I’ve been lucky enough to have my short story, Phoenix Pharmaceuticals (published by Deadset Press) shortlisted in the Best Horror Short Story category of the upcoming Aurealis Awards. Competition will be stiff, as always, and I’m up against a number of prestigious authors. As always, being shortlisted is a win all on its own, and had me doing happy dances round my kitchen and bragging to everyone I know.

I’ve pasted the shortlist for my category below, and you can find the complete list of Aurealis finalists for the year on the Aurealis Awards Website. It handily brings together some of the best of last year’s published works by Australian authors, so have a browse. If anything catches your fancy, consider supporting our local creators by buying a copy or ordering it to your local library (library copies help fund authors via lending rights).

BEST HORROR SHORT STORY

“The Genetic Alchemist’s Daughter”, Elaine Cuyegkeng (Black Cranes: Tales of Unquiet Women, Omnium Gatherum)

“The Bone Fairy”, Martin Livings (Midnight Echo 15, Australasian Horror Writers Association)

“Phoenix Pharmaceuticals”, Jessica Nelson-Tyers (Cancer, The Zodiac Series, #7, Deadset Press) 

“Many Mouths to Make a Meal”, Garth Nix (Final Cuts, Blumhouse/Anchor)

“How We Felt”, Helena O’Connor (Aurealis #136)