The 2025 Ditmars were awarded at Conflux 19 in Canberra on the 5th of October 2025.
The Ditmars have been awarded annually since 1969 at the Natcon to recognise achievement in Australian science fiction (including fantasy and horror) and science fiction fandom. They are named for Ditmar “Dick” Jenssen, an Australian fan and artist, who financially supported the awards at their inception.
The winners are:
- The Underhistory, Kaaron Warren (Serpent’s Tail)- Best Novel
- Ghost of the Neon God, T. R. Napper (Titan) – Best Novella or Novelette
- “Bellow of the Steamship Cow”, Aaron Dries (Where the Silent Ones Watch) – Best Short Story
- Calvaria Fell, Cat Sparks & Kaaron Warren (Meerkat) – Best Collected Work
- C.H. Pearce for the cover art of in the aftermath (Prismatica) – Best Artwork
- Ian Mond – Best Fan Writer
- David Russell – Best Fan Artist
- Let the Cat In (podcast) – Best Fan Publication in Any Medium
- Sarah K. Balstrup – Best New Talent
- Joanne Anderton for “Nice Safe Emotions: How Murderbot copes with the real world through the fictional, and so do we” (Speculative Insight 1/24) – William Atheling Jr Award for Criticism or Review
Congratulations to all the winners and nominees, a full list of whom can be found on the Conflux 19 web site.
The 2026 Ditmars – for works by Australian writers, artists, and creatives, released in the calendar year of 2025 – along with the Tin Ducks – for works by WA based creatives – will be awarded at Swancon 50. Rules and info for nomination and voting will be released in January 2026. Keep an eye out for our January newsletter to learn more.
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