The Ditmar Awards are coming up. For those who came in late, there are two types of Awards in Aussie Spec Fic. The Aurealis Awards are judged by the genre In Crowd, and therefore showcase the works that have the greatest literary merit. The Ditmars are determined by readers, thus highlighting stories that lots of people seem to like.
I've never thought of either as particularly relevant to my writing. I don't reach for literary greatness (that would involve knowing what it is), and I'm not popular in the writing scene. I can't afford to go to conventions and the job and kids keep me too busy to even do the literary recluse thing.
But then, over at the blog of Shane Jiraiya Cummings, Shane has recommended to his readers that they vote for Finding the Words for best short story, and for me as best new talent! Shane *is* a well known, finger-on-the-pulse guy. He also writes some slick horror and is a badass real-not-just-the-gym Ninjutsu artist, so why argue with the guy? Go and get yourself a nomination form, and you can transform me into something I've never been before... a guy who got one nomination in the Ditmars.
Okay, time for a story. Last night my wife (in second trimester of pregnancy) couldn't sleep. She tried a hot milo. She tried sleeping on the lounge. She tried having something to eat. She turned on the air con. At last she read a little of Matthew Reilly's Area 7. Zzzzzzzz....
Nothing like gunfire and explosions to relax one.
7 comments:
Now that is seriously cool. I must dash off and grab a nomination form...
BTW, the next story is starting to take shape. More than 120 words, too!
Gee, Steve. I wish it was that easy to get my wife to sleep. She's due with our first any day now and suffers from really bad back pain. She's lucky to get three hours sleep most nights.
Clever little comment about Area 7 - I like it!
Congratulations on the praise from Shane. He doesn't just say things like that for the hell of it - so well done!
Ah yes, the "just get it the hell over with!" phase. I wish I could say she'll sleep more when your baby is born :(
Yeah, I read that on Shane's blog too. Congratulations on his honourable word - I enjoyed the story too.
Chya - put in a nomination for me as well!
:o)
Dude, when we meet at a con and you've met these people, I shall remind you that you refered to them as any kind of "in crowd" and you shall laugh merrily!
What Ben is referring to, Steve, is only the superficial level of con-goers. He doesn't realise that there is a whole, much cooler inner circle of folks that are so in they're out.
To elaborate on what I stated on my blog: you're one of the writers (like Susan Wardle and others) who are steadily making inroads and should be acknowledged as such.
A few people, like me, read everything each year and notice these things. Keep it up and you'll be a superstar in no time! :)
Thanks guys. Putting those two statements together, maybe someday I'll be laughing at myself :)
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