Wabbit Season? No, It's Awards Season!

Chronos Award nominations close today, Ditmar Award nominations have just opened and Aurealis Awards short-lists should be announced soon.

Yep, we're right in the middle of awards seasons.

The Aurealis Awards are judged by panels, and are (hopefully) awarded on the merit of the work. Ditmar Awards (national) and Chronos Awards (state) are voted by conventioneers.

So just how much is a writer supposed to tout his or her own work?

I know of some writers who push their work quite a bit, while others sit back and just hope they are noticed. I'm eligible for So Sad, The Lighthouse Keeper in the short story category, and for my reviewing in Dark Matter in the Fan Writing and Review categories. I've tried to mention the awards only once or so, and pretty much simply to remind voters I'm eligible (anyone in fandom can nominate). And then I sat back and hoped for the best.

The Chronos Awards, being state awards, are drawn from a fairly small pool of writers. I've also seen some criticism of these awards - suggesting they are given for popularity, or voted on by certain blocs. Already this year I've heard someone say they have nominated someone they like, without having actually read the work under consideration. That's just something we have to accept, and realise that this will occur from time to time. While this is obviously not in the spirit of things, it's the way things are. All we can do is is promote the awards, get more people to nominate and vote, and encourage voters to vote on the merits of the work.

I'm not going to be heartbroken if I'm not nominated. Awards, in the end, don't always reward quality work or success. But they can be a sign of recognition and give some validation. And I love the look of the Chronos.

It would look mighty handsome sitting on my desk.

No Language In Our Lungs.

We gathered.

Somewhere between the house and the small winding creek, we sat or stood, thinking, meditating, waiting quietly on the clipped green grass. That was my first impression - how green everything was. For a moment I thought I saw him, but then realised it was his brother.

A small stage in front of a huge willow tree. Rows of chairs. Wife, daughter, family, friends, admirers. People spoke and music was played. A perfect soundtrack and commentary to an amazing life. On the way I'd listened to No Language In Our Lungs. Kind of a personal tribute, a song I know he loved and a sentiment I think he'd have appreciated. A moment shared privately between us. Once I'd arrived the moment stretched and was shared by all of us.

Taking a photo crossed my mind - for posterity. But somehow it seemed wrong, seemed intrusive into this private place, this sanctuary. For a short time this world was kindly opened to us, but it is still a home and a place for family to withdraw. The only photo I have is indelibly etched into my mind.

The sky was overcast, and yet over time I felt the back of my neck warming, my face tightening, my skin starting to burn as those Scottish genes failed me yet again. Here Comes The Sun indeed.

Later we sipped wine, nibbled at sandwiches and cakes and chatted. We talked of writing, the words, the past, the friendship, the people and the music.

And the man. Always the man.

And on the way home I wound down the windows and turned up the volume on Senses Working Overtime.

I have no doubt he'd have approved.

Vale: Paul Haines.

It is with great sadness I write of the passing of Paul Haines after a long battle with cancer.

I was fortunate enough to have had Paul as my writing mentor through the AHWA. It was during this mentorship we became friends, sharing an interest in not only writing, but music. In particular, XTC - a band Paul loved and occasionally included in his stories.

Late last year, when it became obvious Paul would not be with us much longer, I decided to write to Paul - a long letter telling him exactly what he meant to me and the influence he's had on my writing.

Paul was gracious enough to take the letter in the spirit it was meant and wrote me a long response that I will always cherish.

Paul Haines will be missed.  The Spec Fic community is just that little bit less now.

My thoughts tonight are with Jules and Isla.  And Paul, I wish you safe travels.

Reading And Writing.

It's important to keep up to date.

I recently read an anthology of short stories from a (very) small press.  There was nothing startling about the collection. One story stood out as excellent, a couple I thought were merely OK, while the rest were, in my opinion, quite below standard.

It so happens that I've seen the author of one of those 'below standard' pieces online - bragging about the sale and obviously  very proud. And I have absolutely no problem with that. It's a little unfortunate that in their naivety they haven't recognised the level at which they have been published. I did, however, have a chuckle when the writer started suggesting the story was truly original, completely brilliant and was even talking about major awards.

It was simply obvious to me that the writer hadn't read much SF.

While the writing was fairly uninspired and flat, the real problem was the story was one that I've read many times before. And I picked the ending in the first paragraph or so.

It's important for a writer to know the history of their genre. And to keep up to date.

When I submitted one of my first stories (So Sad, The Lighthouse Keeper) to a well known small press, the editor told me that I'd obviously read a lot and all that reading had paid off. He told me that it showed in the confident and calm manner of the writing and the descriptive prose. He then advised me that the story wasn't done yet, rejected it and broke my heart.

And damn his eyes, he was right. It needed more work.

I try to keep my reading broad. I read a lot of non-fiction, not just science but historical, biographical, travel - anything that takes my interest. Fiction-wise, I read almost anything - stories of all genres and all lengths. I regularly read Asimov's, Andromeda, Analog, and a couple of others. I can even tell you the differences between the purchasing tastes of Sheila Williams, Gordon Van Gelder and Stanley Schmidt.

And don't forget local small press. I read what I can from the markets I sub to. I try to ensure I know what Ticonderoga, Fablecroft and Twelfth Planet are publishing.

After all, if I plan to sell to these markets, I must know what they're buying.

In Which Doris Gets Her Oats.

Phase one of the Jack Dann workshop at Writers Victoria kicked off yesterday morning.

There was a wide range of experience amongst the attendees, from those who may have scribbled down the occasional paragraph and have a few ideas, to those who have a publication history. It was great to see Gitte Christensen again and to trade tips, ideas and war stories with her.

It took me back to when I was starting out, three or so years ago. I'd written two quick, short stories - just to see if I could write, and then had no idea what to do with them. I signed up for a Sean Williams workshop with no real idea of what to expect. We had to sub 1,000 word sample to Sean, which in my naivety I presumed was only so Sean could see what our writing was like. I had absolutely no idea about manuscript formatting. And, I had absolutely no idea our work would be critiqued.

I was embarrassed by my writing, and very, very reticent to show it to anyone.

Yesterday, it was interesting to see those who are just starting to write. Some of the attendees were unsure of even how to start that first paragraph, and a couple seemed to find 5,000 words over the next month or so a little daunting. Me, I'll knock out something and sub it without too much worry, and look forward to the critiquing.

I must admit after the Sean Williams workshop, it took me a long time to find critters I could trust. I was confused by the range of comments, some from clearly inexperienced writers. I rewrote that story, trying to incorporate all the ideas - only to discover that I'd sucked all the life and soul from it. I threw that out and returned to the previous draft.

It's about discernment. By all means, listen to all critters - realising they are all potential readers, but also understanding that inexperience and enthusiasm may limit their critique value. Select carefully the comments you pay heed to, and then decide whether, and how, to incorporate any changes.

And it's always valuable to have critters who are either at a similar level to yourself, or somewhere you want to be. After all, I have a much better understanding of what makes a good story than I had three years ago.

Chronos Awards.

The awards season is upon us and I've just heard that both Kaaron Warren (for writing short fiction) and Jack Dann (for an anthology he edited) have been shortlisted for the Stoker. Congratulations. They would both surely deserve to win.

I'm eligible for a coupve been conle of upcoming awards. I'sidered for the Aurealis Awards, but it will take a little while before the shortlist is announced. And I'm also eligible for the Chronos and Ditmar Awards, both of which will be presented in June.

I truly believe last year was the breakout year for me. I stepped up my writing practices and skills and sold a number of stories to quality markets. So Sad, The Lighthouse Keeper is the first of those stories to be published, and I am very proud and honoured to have had it included in Keith Stevenson's fantastic anthology, Anywhere But Earth.

Since publication it has received excellent comments and reviews. If you have read the story and enjoyed it, (and are so inclined to do so) please consider nominating it for the Chronos Awards here.

If you haven't read it, then you should consider purchasing a copy.

I promise I'll name my first-born after you.

The Next Level.

This week has been fantastic. In a single 24 hour period I had five amazing things occur that really made my day. And, therefore, my week.

Little of it had to do with writing. In fact, during that time period I also received two rejections - one of them from a market that continues to call me with its siren song and yet manages to elude me every time. But neither of these rejections bugged me like the ones I referred to last week. (And yes, I'm slowly getting over those.)

I managed a sale - a minor one in the scheme of things, but it was a story that I really liked and yet it had received flat rejections everywhere I subbed. It's the only flash piece (sorry, Cat) that I've ever written. I must admit I was starting to despair of it ever seeing the light of day.

My rejections these days are frequently personal, with notes  complimenting my writing but then adding there's something that didn't quite work for the editor. And there's a lesson to be learned from that.

I've decided it's time to ramp it up, and proceed to the next level.

And so in two weeks time I commence Jack Dann's writing course. And this week I start my new writing regime. And then I have further plans for later in the year once my Uni assignments are over. On top of that I'm committed to keep all my available stories out in circulation until they are sold or dead. Everything I have currently completed is either awaiting a minor rewrite or subbed at markets.

Watch out for me. I'm determined you'll see a lot more of my work.