Aurealis Award for Best Fantasy Novella

{{Short description|Australian fantasy writing award}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2021}}

{{Use Australian English|date=November 2011}}

{{Infobox award

| name = Aurealis Award for best fantasy novella

| current_awards =

| image =

| imagesize = 119px

| alt = A gold colored circle with the words "aurealis awards" across the middle, and "winner" situated in the lower portion. In the top portion is a smaller black and white circle with various curving lines and a shape of an eye in the middle

| caption = The Aurealis Award design is often placed on the winning book's cover as a promotional tool.{{cite web|url=http://harpercollins.com.au/books/9780732290115/Eon/index.aspx |title=Eon by Alison Goodman |publisher=HarperCollins |access-date=2010-03-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100221025801/http://www.harpercollins.com.au/books/9780732290115/Eon/index.aspx |archive-date=21 February 2010 |url-status=dead }}

| awarded_for = Excellence in fantasy fiction novels

| presenter = Chimaera Publications,
Continuum Foundation

| country = Australia

| location =

| year = 2015

| holder = Shauna O'Meara

| website = [http://aurealisawards.org/ Official site]

}}

The Aurealis Awards are presented annually by the Australia-based Chimaera Publications and WASFF to published works in order to "recognise the achievements of Australian science fiction, fantasy, horror writers".{{cite web|url=http://www.aurealisawards.com/AboutUs.htm |title=Aurealis Awards – About Us |publisher=Aurealis Awards |access-date=2010-01-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100814054206/http://www.aurealisawards.com/AboutUs.htm |archive-date=14 August 2010 |url-status=dead }} To qualify, a work must have been first published by an Australian citizen or permanent resident between 1 January and 31 December of the corresponding year;{{cite web |url=http://www.aurealisawards.com/Rules.htm#Entries |title=Aurealis Awards – Rules and Conditions |publisher=Aurealis Awards |access-date=2009-11-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120505121118/http://www.aurealisawards.com/Rules.htm#Entries |archive-date=5 May 2012 |url-status=dead }} the presentation ceremony is held the following year. It has grown from a small function of around 20 people to a two-day event attended by over 200 people.{{cite web |url=http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,21153270-5003424,00.html |title=Horror a hit |publisher=Queensland Newspapers |work=The Courier-Mail |date=2007-02-02 |first=Jason |last=Nahrung |access-date=2009-12-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070404104456/http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,21153270-5003424,00.html |archive-date=4 April 2007 |url-status=live }}

Since their creation in 1995, awards have been given in various categories of speculative fiction. Categories currently include science fiction, fantasy, horror, speculative young adult fiction—with separate awards for novels and short fiction—collections, anthologies, illustrative works or graphic novels, children's books, and an award for excellence in speculative fiction. The awards have attracted the attention of publishers by setting down a benchmark in science fiction and fantasy. The continued sponsorship by publishers such as HarperCollins and Orbit has identified the award as an honour to be taken seriously.{{cite video|people=Koval, Ramona (presenter) |date=2009-02-05 |title=Spotlight on speculative fiction writers |url=http://www.abc.net.au/rn/bookshow/stories/2009/2483009.htm |format=mp3 |time=1:18–2:16 |medium=Radio broadcast |publisher=ABC Radio and Regional Content |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090214013326/http://www.abc.net.au/rn/bookshow/stories/2009/2483009.htm |archive-date=14 February 2009 |url-status=live }}

The results are decided by a panel of judges from a list of submitted nominees; the long-list of nominees is reduced to a short-list of finalists. Ties can occur if the panel decides both entries show equal merit, however they are encouraged to choose a single winner.{{cite web|url=http://www.aurealisawards.com/downloads/guidelines-for-judges.doc |title=Guidelines for Judges |publisher=Aurealis Awards |access-date=2009-04-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927173942/http://www.aurealisawards.com/downloads/guidelines-for-judges.doc |archive-date=27 September 2011 |url-status=dead }} The judges are selected from a public application process by the Award's management team.{{cite web|url=http://www.aurealisawards.com/FAQ.htm |title=Aurealis Awards – FAQ |publisher=Aurealis Awards |access-date=2009-12-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100316082702/http://www.aurealisawards.com/FAQ.htm |archive-date=16 March 2010 |url-status=dead }}

This article lists all the short-list nominees and winners in the best fantasy novella category. Alan Baxter and Tansy Rayner Roberts share the record for most nominations (3), while Jason Fischer, Stephanie Gunn, Nikky Lee, Kirstyn McDermott, and Angela Slatter follow, each having been nominated twice. This is as of the 2021 Awards, as the winners were announced in late May 2022.