It’s not just official … it’s available now: the first section of Aurealis #45 is available at Smashwords as a free download. This is a big shift for the venerable Aussie spec fic mag, which is using the digital arena to go monthly, incorporating AurealisXpress. It’s starting with #45, the last issue compiled by Stuart Mayne as editor, and is breaking it up over four months under the stewardship of Aurealis co-founder Dirk Strasser (21 years ago!) and Carissa Thorp. Somewhere in the queue is a story of mine of which I’m quite proud. Yay!

I’ve been told that the #45 yarns will be collected into a print ‘best of’ edition in 2012, which is good news, because I do love my artifacts!

Sean the Bookonaut has already given the new-look e-edition a shot and his review is quite favourable.

Having just had a squiz at the pdf, and it’s come up well, internal artwork included, and it’s cool to see hyperlinks.