2014 Sir Julius Vogel Awards

The winners of the 2014 Sir Julius Vogel Awards, recognizing the excellence in the Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror of New Zealand, have been announced:

Best novel:

“Heartwood” by Freya Robertson (Angry Robot Books)

Best youth novel:

“Raven Flight” by Juliet Marillier (Pan Macmillan)

Best novella:

“Cave Fever” by Lee Murray (“Regeneration”/Random Static)

Best short story:

“By Bone-Light” by Juliet Marillier (“Prickle Moon”/Ticonderoga Publications)

Best collected work:

“Baby Teeth” edited by Dan Rabarts & Lee Murray (Paper Road Press)

Best professional artwork:

Emma Weakley for the cover of “Regeneration: New Zealand Speculative Fiction 2” edited by Anna Caro & Juliet Buchanan (Random Static)

Best professional production/publication:

“WearableArt” (Craig Potton Publishing)

Best dramatic presentation:

“The Almighty Johnsons” (Season 3) - Created by James Griffin & Rachel Lang, Producer - Mark Besley, Executive Producers - James Griffin, Chris Bailey, Kelly Martin, John Barnett (South Pacific Films)

Fan Award Nominees:

Best fan production/publication:

“Phoenixine” - John & Lynelle Howell

Best fan artwork:

“Gorgth Goes Shopping” by Matt Cowens (Au Contraire 2013 convention book)

Best fan writing (tie):

Alan Parker

Lynelle Howell

Best new talent:

Dan Rabarts

For publication of over a dozen short stories in the past 3 years for professional and semi-professional payment, for editing and producing the charity horror anthology Baby Teeth - Bite-sized Tales of Terror to benefit Duffy Books in Homes, and for producing fiction narrations for a range of speculative fiction podcasts and for the Baby Teeth audiobook.

Year of First Release 2011 (1 story publication), 2012 (2 story publications), 2013 (10 story publications), 2014 (3 stories scheduled for publication so far)

Dan’s work has appeared in a number of publications, including Paper Road Press, Ticonderoga Publications, Beneath Ceaselss Skies, Andromeda Spaceways Inflight Magazine, Random Static, Dragon Moon Press, Aurealis Magazine, Wily Writers Audible Fiction, and more (see http://dan.rabarts.com/fiction/)

Service to fandom:

The League of Victorian Imagineers

While many people would have been involved in this over the years that it took streampunk in NZ and the steampunk artwork in Oamaru to evolve to what it is today, their contribution is the most well-known across NZ due to the steampunk conventions that are now occurring across New Zealand. The conventions along with the festivals, exhibitions and fashion parades have done a lot to highlight the steampunk movement in New Zealand, and Oamaru in particular.

There have been a few genre authors from overseas who have visited New Zealand and Oamaru in particular, who have noted the steampunk attractions on their public websites. Included on this list is Walter Jon Williams who visited NZ in 2012.

And Jay Lake who visited here in 2013

Oamaru is even mentioned in the Lonely Planet Travel Guide and the AA magazine for its steampunk attractions. Lonely Planet and the AA are not genre publications, so it is a strong indication that Oamaru is now well-known as the steampunk capital of NZ.

Why Oamaru as the Steampunk Capital of NZ? According to the Steampunk NZ website here is the short history with the most important snippet here:

"Anything can be influenced by Steampunk. Literature, art, music, film, fashion, technology, invention, war, jewellery, sculpture and transport. This exhibition, “Steampunk: tomorrow as it used to be”, brings a flavour of the the steampunk culture to Oamaru. Here, we celebrate our Victorian heritage every year. With authentic architecture, an original harbour and  a core of committed enthusiasts, it is a natural backdrop for this genre. We have in our community a large number of incredibly creative and talented people, some of whom have contributed to this, the first, Steampunk exhibition".

Services to Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror:

Helen Lowe

Helen has reached out to make sure that Australasian writers are seen by the rest of the world. She has used her blog and her space in SF Signal and her presence at events to inform the world and has done it with grace and good humour. Unlike many writers, she doesn’t just focus on new work or known authors, but gives space to writers who otherwise would not be seen and for work that is beginning to go unnoticed. This is just one of the ways in which she supports SF, fantasy and horror. She has done this despite being affected by the Christchurch earthquakes. It has made a big difference to a number of people in the field, particularly in this time of publishing uncertainty.

Congratulations to all the winners!