Ditmar finalists

This seems to be the time of year for lists and writing prizes, doesn't it. The latest list is of the Ditmar finalists and what an impressive one it is. The Ditmars are Australian awards voted on by members of the current Natcon and the preceding one. The winners will be announced at Conflux 2013. Congratulations to those who are on the list.

Australian Shadows Awards finalists 2012

The finalists for the Australian Shadows Awards 2012 were announced over the weekend and you can find them listed here. Congratulations to all on the list.

Aurealis Awards 2012 Shortlist

The shortlist for the 2012 Aurealis Awards (for Australian speculative fiction published in 2012) has been released and can be viewed here. It's an impressive list and all finalists should be congratulated. The winners will be announced at the Aurealis Awards in Sydney on May 18.

Book Contracts

While most of us will have heard about the book contracts from some of the imprints of major US publishing house, Random House which provoked much discussion - if you haven't, have a look at this post at Writer Beware and here and here on John Scalzi's blog Whatever - Dean Wesley Smith has pinpointed another issue that no-one seems to have taken much notice of so far. This is the length of time you are signing your work away for, something every writer needs to think about seriously. Since few of us have the legal expertise to assess a contract properly it's easy to make mistakes. We need to change this and realise taking care of business is a vital part of being a professional writer and for that this article makes illuminating reading.

Meet the Villain!

I've just had great fun interviewing Xereth, the villain of my Siaris novels, over at the blog of fantasy author Nyki Blatchley. Xereth managed to keep a hold on his temper (just), so we all survived the experience! If you would like a little peek into his psyche, the interview can be read here.

Good Writing Advice

Over at the Writing WA website, there is an excellent resource for new and emerging writers. It takes the form of an FAQ list, dealing with common queries such as 'I want to join a writing group. Where do I find these groups?' and 'I've finished a manuscript and want to get it published. What should I do?'

It's a good site to bookmark, because there are so many questions asked by writers and it's great to find so many of them answered in one place!

Our Next Big Thing

A few weeks back, an internet meme, The next Big Thing, had writers blogging about their current works in progress.

Joanna Fay blogged about her novel, Reunion: Book 2 of the Siaris Quartet. Reunion was published by Musa Publishing in February, 2013 and can be purchased from the Reunion Link on the Musa Webpage.

For readers with a passion for feathers, wings and immortals, this is the book for you! For those who dream of conversations that run like silent strings of pearls, you’re in the right place. For lovers of deep world-building and characters with heart, Reunion is for you too, with love. 

Read more about Reunion at Jo's webpage.

Keira McKenzie blogs about her novel, A Fabulist's Alternity. 

In the small, isolated city of Perth, long after the 'end-times' have reduced the population to struggling for survival, Sin loses everything when she walks out of her boyfriend's place late one night and alone in the middle of a militarily enforced curfew, becomes swept up in a huge saga that involves her in not only in living with the enemy (small pockets of the population who don't take part in the city's survival), but in the lives of people who have held a secret for uncounted generations, a secret she becomes almost lost in, and while neither she nor any others find the answers to easy survival, she gains a sense of self and belonging as she helps rid the world of a terrible evil.

Read more about A Fabulist's Alternity at Keira's webpage.

Laura E Goodin blogs about her Victorian adventure, After the Bloodwood Staff. 

The bookish and sedentary Hoyle Marchand finally gets the chance to live out one of the adventures he reads about so obsessively — but he finds out those books never did tell the whole story.

Read more about After the Bloodwood Staff at Laura's webpage.

Helen Venn blogs about her completed novel, Xanita’s Children.

Even on a planet subject to world wide natural disasters that decimate generation after generation, escaping from slavery should change everything but when two sisters find shelter with the leader of a telepathic herd the past still haunts them and each has some difficult lessons to learn before they overcome its legacy and can be truly free.

Read more about Xanita's Children at Helen's webpage.

Carol Ryles blogs about her work in progress, Heart Fire, which is currently in the process of being radically redrafted. Most of the characters and settings are the same, but the plot is quite different from the version of two months ago. It is due to be completed in six to eight weeks.

Heart Fire (Fantasy, Romance, Horror) is a foray in steampunk’s darker side, where a woman and a shapeshifter must put aside their prejudices and fight for the lives and souls of an entire city. 

Read more about Heart Fire at Carol's webpage.