congratulations, commiserations, and thanks all round

[adelaidesean]

I'm on my way home from the Aurealis Awards bash, killing some time at the Brisbane airport before my plane departs. Just wanted to say huzzah to everyone for a wonderful night. The champagne flowed hard; I mixed up everyone's names (not just yours, readerofasaph); my head was pounding hard this morning. Could these facts be related? (Beloved Clarionites, I blame you for leading me astray.)

I also wanted to say that I am excited that Magic Dirt received the first ever Best Collection gong, and sad at the same time that Rob Hood and I couldn't share the honour between us. He has been such a force for good in this awesome community, and a profound influence on me since we first met in 1994. It shocks me that he has yet to receive a single Aurealis Award. How can that be possible? Here's hoping it will be corrected soon.

It remains only for me to remark on my record-breaking string of unconsummated nominations in the Best SF Novel category (seven and counting, iirc) and a jump in non-wins overall to twenty-four. What a wonderful thing it is to be shortlisted so many times! I am extraordinarily lucky. Thank you all.

To all I owe emails: thanks for being so patient. I will be in touch soon. Apart from starting a new book and bringing this journal up to date, I have a completely free February. Double huzzah!

ETA

Here are the judges' reports for the four categories in which I was nominated:

Magic Dirt
Nicely put together by Russell B Farr, Magic Dirt proves, if proof be needed, the range and depth of talent from Sean Williams, and brings to a new readership some classic stories in a welcome reprint.

The Changeling
The first book in the new series impressed us with its dusty vision of a future Australia. The harsh conditions imposed by the environment were brilliantly evoked and the lonely, young protagonist pitted against it all was achingly well done.

The Changeling and Dust Devils
There is a richly Australian voice to this compelling story aimed at the higher end of the age group. A confronting world, with truly fearful antagonists, gives Ro some serious challenges that he overcomes through perseverance and determination to set things right. A pair of vital and rugged tales.

Astropolis: Earth Ascendant
This book is the central span of Sean Williams' Astropolis space-opera trilogy. Expanding on the concepts predicated in the first volume, it combines galactic-scale political manoeuvring and a broad-brush portrayal of a credibly-developed far-future society with a closely personal focus on the millennia-spanning story of Imre Bergamasc, the Milky Way's self-appointed ruler. With its scope in time and space almost dizzying, the book feels remarkably compact, with each word earning its keep. It clears the decks in readiness for the trilogy's final act, but also functions well as a standalone.

Comments

[ex-benpayne119.livejournal.com]

Was great to catch up with you Sean, and congrats again on the win!

[karenmiller.livejournal.com]

It was a great night, huge congrats, and I forgive you. *g*

[fromastudio]

Dear Sean,

No love. No forgiveness. Expect hate mail flying in through your chimney and assassination attempts at Natcon.

Su Lynn

j/k. Maybe.

[gloripebbles.livejournal.com]

Was terrific to catch up again. Surprisingly, I achieved a relatively good night's sleep (relative to others on the night that is *lol*).

I also like your concept of "Completely free" ~ there is some ammunition in that with my other half (he says I am a failure at slothing & understanding the concept of 'slacker'...)

Enjoy the pace of February (or is that more a contigency plan for desert heat drifting over your way???)

[seanwilliams.livejournal.com]

Thanks, Ben. Great to see you too!

[seanwilliams.livejournal.com]

Ha ha ha! I was hoping you'd forgotten all about me being Australia's answer to Harlan Ellison. Eep.

[seanwilliams.livejournal.com]

And you've been trained to kill since birth, too. Eek.

[seanwilliams.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I'm planning to stay inside until April. It should cool down then, right?

I am appalled to realise that I have no memory of "Completely Free". Remind me what scheme this is? (I should never agree to things when I'm drunk. Or talk, even. :-))

(The Pirate Ditmars, however, I do remember. Arrr.)

[karenmiller.livejournal.com]

Yeah ... so you really do like fantasy, don't you? *g*

[deborahb.livejournal.com]

Hurrah!

(A generic hurrah for all points raised in your post.)

[seanwilliams.livejournal.com]

A genre hurrah in return!

(Those cakes of yours are making me hungry.)

[stephmor.livejournal.com]

I still don't see why you're all offended. After all, I'm the one who got called "Su Lynn". :P (And I'm about to find out exactly how sturdy these walls at QUT are.)

Some more lemon for your papercuts, sir?

[seanwilliams.livejournal.com]

Ouch!

"Names are but the robes of fools and words the death of thought." (Greg Bear, The Infinity Concerto)

You both have permission to call me anything you like, next time we're in public together. :-)

[http://users.livejournal.com/doctor_k_/]

Congratulations!

[deborahb.livejournal.com]

Cupcakes of cheer create gigantic hunger. :) Wise old saying.

[seanwilliams.livejournal.com]

Thanks!