb | ||||
| * | Orb | |||
| Voyager (Jubilee) | ||||
| Sci Fiction Sci Fiction Sci Fiction was an online magazine which ran from 2000 to 2005. At one time, it was the leading online science fiction magazine. Published by Syfy and edited by Ellen Datlow, the work won multiple awards before it was discontinued.- History :... |
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| CSFG Publishing (Nor of Human...) | ||||
| Orb | ||||
| * | Sandglass Enterprises (Southern Blood: New Australian Tales of the Supernatural Southern Blood: New Australian Tales of the Supernatural Southern Blood: New Australian Tales of the Supernatural is a 2003 speculative fiction anthology edited by Bill Congreve-Background:Southern Blood was first published in Australia in June 2003 by Sandglass Enterprises in trade paperback format... ) |
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| Fables and Reflections | ||||
| Dreamhaven Books (Shelf Life: Fantastic Stories Celebrating Bookstores) | ||||
| Penguin Books Penguin Books Penguin Books is a publisher founded in 1935 by Sir Allen Lane and V.K. Krishna Menon. Penguin revolutionised publishing in the 1930s through its high quality, inexpensive paperbacks, sold through Woolworths and other high street stores for sixpence. Penguin's success demonstrated that large... (Firebirds Firebirds Firebirds: An Anthology of Original Fantasy and Science Fiction is an award-winning collection of short stories for young adults written by authors associated with Firebird Books, released on that imprint in 2003. It was followed by a sequel anthology, Firebirds Rising, in 2006, which was a World... ) |
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| * | Aurealis Aurealis Aurealis is a Australian speculative fiction magazine published by Chimaera Publications. The magazine was launched in September 1990 to provide a market for speculative fiction writers, with a particular emphasis on raising the profile of Australian authors.In 1995 the magazine instituted the... |
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| * | Agog! Agog! Press Agog! Press is an independent Australian book publisher, specializing in speculative fiction short story collections. It was founded in 2002 by Cat Sparks.... (Agog! Smashing Stories Agog! Smashing Stories Agog! Smashing Stories is a 2004 speculative fiction anthology edited by Cat Sparks.-Background:Agog! Smashing Stories was first published in Australia in 2004 by Agog! Press in trade paperback format. It was a short-list nominee for best collected work at the 2005 Ditmar Awards but lost to Black... ) |
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| Orb | ||||
| Elastic Press Elastic Press Elastic Press was a British small press specialising in single-author short story collections. It was run by Andrew Hook between November 2002 and November 2008 and was based in Norwich. In 2005 and 2009 Elastic received British Fantasy Awards for Best Small Press. They also won the BFS Best... (The Alsisio Project) |
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| Aurealis Aurealis Aurealis is a Australian speculative fiction magazine published by Chimaera Publications. The magazine was launched in September 1990 to provide a market for speculative fiction writers, with a particular emphasis on raising the profile of Australian authors.In 1995 the magazine instituted the... |
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| * | Agog! Agog! Press Agog! Press is an independent Australian book publisher, specializing in speculative fiction short story collections. It was founded in 2002 by Cat Sparks.... (Daikaiju! Giant Monster Tales Daikaiju! Giant Monster Tales Daikaiju! Giant Monster Tales is a 2005 speculative fiction anthology edited by Robert Hood and Robin Pen.-Background:Daikaiju! Giant Monster Tales was first published in Australia in 2005 by Agog! Press in hardback format. It won the 2006 Ditmar Award for best collected work. Daikaiju! Giant... ) |
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| * | Aqueduct Press Aqueduct Press Aqueduct Press is a publisher based in Seattle, Washington, United States which publishes material which features a feminist viewpoint.-History:... (The Traveling Tide); Agog! Agog! Press Agog! Press is an independent Australian book publisher, specializing in speculative fiction short story collections. It was founded in 2002 by Cat Sparks.... (Daikaiju! Giant Monster Tales Daikaiju! Giant Monster Tales Daikaiju! Giant Monster Tales is a 2005 speculative fiction anthology edited by Robert Hood and Robin Pen.-Background:Daikaiju! Giant Monster Tales was first published in Australia in 2005 by Agog! Press in hardback format. It won the 2006 Ditmar Award for best collected work. Daikaiju! Giant... ) |
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| Lenox Avenue Ezine | ||||
| Neverary | ||||
| Andromeda Spaceways Inflight Magazine Andromeda Spaceways Inflight Magazine Andromeda Spaceways Inflight Magazine or ASIM is a fantasy and science fiction magazine and webzine published out of Glenn Innes, New South Wales, Australia. The publishers of ASIM describe it as "Australia's Pulpiest SF Magazine". The magazine is currently edited by Robbie Matthews and is... |
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| * | Eidolon Books (Eidolon I Eidolon I Eidolon I is a 2006 speculative fiction anthology edited by Jonathan Strahan and Jeremy G. Byrne.-Background:Eidolon I was first published in 2006 by Eidolon Books in trade paperback format... ) |
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| Prime Books Prime Books Edited by two-time Hugo-nominee and 2006 World Fantasy-winner Sean Wallace, Prime Books is an award-winning independent publishing house, specializing in a mix of literary/commercial anthologies, collections, novels, and two magazines: Fantasy Magazine and Lightspeed Magazine. Some of its... (Through Soft Air Through Soft Air Through Soft Air is the first short story collection from Australian speculative fiction writer Lee Battersby. Printed in 2006, it was published by US Publisher Prime Books.-Stories:The collection contains the following stories:... ) |
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| Fantasy Magazine Fantasy Magazine Fantasy Magazine is a U.S.-based online fantasy and science fiction magazine. It was launched as a print edition at the 2005 World Fantasy Convention in Madison, Wisconsin. It continued in this format for six more issues, but in mid-October 2007, it moved online, with daily content, and spun off... |
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| Eidolon Books (Eidolon I Eidolon I Eidolon I is a 2006 speculative fiction anthology edited by Jonathan Strahan and Jeremy G. Byrne.-Background:Eidolon I was first published in 2006 by Eidolon Books in trade paperback format... ) |
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| Agog! Agog! Press Agog! Press is an independent Australian book publisher, specializing in speculative fiction short story collections. It was founded in 2002 by Cat Sparks.... (Agog! Ripping Reads) |
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| * | Jim Baen's Universe Jim Baen's Universe Jim Baen's Universe was a bimonthly online fantasy and science fiction magazine created by Jim Baen . It is recognized by the SFWA as a Qualifying Short Fiction Venue. JBU began soliciting materials in January 2006 and launched in June 2006... |
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| Strange Horizons Strange Horizons Strange Horizons is an online speculative fiction magazine. It also features speculative poetry in every issue.... |
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| Orb | ||||
| Shimmer Shimmer Magazine Shimmer Magazine, or Shimmerzine, is a quarterly magazine which publishes speculative fiction, with a focus on material that is dark, humorous or strange. Established in June 2005, Shimmer is published in digest format and Portable Document Format and is edited by Beth Wodzinski... |
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| Orb | ||||
| * | Senses Five Press (Paper Cities: An Anthology of Urban Fantasy Paper Cities: An Anthology of Urban Fantasy Paper Cities: An Anthology of Urban Fantasy is a 2008 speculative fiction anthology edited by Ekaterina Sedia.-Background:Paper Cities: An Anthology of Urban Fantasy was first published in 2008 by Senses Five Press in trade paperback format. It won the 2009 World Fantasy Award for best anthology.... ) |
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| Andromeda Spaceways Inflight Magazine Andromeda Spaceways Inflight Magazine Andromeda Spaceways Inflight Magazine or ASIM is a fantasy and science fiction magazine and webzine published out of Glenn Innes, New South Wales, Australia. The publishers of ASIM describe it as "Australia's Pulpiest SF Magazine". The magazine is currently edited by Robbie Matthews and is... |
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| Andromeda Spaceways Inflight Magazine Andromeda Spaceways Inflight Magazine Andromeda Spaceways Inflight Magazine or ASIM is a fantasy and science fiction magazine and webzine published out of Glenn Innes, New South Wales, Australia. The publishers of ASIM describe it as "Australia's Pulpiest SF Magazine". The magazine is currently edited by Robbie Matthews and is... |
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| Shimmer Shimmer Magazine Shimmer Magazine, or Shimmerzine, is a quarterly magazine which publishes speculative fiction, with a focus on material that is dark, humorous or strange. Established in June 2005, Shimmer is published in digest format and Portable Document Format and is edited by Beth Wodzinski... |
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| HarperVoyager (Dreaming Again) | ||||
| * | Beneath Ceaseless Skies Beneath Ceaseless Skies Beneath Ceaseless Skies is a fantasy adventure online magazine published in the United States by Firkin Press.-History:Beneath Ceaseless Skies first issue was released on October 9, 2008 featuring stories by Chris Willrich and David D. Levine. It was the runner-up for the 2008 Million Writers Award... |
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| * | Andromeda Spaceways Inflight Magazine Andromeda Spaceways Inflight Magazine Andromeda Spaceways Inflight Magazine or ASIM is a fantasy and science fiction magazine and webzine published out of Glenn Innes, New South Wales, Australia. The publishers of ASIM describe it as "Australia's Pulpiest SF Magazine". The magazine is currently edited by Robbie Matthews and is... |
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| Twelfth Planet Press (Roadkill/Siren Beat) | ||||
| Aurealis Aurealis Aurealis is a Australian speculative fiction magazine published by Chimaera Publications. The magazine was launched in September 1990 to provide a market for speculative fiction writers, with a particular emphasis on raising the profile of Australian authors.In 1995 the magazine instituted the... |
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| Twelfth Planet Press (Sprawl) | ||||
| and Angela Slatter Angela Slatter Angela Slatter is an award-winning writer based in Brisbane, Australia. Primarily working in the field of speculative fiction, she has focused on short stories since deciding to pursue writing in 2005, when she undertook a Graduate Diploma in Creative Writing... |
Ticonderoga Publications Ticonderoga Publications Ticonderoga Publications is an Australian independent publishing house founded by Russell B. Farr in 1996 and now run by Farr and Liz Grzyb. The publisher specialises in collections of science fiction short stories.-History and current:... (Scary Kisses) |
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| Strange Horizons Strange Horizons Strange Horizons is an online speculative fiction magazine. It also features speculative poetry in every issue.... |
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| Brimstone Press Brimstone Press Brimstone Press was an Australian independent publisher of dark fiction . Brimstone Press was established in 2004 by Angela Challis and Shane Jiraiya Cummings and was based in Western Australia.... (Macabre: A Journey Through Australia's Darkest Fears) |
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| Tartarus Press Tartarus Press Tartarus Press is a small, international award-winning, independent small press run by R.B. Russell and Rosalie Parker. It has two distinct specialities.... (Strange Tales III) |
Honourable mentions and high commendations
The honourable mentions and high commendations are announced alongside the list of finalists for their respected year of eligibility. In the following table, the years correspond to the year of the book's eligibility; the ceremonies are always held the following year. Each year links to the corresponding "year in literature" article. Entries with a grey background have been noted as highly commended; those with a white background have received honourable mentions. If the short story was originally published in a book with other stories rather than by itself or in a magazine, the book title is included after the publisher's name.Highly commended
Honourable mentions
| Year | Author | Short story | Publisher or publication | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 2003 in literature The year 2003 in literature involved some significant events and new books.-New books:*Peter Ackroyd - The Clerkenwell Tales*Atsuko Asano - No... |
Agog! Agog! Press Agog! Press is an independent Australian book publisher, specializing in speculative fiction short story collections. It was founded in 2002 by Cat Sparks.... (Agog! Terrific Tales) |
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| 2003 2003 in literature The year 2003 in literature involved some significant events and new books.-New books:*Peter Ackroyd - The Clerkenwell Tales*Atsuko Asano - No... |
Agog! Agog! Press Agog! Press is an independent Australian book publisher, specializing in speculative fiction short story collections. It was founded in 2002 by Cat Sparks.... (Agog! Terrific Tales) |
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| 2004 2004 in literature The year 2004 in literature involved some significant events and new books.-Events:* Canada Reads selects Guy Vanderhaeghe's The Last Crossing to be read across the nation.... |
* | Wakefield Press Wakefield Press Wakefield Press is an independent book publishing company in Australia, based in the Adelaide suburb of Kent Town, South Australia. They publish an eclectic list diverse in subject, tone and point, with strong suits in true stories, gastronomy, history, literature and gift books.-History:Wakefield... (Forever Shores) |
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| 2006 2006 in literature The year 2006 in literature involved some significant events and new books.-Literature:*Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie - Half of a Yellow Sun*Chris Adrian - The Children's Hospital *Martin Amis - House of Meetings... |
Borderlands | |||
| 2006 2006 in literature The year 2006 in literature involved some significant events and new books.-Literature:*Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie - Half of a Yellow Sun*Chris Adrian - The Children's Hospital *Martin Amis - House of Meetings... |
Eidolon Books (Eidolon I Eidolon I Eidolon I is a 2006 speculative fiction anthology edited by Jonathan Strahan and Jeremy G. Byrne.-Background:Eidolon I was first published in 2006 by Eidolon Books in trade paperback format... ) |