Speculative Fiction
with Lucy Sussex
Workshop: How do you speculate in fiction? Can you write science fiction without being a scientist? And how can crazy ideas be turned into credible stories? This workshop is aimed at beginning to intermediate writers of the non-realistic, the futuristic, and the fabulous. It will discuss and provide exercises in ideas creation, story development, creating an alternate world, and workshopping fictions. Writers are required to bring along a favourite example of science fiction writing, and a story idea. They are also required to submit a sample of their fiction (no more than 1000 words), prior to the workshop. Learn how to let your imagination play, and have the great fun of turning ideas into narratives.

For further information and Lucy’s bio visit the Victorian Writers Centre website and click on upcoming events and training courses

When: Saturday 6 October, 10am-4pm
Where: VWC Space 1st floor Nicholas Blg 37 Swanston St Melbourne
Cost: Non-member $130, VWC Member $90 / $80VWC conc
Bookings: 9654 9068

 

Bernadette Foley, Publisher, Orbit Australia is reading submissions for the new Australian SF imprint and remarked, "My colleague Deonie Fiford and I are reading the submissions. We would prefer full manuscripts rather than sample chapters and an outline. And we would also like the author to include some information about themselves."

Ms Foley told Aurealis, "The three most important points are:

1. People need to be patient. We will read everything we receive but it will take time.
2. If submissions are to be returned we need correctly stamped self-addressed envelopes.
3. And, we would prefer hardcopies rather than emails as they are easier to keep track of."

Send manuscripts to:
Bernadette Foley, Orbit Australia, Hachette Livre, Level 17, 207 Kent Street, Sydney 2000

 

    Agog! Press is pleased to announce a new anthology of speculative fiction to be launched at Swancon 2008. Working title 'Canterbury 2100', edited by Dirk Flinthart, is open for submissions from Australian and New Zealand authors until 1 December 2007. Standard manuscript formatting applies. Payment offered: AUS $30 plus a copy of the anthology. Email your submissions as .rtf or .doc files to Dirk Flinthart at: canterbury2100 at gmail.com

 

Kate Forsyth has been inspired by Ian Irvine, Suzanne Gervay and Deb Abela and her other techno-proficient friends. She got Pan Macmillan to do a TV ad for The Chain of Charms books. I hope you'll all go and check it out!

 

Given that fans of science fiction were early adopters of technology, digital rights activist, blogger and science fiction novelist, Cory Doctorow sees cyberspace as the ideal home for the genre. The award-winning author has published three science fiction novels, which are available for free download from the internet (craphound.com). Leading by example, Cory has championed the need to bring copyright issues in line with the online environment of C21.

Date: Saturday 25 August 2007
Time: 10am – 4pm
Cost: Full: $195, Concession: $175
Venue: City Museum
Event: #202 

Date: 26 August 2007
Time: 11.30am – 12.30pm
Venue: Merlyn Theatre
Cost: Full $18/ Concession $15
Event: #350

Bookings: Malthouse box office.

 

The Shalott trilogy, by Felicity Pulman and published by Random House has now been re-released by Louis Braille Audio as a set of CDs.  The Shalott trilogy tells the story of five Australian teenagers who go back in time to rewrite a legend and save the life of 'the Lady of Shalott' (Elaine of Astolat).  In doing so, they hope also to avert the doom of Camelot.  Instead, they rewrite their own lives with ramifications for the future.

 

Sean McMullen has a new site up and running which features his new YA novel, a time-slip called Before the Storm. It's set in Melbourne in 1901. The book is receiving great reviews, the latest being in The Courier-Mail and Good Reading. Before the Storm is published by Ford Street Publishing Pty Ltd.

 

The trailer to Ian Irvine's latest children's book about Runcible Jones can now be viewed on YouTube. This trailer was created by Ian's son, Simon. Most book trailers are pretty ordinary but a lot of effort into this one.

 

Shaun Tan's amazing book The Arrival continues to pick up award after award. Not content with a 2006 Aurealis Award, The Arrival has also picked up shortlistings and awards in the following:

Shortlisted, APA Design Awards Year: 2007 Prize: Best Designed Childrens Picture Book
Winner, Western Australian Premier's Book Awards Year: 2007 Prize: WA Premier's Award and Children's Prize
Winner, Book Data/ABA Book of the Year Year: 2007 Prize: Book of the Year for Older Children
Shortlisted, Children's Book of the Year Awards Year: 2007 Prize: Picture Book of the Year
Winner, NSW Premier's literary award Year: 2007 Prize: Ethel Turner Prize for Young People's Literature and Book of the Year.

And now The Arrival has picked up Australian Book of the year for Older Children from the Australian Book Industry Awards.

All of us associated with Aurealis magazine would like to congratulate Shaun for his wonderful achievements.