Margrét Helgadóttir's Blog, page 8
July 14, 2017
Asian Monsters is shortlisted to BFS!
[image error]I am very honoured and chuffed to tell you that Asian Monsters is shortlisted to British Fantasy Awards.
Asian Monsters is shortlisted in the category “Best Anthology.” I am very honoured to be shortlisted again as editor, and so happy for all the monsters contributors: all the lovely authors (all with a connection to Asia), and all the amazing artists, and Fox Spirit Books’ wonderful team and Adele Wearing. Thank you all for your amazing work and support!
My wonderful publisher, UK-based Fox...
July 11, 2017
The winners of the monsters writing competition
1st prize
For the last weeks I have been so lucky to judge Fox Spirit Books’ monster writing competition. I have now selected one winner and two runner ups.
Asian Monsters was released in November and I am now working on volume four of the Fox Spirit Books of Monsters, Pacific Monsters. To celebrate the monsters, we did a flash writing competition in the last months, inviting authors to send in their best monster stories.
It was a tough decision. I had to put many good stories aside. I wish t...
June 1, 2017
Shona Kinsella interviewed me!
[image error]Just a short note to tell you I was interviewed couple of days ago by the lovely Shona Kinsella.
In which I talk about the monster books, editing, working with Fox Spirit Books, and the appeal of short stories. Thank you so much, Shona!
Read the interview here. You should check out Shona’s debut book Ashael Rising too!
May 16, 2017
Shortlisting Caine Prize
[image error]Great news today. One of the short stories from African Monsters – “Bush Baby” – is shortlisted to 2017 Caine Prize for African Writing! Huge congratulations to the author, wonderful Chikodili Emelumadu.
The winner of the £10,000 prize will be announced at an award ceremony and dinner at Senate House Library, London, on 3 July.
The Chair of judges, award winning author, poet and editor, Nii Ayikwei Parkes, announced the five-writer shortlist earlier today:
Lesley Nneka Arimah (Nigeria) for “...May 10, 2017
Monster Writing Competition
[image error]I want your monster flash stories! Deadline July 1st.
Source: Monster Writing Competition
Photo taken (by me) at the Gustav Vigeland museum in Oslo.
April 22, 2017
Asia Literary Review features Asian Monsters!
[image error]I am very chuffed to tell you that Asia Literary Review features Asian Monsters in their spring issue.
In this issue you can read an interview with me about monsters and Asian Monsters (the interview can be read online here).
In addition, two of the monster stories from Asian Monsters are featured: “Grass Cradle, Glass Lullaby” by Isabel Yap (read the beginning of the story online here) and “Blood Like Water” by Eve Shi (read the beginning of the story online here). Also, Isabel’s story is ac...
April 13, 2017
Asian Monsters in Mithila Review!
[image error]The awesome people at Mithila Review features Asian Monsters in their new issue with both a review of the book and one of the short stories.
Ajapa Sharma writes: “The readers of the book can only be delighted at the range of monsters and the skill and deftness of the authors included in the volume.” Read the whole review here.
Eliza Chan’s dark and haunting story in Asian Monsters, “Datsue-Ba,” is also included in this issue together with the awesome illustration by Kieran Walsh, see here.
Th...
March 16, 2017
A Fantastical Librarian features the monster books
[image error]A Fantastical Librarian features the monster books this week with reviews and interview
Mieneke van der Salm is behind this wonderful book site and this week she has looked closer at the monster books.
She says about African Monsters: “In the second instalment of the series Jo Thomas and Margrét Helgadottir have curated a marvellous selection of stories about monsters found on the continent of Africa.” Read the review here.
She will also review Asian Monsters and I will put the link here as s...
February 21, 2017
The Future Fire about Asian Monsters
[image error]The Future Fire has reviewed Asian Monsters!
Rachel Verkade writes: “…Asian Monsters is a great collection of stories featuring a delicious bestiary of lesser known monsters. It takes us from the forests of ancient China to the streets of war-torn Pakistan, and its monsters are as old as the hill and as young as urban legends. They offer not just a glimpse at some exotic and unknown creatures, but insight into the lands and cultures that created them.”
Read the whole review here.
Wonderful Th...
February 10, 2017
Everyone: Worlds Without Walls
[image error]I am chuffed to tell you that I have one of my stories featured in the coming anthology Everyone: Worlds Without Walls from The District of Wonders.
The coming anthology will be edited by Tony C. Smith, host and owner of StarShipSofa podcast and The District of Wonders network.
The book will highlight new and diverse voices from around the world: “With talent and tales from diverse nations, cultures, races, and experiences, this anthology will explore and celebrate how we are greater together...
