Talie Helene

The Year’s Best Australian Fantasy and Horror 2011

Just a friendly reminder that submissions are open for The Year’s Best Australian Fantasy and Horror 2011. The deadline for submissions is the 20th of January 2012.

I’m reading horror for the anthology (Liz Grzyb is reading fantasy); the full guidelines are up at the Ticonderoga Publications website, but as a handy reminder:

• Stories should have a listed author who is a citizen, resident or otherwise be recognised as having significant ties to Australia and/or New Zealand.
• Stories must have been published between 1 January and 31 December 2011.
• Stories must be received by the editors by 20 January 2012.
• Stories should be no longer than 8,500 words in length.
• The editors will accept photocopies of eligible stories, and, in rare circumstances, electronic copies. If you have any queries please contact the relevant editor via the email address provided.
• Stories should be available in electronic format to be selected for inclusion.
• Decisions made by editors are final and no correspondence shall be entered into.

SUBMIT YOUR HORROR STORIES

For consideration in the Horror section, you should send hard copies of your stories to:

Talie Helene, Horror Editor
The Year’s Best Australian Fantasy and Horror
PO Box 2553
Ringwood North VIC 3134
Australia

Electronic submissions will be considered in some circumstances; please email queries to yearsbesthorror@ticonderogapublications.com

SUBMIT YOUR HORROR NEWS

The Year’s Best Australian Fantasy and Horror 2011 will again feature genre overview essays; in the 2010 edition I authored both The Year in Horror and The Year in Industry. For the 2011 edition I actively encourage writers, publishers and publicists to email me summations of their horror related news, publishing industry news, and any notable interdisciplinary news (horror in graphic novels and comics, screen arts, and performance).

BRAM STOKER AWARDS READING

As a convenient adjunct, I have recently joined the Horror Writers Association as an Active Member, and I am now able to recommend works for the 2011 Bram Stoker Awards (for works published in 2011). The HWA Rec Sheet closes on the 15th of January 2012 (USA time). Any recommendations I might make would be at my discretion, and authors won’t necessarily be informed of this process – I mention it only as an informal value add to those who get their Year’s Best horror short story submissions in early enough to be read before the 15th of January.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2011 was a strong year for Oz horror publishing. Here’s hoping 2012 is even more awesome! Wishing all my friends and associates – in writing and across the arts – a very happy and creative new year!

Ticonderoga Publications, my publisher for The Year’s Best Australian Fantasy & Horror (co-edited with Liz Grzyb), are running a membership drive for their Facebook Group. Join and you could win a copy of Lisa L Hannett‘s Bluegrass Symphony!

Publisher’s Weekly had this to say about Bluegrass Symphony:

“Australian author Hannett’s first collection shows off her fondness for lush imagery, unsettling concepts, indirect prose, and multilayered plots… The 12 stories … push boundaries and experiment with style, form, and meaning, rarely straightforward and often hovering between fantasy and horror. By no means an easy read, this is a collection for fans of weirdness, wonder, and oft-disturbing twists.”

 

Head on over to the Ticonderoga Facebook Group, and join up for your chance to win!

I’d like to direct your attention to the Halloween Fundraiser Auction to raise money for an Eye-Gaze Device to assist Rocky Wood communicate when Motor Neurone Disease (MND) eventually claims his ability to speak.

Most people involved in the dark side of Australian publishing already know Rocky, and are aware of his accomplishments. To say Rocky is a leading light in the Australian horror community is an understatement; as a leading Stephen King scholar, a creative writer, and President of the Horror Writers Association (international), Rocky has distinguished himself by international standards. He is also very generous in engaging with the community, as I can attest with all the help he has given me in networking and promoting The Year’s Best Australian Fantasy & Horror.

You have until 6.30pm (EST – Melbourne time) Saturday 29th October to make a remote bid on any auction item that takes your fancy. There are some excellent books, art and fine decor on offer – far too many for me to list in a single blog post.

The absolute jewel in the crown, was donated by none other than Stephen King himself:

Just After Sunset–call it dusk, call it twilight, it’s a time when human intercourse takes on an unnatural cast, when nothing is quite as it appears, when the imagination begins to reach for shadows as they dissipate to darkness and living daylight can be scared right out of you. It’s the perfect time for Stephen King.

Donated by Stephen King.



US first HC edition signed by Stephen King

Reserve: AU$200 (plus P&H)

VISIT THE AHWA WEBSITE FOR THE EXTENSIVE LIST OF GOODIES UP FOR AUCTION!

Visit the AHWA website to peruse stock and make your bids. You can also make a direct donation to the fundraiser from the AHWA website. (There isn’t a time limit on making donations.)

http://www.australianhorror.com/

I strongly encourage you to make the effort, even if you can only make a small donation – it all adds up, and it is also emotional support for Rocky and his family.

Darkest Dawn at The Green Room
Elizabeth Street, Melbourne 2006

Media Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Halloween Fundraiser Dinner Dance

The Australian American Association, Victoria (AAA) and the Australian Horror Writers Association (AHWA) are hosting a gala dinner dance to raise money toward an Eye-Gaze Device for prominent community figure Rocky Wood, who suffers from Motor Neurone Disease (MND).

The AHWA, Australia’s peak literary association for established and emerging writers working in the horror genre, are united in their support for a leading light in the field. “Rocky Wood has contributed significantly to the Australian horror community,” said Leigh Blackmore, President of the AHWA. “The genre has been enriched through his research on the work of Stephen King and through his international liaison between the Australian Horror Writers Association and the Horror Writers Association (international), of which he is President. Passionate about his interests, Rocky is a renowned speaker on Stephen King, as well as a great bloke. We need more like him to help forge community amongst horror writers the world over.”

AHWA Vice President, Geoff Brown, echoed these sentiments. “The AHWA has nothing but praise for Rocky. Not only is he a fine writer, but he has raised the level of professionalism in our community and has been generous with his expertise. We value his contribution highly, and hope the fundraiser raises enough to cover the cost of the Eye-Gaze Device in full.”

Sam Muscat, President of the AAA, said, “Raising money towards the purchasing of an Eye-Glaze Device is very important; not only for what will be a great support tool for Rocky Wood, but to be able to give something back to Rocky, who has given a great deal of himself to the AAA and the community. Rocky was a committed President and great leader of the AAA, and I could never fill his shoes!” The AAA work towards betterment of relations between Australia and America at all levels; to explore that relationship through analysis, criticism, and celebration. Mr Muscat further stated, “Other members of our community who suffer from this disease will also benefit by the use of this machine, and I am hoping people will be supportive and committed in raising the total funds required to ensure that Rocky can successfully purchase it.”

The Eye-Gaze Device, costing up to $20,000.00, facilitates communication once MND has progressed to the point where speech is no longer possible. MND affects nerve cells controlling muscles, and progressively diminishes a person’s ability to move, speak, breath and swallow; the disease is invariably fatal.

In addition to proceeds from ticket sales, a fundraiser auction is being held. Items on offer include a US first hardcover edition of Just After Sunset, signed and personally donated by Stephen King; an original illustration by Greg Chapman from the forthcoming graphic novel Witches! by Rocky Wood and Lisa Morton;  and signed copies of Rocky Wood’s own books, the graphic novel Horrors! Great Stories of Fear and Their Creators and Stephen King: A Literary Companion. Bids can be made by attendees on the night; remote bidding on items under Vickrey Auction is open until 6.30pm on Saturday 29 October.

The Halloween Fundraiser Dinner Dance will be held on Saturday 29 October 2011, 6.30-pm to midnight, at the City Of Melbourne Bowls Club, Flagstaff Gardens. The dinner dance will feature a DJ spinning monster mashing tunes appropriate to this spectacular Halloween fancy dress event. The venue is licensed and fully catered with a delectable gourmet BBQ buffet.

Anyone interested in attending the dinner dance, or making an auction bid, should visit the website for further information or to book their place at the event: www.australianhorror.com.

For any further information please contact Erin Muscat  at the Australian American Association publicity.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Ticonderoga Publications are proud to announce the release of the inaugural ‘The Year’s Best Australian Fantasy and Horror’ anthology.

Editors Liz Grzyb and Talie Helene have produced a collection of 33 excellent tales from some of Australia’s biggest names and emerging writers.

Liz Grzyb says, “It is a wonderful reference, a snapshot of the Australasian fantasy and horror industries in 2010.”

Talie Helene is thrilled with the early response to the anthology. “Our content isn’t just comprised of predictable, high-exposure stories; these works explore diverse themes, making this an engaging book for the broadest readership.”

The anthology collects 150,000 words of the best stories published last year from the Antipodes. In addition to these incredible tales, the volume includes an overview of 2010 and a list of recommended stories.

“Talie and Liz have done an incredible job in bringing these stories together, this volume is a fantastic start to the series,” says TP publisher Russell B Farr.

The anthology is available in hardcover (RRP AU$50) and trade (RRP AU$35) editions and will be available soon in ebook edition.

Books may be ordered online at:

• http://indiebooksonline.com
• http://www.amazon.com
• http://www.amazon.co.uk
• http://www.bookdepository.com/
• http://www.barnesandnoble.com/

Also available from fine bookshops such as:

• Pulp Fiction
• Slow Glass Books

Media & author submission queries may be directed to the editors.

Liz Grzyb – Fantasy Editor
Talie Helene – Horror Editor

The editors have begun reading for the second volume of ‘The Year’s Best Fantasy and Horror’. Submission guidelines are available from the Ticonderoga Publications website: http://ticonderogapublications.com

Heather Royston reviewed More Scary Kisses recently for the webzine She Never Slept. Royston seemed to dig the entire anthology, with the exception of Kirstyn McDermott‘s story Frostbitten. I actually really loved that story – it was one of the stories under critique at my first SuperNova meeting – but it is a doomed romance. I think doomed romances are essential to paranormal romance, but they may break romance genre rules in leaving a bitter aftertaste. But that may be why I like the story so much; it’s fucked up like a Nick Cave song where all the sweet loving turns out to be perverse, and separation shears off massive amounts of skin. I think Felicity Dowker‘s story Bread and Circuses in Scary Kisses had a similar effect of bleakness and doom. (No one is going to be shocked if I claim to be inured to very dark fiction.)

Royston gave an absolute rave review of The Last Gig Of Jimmy Rucker, the co-authored short story Martin Livings and I have in More Scary Kisses. Royston wrote:

…then I got to “The Last Gig of Jimmy Rucker” by Martin Livings and Talie Helene, and the world had to stop for a bit. I was absolutly enthralled by this one. It was both heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time. It wasn’t quite about ghosts, but spirits. Spirits of love, music, a better time. This one took my breath away and when I turned the last page I got choked up, not only because the story was over but because the book was as well.

I know Martin and I were both really happy with how this collaboration turned out, and are both very proud of the story. To have it receive such an overwhelming emotional response is so cool. Of course, Martin being Positive Online Martin suggested the story may have triggered an asthma attack in the reviewer. (There is something wrong with the way Martin’s brain works. I actually like his anti-PR PR, but there may be something wrong with the way my brain works too! I’m calling it “lateral thinking” because we all retain our dignity that way.)

You can read the rest of Heather Royston’s review at She Never Slept.

You can purchase More Scary Kisses as a paperback or an ebook from Indie Books Online, Amazon, and other fine book retailers such as Pulp Fiction and Slow Glass Books.

Edited by: Liz Grzyb
Published by: Ticonderoga Publications
ISBN-10: 0980781329
ISBN-13: 978-0980781328

Thirteen days to Halloween, and that’s how long you have to enter the Giveaway Competition over at Goodreads for your chance to WIN a copy of the groundbreaking first volume of The Year’s Best Australian Fantasy & Horror!

About The Book

2010 was a great year for Australian fantasy and horror, with the World Science Fiction convention held in Melbourne serving as an impetus for many publishers, both large and small, to showcase the breadth and depth of Australian and New Zealand speculative fiction. Several hundred fantasy and horror stories by Antipodeans were published in 2010, contained in Australasian and international magazines, webzines, anthologies and collections.

From this plethora of work, editors Liz Grzyb and Talie Helene have selected 33 tales of fantasy, dark fantasy, horror and paranormal romance for this volume.  The editors also present an overview of the genre in Australia in 2010, including noting significant works, events, and the results of the major awards. Together with a recommended reading list this is both a book to be read and a valuable reference work.

Published by a leading Australian independent publisher, this is first volume of an ambitious annual series that will document the state of health of the fantasy and horror genre throughout Australia and New Zealand.

ENTER NOW FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN!

Edited by Liz Grzyb & Talie Helene

The second in an ongoing annual series collecting the best fantasy and horror stories from the Antipodes.

The deadline for submissions is 20 January 2012.

Eligibility Guidelines

• Stories should have a listed author who is a citizen, resident or otherwise be recognised as having significant ties to Australia and/or New Zealand.
• Stories must have been published between 1 January and 31 December 2011.
• Stories must be received by the editors by 20 January 2012.
• Stories should be no longer than 8,500 words in length.
• The editors will accept photocopies of eligible stories, and, in rare circumstances, electronic copies. If you have any queries please contact the relevant editor via the email address provided.
• Stories should be available in electronic format to be selected for inclusion.
• Decisions made by editors are final and no correspondence shall be entered into.

Please note that while the editors do read widely, they are relying on writers to assist them by sending copies of their stories. This is the best way to ensure that stories do not get overlooked.

Expected Publication Date June/July 2012

FANTASY SUBMISSIONS

Post to

Liz Grzyb

Year’s Best Fantasy and Horror
PO Box 29
Greenwood WA 6924
email queries click here

HORROR SUBMISSIONS

Post to

Talie Helene

Year’s Best Fantasy and Horror
PO Box 2553
Ringwood North VIC 3134
email queries click here

This news just in from Ticonderoga Publications.