The book TRAILER for The Monster: Troubletwisters 2 by bestselling Australian authors Garth Nix and Sean Williams is available for viewing on YouTube. The book itself is out this month. (troubletwisters.com.au)

Garth Nix has also recently been involved in developing an online game, Imperial Galaxy which ties in with his new release A Confusion of Princes and has an article on the game in this month’s Bookseller & Publisher. (Contributed by Lara Wallace)

Continuum 8 (Melbourne) is SEEKING PANELLISTS for their list of panels, as well as people interested in doing presentations (especially sciency) or running workshops that fit in with the craft theme. There’s still time to suggest a panel topic too. Email programming@continuum.org.au. (continuum.org.au)

NEW RELEASES

IRON SKY, the part-Australian production about space Nazis, will be released in Australia on May 10.

Australian author TIM O’BREE has released a new SF book entitled Galaxy Battle League (Part One of Eight), available via the Galaxy Battle League website, and through Amazon. (galaxybattleleague.com; contributed by Sally Knight)

As mentioned above, THE MONSTER, sequel to Troubletwisters by Garth Nix and Sean Williams is out this month.

Upcoming this month from KATE SMITH is What Night Hides. Set in the same world as her recent release Illumé, What Night Hides introduces the darkly enchanting world of the Nichtthane, immortal peacekeepers of the supernatural world. Sign up to the Winterbourne Publishing newsletter to receive news of its release. (winterbournepublishing.com.au)

AWARDS AND NOMINATIONS

The AUREALIS AWARDS ceremony will be held on Saturday 12 May. Doors open 7.30pm for an 8pm start, and award-winning author Kate Forsyth will act as Master of Ceremonies. (aurealisawards.com)

Nominations are now open for a DOWN UNDER FAN FUND delegate from North America to Continuum 8 in June. Founded in 1972 and supported by donations, DUFF sends a delegate from North America to Australia–New Zealand, or vice versa in alternate years. Nominations will be accepted until midnight 11 May Pacific Daylight Time. The ballot will be published as soon as possible thereafter with candidates, nominators, and platforms. Voting will probably close 31 May. The ANZ Adminstrator is David Cake. Dave can be reached at dave@difference.com.au. (Via Andrew Porter)

CONVENTIONS

SUPANOVA Pop Culture Expo will be in Sydney and Perth in June. (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)

CON 9 will be held in Melbourne on 14–15 July 2012. Con 9 is a not-for-profit science fiction convention devoted to the “golden age” of classic Sci-Fi movies, TV shows and radio programmes up to 1965 (though the primary focus is mainly the 1950s). For the fans, by the fans. For membership and more information check out the website. (con9fromouterspace.com)

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

Continuum also have a QUIZ NIGHT coming up, 7–10.30pm, Saturday 21st April at the Celtic Club. $10 entry.

Australian SF fans have the chance to join in FILM BY DEMOCRACY, the creation of a new SF series to be released in 2013. It’s a community-driven online series where users decide on story, characters, title, cast and soundtrack via votes, surveys, discussions and creative submissions. (filmbydemocracy.com; contributed by Monte Macpherson)

Ticonderoga Publications announced that they will be publishing Patty JANSEN’s novel Ambassador in 2013. Congratulations to Patty. (ticonderogapublications.com)

NEW RELEASES

New this month from GARTH NIX is A Confusion of Princes, a grand adventure that spans galaxies and lifetimes. Taken from his parents as a child and equipped with biological and technological improvements, Khemri is now an enhanced human being, trained and prepared for the glory of becoming a Prince of the Empire. But no sooner has Prince Khemri graduated to full Princehood than he learns the terrible truth behind the Empire: there are ten million princes, and all of them want each other dead. Bonus Garth Nix short story ‘Master Haddad’s Holiday’ exclusive to the ANZ edition. Ages 14+.

AWARDS AND NOMINATIONS

The AUREALIS AWARDS FINALISTS have been announced. The awards ceremony will be held in May and tickets are on sale now. Congratulations to all the finalists. (aurealisawards.com)

2012 Australian SF DITMAR nominations are open until one minute before midnight Melbourne time on Sunday, 15 April, 2012 (ie. 11.59pm, GMT+10). Postal nominations must be postmarked no later than Friday, 13 April, 2012. Nominations can be made online at http://ditmars.sf.org.au/2012/nominations.html.

CONVENTIONS

SUPANOVA Pop Culture Expo is back for 2012, opening with expos in Melbourne and the Gold Coast this month. (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)

CON 9 will be held in Melbourne on 14–15 July 2012. Con 9 is a not-for-profit science fiction convention devoted to the “golden age” of classic Sci-Fi movies, TV shows and radio programmes up to 1965 (though the primary focus is mainly the 1950s). For the fans, by the fans. For membership and more information check out the website. (con9fromouterspace.com)

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

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.

An Introduction to Australian Horror by LISA L HANNETT was published in This is Horror. (thisishorror.co.uk/)

Latest SF2 Concatenation (worldside SF news) out now. (concatenation.org)

OUTLAND, gay SF fan club comedy series, will premiere this Wednesday, 8 February at 9:30pm on ABC1. You can view and share the trailer via Youtube. (Contributed by Daniela Velickovic, Princess Pictures)

The Adelaide Fringe Festival is presenting PRATCHETT PIECES THREE, three short quirky comedies adapted from pTerry’s short stories. They will be performed at Bakehouse Theatre by the Unseen Theatre Company, 255 Angas St from 22–24 February at 8pm (full season opening from 10 February, but only three performances during Fringe). Tickets cost between $15–18, and bookings can be made via Bakehouse (pre-Fringe shows) or Fringe. (adelaidefringe.com.au; courtesy of Discworld Monthly)

The PERTH WRITERS FESTIVAL is on 23–26 February. From workshops for aspiring genre writers to chances to talk about the books that have enthralled us and chat with favourite genre authors, the writers festival is a great weekend out for Perth SF/F/H/etc fans. Highlights include workshops It Just Feels Real by Lauren Beukes and Creating the Extraordinary from the Ordinary by Australian Lara Morgan, and discussion panels It’s All Speculation and Reimagining the Future. (perthfestival.com.au; Contributed by my own geeky excitement)

The Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS) is offering a WORKSHOP on Writing Sci-Fi for TV and Film on 25–26 February, 10am–5pm at the Wheeler Centre, Melbourne. It will be an informative and practical weekend with concept and character creation exercises, numerous film viewings, in-depth genre analysis and plenty of discussion. It will be run by Luke Devenish and costs $400. Enrollments are open now. The workshop will also run online starting April for 10 weeks. (aftrs.edu.au; Contributed by Atalanti Dionysus)

Here’s a fun one for the crafty geeks among us: Twelfth Planet Press is calling for submissions (patterns and photos) for a craft ebook project to be released at Craftonomicon. A STITCH IN TIME TRAVEL seeks innovative and fun science fiction, fantasy or horror inspired craft projects on the theme of time travel. Submissions close 30 April 2012, see the website for full submission details. (twelfthplanetpress.com)

NEW RELEASES

ISOBELLE CARMODY will have a new collection of stories out soon, Metro Winds, published by Allen and Unwin, aimed at readers aged 15+.

JOHN A KIRK has released his third novel, The Blue Blue Hills of Xuhl, published by Zeus Publications.

AWARDS AND NOMINATIONS

Big congratulations to WILL ELLIOTT, whose 2006 debut novel The Pilo Family Circus has won Best Foreign Novel at the 2011 Nocte Awards from the Spanish Association of Horror Writers (translated as El Circo de la Familia Pilo). This follows on the ABC Fiction Award, an Aurealis Award and a Ditmar upon its initial release. (Courtesy of Concatenation; concatenation.org)

Plenty of Australians on the David Gemmell LEGEND Award for Fantasy list, and voting is open till the end of March. Show your favourite Australian speculative fiction writers some love and vote now. For one of them, obviously. (Thanks to @editormum75)

Nominations for the 2012 CHRONOS AWARDS for excellence in Victorian science fiction in 2011 are now open. The awards will be presented at Continuum 8: Craftonomicon. (continuum.org.au)

CONVENTIONS

The Unseen University Convivium 2012 takes place from 6–8 July 2012. Discounted prices for early-bird membership are due to end at the end of February so get in now if you want them. (ausdwcon.org/)

Chicon 7, the 70th World Science Fiction Convention (WORLDCON) has opened hotel bookings to all members. The entire event will take place at the Hyatt Regency; bookings should be made through the Chicon 7 suites team (suites at chicon dot org). (chicon.org)

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

There’s a CALL FOR STORIES by Australian authors for Internova, an international e-zine of sci-fi and speculative fiction. They are looking for high-quality, literary science fiction and speculative fiction. (nova-sf.de/internova; contributed by Sven Kloepping)

DAVID GOLDING has made available his very interesting scholarly article on the lack of SF published in Australia, first published as No Future? The Lack of Science Fiction Published in Australia, Publishing Research Quarterly, 27 (1), March 2011. (Contributed by David Golding)

DOCTOR WHO CLUB OF AUSTRALIA SYDNEY FAN EVENTS in December: Friday 9th, Seven Hills RSL from 6.30pm, meet in lounge area near the escalator; Saturday 10th, Sydney Doctor Who Video Night from 3pm at home of Dallas Jones in St Marys; Friday 16th, Sutherland United Services Club at Sutherland from 6.30pm; Friday 23th, The Ranch at Eastwood from 6.30 pm meet in the Bistro area; Saturday 31st, Sydney Doctor Who Video Night & NYE’s Party from 3pm till the next day at the home of Joel Rose in Avalon. For further information email Dallas Jones at dallasljones at hotmail.com (Contributed by Dallas Jones).

Powerhouse Museum in Sydney is the only place in Australia to see HARRY POTTER: The Exhibition, from November 19. The exhibition offers fans a look at the artistry and craftsmanship that went into creating the iconic props and costumes that have appeared throughout the Harry Potter film series. (www.powerhousemuseum.com)

RMIT Gallery presents 2112 Imagining the Future, showcasing a range of images revealing how contemporary artists imagine the world might look in one hundred years’ time. It’s on until 28 January 2012 and includes several free public progam events, such as ‘Painting the Future’, Tuesday 6 December (bookings essential). (www.rmit.edu.au)

NEIL GAIMAN will be appearing at the Wheeler Centre on December 16 to talk about his life and works. This event is already booked out. (wheelercentre.com)

OUTLAND, the cult-favourite Australian series about a gay SF fan club, will be playing on ABC in February 2012.

The Age has an interview with TERRY PRATCHETT. (theage.com.au; Courtesy of Discworld Monthly)

NEW RELEASES

The CONFLUX COOKBOOK, Five Historial Feasts — The Banquets of Conflux includes authentic recipes from medieval feasts and five new short stories. conflux.org.au)

ILLUMÉ is a new urban fantasy book by Australian author Kate Smith. Thane da Silva works for the Subrosa Negri, a secretive department charged with keeping the peace between the mundane and the Pale, those beings with a little touch of the supernatural in their genetic makeup. As the full blue moon casts a glow over Paris, Thane’s search for a pair of romantics performing a doomed ritual is just the beginning of an elaborate charade of mirrors and strange communiqués. By turns macabre and whimsical, gothic and pop-cultural, Illumé will take you on a lavish journey into the shadows of the City of Light. Available in print and ebook formats. Find out more at Winterbourne Publishing. (winterbournepublishing.com.au)

AWARDS AND NOMINATIONS

None?

CONVENTIONS

The UNSEEN UNIVERSITY CONVIVIUM is a gathering, shindig or hootenanny (delete whichever is inappropriate) of Discworld fans, being held in Adelaide, 6-8 July 2012 at the University of Adelaide. You can find out more information and purchase tickets via http://ausdwcon.org, http://facebook.com/UnseenUni, http://twitter.com/UnseenUni or UnseenUni2012@gmail.com. (http://ausdwcon.org/; courtesy of Discworld Monthly)

Continuum in June 2012 is the Australian National SF Convention for 2012, and is seeking volunteers — info@continuum.org.au. Continuum 8 will be held at the Rydges on Swanston, in Carlton. (continuum.org.au)

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

Powerhouse Museum in Sydney will be the only place in Australia to see HARRY POTTER: The Exhibition, opening on November 19. The exhibition offers fans a look at the artistry and craftsmanship that went into creating the iconic props and costumes that have appeared throughout the Harry Potter film series. (www.powerhousemuseum.com)

Issue 30 of Apex Magazine features an article on “The Australian Dark Weird” by TANSY RAYNER ROBERTS. (apex-magazine.com)

Australian writer ISOBELLE CARMODY talked about fantasy writing on Radio National’s Life Matters. (abc.net.au/rn/lifematters)

The Australian Society of Authors (ASA) is organising a COMICS AND GRAPHIC NOVELS MASTERCLASS, run by US illustrator Colleen Doran. It runs on the weekend of 19—20 November from 9am—5pm each day, at the Aerial UTS Function Centre, Broadway, Sydney, and costs $135 for ASA members, $165 for students, and $195 for non-members. (comicsmasterclass.com)

NEW RELEASES

Glide in Slowtime is a new book by Australian author BARRY ROSENBERG. Glide has the pen pusher blues until the day his black cloud of depression turns into a magic man who whisks him off to Auslan, a former paradise in need of a hero. But first Glide has to untangle the secret of Slowtime. A comedic fantasy reminiscent of early Pratchett, with a uniquely Australian flavour and a steampunk twist, Glide in Slowtime will take you on a romp where science is magic and magic is science. Available in print and ebook formats. Find out more at Winterbourne Publishing. (winterbournepublishing.com.au)

Trade and hardback editions of the Year’s Best Australian FANTASY AND HORROR ANTHOLOGY are available through Ticonderoga Publications. It features the best 33 genre stories from Australian authors published in 2010. The collection process for 2011 hus begun.

AWARDS AND NOMINATIONS

Congratulations to ALISA KRASNOSTEIN, winner of a Special Award—Non-professional for Twelfth Planet Press at the World Fantasy Awards. (worldfantasy.org/awards/)

Voting for the 2012 GUFF (Get Up and over Fan Fund or Going Under Fan Fund) is open and you can download the voting ballot.

CONVENTIONS

The Fantastic Asian Film Festival (FAFF) is a celebration of the diversity and invention of Asian genre films, kicking off with Yoshihiro Nishimura’s hilarious and mind bogglingly excessive zombie-splatter-comedy, Helldriver, and ending with one of the funniest, cutest, sweetest and yet downright filthiest films ever produced, Shinji Imaoka’s Underwater Love. It’s on in Melbourne next week from November 10—13 at Cinema Nova, Carlton. (faff.com.au)

SUPANOVA Pop Culture Expo is on next weekend in Melbourne (12 November, The Plenary MCEC). (www.supanova.com.au)

Continuum in June 2012 is the Australian National SF Convention for 2012, and is seeking volunteers — info@continuum.org.au. (continuum.org.au)

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

TWITTER EVENT: KELLY LINK is a guest of honour at next year’s Continuum, and her first two short story collections, Magic for Beginners and Stranger Things Happen are available to read free. Magic for Beginners contains Catskin, which Twitterers will be reading and tweeting about Monday 10 October, 7pm, hashtag to be announced.

Continuum’s major fundraiser, the 3rd Annual HALLOWEEN TRIVIA EVENT will be held on Saturday 29 October, from 2-5pm at the Celtic Club, Queen St, Melbourne. Inquizitor Narrelle M. Harris will test your knowledge on everything from androids to zombies. Prizes for the winning team and the most fantastically dressed, plus raffle and door prizes. For more information or to RSVP, email events@continuum.org.au with ‘trick or trivia’ in the subject line. (continuuum.org.au)

OBIT: Australian fantasy author SARA DOUGLASS has died of ovarian cancer.

SF2 Concatenation has posted its autumn distillation of major SF news worldwide. Australian news includes a mention of GRANT WATSON’s superlative film programme at Aussiecon 4, and a reference to upcoming CON 9 “golden age” film festival. The summary also lists new genre book releases that you might like to check out (www.concatenation.org; contributed by Jonathon)

Australian six-part comedy TV series OUTLAND will premiere at the Seattle Lesbian and Gay Film Festival. The series is based on the only short film to play both the Melbourne Queer Film Festival and the World Science Fiction Convention and focusses on the members of a gay science-fiction fan club and their adventures in our weird world.

Fortnightly from 6pm at City Library in Melbourne, find COMIC CLUB, a free graphic novel discussion group suitable for 15-year-olds and up. The next meeting is Wednesday 12 October and they’ll be discussing Fun Home by Alison Bechdel. Read about the club and its organiser in an interview with Meld Magazine.

The Australian Society of Authors (ASA) is organising a COMICS AND GRAPHIC NOVELS MASTERCLASS, run by US illustrator Colleen Doran. It runs on the weekend of 19–20 November from 9am-5pm each day, at the Aerial UTS Function Centre, Broadway, Sydney, and costs $135 for ASA members, $165 for students, and $195 for non-members. (comicsmasterclass.com)

Terry Pratchett’s MONSTROUS REGIMENT will be performed by Brisbane Arts Theatre starting from 8 October and running to the beginning of November. (www.artstheatre.com.au; courtesy of Discworld Monthly)

The Queensland Writer Centre is running a ‘Writing Science Fiction Short Story’ SHORT COURSE from 17 October in its Online Learning Centre. The course will be facilitated by Lee Battersby and runs for six weeks. It costs $150. (www.qwc.asn.au; submitted by Imogen Smith).

Powerhouse Museum in Sydney will be the only place in Australia to see HARRY POTTER: The Exhibition, opening on 19 November 2011. The exhibition offers fans a look at the artistry and craftsmanship that went into creating the iconic props and costumes that have appeared throughout the Harry Potter film series. (www.powerhousemuseum.com)

We’ll have another giveaway next month.

NEW RELEASES

Neal Stephenson’s new book REAMDE is out for release this month (giveaway details already mentioned). Bullsheet editor has read an advance copy and can recommend it to Stephenson fans and those who like their thrillers meaty, complex and cyber. Allen & Unwin’s new book catalogue for each month is available online or by subscription. (www.allenandunwin.com)

AWARDS AND NOMINATIONS

DUFF update (progress of fundraising and detailed breakdown of 2011 voting results) is available from ehawkes at iinet.net.au.(contributed by Emma Harkes)

CONVENTIONS

Conflux, right now (Canberra). Also coming up in October are SHEKILDA Again and ARMAGEDDON Expo Australia, both in Melbourne.

November sees the last SUPANOVA Pop Culture Expos for 2011, in Brisbane (4–6 November, RNA Showgrounds) and Melbourne (12 November, The Plenary MCEC). (www.supanova.com.au)

Continuum in June 2012 is the Australian National SF Convention for 2012, and is seeking volunteers — info@continuum.org.au. (continuum.org.au)

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

In a few short days, ALAN BALL, creative force behind HBO’s True Blood adaptation, will be appearing at the Sydney Opera House in conversation with Wil Anderson. It is on Thursday 8 September [corrected] from 7pm and tickets are available from $35. (www.sydneyoperahouse.com)

Wil Anderson also recently hosted a night with JOSS WHEDON (Buffy etc), which can be viewed online.

Submissions to FABLECROFT‘s speculative fiction short story anthology on the theme “Apocalypose Hope” close 30 September. The stories must in some way address the idea that after the apocalypse (whatever and wherever in your universe that might be), there is a future for the peoples who survive it. (fablecroft.com.au)

Conflux is almost upon us and the CONFLUX BANQUET will be held Saturday 1 October from 7pm. This year’s banquet is aboard the LZ-127 Graf Zeppelin in its first round-the-world trip in August 1929. Dr Gillian Polack is once again designing a wonderful historically accurate three-course menu and entertainment. Embark from the Hellenic Club, Matilda Street, Woden ACT 2606. Tickets are $50. See the booking form or contact banquet@conflux.org.au for details. (conflux.org.au; submitted by Dr Gillian Polack)

Terry Pratchett’s MONSTROUS REGIMENT will be performed by Brisbane Arts Theatre starting from 8 October and running to the beginning of November. (www.artstheatre.com.au; courtesy of Discworld Monthly)

The SF HISTORY IN AUSTRALIA blog is adding regular posts and photos using the archive materials found in the Murdoch University basement, mentioned in Bullsheet March 2011. (history.sf.org.au)

Now in pre-production, all-Australian production THE 25TH REICH by Revolution Pictures and Tait Brady’s Acme Film Company Productions is based on a novella by Sci Fi pulp writer J.J. Solomon and is slated for release on May 2012.

Aus Spec Fic Blog Carnival for August.

Ticonderoga Publications have put together a recommended reading list for YEAR’S BEST AUSTRALIAN FANTASY AND HORROR STORIES for 2010. (ticonderogapublications.com)

The Queensland Writer Centre is running a ‘Writing Science Fiction Short Story’ SHORT COURSE in October in its Online Learning Centre. The course will be facilitated by Lee Battersby and runs for six weeks. (www.qwc.asn.au; submitted by Imogen Smith).

Powerhouse Museum in Sydney will be the only place in Australia to see HARRY POTTER: The Exhibition, opening on 19 November 2011. The exhibition offers fans a look at the artistry and craftsmanship that went into creating the iconic props and costumes that have appeared throughout the Harry Potter film series. (www.powerhousemuseum.com)

NEW RELEASES

Check out THE TUNNEL, (relativly) new Australian horror movie — see it free, legally. (www.thetunnelmovie.net)

TimeSplash, time travel thriller by Australian author GRAHAM STORRS has been released in audio book format by Canadian publisher, Iambik Audiobooks. (iambik.com; submitted by Graham Storrs)

Australian author GARY J MCCLEARY has a new book out, Journey to a Far Away Place, published by Zeus Publications. It’s a speculative fiction novel about the afterlife, where “the only way to get out of hell is to invite your wife along”. Review copies and interview opportunies are available. (zeus-publications.com; submitted by Donna Munroe)

The second issue of Eye to the Telescope is out now and features Australian and New Zealand SPECULATIVE POETRY edited by Tim Jones. (www.eyetothetelescope.com)

WINDS OF CHANGE, a new anthology by CSFG Publishing, will be launched at Conflux on Friday 30 September. It includes stories by popular speculative fiction authors Nicole Murphy (Dream of Asarlai series) and Alan Baxter (Realmshift, MageSign), as well as showcasing a range of new Australian talent. (submitted by Rob Porteous)

AWARDS AND NOMINATIONS

The HUGO AWARDS winners have been announced. (www.thehugoawards.org)

The 2011 NED KELLY AWARDS winners, for Australian crime fiction, have been announced, and the award ceremony was held on 31 August. (nedkellyawards.com)

The 2011 AUREALIS AWARDS nomination period has opened. The awards are for speculative fiction works written by an Australian citizen or permanent resident published for the first time between 1 January 2011 and 31 December 2011. Entries close on 31 December 2011 and the finalists will be announced in March 2012, with the winners announced in Sydney in May. For more information contact the Awards co-convenors, Chris Barnes and Susan Wardle, at convenors@aurealisawards.com. (www.aurealisawards.com)

CONVENTIONS

Conflux, obviously, first weekend in October (Canberra). Also coming up in October are SHEKILDA Again and ARMAGEDDON Expo Australia, both in Melbourne.

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

The Wheeler Centre has uploaded a video of the sold-out TERRY PRATCHETT evening “Imagination, not intelligence, made us human” at Storey Hall (mentioned in Bullsheet April 2011). The video includes a reading from the upcoming Discworld novel, Snuff. (wheelercentre.com; courtesy of Discworld Monthly)

Author of the FALLEN series, Lauren Kate, is currently conducting an Australian tour. Follow it on Twitter with #fallentour.

For the fast writers among you, magazine AFL Record is running a SHORT STORY COMPETITION about the 2022 AFL World Rules, a story in which Australian football has gone international and overtaken soccer as the “world game”. Though its topic is football, its essence is SF. It closes August 7. (aflrecord.com.au; submitted by Alan Stewart)

WORTHY CAUSE: Melbourne Browncoats (fans of Joss Whedon’s Firefly, as if you didn’t know that already) are running a FUNDRAISER for Equality Now as part of the annual, global Can’t Stop the Serenity charity movement. The New Melbourne Browncoats will be screening Serenity and Dr Horrible’s Sing-along Blog at Federation Hall in Southbank. The event will feature raffles and door prizes, a charity auction and Browncoat merchandise. Tickets available now. (www.newmelbournebrowncoats.com)

The Queensland Writer Centre is running a ‘Writing Science Fiction Short Story’ SHORT COURSE in October in its Online Learning Centre. The course will be facilitated by Lee Battersby and runs for six weeks. (www.qwc.asn.au; submitted by Imogen Smith).

Powerhouse Museum in Sydney will be the only place in Australia to see HARRY POTTER: The Exhibition, opening on 19 November 2011. The exhibition offers fans a look at the artistry and craftsmanship that went into creating the iconic props and costumes that have appeared throughout the Harry Potter film series. (www.powerhousemuseum.com)

The third edition of the ENCYCLOPEDIA OF SCIENCE FICTION is to be published online, with text available free. (www.sf-encyclopedia.com; submitted by Andrew Porter)

NEW RELEASES

Lost in Transit: The Strange Story of the Philip K Dick Android is a new popular science book by Australian writer David F Duffy, telling the incredible events surrounding the creation of the intelligent android replica of Philip K Dick, and its loss in 2006. The PKD Android not only looked eerily like the man himself, it moved and spoke like him. The android would ‘watch’ people as they approached him, ‘hear’ their voices and answer complex questions. It was received to great acclaim, winning prestigious awards, capturing the imagination of the international media, and taking the science community by storm. Then it was gone. In a tale where contemporary science pays homage to some of Dick’s most outrageous predictions and paranoid fears; and where events surrounding the mysterious disappearance of the android’s head seem to mirror the writer’s most inventive novels, it is sometimes hard to know where science ends and fiction begins. Yet every word is true. Published by Melbourne University Press, RRP $29.99. (Submitted by Andrew Hawkins)

PEACEMAKER, the new graphic novel mentioned last month, is no longer available at its special launch price, but the full price includes a bonus short story and conceptual art.

AWARDS AND NOMINATIONS

The list of HONOURABLE MENTIONS for Australians in Gardner Dozois’s new The Year’s Best Science Fiction 28 includes stories by Peter M. Ball, K. J. Bishop, Jenny Blackford, Damien Broderick, Isobelle Carmody, Elizabeth Carroll, Aidan Doyle, Margo Lanagan, Sean McMullen, Garth Nix and Simon Petrie, and two stories from Sean Williams. Damien Broderick’s much-praised story “Under the Moons of Venus” is also reprinted in the book. (Submitted by Jenny Blackford)

CONVENTIONS

GRAPHIC, Sydney’s festival of graphic storytellong, animation and music, runs from 20 to 21 August at the Sydney Opera House. (graphic.sydneyoperahouse.com)

Melbourne’s anime festival, MANIFEST, will be at the Melbourne Showgrounds from 26 to 28 August. It combines a variety of fun activities, and occasionally a chunk of content that is actually high quality science fiction and fantasy. (www.manifest.org.au/web; submitted by Justin Semmel)

SHEKILDA Again, the second annual Australian women’s crime writers’ convention, will run in Melbourne from 7-9 October. (www.shekilda.com.au)

Upcoming events include ARMAGEDDON Expo Australia (October, Melbourne), and CONFLUX 7 (September/October, Canberra).

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