We are happy to announce the shortlist for the 2012 Arthur C Clarke Award, and as always there will be varied opinions on what did and did not make it.

Tom Hunter, who administers the award said "I think it surprises in lots of different ways, which is perhaps the job of the Clarke Awards, to make people look afresh at the genre,” - we will always agree with that!

The Clarke Award jury, which includes our own Literary Editor, Robert Grant, now have to re-read the shortlisted books and will make their final deliberations on Wed 2nd May, finally announcing the winner at the festival in front of a prestigious audience.

So, the titles are listed below (and in no particular order).

Keep an eye on our twitter feed and facebook page for news of a competition to win a pair of tickets to the ceremony!