A few of you have now asked which of my works are eligible for 2017. Rather than give you a list of absolutely everything, however, here’s a list of one work per category that I’m particularly proud of, and how to vote is below…<\/p>\n
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Best Short Story: “Let the Tempest Hold Me Down”, Zena Shapter, in Sci Phi Journal, March 2016<\/i>.<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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Sci Phi Journal<\/a><\/em> is itself a Hugo-finalist magazine of the best philosophical science fiction around. I was honoured to be included in this edition, and then also selected to appear in the ‘best of’ anthology for 2016, Sci Phi Journal: The Journal of Science Fiction and Philosophy,<\/em> Anthology Edition #1<\/a> 2016.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/zenashapter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Zena-Shapter-Tempest-small-300x200.jpg\")
Kim Falconer, of the Quantum Encryption Series<\/a><\/em> has said my story is a \u201cFabulous read from a strong and prolific SF writer!\u201d Aw. If you agree, please nominate the story! The artwork for it alone is fabulous…<\/p>\nTHE BLURB: Tek has long believed in leading a different life. When tragedy strikes close to home, he\u2019s more determined than ever to prove himself. Only hindsight will reveal how devastating his actions will be\u2026<\/p>\n
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Best Collected Work: “A Fearsome Engine”, Zena Shapter & Chris Lake, Northern Beaches Writers’ Group 2016<\/em>.<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
This reviewer says it all:<\/p>\n
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“‘A Fearsome Engine’ is an anthology, a collection of short stories by a writers’ group in the Northern Beaches in Australia. As such, it’s published as much for the authors as the readers, or so you’d think. But I started reading at the beginning, out of curiosity, because I knew some of the writers, and found myself half way through before I realised what the time was. The central idea \u2013 humanity’s relationship with technology \u2013 is approached from many different angles, and in many different styles \u2013 horror to romance to mystery to humour, you name it. The writing is consistently impressive and, all in all, it makes for an exciting, page-turning read. All power to writers’ groups! This one’s a keeper.”<\/p>\nTHE BLURB: Who is the master and who the machine? This collection of twenty stories by the Northern Beaches Writers’ Group explores this question with horror, humour, pathos and philosophy. Whether it be in our own place and time, far in the future, the past, or in a universe of their own making, our authors grapple with the interface between humanity and its machines. Are the things we make ours to command? Will they always be? And who, exactly, is making whom?<\/p>\n
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Best Novel: “Into Tordon”, Z.F. Kingbolt (aka Zena Shapter, Zoya Nojin, Mijmark, Kristin Prescott, Kirsten Taylor, Leah Boonthanom, Liz Michell, Tracey Jackson, Tony McFadden), MidnightSun Publishing 2016<\/em>.<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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This one’s received so many great reviews! What more can I say?<\/p>\n“This is an impressive debut\u2026 The narrative doesn\u2019t falter, and middle-grade readers will delight at how quickly they are thrown into the action of the story\u2026 Into Tordon is a pacy, exciting read that middle-grade readers will love getting sucked into.\u201d Bec Kavanagh, Books+Publishing Review<\/strong><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s like Harry Potter on steroids!\u201d Susanne Gervay, author \u2018I am Jack\u2019<\/a>
\n<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\u201cAnnabel devoured the book, loved it! Had to take it off her at 10pm that night and she finished it next morning. Well done!\u201d Claire, Mum of Annabel<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n
\u201cInto Tordon is an exciting read. Fast-paced, fun and clever\u2026 But this book isn\u2019t all action and adventure. The two teens begin with preconceived notions of each other and as they journey\u2026 they each find a strength to themselves they didn\u2019t know they had\u2026 Into Tordon is a book perfect for middle grade readers looking for an adventure with no romance. It\u2019s fun and exciting with readers never quite knowing what to expect next.\u201d Kate, Fictional Thoughts<\/strong><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n
\u201cA timely book aimed at a young audience reminding them that girls can be champions too\u2026\u00a0The story is fast-paced and exciting\u2026\u201d\u00a0Verushka Byrow, The Children\u2019s Book Council of Australia<\/strong>, Reading Time<\/a>. <\/em><\/p>\n
\u201cBeginning with an adrenalin-pumping computer-gaming championship, Into Tordon throws its 13-year-old main characters into a real-life scenario that is as full of risk, riddles and threats as any computer game \u2013 or is it, in fact, a computer game? It takes Beth and her antagonistic rival Zane through a fascinating range of cultures and other-worldly scenarios as life-threatening situations and brain-teasing mysteries forge a bond of mutual dependency that grows gradually into Beth and Zane\u2019s firm friendship\u2026 full of sudden twists and intriguing turns.\u201d Katharine England, SA Weekend,<\/strong> Well Read.<\/em><\/p>\n
\u201cThe action and adventure in this story keeps the reader on their toes. Surviving being eaten by a large snake being one obstacle to overcome. This is a great read for kids aged 9-14 years and will suit both boys and girls to match the two main characters\u2026 Enjoy this action packed adventure.\u201d Melinda McNaughton<\/span>, Creative Kids Tales<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n
THE BLURB: Thirteen-year-old Beth has been waiting for weeks to play in the championship of her favourite online game, Tordon. Now tribes of beastmen roar through her speakers. Game on! She plays to win, until her gaming nemesis Zane challenges her to a real-life risk that has them sucked into a strange world. Here they must push their skills to the limit just to survive! Faced with riddles, a multitude of dangerous creatures, exotic cultures and scientific impossibilities, Beth and Zane are forced to take on challenge after challenge if they\u2019re ever to return home.<\/p>\n
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Best Novella or Novelette: “Rider & the Hummingbird”, Leah Boonthanom, Madi Duncan, Chris Lake, Tony McFadden, Kylie Pfeiffer, Kristin Prescott, and Zena Shapter, Northern Beaches Writers’ Group 2016<\/em>.<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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Rider & the Hummingbird<\/i> has already won an award, as winner of the ‘Best Book’ award in the 2015 WABIAD competition. Profits from the sale of this book go towards The Kids’ Cancer Project<\/a>. So the more exposure it gets, the more sales for charity. Help fight cancer!<\/p>\nJudge of the WABIAD competition, Chloe Mauger of the CBCA WA, said of it: \u201cThere are surprising plot twists, moments of high elation, and deep despair, personal challenges, red herrings and betrayals\u2026 This book tells a strong, original, well-written, suspenseful and dramatic tale\u2026!\u201d<\/p>\n
THE BLURB: Fourteen-year-old Lan is a computer genius\u2026 and a prisoner. After poking around in exactly the wrong websites, Lan\u2019s interest in drones has landed him in the High Country Youth Correctional Facility. Not a good start. Lan is resigned to his fate until he discovers that the mysterious hacktivist who framed him is part of a plot to kill thousands of people, including his mum and dad. With the help of Monk and his ferret, Lan breaks out of jail, and races to prevent a disaster that could change the face of Australia forever.<\/p>\n
How to vote?<\/h3>\n
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