As I mentioned in my previous post about the Canberra Writers Day, the Aurealis Awards were on in the evening. Usually my involvement with the AAs is as an event. I go because it’s a fab evening. I get to see friends and network with the industry. I also get to see the people win awards, some of whom I’ve never heard of so in that case it’s a discovery.
This year I was a judge in the Graphic Novel category and I was…wait for it…the trophy chick. I said to Nicole wouldn’t it be fab if I was your trophy girl instead of some young beautiful thing…and she fell for it. The downside to being the trophy girl is that you get to stand through most of the award ceremony in very uncomfortable high heels and my post may reflect some of that pain and maybe a photo of sore feet.
So the venue at University House turned into a charming venue for the awards ceremony. First there was the cocktail party where we all got to mingle (but not sufficiently for me to get around to everyone I knew or meet new people. Sorry Thoraiya I didn’t even get to say hello properly). I managed to get a glass of bubbly in before the fun began (because I was a dutiful person who went to rehearse with the presentation).
So a few snaps from the cocktail party. Alan Baxter and the lovely Rochelle Fernandez. Alan has a trilogy coming out with Harper Voyager, coming July. I have a book coming out with Harper Impulse under Dani Kristoff (http://danikristoff.wordpress.com for details). BTW I wasn’t out to take photos as Cat Sparks and Mr Fitzgerald were doing that.
Alan Baxter and Rochelle Fernandez
So here is the room, the Great Hall at University House done up with lights.
University House, Great Hall with lights for the Aurealis Awards Ceremony
Here is a piccie of the candelabra that was next to me. They were placed around the room with real candles. Nice!
Candelabra Great Hall, University House, Canberra
Then there were the two fabulous MCs, Sean Williams and Simon Brown who were very funny and who created fantastic tales of intergalactic woe and time spinning tales about the presenters.
Sean Williams and Simon Brown, Masters of Ceremonies Aurealis Awards
And so there were a few surprises in the winnings. Having been a judge I know how close it is to decide the winners so if you were short listed you are amazing to be there.
The ceremony went off without a hitch. (As trophy girl I did not drop anything or confuse the names, even though I didn’t have my glasses on-that’s because Nicole Murphy is so organised).
Some of the winners
Ally (Allyse Near) with her two awards- a tie for Young Adult and for Horror novel. Fairytales for Wilde Girls (Oh no. Not a good photo!)
Allyse Near, Aurealis Awards April 2014
Joanne Anderton, best collection for The Bone Chime Song and other stories
Joanne Anderton, Aurealis Awards April 2014
Kaaron Warren best SF short story, Air, Water and the Grove.
Kaaron Warren, Aurealis Awards 2014
Jackie Ryan-tie for best graphic novel
Jackie Ryan, Aurealis Awards, April 2014
Mitchell Hogan for best fantasy novel, The Crucible of Souls. This was a wow moment for me. It was self-published and his thank you speech included editors I knew and I realised I’d been down a similar road to him with my own fantasy novel (and got nowhere). It opened my eyes quite wide. Well done you, Mitchell. Fabulous.
Mitchell Hogan, Aurealis Awards, April 2014
A photo of Liz Grzyb-who tied for best and anthology for the Year’s Best (with Talie Helene). The awards are in the boxes.
Liz Grzyb, Aurealis Awards, April 2014
A shot of the wonderful Nicole Murphy looking on at the end of the ceremony. The mastermind behind the flawless awards ceremony.
Nicole Murphy, Aurealis Awards, April 2014
Now for some of the crowd, Keri Arthur and gang.
Leife Shallcross, David Versace, Keri Arthur and Rob Porteous. Aurealis Awards, April 2014
Liz’s fab shoes, which I snapped later at the after party. They are Fluevogs. Want! That’s it from me. Don’t forget to come along next time.
Liz Grzyb’s shoes, Fluevogs
Donna Maree Hanson, Author, Phd in Creative Writing 
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