The new website for the David Gemmell Awards for Fantasy is now live!

Click on through and you’ll find this year’s nominations for the Legend, Morningstar and Ravenheart Awards.

Voting on the longlist opens tomorrow, 10th April and closes at midnight on Friday 15th May.

Voting on the shortlist opens on Monday 1st June and closes at midnight on Friday 17th July.

This year, the Awards presentations will take place at 8pm on Saturday 8th August at Nine Worlds Geekfest. This year’s choice of venue continues the Gemmell Awards’ ongoing quest to share enthusiasm for epic fantasy fiction as widely as possible, and to reach all those readers who’d like to join in and do the same.

Since I’m helping out with the Awards administration this year, and that brings a duty of impartiality with it, I won’t be commenting on any individual titles. Though regular readers of this blog will know pretty much where my personal tastes lie on the broad spectrum that our field now offers, and which I’m extremely pleased to say is very well represented in this year’s long list.

Regular readers will also know that if anyone else’s personal tastes are different to mine, that’s perfectly fine with me. I’ll make my case for what I like to read and I’m always interested to learn more about what other people see in, and get from, different styles of writing and types of story. We may or may not end up agreeing but on my side at least, I’m not going to fall out with someone for making different choices. It takes a broad field to make a horse race after all!

What I’m really hoping to see over the next few months is enthusiasm for all styles and types of epic fantasy fiction shared between keen readers. So head on over and if you see a book which you’ve read and enjoyed is listed, let your fellow fantasy fans know – about the book and about the Gemmell Awards. Check out the details of any books and authors you see listed who are new to you. Head for your local bookstore or library to try their work if you can. Have a look at the nominated authors’ and artists’ websites; that’s a great way to learn more about the wealth of talent currently working in our genre.

Most of all, go and vote. Everyone’s voice is equal and while our choices will differ, we’re united in our love for tales of epic adventure!