The James White Award Short Story Competition was established in 2000 to commemorate the life and work of one of Ireland’s most important and best-loved science fiction authors. James White was born in Northern Ireland and as well as publishing a large number of novels and short stories – including his most famous creation, The Sector General stories – he was also an active fan writer and popular attendee at conferences. You can find out more about James White at the website www.sectorgeneral.com, which is dedicated to his work.
From the beginning the award has been sponsored by Interzone, the UK’s leading science fiction magazine and the winning stories have been published by that magazine’s editors, first David Pringle and now Andy Cox.
The award was originally administered by James Bacon with support from a number of fans but it is now organised by the British Science Fiction Association.
PREVIOUS WINNERS
2010
Winner: Flock, Shoal, Herd by James Bloomer
The award was presented at the BSFA AGM in June 2010 and the judges included novelist Ian Whates and Interzone editor Andy Cox. James Bloomer’s winning story was printed in Interzone 232.
On winning, James (a particle physicist) said: “I’m thrilled and honoured to have won The James White Award. It’s a delightful feeling to know that someone likes my story, providing a great shot of encouragement, just like The James White Award has always offered to new writers.”
The shortlisted stories were:
- His Final Experiment by David L Clements
- Are Friends Electric by Dan Purdue
- In Memories Not Yet Made by David John Baker
2008-9
No competition.
2007
The judges made the decision not to make an award.
2006
Winner: The Faces of My Friends by Jennifer Harwood-Smith
The Award was presented at Octocon, the National Science Fiction Convention in Ireland on Saturday the 14th of October, 2006. The final judging was conducted by a panel drawn from the science fiction field in Europe: Kelly Link, Al Reynolds, Andy Cox and Michael Carroll.
The other shortlisted stories were:
- Happiness Worms On Xam??? By Simon Cooper
- Hitchhikers by Alan Heal
- Matthews Conundrum of Inanimacy by Gary Spencer
- Version2 by Derek Willmer
2005
Winner: A Short History of the Dream Library by Elizebeth Hopkinson
The Award was presented at Interaction, The World Science Fiction Conventon 2005, during the Hugo ceremony in the Scotish Exhibition Centre on Sunday the 7th of August 2005. The final judging was conducted by a panel made up of: Andy Cox, Jasper Fforde, Michael Carroll, Teresa Nielson Hayden and the late Robert Sheckley.
The other shortlisted stories were:
- Everything is Easy Now by Dave Gullen
- Harmemoric Asylum by Eve Power
- Heartbroken Things by Gary Spencer
- Following the Khiserians by Graham Bensley
2004
Winner: Lost Things Saved in Boxes by Deirdre Ruane
The Award was presented at a ceremony at Winter Gradens, in Blackpool, on Sunday the 11th of April 2004. This was the venue for the National British Convention, Concourse, known as Eastercon. The final judging was conducted by a panel drawn from the science fiction field in the USA and Europe: Lois McMaster Bujold, Michael Carroll, Peter F. Hamilton, Christopher Priest and David Pringle.
2003
Winner: Vita Brevis Ars Longa by Julian West
The Award was presented at a ceremony at the Quality Inn, Walsall immediately following the Novacon 32 Science Fiction Convention. The final judging was conducted by a panel drawn from the science fiction field in the USA and Europe: Michael Carroll, David Pringle, Orson Scott Card, Christopher Fowler and Graham Joyce.
The other shortlisted stories were:
- To Protect and to Swerve by Jon Matthais
- The Unimortal by Seamus Sweeney
- A Metamorphosis by Damian Cox
- Outside the Encryption Zone by Jason Woodward
2002
Winner: Nucleon by David D. Levine.
The Award ceremony took place in Queens University Belfast. The judging panel was made up of Ian McDonald, Mike Resnick, Kim Newman, David Pringe and Michael Carroll.
The other shortlisted stories were:
- Extemophenia by Janet Barron
- Fear of the alien by Lannah Battley
- The Last Whippoorwill by Ciaran Conliffe
- Rainmaker on the run by Jetse de Vries
2001
Winner: Think Tank by Mark Dunn.
The judging panel was made up of Morgan Llywelyn, Dave Langford, Michael Scott, David Pringle and Michael Carroll. The award ceremony took place at the Dublin Writers’ Museum.
The other shortlisted stories were:
- Word – Perfect by Mrs Isobel Hanson
- The Resurgance of Gloves by Yvonne Coats
- Zenith by Derek Paterson
- The Night Before Opening by Michael Green (special commendation)
We received nearly one hundred entries and there was much dificulty in deciding the winner out of the final five as the calibre of writing was quite strong.
