Helen Lowe's Blog, page 254
June 28, 2012
‘Fun With Friends’ On SF SIgnal — AUS/NZ Friends In Fact!
Today I have commenced a new guest post series on SF Signal. It’s titled “Fun With Friends” and in it I’ll be interviewing fellow SFF authors from Australia and New Zealand, with a short interview format focusing on “who they are” and “what they do” in writing terms.
My first interview is with Australian author and SFF buddy, Kim Falconer, right HereI’d love it if you clicked through to take a look—and please do consider leaving a comment to support Kim and the series. 
June 27, 2012
A Weekend Creative Writing Workshop from The Hagley Writers’ Institute
A little late notice I know, and I apologise for that, but Frankie McMillan and Kerrin Sharpe, tutors with the Hagley Writers’ Institute are offering a writing workshop this weekend—and here are the details:
What You’ll Learn: How to advance your writing, Poetry and Prose Fiction
Where: Hagley Writers’ Institute, Hagley Community College
When: This weekend, Saturday June 30, 10am-3pm; Sunday July 1, 10am-3pm
Tutors: Frankie McMillan; Kerrin Sharpe
Fee: $100 waged; $90 unwaged
Bring: Paper, pen, a w...
June 26, 2012
“Snow White & The Huntsman”: A Few of My Terribly Important Thoughts
Yes, I have now seen the film, and so being both a blogger and an SFF/FSF/’speculative fiction’ (although seriously, isn’t all fiction speculative?) blogger to boot, I thought it incumbent upon me to share a few of my terribly important thoughts—aka, ‘wot I fort, roight?!’
Overall, I erred on the side of liking it, but with reservations.
In terms of the positives—well it’s Fantasy and a fairytale retelling of Snow White, so I am already well disposed toward liking. And this film is visually spe...
June 25, 2012
Tuesday Poem: A Podcast Interview With Bernadette Hall, Editor of “Best New Zealand Poems 2011″
As my Tuesday Poem feature today, I am linking to my recent Women on Air inteview with Bernadette Hall, editor of Best New Zealand Poems 2011.
I feel Bernie gives us a fascinating insight into the process of selecting last year’s “crown of good company” in New Zealand poetry — as well as concluding with a powerful reading of James Norcliffe’s The Death of Seneca.
To listen: click here
Then either click on the ‘Play’ button, or download the MP3
You may also find two of Bernie’s own poems here on t...
June 24, 2012
A Gemmell Award Essay: “Why I Chose To Write Fantasy & Writing Influences”
The Gemmell Morningstar Award 2012
As you may know, The Heir of Night (The Wall of Night Book One) recently won the international Gemmell Morningstar Award.
As one of the authors on the original Morningstar longlist, I was asked if I would submit an article on why I chose to write in the Fantasy genre and also the influences on my writing style, that might be posted on the Gemmell Awards site.
Although the article did not in fact post, I thought it might be of sufficient interest, given the awar...
June 23, 2012
What I’m Reading: “Graft” by Helen Heath
I feel it’s been too long since my “Just Arrived” or “What I’m Reading” posts have included a book of poetry—so today I’m delighted to tell you that I’m reading Helen Heath’s debut collection, Graft, recently out from Victoria University Press.
One of the aspects that immediately interested me with this book was what I call the “history of science” poems, focused around such seminal figures as Sir Isaac Newton (Night’s Magic), Marie Curie (Radiant), astronomer Beatrice Tinsley (Spiral Arms) an...
June 22, 2012
Here It Is: The Gemmell Morningstar Award
The Gemmell Morningstar Award 2012
Yes, it’s here: the Gemmell Morningstar Award 2012–and I have to say it’s quite wonderful. As far as I can tell, it’s made of crystal—it definitely has some “weight” to it, as well as catching the light. (And besides, the box says so!)
Our (That’s HEIR & moi) Orbit editor Jenni Hill also included the Awards ceremony invitation and programme, as she put it “a little bent–nerves during the awards announcements” — but I find those are the kind of creases I can be...
June 21, 2012
‘Once Upon A Time in Aotearoa’: Today Is National Flash Fiction Day in New Zealand
Firstly I have to own up: ‘Once Upon A Time In Aotearoa’ is the fabulous title of Tina Makereti’s equally fabulous short story collection—with a title like that you have to check it out if you haven’t already! And if you haven’t already, well then, you definitely should have!
But in the spirit of short fiction, or in this case very short fiction, today is National Flash Fiction Day in New Zealand and I believe several fun events are happening around the country. To find out what’s happening in...
June 20, 2012
An Interview With Kristin Cashore—Author of “Bitterblue”
Introduction:Today I am delighted to bring you an interview with Kristin Cashore, the multiple award-winning and Starred-review author of Graceling (2008) and Fire (2009). I think there are few contemporary authors who have enjoyed such immediate success as Ms Cashore with her debut novel, Graceling, setting a benchmark for YA fantasy adventure with a strong, independent young heroine—but with plenty of romance in the mix as well.
Today’s interview focuses on Bitterblue, Kristin Cashore’s newl...
June 19, 2012
Some Photos From The Gemmell Award Ceremony
The David Gemmell Award Ceremony: Stage Backdrop
Today I am delighted to be able to share some photos from the Gemmell Award ceremony last Friday night in London, where very excitingly, The Heir of Night won the Morningstar Award for Best Fantasy Newcomer.
Credit to Stan Nicholls and Sandy Auden for their photos of the ceremony.
The 3 trophies, L-R: Legend; Ravenheart; Morningstar
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Jenni Hill of Orbit receives the Morningstar Award for 'The Heir of Night'
Close up: the Morningstar award
Jenni Hill...
