SpecFaction NSW are delighted to announce that the 2011 Aurealis Awards are now open to entries.

The Aurealis Awards, Australia's premier awards for Speculative Fiction, are for works of speculative fiction written by an Australian citizen, or permanent resident, and published for the first time between 1 January 2011 and 31 December 2011.

2011 Aurealis Award’s co-convenor, Chris Barnes, says “Last year the Aurealis Awards received over 600 entries across twelve categories ranging from Best Horror Short Story to Best Fantasy Novel, Young Adult Fiction and Children’s Picture Book. We’re looking forward to another bumper crop of entries for the 2011 Awards.”

“These awards are unique, in that each category is judged by a panel of judges. Our judges are drawn from a range of literary backgrounds and experience including; editors for both small and mainstream press, librarians, critics and published authors.”

“We’re delighted to be able to again host the awards in Sydney,” Mr Barnes added.

Entries close on 31 December 2011. Finalists will be announced in March 2012 and winners announced at a special presentation evening in Sydney in May 2012. For more information on the awards or to register your entry, go to the Aurealis Awards website at www.aurealisawards.com.

For more information contact the Awards co-convenors, Chris Barnes and Susan Wardle, at convenors@aurealisawards.com.