Last night in Brisbane, the winners of the Aurealis Awards for 2009 were announced at a special awards ceremony in the Judith Wright Centre. My book, A Ghost in My Suitcase was awarded Best Childrens Novel.
Unfortunately I couldnt attend but I followed the announcement of each winner on Twitter, which was almost as exciting as being there. When my name popped up on my computer screen, I had to do a double take. I couldnt believe it. You see, I never thought Id win, given the high quality of the competition in my category: Jen Storer, Kate Constable and Deborah Abela.
But then I screamed with joy. Im not a screamer by personality. I dont scream when I see a mouse or snake or spider, or when someone jumps at me in the dark. Im more likely to strangle a person who does that. I am usually a very calm person. But when it comes to publishing coups, I cant control myself and the primal urge to scream breaks forth as it did in the house last night.
Congratulations to all the other winners who are listed here.
AUREALIS AWARD 2009 WINNERS
best science fiction novel
Andrew McGahan, Wonders of a Godless World, Allen & Unwin
best science fiction short story
Peter M. Ball, Clockwork, Patchwork and Ravens, Apex Magazine May 2009
best fantasy novel
Trudi Canavan, Magician’s Apprentice, Orbit
best fantasy short story- Joint winners
Christopher Green, Fathers Kill, Beneath Ceaseless Skies #24
Ian McHugh, ‘Once a Month, On a Sunday, Andromeda Spaceways Inflight Magazine #40, Andromeda Spaceways Publishing Co-operative Ltd
best horror novel
Honey Brown, Red Queen, Penguin Australia
best horror short story – Joint winners
Paul Haines, ‘Wives’, X6, Coeur de Lion Publishing
Paul Haines, ‘Slice of Life – A Spot of Liver’, Slice of Life, The Mayne Press
best anthology
Jonathan Strahan (editor), Eclipse 3, Night Shade Books
best collection
Greg Egan, Oceanic, Gollancz
best illustated book/graphic novel
Nathan Jurevicius, Scarygirl, Allen & Unwin
best young adult novel
Scott Westerfeld, Leviathan Trilogy: Book One, Penguin
best young adult short story
Cat Sparks, Seventeen, Masques, CSFG
best childrens (8-12 years) novel
Gabrielle Wang, A Ghost in My Suitcase, Puffin Books
best childrens (8-12 years)
short fiction/illustrated work/picture book
Pamela Freeman (author), Kim Gamble (illustrator), Victor’s Challenge, Walker Books Australia
Fantastic, Gabi. Over the moon for you. See my wall on Facebook
xxx
Y
Well done Gabrielle. of course you screamed! How exciting for you! Congratulations – and may there be many more joyous screams.
Brilliant!! I was jumping up and down for you, Gabrielle. 🙂
Congratulations, Gabrielle: that’s fantastic!
Congratulations, Gabrielle!
I’m very happy for you 🙂
I would have screamed too, but I think I’d scare my neighbours away.
Because -I am- a screamer by nature.
Congrats once again~!
Fabulous news! Congratulations to you.
Thank you, Thank you!!!
Congrats Gabrielle, Fantastic News. Can’t wait to read your book. Karen x
You’re a legend! Congratulations.
It was great news – and the awards were lovely – so sorry you were not there to accept in person so we could meet you – oh well another time, another place….
Well done on your well deserved award!
Bye 4 now
Tina
Thank you everyone. You are all so wonderful!
I was very sorry I couldn’t be there too, Tina. It looked like a fantastic night.