The Memphis Science Fiction Association presented its 2004 Darrell Awards for  Best MidSouth Novel, Short Story and Best Other Work in the science fiction, fantasy, or horror fields at MidSouthCon 22, held March 26-28, 2004, 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 2004 Darrell Award for Best Midsouth Novel is Way of the Wolf by E. E. Knight, a post-apocalyptic tale involving an alien invasion, vampires, and altered humans holding out hope for humanity. The First-Runner-Up for Best Midsouth Novel is Dark Thane by Jeff Crook, a fantasy story set in the popular Dragonlance series. Honorable Mention for Best Novel went to Memphis 7.9 by Sam Penny, which follows in the footsteps of several previous novels by depicting Memphis after a heavy earthquake.  Mr. Penny was present to receive his Honorable Mention.

  The Winner of the 2004 Darrell Award for Best Short Story is "Savin' Ned" by Robert D. Brown, as seen in Four Bubbas of the Apocalypse (Yard Dog Press), a very funny yarn which answers the question of what might happen to the Memphis Pyramid after a very odd apocalypse. Honorable Mention for Best Short Story went to "The Little Demon Doubt" by Allan Gilbreath as seen in Darkness Rising 7, a horror tale with a twist at the end.

 The Winner of the 2004 Darrell Award for Best Other Work is "The Sorcerer's Crystal" by Jeff Crook as seen on-line at www.denovostudios.com. Honorable Mention for Best Other Work went to "Revenge" by David Blalock as seen online at www.writershood.com.

The Winner of the Dal Coger Memorial Hall of Fame Award, in its third year, is Dan Henderson, author of the SF novel Paradise and the fantasy story "Clarabell the Cow" (a long-time Christmas favorite). Mr. Henderson passed away in 1991; his award was accepted by Greg Bridges, who made some remarks concerning Henderson's work. 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.

All nominees and winners were published or appeared in 2003, except for the Hall of Fame Award winner, which is based on a body of work and not limited as to year of publication.

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. Dr. Richardson is still with us, for which we are very glad.

The Dal Coger Memorial Hall of Fame Award is named in memory of Dal Coger, a member of First Fandom, a Professor Emeritus of the University of Memphis, and a long-time Memphis SF fan. Dr. Coger passed away a few years ago and is greatly missed.

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 2005 Darrell Awards until February 1, 2005, for works published in 2004 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 Awards and the Dal Coger Memorial Hall of Fame 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 Tim Gatewood, 2005 Darrell Awards Committee Chairman, 3125 South Mendenhall Road, # 353, Memphis TN 38115, or via email to tim@darrellawards.org.

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