The Australian Horror Writers Association (AHWA) announces that their annual Australian Shadows Awards are once again open to submissions, for works published in 2010. But this year, there’s a difference: cash prizes. Each category will now come with a $250 prize.
As in past years, the judges are seeking submissions in three categories:
Short Fiction (up to 25,000 words)
Long Fiction (novellas, novels, and single-author collections)
Edited Publication (anthologies and magazine issues)
Submitted works must be “written or edited by Australians or New Zealanders, published in the 2010 calendar year, and have horror/dark fiction content either as a focal point or integral element.” The reading period runs from 1 June to 31 December 2010.
The preliminary judging panel includes horror critics Craig Bezant, Stephanie Gunn, and Jeff Ritchie. The guest judges will be authors Chuck McKenzie, Kaaron Warren, and Rocky Wood.
To arrange for work to be entered, email Awards Director Shane Jiraiya Cummings at australianshadows at australianhorror dot com. He’ll respond with the judges’ postal addresses and further information.
The Australian Shadows Awards are “annual literary awards presented by the AHWA and judged on the overall effect—the skill, delivery, and lasting resonance—of horror fiction written or edited by an Australian.”