Official Fundraising Page (via Australian Cultural Fund)
Project Summary:
The anthology “Best Australian Speculative Fiction: Short Stories 2026” will translate some of the best speculative fiction created by Australian authors. A total of 17 short stories in the science fiction, fantasy and horror genres will be promoted across the Chinese World in digital and print formats. These authors are winners and finalists of the prestigious Aurealis Awards, Australia’s premier award for speculative fiction. A pilot project, this will mark the first time a collection of Australian speculative fiction is professionally translated and presented to Chinese readers worldwide.
Why This Project is Significant:
The “Best Australian Speculative Fiction: Short Stories 2026” is an important pilot for two reasons. First and foremost, Australian literary voices are often overshadowed by British and American authors. Particularly in the Chinese World, where books from Korea and Japan are equally popular as their European and American peers, Australian speculative fiction is bordering non-existence. Now we have the opportunity to introduce the breath and depth of Australian speculative fiction to Chinese readers, who are hungry for fresh, original and diverse stories and idea(l)s amidst the increasing recognition and popularity of speculative fiction in recent years. This opportunity is unmissable and will help propel Australian speculative fiction to this significant non-English market.
Equally significant, as demonstrated by the quality of the 17 stories selected for this anthology, Australian authors working in this field are among the best globally. Yet, speculative fiction has long been underrepresented in our country’s mainstream publishing, including but not limited to our national and industry-based efforts to promote Australian literature to the world. A translated anthology of Australian speculative fiction will not only help promote the authors and the broader genre of speculative fiction, but it can also foster new readership and lead to new literary connections in and between the English and Chinese Worlds.
How the Raised Fund will be Used:
The raised fund will be used in the following ways:
- To pay royalties to the authors and the cover designer.
- To pay wages to the translator, editor and proofreader(s).
- To produce the anthology in digital and print formats.
- To promote the anthology both online and offline.
- To help plan the “Best Australian Speculative Fiction: Short Stories 2027” anthology.
More Details:
More information, including but not limited to the authors, cover designer and translator featured in the anthology, can be found HERE. Thank you.
Voices under the Sun 陽光下的聲音 