Robin Johnson

Another sad one…
This news comes from Leigh Edmonds’ FB page
“Robin Johnson died peacefully in his sleep in St John of God Hospital, Ballarat, on the afternoon of Monday 6 July. He had been in hospital for the previous two weeks after a relatively minor fall but died of underlying causes.”

Robin was a fan of international repute and for local fans a real friend to New Zealand fandom. He was a very regular attendee an NZ cons over many years. On a personal level I will miss talks with Robin – particularly long chats about aviation during road trips to/from cons.

Russell Kirkpatrick

This one hits really hard. News has come through that Russell Kirkpatrick died yesterday in Canberra Hospital.

This saddens me more than I can say. Russell was a wonderful person whose company I hugely enjoyed. We first met at ConTour in ’04 and always caught up wherever possible after that. Not to mention all his great books. The thought of a world without Russell is hard to imagine.

People are posting tributes over on his facebook page. I would just like to quote this from Chuck McKenzie which just about covers it all “Vale Russell Kirkpatrick. A great author, and a heck of a nice guy 🙁”

Te Pae Tawhiti Speculative Fiction Awards Shortlist

“Inaugural Te Pae Tawhiti Speculative Fiction Awards Shortlist Revealed, Celebrating Aotearoa Voices. The jury for the inaugural Te Pae Tawhiti Speculative Fiction Awards today unveiled a shortlist of works that highlight the best in science fiction, fantasy and horror storytelling from Aotearoa and Pasifika creatives.”

The Te Pae Tawhiti website shows the shortlist press release info. The press release has plenty of additional details, but the list of names is as follows. Well done everybody.

Outstanding Achievement for Adult Novel
The Book of Guilt by Catherine Chidgey
Lifelikeness by Alex Lodge
Dancing in the Purple Rain by Judy L Mohr
Galaxy Grifter by A. Zaykova

Outstanding Achievement for Middle Grade Fiction
Eye of the Dragon by Susan Brocker
Welcome to Miracle by Shara Curlett
Draconic Search and Rescue by Robinne L Weiss
The Secret Green by Sonya Wilson

Outstanding Achievement for Young Adult Fiction
The Lost Saint by Rachael Craw
Truth Needs No Colour by Heather McQuillan
Wyld Witch Weather by Janna Ruth

Outstanding Achievement for a Novella
Chasing Worms by Joseph Bonnett
Spellcasting On by Andi Buchanan
The Emotion Dealer by Jack Ramiel Cottrell
Dear Diary by Marie Hodgkinson

Outstanding Achievement for a Short Story
Wild@Heart by Michael Botur
The Poppy Cloud by Lee Murray
A Day Lost in Time by Douglas Perenara Johnston
The Hound of Annwn by Rem Wigmore
The Cold Burns by Anne Wilkins

Outstanding Achievement for a Collection or Anthology (fiction, poetry, or essay)
Blood Protectors by Sue Glamuzina
Untethered: Science Fiction and Fantasy from Papua New Guinea editor Kirsten McGavin
This Way Lies Madness editor Lee Murray & Dave Jeffery
Uninvited Guests by North Shore Writers group

The awards will be presented on 22 August. This includes an achievement award.