Open Letter

The Queensland Writers Centre (QWC) would like to sincerely thank the Australian speculative fiction community for their open letter outlining concerns on recent changes to the Aurealis Awards, as well as other feedback and communications offered. All commentary has been gratefully received and all concerns raised are acknowledged. With recognition that these awards are treasured by the community, and not owned by a single entity, QWC aims to serve and support with regard to these matters.

One of our primary aims is to ensure the Aurealis Awards go forward in a way that is agreeable to all. We ask for understanding in this first full year of adoption of the awards by QWC, and we will welcome further community consultation in the future, particularly to streamline and hone the process after this first year. In short, we hope to get something workable for now and further improve as necessary.

At this time, we commit to the following changes to address the concerns raised:

1) Fees

Changes to entry fees will be in the majority reverted to the previous structure. Any submissions already received will be partially refunded to reflect the new rates. Some minimal changes remain as a means to support the administration of the awards, including but not limited to the purchase of and postage of trophies, venue hire, and other incidental costs accrued in the course of delivering these awards. QWC asserts that it is a registered not-for-profit organisation and makes no profit from activities, including award management. The Centre will aim to keep fees in line with the ethos of the awards, and requests community understanding of an internal requirement to minimise expenses associated with the recent adoption of the awards. Where cost shortfalls occur, QWC will meet these directly, or via funds secured through donations or sponsorships.

In addition, entry administration fees will now be unanimous for all entrants. Limited Fellowship and Access funds, available through QWC, will be made available to those who require it on a case by case basis.

New fee structure is as follows:

• $15 per work for all longer works including novels, graphic novels, collections and anthologies. Note: this is an increase from the previous $10 per entry, which has remained static for a long period. This single fee will cover all categories submitted into; a separate fee will not be required for each category.

• Novella - (1) free entry with a fee of $10 for all other submissions (single entry fee for all categories submitted to, not a separate fee per category).

• Children’s Fiction - (1) free entry with a fee of $10 for all other submissions.

• Short stories - (3) free entries with a fee of $5 for all other submissions (single entry fee for all categories submitted to, not a separate fee per category).

• The Convenors’ Award for Excellence - $10 per entry.

• The Sara Douglass Book Series Award - $15 per book in series.

2) Judging

Concerns around judging have been addressed by the following:

· All judging will be conducted on a voluntary/unpaid basis.

· There will be an open call for community judges. QWC readers will only be allocated to judging panels if there is a shortfall on judges available from the community, lack of judge engagement, or if the situation arises that a category may not run otherwise.

· There will be a minimum of three judges per category.

· Conveners will be invited/allocated from within the judging panel numbers and will be expected to liaise regularly with QWC, as the award administrator, to ensure processes and programming milestones are met.

· Any judging deadlocks will first be arbitrated by the panel convenor. In any instance where this does not resolve the issue, QWC will reserve the right to call on a minimum of two other convenors to make a final decision in consultation with the category convenor.

In line with these changes, we require urgent expressions of interest from judges interested in volunteering for this year. Please go to the following link to register:

3) Winning Eligibility

All works will be eligible to win in multiple categories.

4) AI

A clear statement that AI-generated work is not eligible for entry into the awards will be included in the guidelines.

5) New Zealand Entries

Following community consultation and in recognition of the recently established New Zealand and Pacific Island specific Te Pae Tawhiti Awards, the Queensland Writers Centre has nominated to return the Aurealis Awards to its previous eligibility status of allowing entry to Australian and Australian permanent residents only. We acknowledge and respect the great work being created by our neighbours and keenly look forward to sharing in the celebration of their local award-winning authors and works. As such, current New Zealand entrants will be contacted to be advised of this change and full refunds of entry administration fees will be issued.

We sincerely hope these measures allay the justified concerns of the community. To conclude, QWC acknowledges and thanks again all concerned parties. We look forward to positive re-engagement with these beloved awards.

With Regards,

QWC Management Committee