1965, which he claims had a similar transformational effect on his character. Dann is also notable in the science fiction field for having written a number of stories with Jewish themes. Dann has a Jewish background, and although affirming an affinity with the cultural aspects of this, has distanced himself from the theological tenets of Judaism due to his atheist outlook. Influences Dann has acknowledged the influence of a range of writers, including Jorge Luis Borges, Gabriel García Márquez, J.D. Salinger and J.G. Ballard. He has suggested particular influence from Ernest Hemingway's memoir of his 'down and out' days in Paris in the early 1920s, A Moveable Feast. Dann read this book during his convalescence from life-threatening illness in 1965, a key character forming event in his personal history. Contribution to Australian speculative fiction culture Since his move to Australia, he has become a major influence and much respected figure in the speculative fiction field in Australia. He has frequently attended conventions, as guest of honour, speaker and panelist, and has played an active role in encouraging the development of the field, including running and contributing to seminars and workshops on writing, such as Clarion South. He has also raised the profile of Australian writers by publishing anthologies of their work. He co-editor (with Janeen Webb) of World Fantasy Award-winning Australian anthology Dreaming Down-Under, which Peter Goldsworthy called "the biggest, boldest, most controversial collection of original fiction ever published in Australia." More recently, Dann edited Dreaming Again, a second anthology of Australian fantasy and speculative fiction, which was released in Australia in July 2008. The collection includes a number of stories produced by graduates of the Clarion South workshops and a mix of new and well known Australian writers. A third volume, produced in editorial partnership with Jonathan Strahan, entitled Legends of Australian Fantasy was published in June 2010. Awards Nebula Award 1997 for the novella "Da Vinci Rising" Australian Aurealis Award 1996 for the novel The Memory Cathedral 1997 for the short story "Niagara Falling," with Janeen Webb Ditmar Award 1997 for "Niagara Falling" 1999 for Dreaming Down-Under with Janeen Webb 2002 for "The Diamond Pit" World Fantasy Award 1999 for Dreaming Down-Under with Janeen Webb 2017 Dreaming in the Dark for Best Anthology (nominee) Premios Gilgamés de Narrativa Fantastica award 2008 - Dann was awarded the Peter McNamara Convenors' Award for Excellence in the 2008 Aurealis Awards Dann