I write from a castle in a flying city hidden by a thundercloud, reaching across age and genre into the heart of storytelling.
Ever since I was a little girl, I have sought out stories with the power to shake my imagination to the core – perhaps by offering me something unique or original, an escapist thrill or dangerous world, or an extraordinary character facing unknown challenges in a way I might emulate or admire. I love to read experiences that I haven’t read or heard about before. I love stories that make me think about the world and its evolution in a different way. And now, as an author, I get to create those very stories myself!
From my science fantasy adventures set in the World of Palude (‘When Dark Worlds Rise’, ‘When Dark Waters Burn‘ and ‘When Dark Roots Hunt‘), to my science fiction adult novel ‘Towards White‘, my co-authored middle grade science fiction ‘Into Tordon‘, and many short immersions, I conjure all kinds of journeys into the beyond and unusual, sharing original stories and uncommon sights… Because life is magical. Life is about searching for improved existences and converting the unfamiliar into something more recognisable. Life is an adventure at once unseen and unlikely, yet there and very real; sometimes thrilling and dangerous, yet ultimately ours to relish. If I can, I’ll show you just how thrilling and magical that adventure can be!
In addition to writing novels, I’ve also won over fifteen national writing awards to date – including a Ditmar Award, the Australasian Horror Writers’ Association Writing Competition (twice!), and the Glen Miles Short Story Prize. My short stories have appeared in over 40 magazines and anthologies around the world, such as ‘Midnight Echo’ as well as their Australian Shadows Award-winning ‘best of’ anthology, the Hugo-nominated ‘Sci Phi Journal’, ‘Antipodean SF’ and Award-Winning Australian Writing (twice).
I’ve been called “a master of immersive worlds” (Tawny Frogmouth Magazine) and “a writer with a need for adventure” (Midnight Echo magazine), creating “the kind of excitement and suspense and pure pleasure that made me want to become a writer” (Lillian Csernica, Tangent Online), as well as “cold and brutal” stories (Tor.com), “dark fantasy at its blood-soaked finest” (Australasian Horror Writers’ Association), and “beautifully crafted and well told stories that deserve to be read many times” (Glen Miles Short Story Prize). Read me over here 🙂
In my spare time, I’m into movies, reading, chocolate, potatoes, frogs, and travel. I don’t like ants or driving! Here are my most Frequently Asked Questions, such as my writing lifestyle, favourite worldbuilding techniques and tips for unpublished writers.
There’s an official Press Kit for media use over here.
With my BA (Hons) in English Literature, I also enjoy working as a writing mentor and editor, inspiring writers to develop their craft. I’ve founded, led and voluntarily funded over $250k worth of community creativity projects, enabling hundreds of writers of all ages to celebrate their work and develop their craft. This has resulted in a multitude of community writing days, published anthologies, printed magazines, and children’s books published to raise money for The Kids’ Cancer Project. In 2009, I founded the Northern Beaches Writers’ Group and have led it ever since, volunteering at weekends to assist and develop writers further behind me in their writing journeys.
An all-round story nerd, I also work with local councils to develop creative strategy and increase community participation in the arts, because I love talking about all things story, why we write and tell stories, how my own writing fits into that, and everything I know about books and creating them. Accordingly, The Tawny Frogmouth magazine recently wrote an article about me: ‘Local writing hero is an inspiration for living a better life’ – I was quite thrilled!
Perhaps you’d like me to speak about the importance of creativity and/or my passion for the power of words to your group, club, school, college, centre, colleagues, readers or listeners? If so, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. I frequently give writing talks and run workshops.
Please also contact me if you’d like any personal creative support, as I’m also a writing mentor and editor.
To keep in touch, please subscribe to my blog, YouTube channel, or TikTok account, and/or find me on your preferred social media as @ZenaShapter.
What they’re saying…
“A master of immersive worlds.” The Tawny Frogmouth Magazine
“As cold and brutal as the Pacific Ocean crashing into the rocky California coast.” Alex Brown, Tor.com
“Zena Shapter is a writer with a need for adventure.” Midnight Echo magazine
“The kind of excitement and suspense and pure pleasure that made me want to become a writer… Go read more of Zena Shapter’s work. Go like her page on Facebook. You’ll be glad you did. Zena Shapter – she deserves your attention…” Lillian Csernica, reviewer for Tangent Online
“Beautifully crafted and well told stories that deserve to be read many times. This important story… never failed to move me.” Gareth Barlow, Glen Miles Short Story Prize Judge, of ‘Champions’
“A specialist in the weird, wacky, wonderful world of speculative fiction.” NSW Writers Centre, Sydney
“The story is steeped in a deep sense of unease, alternating between white-knuckle action and a deliberate unfolding of the layers of truth.” Leife Shallcross, author of ‘The Beast’s Heart’
“Zena Shapter’s ‘Darker’ is dark fantasy at its blood-soaked finest. Its setting is evocative and sharply drawn, its storyline emotionally gruelling and possessing a surprising sting in the tale. Highly recommended.” Guy Salvidge, Australasian Horror Writers’ Association Judge, of ‘Darker’
“‘Towards White’ shows the conflict and chaos of a meeting between the unstoppable force of scientific progress and the immovable object that is human nature – and what happens to those caught in the middle.” David McDonald, author of ‘Guardians of the Galaxy: Castaways’ and ‘Captain America: Sub Rosa’
“Zena Shapter, an Aussie author who is soon to take the speculative fiction world by storm with her novel, Towards White.” MJ Hearle, Pan Macmillan author of ‘Winter’s Shadow’
“If you like your science fiction intelligent, pacy and thought-provoking, ‘Towards White’ is for you. I thoroughly enjoyed this SF thriller.” Pamela Freeman, author of ‘The Castings Trilogy’
“Suspense that takes you to the brink, then pushes you over. The world building was perfection. Highly recommended!” Kim Falconer, author of ‘The Blood in the Beginning’, an Ava Sykes Novel
“…a dynamic writer, teacher and one-woman publicity machine… One of the most energetic identities on the Sydney writing scene is the fabulous Zena Shapter.” Walter Mason, Allen & Unwin author
“A smart supernatural thriller, with a central mystery that is both heartbreaking and intriguing. Shapter blurs the line between technology and spirituality.” Joanne Anderton, award-winning author of ‘Debris’ and ‘The Bone Chime Song and Other Stories’
“Fabulous read from a strong and prolific SF writer! Keep your eye on this author!” Kim Falconer, Quantum Encryption Series, of ‘Let The Tempest Hold Me Down’
“A magnificent story!” Karl Sumner, Editor of Let Us In, of ‘Made’
“An impressive debut! A pacy, exciting read!” Books & Publishing, of ‘Into Tordon’
“That rarest of books—an easy read that tackles hard subjects. Combining the ominous vibes of ‘The Stepford Wives’ with the science driven action of ‘The Andromeda Strain’, this slick technothriller will keep you turning the pages long past when you should have gone to bed.” David McDonald, author of ‘Guardians of the Galaxy: Castaways’ and ‘Captain America: Sub Rosa’
“Absorbing and unique.” S Philips, Editor of You, Me & a Bit of We, of ‘Our Something Said’
“I quickly found myself engrossed in a classic page-turner so full of action, imagination and suspense that I defy anyone, no matter what age, to put it down.” Judith O’Connor, Women’s Ink, of ‘The Time of the Jade Spider’
Once you’ve read my stories, what will you say?
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