Norma
K. Hemming AwardAustralian Science Fiction Foundation Norma
K. Hemming Award
About the Award
How to Submit a Work for the Inaugural Award
Norma K. Hemming
Download the Official Press Release - [PDF - 264 KB] |
The Norma K Hemming Award marks excellence in the exploration of themes of race, gender, class and sexuality:
in the form of science fiction and fantasy or related artwork or media.
produced either in Australia or by Australian citizens.
first published, released or presented in the calendar year preceding the year in which the award is given.
Norma K. Hemming in costume in 1956. |
The Australian Science Fiction Foundation (ASFF) will launch this major new award at Aussiecon 4, the 68th World Science Fiction Convention, being held in Melbourne on 2–6 September 2010.
The Award will not necessarily be given annually, and a selection will only be made if there is a work that meets an appropriate standard of excellence.
Dr Toby Burrows (Scholars Centre, University of Western Australia) is putting together an edition of Norma Hemming’s collected writings, planned for publication next year.
Melbourne science fiction fans, assisted by Perth-based director and actor Grant Watson, are hoping to stage a performance of Norma Hemming’s play The Matriarchs of Renok, which premiered at the 6th Australian National Science Fiction Convention in Richmond Town Hall, Melbourne, in April 1958.
Both these events are planned to celebrate the Award’s inauguration in conjunction with the world convention.
Read the Terms and Conditions of Entry for the Inaugural Norma K. Hemming Award.
Norma Kathleen Hemming (1927-1960) was a British author who migrated to Australia in 1948 and wrote for local pulp magazine Thrills Incorporated and enthusiastically participated in the Australian fan scene.
She was a founding member of the femme fan group Vertical Horizons, and wrote and acted for the SF theatrical group The Arcturian Players.
Norma returned to international publishing in the late 1950s with stories in Nebula SF and New Worlds, but died at the age of 33 of lung cancer on 4 July 1960.
Last update: 25 October 2009.
Australian Science Fiction Foundation Norma
K. Hemming Award