Unlocked from the imagination of one of the world's most original directors, Guillermo Del Toro (Blade II, Hellboy), "Pan's Labyrinth" is a gothic story that journeys between reality and a magical underground realm both beautiful and dazzling. Harnessing classic folklore and historic themes against the backdrop of the bloody times during 1940's fascist Spain, "Pan's Labyrinth" is a timeless tale of good and evil, bravery and sacrifice, love and loss.

If you love dark fantasy then come along to a discounted advanced screening of Pan's Labrynith on Monday 18 December 6.30pm at Kino Dendy Cinemas, 45 Collins St Melbourne, at $12 per ticket, or call (03)9650 2100.

For further information on Pan's Labryinth or to view the trailer please visit www.panslabyrinth.com

Alexandra Adornetto, a MacRobertson Girls High School student has been signed to a two book deal by HarperCollins' Children's publisher Lisa Berryman. Having finished The Shadow Thief and sent to HarperCollins' slush pile, Alexandra had to wait almost a year before she had heard that the publisher had picked up her novel.

The novel tells the story of Millipop and Ernest who live in Drabville, where residents are having their shadows stolen.

    The editors have implemented new submission guidelines to make it easier for writers to submit to Aurealis magazine.

Visit http://www.aurealis.com.au/submissions.php for more details. 

The publishers of Aurealis are pleased to announce that Stephen Higgins and Stuart Mayne are the new editors of Aurealis.

Stephen Higgins needs little introduction. Co-founder of Aurealis magazine, with Dirk Strasser in 1990, Stephen has decided to return to the magazine he loves with a passion. Stephen is looking to return Aurealis to the forefront of Australian speculative fiction.

Stuart Mayne has been working with Chimaera Publications for the past three years, marketing the book list and editing aurealisXpress. He has worked as a book and magazine editor since 1991. He is an expert on Australian crime fiction author, Arthur Upfield, editing Upfield's last published novel.

    The following are a list of ammendments to the earlier news items on the Friday pitch to Louise Thurtell at Arena/Allen & Unwin.

1. It is preferred that submissions be sent by email, not snailmail.
2. Mailed material for Friday pitch will not be returned, even if accompanied with a SSAE.
3. Adult fiction only, please. No children's fiction or adult non-fiction.
4. All authors the publisher is interested in will be notified by the Thursday following submission.

Ms Thurtell said; "The concept of the Friday pitch has been a great success. But we just don't have the time to return mailed submissions given the volume of material we're receiving.

" I'm looking for any type of fiction – speculative novels thrillers, crime, chick-lit, espionage, general – that I think has a great story and is well-written."

Send submissions, only on a Friday to: louiset@allenandunwin.com 

    Arena/Allen & Unwin have recently contracted its first Friday pitch originated work – a fantasy trilogy by Victorian writer Karen Nikakis. Karen was highly commended by Aurealis interviewer and speculative fiction expert Van Ikin at the 2000 SCiFi Awards in Western Australia.

Congratulations Karen. 

Ian Irvine has sold the last four books of his Runcible Jones fantasy quintet to Penguin Australia, and The Sorcerer's Tower quartet to Scholastic Australia.

Ana Vivas has recently been appointed commissioning editor for Scholastic Press.  She was formerly the children's publisher at Hachette Livre.

Louise Thurtell, the fiction publisher at Arena (Allen & Unwin), has made Friday the day you can pitch your novel by sending your FIRST chapter and a synopsis via email to louiset@allenandunwin.com.  She will only reply if she wants to take it further, so please don't expect a response.  Please only send on a Friday.

Following the announcement of the launch of new imprints in the USA and Australia, Orbit concludes its first major World Rights deal.

Orbit, the science fiction and fantasy imprint of Little, Brown Book Group announced that it has recently concluded a four-book World Rights agreement with Trudi Canavan. The seven-figure deal, negotiated with Canavan's Australian agent, will comprise a sequel trilogy and a stand-alone prequel to The Black Magician Trilogy.

All the team at Aurealis congratulate Trudi for this success. Well done and keep writing those great fantasies, Trudi!