WooHoos all 'round!

You know, the Aurealis Awards night strikes me as a concentrated & classy version of your favourite convention. And from the practised, crowd-pleasing charm of the likes of ladnews to the surprised delight of the absolutely adorable fearofemeralds, it's an evening that's simply ... inspiring!

There's so much cheerfulness & care in the AAs, from the ceremony to the crowd, that it's hard not to get swept away. (I was going to say 'carried away', but my primal animal brain is weirding out at the number of 'c's in this post.) Inspiring. That's what it is.

But my favourite moment of the evening was when Trent Jamieson got up to accept an award & launched into an assurance for the sake of the crowd that 'This award is a surprise, it's such a surprise, is this my speech?' he said, unfolding a piece of paper from his pocket, 'Oh no, it's the invoice. Well, like I said, this award is a surprise...'

:) What *is* the going rate of an Aurealis Award, one wonders?

Many thanks to all involved in making it such a great night! Congratulations to the winners, the nominees, judges and -- let's not forget -- the readers.

See you at the next (&, for Fantastic Queensland, last) one.

News is out. The Aurealis Award finalists have been announced, and as well as usual suspect ladnews being nominated a massive FOUR times, we've got a couple of Lanagans, THREE Jamiesons across different categories (*woot*), and two of my own stories nominated.

Pale Dark Soldier from the excellent Midnight Echo #1 (Kirstyn McDermott and Ian Mond eds.), and The Tailor of Time from the also excellent Clockwork Phoenix #1, (Mike Allen ed.).

Rather a cheerful result, I must say.

Winners announced at a gala event in Brisvegas next month. Get your party frocks on!