News: Aeon Award 2008 Winners

Grand Judge of the Aeon Award, respected SF author Ian Watson, has made his decision on the winners of the 2008 contest.

40 stories were shortlisted in the 2008 Award, which is a record for us, and means we must be doing something right! Of those 40, seven were chosen by the judging panel to go to Ian Watson for the final verdict.

Ian chose as winner Twinkle, Twinkle by British author Colin Henchley, who receives the 1000 euro Grand Prize and publication in the next issue (#36) of Albedo One. Ian remarked that "the winner has to be "Twinkle, Twinkle" because it's so incredibly powerful and vividly written. The morphine idea is brilliant. The sight of an apparent airman on the wing is a shocker..."

In second place Ian chose Aegis by U.S. author David T. Neal, who receives 200 euro and will be published in issue 37 of Albedo One. Ian commented that the story was "wonderfully descriptive and powerful and mythopaeic."

In third place was The Better to See You With by U.S. author Allison Francisco. Ian commented that the story "reminds me in its stylishness & atmosphere of Ray Bradbury or Tom Reamy... a lovely idea... very evocative..." The story will be published later this year in issue 38 of Albedo One.

That's nearly all there is to say, except we should emphasise that all decisions are made without knowledge of the author's name or nationality, and that the names of all authors in the shortlist are now revealed at www.albedo1.com. It's also notable that of the top 40, some 18 were by female authors. Who says spec fic is dominated by men!?

The Aeon Award 2009 is currently open to submissions, and hopes to continue to promote new writers and writing in the speculative fiction genres.


Source: Frank Ludlow, Albedo One