The Australian Horror Writers Association (AHWA) is modifying its Australian Shadows Award. Until now, they’ve given one award, for fiction, regardless of length. Starting now, they’ve expanded to three awards: one for Short Fiction, one for Long Fiction (including novellas, novels, and single-author collections), and one for Edited Publication (for editors of anthologies and horror fiction magazines).
Author Shane Jiraiya Cummings is the new Award Director, and the AHWA’s Vice President. Cummings writes “In previous years, Australian Shadows judges had the sometimes difficult task of comparing works of novels with short stories. This restructure is a testament to the continued growth of dark fiction Down Under. Now, our judges will be able to shortlist more deserving works that may have otherwise missed under the old rules.”
The reading period is now open, and will run to 31 December 2009. Works of horror and dark fantasy written or edited by Australians and first published this year are eligible. To submit a work, contact Cummings at shane at brimstonepress dot com dot au.
The primary judging panel, which will create the short lists, is Craig Bezant, Stephanie Gunn, and Chuck McKenzie. The guest judges, who will determine the winners from the short lists, are Bill Congreve (Short Fiction), Martin Livings (Long Fiction), and James Doig (Edited Publication).