The Memphis Science Fiction Association presented its 1999 Darrell Award for Best MidSouth Short Story in the science fiction, fantasy, or horror fields at MidSouthCon 17, at the Sheraton Four Points Hotel, Airways and Democrat on the evening of Saturday March 27th, 1999.

The Winner of the 1999 Darrell Award for Best Short Story was "Until Hell Calls Our Names" by William Gagliani. Accepting for Mr. Gagliani, who could not be present due to an ailing mother,  was Beecher Smith, the Editor of More Monsters from Memphis, the anthology in which the winning story was published. "Until Hell Calls Our Names" is a  dark fantasy story which involves the Battle of Memphis during the War Between the States and the aftermath of one combatant's  mistreatment of his African-American lover.

First Runner Up was "Haunted" by Scott Nicholson (also appearing in More Monsters from Memphis). This modern-day story shows the reader that even haunted houses and ghosts are not always what they seem. Beecher Smith accepted for Mr. Nicholson, as well.

The Second Runner Up was "Red" by Sarah Clemens (which ran in the June 1998 issue of Isaac Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine), which gave us an interesting twist on the truth behind the "spells" and "fits" that certain Southern women are known to suffer. Greg Bridges, life-long Memphian, accepted for Ms. Clemens.

Local author Jeff Crook received an Honorable Mention for the 1999 Darrell Awards for Best Short Story for  "The Restoration" which appeared in Relics and Omens: Tales of the Fifth Age  (edited by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman, DragonLance / TSR books). He was present to receive his Certificate.

 Honorable Mentions by non-local authors whose stories mentioned the Memphis area as a prominent setting included:

•  "Walking in Memphis" by Steve Eller, More Monsters from Memphis;
•  "Anubis Has Left the Building" by Tim Waggoner, More Monsters from Memphis;
•  "King" by Ralan Conley, More Monsters from Memphis;
•  "Memphis on the Nile" by Fara Moore, More Monsters from Memphis; and
•  "Go Back to the Church" by Tom Piccirilli, More Monsters from Memphis.

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. For the first time, Dr. Richardson was present during the Darrell Awards Presentation and he entertained and charmed the crowd of attendees with his remarks. 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 and Steve Climer for Best Short Story, as well as Gary Holleman and Jack McDevitt for Best Novel. Mr. Smith and Mr. Holleman were present.

While there were no eligible novels nominated this year, there have already been three (Ungrateful Dead by Gary Holleman,  The Rose and the Skull by Jeff Crook, and 8.4 by Peter Hernon) nominated for the 2000 Darrell Awards. The Association is accepting nominations in short story, novel, and "other" categories for the 2000 Darrell Awards until February 1, 2000, for works published in 1999 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 25+ 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 or see the home page for the address for MSFA.

MidSouthCon is the largest annual gathering of science fiction, fantasy, and horror fans held in Memphis, and is sponsored by MidSouth Science and Fiction Conventions, Inc.

For more info on the Memphis SF Association, see the Unofficial MSFA Website.

If you want to help with the 2002 Darrell Awards Committee, please contact the Committee Chairman, Michael Kingsley, as above.