The Australian Shadows Award for 2008 is now open for submissions!

The Australian Shadows is an annual award presented by the Australian Horror Writers Association (AHWA) and judged on the overall effect - the skill, delivery, and lasting resonance - of a work of horror fiction written or edited by an Australian and published either in Australia or overseas.

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It's very hard to imagine that 3 whole years have passed since Ripples began. And 3 fabulous years at that. So much has transpired in the my little world since 2005, and this magazine has been a comfortable constant. It has not always been my number 1 priority, I must confess but it has always had a place in my heart.

Those of you who have journeyed along with me will know that Ripples has come from very humble beginnings. Very meager indeed. And some would say that it hasn't come very far. But I disagree. With each of the 12 issues that have been published so far, I've learnt something new - usually by making mistakes - but that's the best way. *grins*

So I'd like to send out a huge thank you to everyone who has submitted a story, bought a copy or simply shown an interest in Ripples Magazine. Australia is home to a brilliant well of talent that deserves to be appreciated and applauded. I am very proud to give such wonderful work a home - however humble.

As 2007 rapidly draws to a close, Ripples Magazine would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Hopefully 2008 will be everything that you could possibly wish it to be.

Issue Ten decided to hide in the shadows for a bit before bursting out onto the national stage. But now it is striding about loud and proud, just begging to be read by all lovers of fine fiction and poetry. Check out the link for a brief taste.

Issue Nine has just taken its first steps into the big wide world. Find out what happens to all rotten eggs in SHIT HAPPENS by George Ivanoff and be witness to GARY DWYER'S SPECIAL DANCE by Mark Smith-Briggs.

We are accepting submissions (when aren't we?) for Issue Ten and it would be really great to see some more illustrators put their two bits in. You needn't have created the next Mona Lisa - even brief sketches can convey some real oomf! Don't be shy - send it in!

Issue Eight has been released. Grab your copy and revel in Chris Broadribb's bleak glimpse of the future - VIRTUAL REALITY, or Christian Fennell's vision of retail hell - THE NIGHT CREW.

Issue Eight's publication marks the end of our second year and haven't we seen some incredible talent pass through our doors! We would like to thank everyone who took the time and made the effort to send their work to us. We thoroughly enjoy checking the mail ever day because we never know what delights will be awaiting us.

And as always, submissions are open for Issue Nine. Actually, we're happy to accept submissions all year round. We just can't get enough. *grins*

Australian Shadows Awards

The Australian Shadows is an annual award presented by the AHWA and judged on the overall effect - the skill, delivery, and lasting resonance - of a work of horror fiction written or edited by an Australian and published either in Australia or overseas.

Eligibility is simple. All entries must be works of fiction first published either in print or electronically within the calendar year and the author/editor must be an Australian citizen or Australian resident . Please note that, while a collection or anthology which contains reprints may be submitted as a work in its own right, none of the reprinted stories within will be eligible for individual consideration. The recipient of the 2007 Award will be chosen from works originally published between 1st January and 31st December 2007.

There are no submission or nomination forms to fill in. Anyone - including judges - may nominate a flash, short story, collection, novel, poem, anthology, etc, by passing on the details of the work to the Director, who will then contact the author or publisher and ensure review copies reach the judges.

So if you write, publish or read an eligible work of fiction this year that you feel is worthy of consideration for the Australian Shadows Award, please let us know about it. For more information, visit the website. We're all looking forward to seeing what the Australian horror & dark fiction community can come up with for 2007!

Issue Seven has hit the shelves. Contact us for your copy and chance to catch the TALE OF THE SELF MURDERERS by Tom Woodward, EMPTY SWIMMING POOLS by Fran Macdonald and David McKay's UNPLUGGED.

Of course, with Issue Seven out of the way, that means that we're eagerly searching for material with Issue Eight stamped all over it. Send it to us - now!

After a delightful holiday and the less than delightful death of my computer monitor, Issue Six is well on the way to completion. We've had quite a few quality submissions so far but we're always on the look out for more. Keep them coming.

Issue Five is up, up and away. Featuring the evocative artwork of Greg Hughes, the thought-provoking poetry of Jude Aquilina and David Murcott's truly surreal prose; this issue is sure to entertain.

Don't forget to check out what the Australian Horror Writers Association is up to.

Issue Four rounds off an incredible first year for Ripples Magazine. I can't believe how well we've been received by the writers and poets of Australia. It's been a truly great experience.

And this, of course, leads us straight on to Issue Five, which will be released on July 1st. So if you've got something that you'd like us to consider, send it in. You never, never know if you never, never submit.