I’m linking to Crankynick’s post without much comment because he has said it all far better than I’d ever have the balls to do. But what I would like to add is this. As someone who did not lobby for or solicit Ditmar nominations or votes, I was extremely disappointed by the folks who claimed the outcome of the awards was somehow rigged.
Not sure of the exact stats, but somewhere in the vicinity of 50 people apparently voted in this years Ditmars. Twelve votes would probably be enough to secure a win. If such a small number of people aren’t voting for your stuff, perhaps… you fill in the blanks.
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Caught the red eye flight back from Perth, a thoroughly uncomfortable experience for some reason — usually I don’t mind flying but this time everything seemed ridiculously cramped. I drifted in and out of sleep — or at least I think I did. Rob did much the same at the wheel while driving us back down the ‘Gong. Not so good but luckily we made it.
The weather sunnied up just long enough to convince me to slam on a couple of loads of washing. The sky is now cloud grey and the dryer’s convulsive death rattle is scaring the crap out of the cats. Ah well, you win some you lose some, as they say.
Swancon 36 was an utter blast. Best con in ages. Possibly even the best con I’ve ever been to. A mellow vibe, so many of my favourite people in the same place at the same time. Here I am pictured with fellow members of the gentlemen’s Entymology club discussing, amongst other things, the perils of lady Sparrowhawke’s water feature and poor old Walmsley Walmsly Walmsly’s inextricable gout:
That creature I’m holding is the extremely rare feather arsed stag beetle, procured on a recent expedition somewhere up the side of Alan Quartermain’s lost plateau.
Sean Williams and Glenda Larke
Managed a long walk around the lake with Rob one morning, Tai Chi lessons from Alan Baxter on another, which gives you an idea of how mercifully hangover free I managed to remain across the bulk of the five days. Met some cool new people including the smart and charming GOH Justina Robson pictured below:
and went home with a shiny bright blue Ditmar, tying with Kirstyn McDermott for best short story.
Jason Nahrung & Kirstyn McDermott
Hope y’all had a passable weekend too. More photos
here.
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The Ditmars (AKA Australian SF ("Ditmar") Award, and "Australian Science Fiction Achievement Award") are the Australian version of the Hugo awards. They are a popular award, nominated by the SF community at large and voted on by the memberships of the current and previous Australian National Convention.
If you’re eligible to nominate, please do so. A list of eligible material can be found here.
Nominations are open until March 14th. Online nomination form here.
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Note – This post is probably only of interest to Aussie spec fic community members
The 49th National SF Convention is going to be Dudcon III, held in conjunction with Aussiecon 4, the 2010 Worldcon. There will be a single programming stream – namely a business meeting and a Ditmars award ceremony. Membership of Dudcon 3 entitles you to vote in the 2010 Ditmars. The trophy, pictured above, has been designed and costed. There are varying grades of membership available. If you have even half an interest in such matters, why not sling them a few bucks? I did. Drop the co ordinator Paul Ewins a line at paulewins@optusnet.com.au
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