The Memphis Science Fiction Association presented its 2003 Darrell Awards for  Best MidSouth Short Story and Best Other Work in the science fiction, fantasy, or horror fields at MidSouthCon 21, held March 28-30, 2003, at the Holiday Inn Express, Airways and Democrat. Once again, 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 2003 Darrell Award for Best Short Story was "Memphis Blue Again" by Gerard Houarner, as seen in Fantastic Stories of the Imagination (Summer 2002 issue; DNA Publications). Accepting for Mr. Houarner was D. Beecher Smith, Jr., local attorney and author, who has served as publisher of at least one of Mr. Houarner's stories through his Monsters in Memphis series of anthologies.

The Winner of the 2003 Darrell Award for Best Other Work was the fantasy short story "Middenstead" by local author Jeff Crook, which appeared in online and in print editions of Game Trade Magazine (November 2002). Mr. Crook was present to accept the Award.

The Hall of Fame Award, in its second year, was renamed the Dal Coger Memorial Hall of Fame Award in memory of Dal Coger and his long-standing exemplary service to local and international SF/F/H fandom. It was bestowed upon HOWARD WALDROP for his many short stories set partially or wholly in the Midsouth (including "The Ugly Chickens," currently available on the scifi.com website). The Hall of Fame can only be given once to an author and is only given for an outstanding body of work either set in the Midsouth or written by a Midsouth author. Accepting for Mr. Waldrop was Greg Bridges, Chairman of the Memphis SF Association.

First Runner Up for the  Best MidSouth Short Story was "The Hole" by James S. Dorr (as seen in Frontiers of Terror, Marietta Publishing, 2002).

Additional nominees for Best Midsouth Short Story included  'Roid by Jeff Crook (as seen in Sol's Children, DAW Publishing) and The Morality Clause by H. David Blalock (as seen in Heaven and Hell: An Anthology of Whimsical Stories, Speculation Press).

Additional nominees for Best Midsouth Other Work included The Horla (a short film by Johnathan Frisch based on the classic Guy de Maupassant story); Stolen Thunder by H. David Blalock (as seen on biffsboards.com); Trophy  by Shannon Riley (as seen on shadow-writer.com); and A Tale of Two Kings by H. David Blalock (as seen on gateway-sf.com).

All nominees and winners were published or appeared in 2002.

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 Dal Coger Memorial Hall of Fame Award is named in memory of Dal Coger, a member of First Fandom and long-time Memphis SF fan.

The Darrell Awards and Coger Hall of Fame are designed to promote regional literacy by recognizing the best published science fiction, fantasy, or horror that is either by a Midsouth author or uses the area in a prominent way.

The Association is currently accepting nominations in short story, novel, and other works categories for the 2004 Darrell Awards until February 1, 2004, for works published in 2003 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 almost 3 decades. 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://www.pseudoworld.net/msfa.

 For further information on the Darrell Awards or the Memphis Science Fiction Association, contact Michael Kingsley, 2003 Darrell Awards Committee Chairman, 1742 Lawrence Avenue, # 2, Memphis TN 38112, or via email to kingsleymichael@hotmail.com or to webmaster@darrellawards.org.

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