AUREALIS 2009

Well, the backslapper's ball part of the evening is over, and all the attendees are doubtless gathered together to celebrate the true meaning of the Aurealis Awards: a large group of well-dressed writers and friends getting pissed as rats :)

A hearty congratulations to all the winners. I genuinely think it was one of the strongest fields I've seen in years, and for myself, I have not one batted eyelid at losing to Kirtsyn McDermott, who would be a worthy winner in any lineup. A particularly happy slap on the back to my very good friend Adrian Bedford, who was undoubtedly shocked, flustered and disbelieving, but deserves every accolade he picks up. I'm proud of ya, buddy.

For those who have a need to know, the full list of winners:

• 
  Peter McNamara Convenors' Award for Excellence: Jack Dann
• Best Science Fiction Novel: K A Bedford, Time Machines Repaired While-U-Wait
• Best Science Fiction Short Story: Simon Brown, The Empire
• Best Fantasy Novel: Alison Goodman, The Two Pearls of Wisdom
• Best Fantasy Short Story: Cat Sparks, Sammarynda Deep
• Best Horror Novel: John Harwood, The Seance
• Best Horror Short Story: Kirstyn McDermott, Painlessness
• Anthology: Jonathan Strahan (ed), The Starry Rift
• Collection: Sean Williams and Russell B. Farr (ed), Magic Dirt
• Young adult novel: Melina Marchetta, Finnikin of the Rock
• Young Adult Short Story: Trent Jamieson, Cracks
• Illustrated book: Shaun Tan, Tales from Outer Suburbia
• Children's novel: Emily Rodda, The Wizard of Rondo
• Children's fiction illustrated work/picture book: Richard Harland & Laura Peterson, The Wolf Kingdom Series