Ripping Ozzie Reads

Since I began interviewing spec fic writers I’ve noticed that many of them also write mysteries*. I think the world building needed to write SF or fantasy is similiar in some ways to the world building needed to craft a mystery.

Here’s a short story competition run by the Sisters in Crime (Australia) – The Scarlet Stiletto Awards.  The only caveat is that it is open to women writers, because this is the Sisters in Crime, not Siblings in Crime. This is the announcement:

19th Scarlet Stiletto Awards Crime short story competition now open

Sisters in Crime Australia’s 19^th Scarlet Stiletto Awards, Australia’s only crime writing competition for women, are now open with a record $5350 up for grabs.

Note: the increases in the Harper Collins 1^st prize and the Allen & Unwin’s and 2 new awards:

• Athenaeum Library ‘Body in the Library’ competition $1000/$500 runner-up for the best crime story containing the words ‘body in the library’.
• Catherine Leppert Award for ‘best environmental theme’ ($250).

Other prizes include:

Harper Collins 1^st prize (now $1000) plus the coveted scarlet stiletto trophy

Kill City Bookshop 2nd prize ($400)

The Cate Kennedy 3rd prize ($350)

Allen & Unwin Young Writers’ Award (now $500) for writers 18 or under.

The Kerry Greenwood Malice Domestic Award ($500)

Benn’s Books: Best Investigative story ($200 voucher)

ScriptWorks Great Film Idea Award: ($200)

Pulp Fiction Bookshop: Funniest Crime Award ($150 voucher)

Thanks also to Spinifex Books

To explore what makes a winning story, you might want to read Scarlet Stiletto: The Second Cut, a collection of 22 winning stories from the last four year of the competition, and the  reprint of Scarlet Stiletto: The First Cut, a volume of 26 stories from the first 13 years,  published by ClanDestine Press for SheKilda 2011: Australian Women Crime Writers’ Convention, Sisters in Crime’s 20^th anniversary celebrations. Scarlet Stiletto: The Second Cut was The Age’s ‘Book of the Week’ on 17 December last year. (Copies can be ordered via Sisters in Crime web site. )

The 19th Scarlet Stiletto Awards close on August 31, 2012. Entry fee: $10. Maximum story length: 5000 word. Entry forms are available or writing to Sisters in Crime Australia, GPO Box 5319, Melbourne 3001

Further info: Contact Carmel Shute, National Co-convenor, Sisters in Crime Australia 0412 569 356 cshute@internode.on.net

*Watch out for my noir-paranormal-crime The Price of Fame.

The New Zealand Writers College short story competition is open to both NZ and OZ writers (who have had less than 4 short stories published). Winning or placing in competitions is a good way to establish your writing credentials.

The theme is: Full Circle.

See here for details.

It is a very reasonable first prize ($1000).  You can see archived winning entries here.

(With thanks to Sonny Whitelaw, (writer of Stargate books among other things), for bringing this to my attention).

When I was at World Con in 2005 I met Jo Fletcher (we were on a panel together). At the time she was editing for Gollanz. Now she has her own line with Quercus Publihsing. And she’s looking for books.

From the web site:

I couldn’t believe it on Sunday night, when I got a text from Jack Dann saying he’d just presented me with the A. Bertram Chandler Award for 2012 at the Melbourne Natcon – only I wasn’t there. I felt bad not to have accepted in person, though I’m sure Jonathan Strahan did a great job accepting on my behalf – but what an occasion to miss. It’s the first Melbourne Con or Natcon I’ve missed in ages.

Of course, I had no idea I might win anything, let alone the A. Bertram Chandler Award, which is an overall award for making a major contribution to Australian SF and spec fiction. I look over the list of previous recipients and think, wow, do I really belong in that company? It’s a huge honour, and I feel kind of humbled.

The actual prizes arrived today – a massive decorative plate, a lovely little engraved glass plinth, and a framed citation certificate. I took a photo -

Hmm, not sure if that shows up very well. I did my best!
I wasn’t the only RORee winner on the night – but since I wasn’t there, I’ll leave Tansy to report …

Paula says:

Thanks for all the great comments – there was some really interesting early reading material mentioned. I wish I had copies for all of you, but the winner is Braiden. Hope you enjoy Shadows.

Braiden if you email me I’ll pass your address along to the people at Text Publishing, who will send you a copy of Shadows.  rowena(at)corydaniells(dot)com