March 2012

Free read: weekly international science journal Nature has published Australian physicist CLAYTON LOCKE’s short story A Game of Self-Deceit. This is one of the journal’s end-page Futures stories, the best of which will be re-published by SF2 Concatenation at the end of the year (nature.com; contributed by Jonathan Cowrie, concatenation.org)

ANDROMEDA SPACEWAYS INFLIGHT MAGAZINE (see details of latest issue under New Releases) is offering a year’s subscription to Andromeda Spaceways (53–55) plus the previous two issues, plus three randomly-chosen back issues for only $45. Due to popularity, this special offer has been extended until March 10. (www.andromedaspaceways.com; contributed by Edwina Harvey)

A new, free speculative fiction eZine, SQ MAG, was launched on 1 March 2012. It is international in scope, usually publishing 6 to 9 speculative fiction short pieces every two months, representing all genres. It also contains book reviews and some articles/interviews, and great art. The Editor-in-Chief is Melbourne-based Sophie Yorkston, and the publisher and contributing editor is Gerry Huntman (also based in Melbourne). (sqmag.com; contributed by Gerry Huntman)

New blog THIRTEEN O’CLOCK is dedicated to dark fiction news and reviews from Australia and international. (thirteenoclock.com.au)

PEGGY BRIGHT BOOKS is pleased to announce that their titles — Rare Unsigned Copy: Tales of Rocketry, ineptitude and Giant Mutant Vegetables, a collection of work by Simon Petrie, and Young Adult SF Novel The Whale’s Tale by Edwina Harvey — are now available to buy as e-books for 2.50 GB Pounds each from Wizards Tower Books. (www.wizardtowerbooks.com; contributed by Edwina Harvey)

Buy your tickets for the AUREALIS AWARDS before 15 March to receive the early bird discount. Shortlist will be released mid-March. (aurealisawards.com)

NEW RELEASES

Australian author ISOBELLE CARMODY will have a re-issued collection of stories out soon, Green Metro Winds, re-published by Allen and Unwin. A beautifully packaged reissue of fourteen stories written over thirteen years, first published in 1996, aimed at readers aged 15+.

The 53rd issue of ANDROMEDA SPACEWAYS INFLIGHT MAGAZINE features fiction by Jo Anderton, Lee Blevins, Clare M Clerkin-Russell, Gary Cuba (twice!), R H Culp, Murray Ewing, Matthew Fryer, Lee Hallison, B G Hilton, Krista Hoeppner Leahy, R P L Johnson, J F Keeping, Barton Paul Levenson, Marissa Lingen and Debbie Moorhouse, poetry by Alexandra Seidel, artwork by Nico Photos, Greg Hughes and Olivia Kernot, and an interview with Jo Anderton. Plus book reviews. Print and e-book copies can be purchased from the ASIM website. (www.andromedaspaceways.com; contributed by Edwina Harvey)

Coming in June from GARTH NIX is Shade’s Children. The dystopic tale of Shade’s Children struggling in the ruins of the city. All they have is each other, their Change Talents, and Shade, who masterminds their struggle against the pitiless Overlords. But who, or what, is Shade? Ages 14+. $16.99.

AWARDS AND NOMINATIONS

Nominations for the 2012 CHRONOS AWARDS for excellence in Victorian science fiction in 2011 are open till 18 March. (continuum.org.au)

CONVENTIONS

SUPANOVA Pop Culture Expo is back for 2012, opening with expos in Melbourne and the Gold Coast in April. Come see Wil Wheaton, possibly collating paper! (supanova.com.au)

Continuum 8 (Melbourne’s SF and pop culture convention) will take place on the Queen’s Birthday Weekend, 8–11 June 2012. Guests of Honour are Kelly Link, Alison Goodman, and Sue-Ann Barber. (continuum.org.au)

The Unseen University Convivium 2012 takes place from 6–8 July 2012. (ausdwcon.org)

Got more news? Add it in the comments and/or send an email to have it included in next month’s issue.