[Rocket Sheep]

There is a rumour going around that Australian authors are all set to take over the fantasy scene. Nobody does fantasy like the Antipodeans, after all, we're closer to Middle Earth.

I also think you should know that Australian authors are taking over Middle Boardus... the Author Forums. Last week saw Kate Forsyth join alongside other fantastic Australian writers, Alison Croggon, Glenda Larke, and Marianne de Pierres. This week sees Richard Harland joining us.

Those of you who like your fantasy on the wild side and a bit steam punkish and dripping with great globs of evil will adore Richard's Black Crusade. It's well on its way to becoming a cult... (if the fanatics who belong to vilewatch.com don't convince us it's real first).

Make sure you take advantage of these highly respected Antipodean writers and ask them lots of questions while they're here. Or at least try to find out what they're up to and why they're becoming so popular and how they plan to take over the world sff scene... before it's too late.

[Rob B]

These authors look very interesting, and I'm glad to see some Aussie authors making their way to the US. Another that I've read is Louis Cusack.

[Wulfa_Jones]

The only ones I know are Sara Douglass and Jennifer Fallon.

Both are pretty good, I've only read Sara Douglass's Axis Trilogy and Jennifer Fallon's Second Sons Trilogy.

Just ordered the first of Jennifer Fallon's lastest series.

[Lowlander]

I must say the word "invasion" is well chosen when it comes to Australian fantasy writers. The list is becoming quite impressive :

-Jane Routley (one of the first, what happened to her ?)
-Sean McMullen (like his Shadowmoon novels)
-Garth Nix (impressive YA author)
-Sarah Douglass (bweeurk)
-Jennifer Fallon (someone called her the Australian
Eddings)
-Glenda Larke (the Aware looks very interesting)
-Alma Alexander (Changer of Days)
-Isobelle Carmody (gets very good reviews, have just
bought two first Obernewtyn novels)
-M. De Pierres (bought her first novel, looks like a fun read)

And then to know that before the 1980's the only SF writer of any fame from down under was the great pulpster A. Bertram Chandler ! Although Chandler wrote good stuff in the 50's and 60's. His short story "The Cage" is one my fav. SF stories of all time.

[butterfly]

Fiona McIntosh
Lian Hearn (cannot remember her real name now)

[Julian]

-Sarah Douglass (bweeurk)


No doubt a stupid question, but what does bweeurk mean?

[Eventine]

Lian Hearn (cannot remember her real name now)

Gillian Rubenstein.

Also, there was a bitof a thread around Aussie authors here (http://www.sffworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7993), although when JohnH went back and removed his posts it got a bit screwed up...

[Lowlander]

Bweeurk is flemish for aargghh.

It means I have a low opinion of Ms. Douglass work. The Axis trilogy is one of the worst things I read in my life. After using these books as a football my first reaction was kind of : David Eddings come back, everything is forgiven !!!

Fortunately the other Australian writers I've tried are a lot better.

[Wulfa_Jones]

The Axis Trilogy is not for everyone. There is a thread about it somewhere on here that relates it to being a bit like a soap opera. I didn't mind it, it wasn't an amazing read but it was an okay.

Jennifer Fallon is much better.

[billyf27]

kim wilkins!!
-is awesome writer from australia-give her a try-
the autumn castle and the resurrectionistsa are two of my favorite books ever