Parsec Awards 2013

Remember how I said a Journey Into... podcast featuring a story of mine had been nominated, than reached the shortlist for this year's Parsec Awards?  Well they were drawn yesterday and.... it didn't win.  Which is both a shame for Marshall Latham and Christopher Munroe, because they did do a marvevlous job, but also not, because every single cast on the shortlist was stellar.  They really are, you should go listen to them.It's a bit of a disappointment, but it may sound cliched, but it really was an honour just to be able to contribute toward such a list.  Plus Rick Kennet who wrote the winner lives in Melbourne, so who knows, I may one day be able to shake him by the thr- hand.  Hand, I said hand.So, here's the list in all it's glory, and here's my resultant first mention (briefly) in Locus magazine.  Fingers crossed for more soon.Michael

Best Speculative Fiction Story: Small Cast (Short Form)

Short stories containing elements of science fiction, fantasy or horror where the storytelling uses narration as its primary means to convey scene and action and uses fewer than three people for the story presentation.

Winner:

Now Cydonia by Rick Kennett

(from Cast of Wonders)

Finalists:Fiends: Mimes by Paul Elard Cooley (from Shadow Publications)Final Girl Theory by A.C. Wise (from Pseudopod)*Fires in the Snow by Starla Huchton (from The Gearhart)Royal Offworld Navy by Alexa Chipman (from Imagination Lane)Silence: A Fable by Edgar Allan Poe, directed by Jeffrey Gardner (from Our Fair City)

* The Committee Apologizes for erroneously announcing Kill Screen by Chris Lewis Carter as a finalist in Small Cast (Short Form) category due to a transcription error.  Final Girl Theory by A.C. Wise is correctly listed as a finalist in the Small Cast (Short Form) category.

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Best Speculative Fiction Story: Small Cast (Novella Form)

Novel-length containing elements of science fiction, fantasy or horror where the storytelling uses narration as its primary means to convey scene and action and uses fewer than three people for the story presentation.

Winner:

The Shadow Over Innsmouth by H.P. Lovecraft,

produced by Mike Bennett

Finalists:The Beauty of Our Weapons by M. Darusha WehmGaraaga’s Children: Scrolls by Paul Elard CooleyStolen Hearts: The Invitation (A Gallifreyan Love Story) by Edward WinterRoseTainted Roses by Mark Kilfoil (from Every Photo Tells…)

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Best Speculative Fiction Story: Small Cast (Long Form)

Novel-length containing elements of science fiction, fantasy or horror where the storytelling uses narration as its primary means to convey scene and action and uses fewer than three people for the story presentation.

Winner:

Underwood and Flinch by Mike Bennett

Finalists:The Diary of Jill Woodbine by Jay Smith and Veronica Giguere (from HG World)Interference by Eric LukeSecret World Chronicles, Season 6: Revolutions by Mercedes Lackey, Dennis Lee, Cody Martin, and Veronica GiguereStrigoaie The Romanian Witch by Mark Vale

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Best Speculative Fiction Story: Large Cast

Stories of any length containing elements of science fiction, fantasy or horror in which storytelling uses narration as its primary means to convey scene and action and uses more than two people for the story presentation. (Note: Both short and long form were combined due to the small number of competing podcasts this year.)

Winner:

“The Road To Utopia Plain” by Rick Kennett

(The Dunesteef Audio Fiction Magazine)

Finalists:“Alek and Elizabeth and the End of the World” by Michael Grey (Journey Into…)“Boat in Shadows, Crossing” by Tori Truslow (Beneath Ceaseless Skies)“Harlan’s Wake” written by John Mierau, produced by Bryan Lincoln (The Dunesteef Audio Fiction Magazine)“A Janitor’s Territory” by Birke Duncan

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Best Speculative Fiction Audio Drama (Short Form)

Short audio presentations containing elements of science fiction, fantasy or horror in which storytelling is effected through the dialogue of its characters and sound effects/scenery presenting action and scene as it’s primary mechanism.

Winner:

The Minister of Chance by Radio Static

Finalists:Keeg’s Quest: A Skyrim Adventure by Rich MathesonAaron’s World by Mike Meraz and AaronAncient Evil by Aural Stage Studios (Dialed In)The Pendant Shakespeare by Pendant Productions

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Best Speculative Fiction Audio Drama (Long Form)

Long audio presentations containing elements of science fiction, fantasy or horror in which storytelling is effected through the dialogue of its characters and sound effects/scenery presenting action and scene as it’s primary mechanism.

Winner:

Star Trek: Outpost by Tony Raymond and Daniel McIntosh

Finalists:We’re Alive by KC WaylandHothouse Bruiser by Joel MetzgerThe Leviathan Chronicles by Christof LaputkaThe Guild of The Cowry Catchers: Book 4 Out of the Ashes by Abigail Hilton

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Best Speculative Fiction Video Story

Video podcasts that tell a speculative fiction story.

Winner:

 I Have Your Heart by Molly Crabapple,

Kim Boekbinder & Jim Batt

Finalists:Dr. Talon’s “Letter to the Editor” by David D. LevineThe Silent City by Rubidium Wu

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Best Speculative Fiction Magazine or Anthology Podcast

Podcasts that regularly present short stories from different authors containing elements of science fiction, fantasy or horror.

Winner:

Tales from the Archives, Volume 2

by Tee Morris and Pip Ballantine

Finalists: Toasted Cake by Tina ConnollyThe Drabblecast by Norm ShermanThe NoSleep Podcast by David CummingsEvery Photo Tells… by Katharina and Mick Bordet

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Best New Speculative Fiction Podcaster/Team

This person or team is new to podcasting in the past Parsec eligibility year, becoming a significant voice that has contributed to the community as a whole.

Winner:

The NoSleep Podcast by David Cummings

Finalists:Doctor Who: Verity! by Deborah Stanish, Erika Ensign, Katrina Griffiths, L.M. Myles, Lynne M. Thomas, and Tansy Rayner RobertsNights at the Round Table by Ash FarbrotherReader/Writer Podcast by Ben Delano/Mary Ellen WarrenBlurry Photos by David Flora

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Best Speculative Fiction Fan or News Podcast (Specific)

News and commentary podcasts created by and for the fans of a given type of literary or entertainment work or series of works that have elements of speculative fiction (e.g. podcasts focused on H. P. Lovecraft, Buffy The Vampire Slayer or the World of Time).

Winner:

RebelForce Radio by Jimmy Mac and Jason Swank

Finalists:Doctor Who: Radio Free Skaro by Warren Frey, Steven Schapansky, Chris BurgessTwo-Minute Time Lord by Chip Sudderth Commentary: Trek Stars by Mike Schindler, Max HegelDoctor Who: Verity! by Deborah Stanish, Erika Ensign, Katrina Griffiths, L.M. Myles, Lynne M. Thomas, and Tansy Rayner Roberts

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Best Speculative Fiction Fan or News Podcast (General)

News and commentary podcasts created by and for the fans of speculative fiction. (e.g. Anime, Gaming, General Spec Fic)

Winner:

Nights at the Round Table by Ash Farbrother

Finalists:Geek Radio Daily by Geek Radio Daily The Incomparable by Jason SnellThe Ratchet RetroCast by John Strangeway, CD Ske, Patrick Freeman, and QPodCulture: Equal Opportunity Geekness by Brad, Glenn, Christina, and Adam

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Best Podcast about Speculative Fiction Content Creation

Podcasts about the creative process and/or the technical aspects of speculative fiction podcast creation.

Winner:

StoryForward by J.C. Hutchins & Steve Peters

Finalists:StoryWonk Sunday by Lani Diane Rich and Alistair StephensWriting Excuses by Brandon Sanderson, Dan Wells, Howard Tayler, Mary Robinette KowalGet Published by Michell Plested Adventures in SciFi Publishing by Shaun Farrell

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Best Fact Behind the Fiction Podcast

Podcasts that explore the facts that influence the fictions – the science, history, culture, and mythology that inspire these stories.

Winner:

Hubblecast by Oli Usher & Joe Liske

Finalists:Blurry Photos by David FloraThe Titanium Physicists Podcast by Ben Tippett Bacteriofiles by Jesse NoarToken Skeptic by K. Sturgess

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Best Speculative Fiction Comedy/Parody Podcast

Whether they make fun of bad movies or or poke fun at our own geekdom, these podcasts keep us laughing.

Winner:

Blastropodcast by Mark Soloff

Finalists:My Script is MUD by Birke DuncanThe Chapter Titles Were So Good by The Peter, Regular Tom, and Mr. TomDragon*ConTV by Brian RichardsonComedy4Cast by Clinton

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Best Speculative Fiction Music Podcast

Podcasts discussing and sampling music about, set in, inspired by or spoofing speculative fiction. (e.g. Filk, Rock, RenFair, Rap, Techno)

Winner:

The Funny Music Project by Devo Spice

Finalists:Radio Free Hipster by ZPros and Cons by Jonah Knight and Mikey Mason

'Alek and Elizabeth and the End of the World' at the Journey Into.... Podcast

You've read me wax lyrical about the quality of the Journey Into... podcast and Marshal Latham's production on it in this blog before.  Well now he's done me the honour of running my story 'Alek and Elizabeth and the End of the World' and oh my as the nail ever struck on the head.Both Marshall and the producer, Chris Munroe, did a great job.  They interpreted the story just as I imagined, and the artwork is awesome:I've always had trouble receiving compliments, and how Marshal and Chris handled my writing is the biggest compliment I've had for it.  I'm worried now about going overboard, but really I don't think I could say enough about the 'cast.But don't believe me, because I lie, go listen for yourself.  And while you're there check out some of the other stories Marshal has run.  'The Fog Horn' by Ray Bradbury is one of my favourites.Michael