Norma K Hemming Shortlist 2015

The Australian Science Fiction Foundation has announced the shortlist for the 2015 Norma K Hemming Award.  The award is given to works that focus on topics of race, gender, sexuality, class and disability in speculative fiction.  This year’s list is fairly varied.  The only work I was not aware of is Paddy O’Reilly’s, though the more I think about it I may have seen him her interviewed on the Book Show.   Booktopia have some signed copies here, if you are quick.

EDIT: Paddy O’Reilly is actually a woman.  My apologies to the author who I obviously hadn’t heard of.

 

The Female Factory  collection by Lisa L Hannett and Angela Slatter, published by Twelfth Planet Press in November 2014

Nil By Mouth novel by LynC, published by Satalyte Publishing in June 2014

North Star Guide Me Home novel by Jo Spurrier, published by HarperVoyager in May 2014

Razorhurst novel by Justine Larbalestier, published by Allen & Unwin in July 2014

The Wonders novel by Paddy O'Reilly published by Affirm Press in July 2014

 

Further information can be found on the Awards here.

 

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Norma K Hemming Nominations announced:

The wonderful Rowena Cory Daniells brings us the glad tidings.  There are 4 authors nominated and 6 books.  They are in no particular order:

• Sea Hearts by Margo Lanagan
• Winter be my Shield by Jo Spurrier
• Besieged, Exile, and Sanctuary by Rowena Cory Daniells
• Bitter Greens by Kate Forsyth

The Norma K Hemming Award :

marks excellence in the exploration of themes of race, gender, sexuality, class and disability:

• in the form of science fiction and fantasy or related artwork or media.

• produced either in Australia or by Australian citizens.

• first published, released or presented in the calendar year preceding the year in which the award is given.

                                                                                                                   [source]

I have read 4 of the above titles and concur with the judges selections.  I haven’t read the Jo Spurrier (it’s in my non reviewing TBR pile) but I have heard some very good things.  I would have been severely (yes severely) perturbed if Rowena hadn’t made the list because there’s a whole lot of gender commentary wrapped up in some of the best gritty dark fantasy on the market.

For judges comments you can go here.

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