The Aurealis Awards nominees were announced a week or so back.

As I did last year I looked through the list feeling mildly embarrassed.  Looking specifically at the novel categories, I’ve read two books – Lexicon (nominated twice) and Trucksong.  The rest – well for the most part I had no idea they existed.  This includes Rupetta by Nike Sulway which only just won the Tiptree Award.

Why aren’t these books on my radar?  Why have I never heard of authors like Greig Beck or Allyse Near or Mitchell Hogan or Jane Rawson?  And of the authors I am aware of, like Tansy and Dirk and Lee… why haven’t I read their books?

The fault is mine.  Rupetta was well reviewed, just not on blogs or review sites that I frequent.  And I make zero effort to search out good books written by Australians.  There’s soooo much to read.  Most of it is published by US and UK authors.  Most of it comes with a tick of approval by someone I respect.  Most of it has hype attached.

The importance of the Aurealis Awards is that it makes me aware of authors and books I haven’t yet stumbled across.  I will make an attempt to read the winner of each of the novel categories (assuming I haven’t already read the book – GO TRUCKSONG!).  But it does bother me that I’m far more confident and aware of international awards and the novels nominated then home-grown Australian awards.

Anyway, angst and hand wringing aside, congratulation to all the Aurealis Award nominees.  Though I’m still surprised that Sean William’s Jump: Twinmaker didn’t get a nod.