The Memphis Science Fiction Association presented its 2000 Darrell Awards for Best MidSouth Novel and Best MidSouth Other  Story in the science fiction, fantasy, or horror fields at MidSouthCon 18, held this past weekend at the Holiday Inn Express, Airways and Democrat. Through the generosity of Greg and Dana Bridges, the plaques for the winners included a 1/10th ounce gold coin (U.S. Eagle).

 The Winner of the 2000 Darrell Award for Best Novel was Ungrateful Dead by Gary Holleman (Leisure Press), a tale of horrible evil running amok in modern day Memphis. Mr. Holleman was present to accept the Award. This marks the 3rd time Mr. Holleman's works have been recognized by the Memphis Science Fiction Association, with his previous novels Demon Fire and Howl-O-Ween also being Darrell Award winners for their respective years of publication.

 First Runner Up for Best MidSouth Novel was The Rift by Walter J. Williams (HarperPrism), a gripping epic about a series of  earthquakes on the New Madrid fault line. Accepting for Mr. Williams was Fred Saberhagen, the author Guest of Honor for MidSouthCon 18, who stated he would be seeing Mr. Williams in a few days.

 Honorable Mentions for Best MidSouth Novel were given to Beecher Smith for The Guardian (Hot Biscuit Productions),  a vampire novel set mostly in Memphis; and to Peter Hernon for 8.4  (G.P. Putnams Sons), another earthquake novel which involved the New Madrid fault.

 Additional nominees for Best MidSouth Novel were The Rose and The Skull by Jeff Crook (TSR) and Demonesque by Steven Lee Climer (DarkTales Publications).

 For Best Other Story ("other" in this case included any other format besides novels and short stories in printed form -- electronic publishing, comic books, screen plays, and so on),  the 2000 Darrell Award went to H. David Blalock for "A Favor" (http://www.titanzine.com/septoct99/favor.html and other sites on the Web), a tale of a demon possessing James Earl Ray on that dreadful afternoon in Memphis. Blalock also received First Runner Up honors for "Remembering Krempla" (http://www2.aphelion-webzine.com/shorts/krempla.html), a funny and delightful story involving a deal with a dragon and the question of who was really running things. Mr. Blalock was present to accept the Award.
 

 The Darrell Awards are named in honor of long-time Memphian Dr. Darrell C. Richardson, world-traveler, Baptist minister, internationally-known fan of Edgar Rice Burroughs, and founding member of the Memphis Science Fiction Association. The Darrell Awards are designed to promote local literacy by recognizing the best published science fiction, fantasy, or horror that is either by a local author or uses the local area in a prominent way.

 Previous Darrell Award winners have included  Beecher Smith, Steve Climer, and William Gagliani for Best Short Story, as well as Gary Holleman and Jack McDevitt for Best Novel.

 The Association is accepting nominations in short story, novel, and "other" categories for the 2001 Darrell Awards until February 1, 2001, for works published in 2000 and the public is invited to contact the Memphis SF Association as below to obtain a Nomination Form.

 The Memphis Science Fiction Association (MSFA) is a general interest science fiction and fantasy fan club which has been meeting monthly for 26+ years. MSFA publishes Memphen, helps out with MidSouthCon (the annual SF/F convention sponsored by MidSouth Science and Fiction Conventions, Inc.) and gives the Darrell Award. MSFA's Web site is at http:/members.aol.com/ memphen/msfa1.html.

 For further information on the Darrell Awards or the Memphis Science Fiction Association, contact Michael Kingsley, 2001 Darrell Awards Committee Chairman, 1742 Lawrence Avenue, # 2, Memphis TN 38112, or via email to kingsleymichael@hotmail.com or to MemphisSF@cs.com.

The Darrell Award Web site is at http://darrellawards.org.