News: 2009 Ditmar Award nominations now open

Nominations for the Australian SF Awards (commonly known as the Ditmar Awards), for Australian works of speculative fiction published in 2008 are now open. Unlike the Australian Shadows and Aurealis Awards, the Ditmar Awards are the only national Australian horror/science fiction/fantasy awards that are determined by votes from the general public.

The current awards categories are:

• [Professional Categories]: Best Novel; Best Novella/Novelette; Best Short Story; Best Collected Work; Best Artwork.
• [Fan Categories]: Best Fan Writer; Best Fan Artist; Best Fan Publication in any Medium.
• [Special Awards]: Best Achievement; William Atheling Jr Award for Criticism or Review; Best New Talent.

The following categories have changed this year:

• 'Best Fan Publication in any Medium' replaces 'Best Fan Production' and 'Best Fanzine'.
• 'Best Achievement' replaces 'Best Fan Achievement' and 'Best Professional Achievement'.

Nominations for works by Australians published in the 2008 calendar year will be accepted until May 4 from "natural persons active in fandom" or full/ supporting members of Conjecture, this year's national SF convention (natcon).

Where a nominator may not be known to the awards sub-committee, the nominator should provide the name of someone known to the sub-committee who can vouch for th nominator's eligibility. SF convention attendance or membership of an SF club/group (Ed. such as the Australian Horror Writers Association) are among the ways to meet this qualifying criteria.

Nominations can be made via:

• Email to ditmars@conjecture2009.org.
• Post to 'Ditmars' 6 Florence Road, Nedlands WA 6009.

The Ditmars will be awarded at Conjecture in June.


Source: Australian SF Bullsheet