Zena Shapter

Zena Shapter

@zenashapter.bsky.social

I write from a castle in a flying city hidden by a thundercloud. Award-winning SFF author. Writing mentor. Editor. Inclusivity. Pop culture. Nature.

149 followers50 following230 posts

Zena Shapter
@zenashapter.bsky.social

Launched! When Dark Worlds Rise is now on shelves! Wow, thank you so much to everyone who came to my book launch of WHEN DARK WORLDS RISE last week – you made the evening so very special for me. | For those who couldn't make it, here's a video recap: I'm so excited for the trilogy to be out there…

zenashapter.comLaunched! When Dark Worlds Rise is now on shelves!Wow, thank you so much to everyone who came to my book launch of WHEN DARK WORLDS RISE last week – you made the evening so very special for me. | For those who couldn't make it, here's a video recap: I'm so excited for the trilogy to be out there in its entirety – a vision I've had since pre-Covid...
Zena Shapter
@zenashapter.bsky.social

Love this tip by @petermball.bsky.social - so true! Thank you for sharing!

Peter M. Ball@petermball.bsky.social

Writer tip of the day: The slush pile is often the least effective way of getting your book in front of a publisher. For all we cleave to the vision of the writer as a solitary beast, writing and publishing is really an industry of networks, friendships, and connections.

Zena Shapter
@zenashapter.bsky.social

Storycentric Podcast, Cover Reveal, Chocolate & Long Hours! StoryCentric Podcast: Today I'm over on the amazing StoryCentric Podcast, delving into an intimate discussion with host Andrew Buckley about our cultural addiction to storytelling! The podcast invites master storytellers from every genre…

zenashapter.comStorycentric Podcast, Cover Reveal, Chocolate & Long Hours!StoryCentric Podcast: Today I'm over on the amazing StoryCentric Podcast, delving into an intimate discussion with host Andrew Buckley about our cultural addiction to storytelling! The podcast invites master storytellers from every genre and background to share their perspectives, experiences and advice, and, with Andrew being so authentic, he inspires the most insightful conversations about how we live and create in a story-driven world.
Zena Shapter
@zenashapter.bsky.social

Cover reveal - WHEN DARK WORLDS RISE! youtube.com/shorts/YNBKh... The greatest enemy always hides within. –> zenashapter.com/portfolio/wh... #FYP #newreleases #sciencefantasy #scifibooks #DarkFantasyReads #australianauthor #lovebooks #bookworm #yournextread

zenashapter.comWhen Dark Worlds RiseYA Novel (for all adults, 13yrs+) – Science Fantasy – RRP$21.99 – ISBN: 9781922858825 (print) *When Dark Roots Hunt & When Dark Waters Burn were both Best Novel Ditmar Award Finalists! It’s dan…
Zena Shapter
@zenashapter.bsky.social

My daughter has just emerged from her room, deposited this guy beside me, and left again. Why? 1. To keep me company? 2. For moral support? 3. Because he matches my rug? 4. Another reason (if so, what)? Let me know in the comments! #amwriting #authorlife #authorsofbluesky

Zena Shapter
@zenashapter.bsky.social

Please note the date change, folks! Now TUESDAY 7 JULY!

Brent McGregor@brentmcgregor.bsky.social

CHANGE OF PLANS. Due to quantum events in the Spec Fic universe, the next Twisted Fiction event has moved forward in time to the SEVENTH of the SEVENTH (Tues 7th July). Same time, just a day later. If you’re a lover of fiction and enjoy a good yarn, come on down to Shakey’s Shakespeare’s Hotel.

Zena Shapter
@zenashapter.bsky.social

Hi all, the Willoughby Literary Festival event links are now live, including tickets to a workshop I’m running on dialogue. Last year my workshop was booked up fast, so don't delay if you’re interested: libraries.willoughby.nsw.gov.au/Eventbrite/Z... #writingworkshop #writingcommunity #writingtips

libraries.willoughby.nsw.gov.auZena Shapter – Make talk matterExplore how dialogue shapes character, voice and worldbuilding through practical writing techniques and tips.
Zena Shapter
@zenashapter.bsky.social

FREE EVENT! Live at the Shakey, I’ll be reading from my work, alongside the marvellous Ashley Kalagian Blunt, Adam Richard, and N King, from 6pm on Monday 6 July. Come and join me and make some new friends at ‘Twisted Fiction’, with one fabulous night of mysterious storytelling! #yournextread

Zena Shapter
@zenashapter.bsky.social

A wet day for a writerly catch up, but the smiles never stop when I see my amazing author buddies: Kristin Darell, Tracey Jackson, and Zoya Kooper. Do you have author buddies like I do? If so, how often do you get to see them - let me know!

Zena Shapter reposted

Alan Baxter
@alanbaxter.bsky.social

The two best things for an author is you telling them that you love their work and you telling others that you love their work. It's something that never gets old and is always a boost, both for the author's mental health and their actual career. So never think they won't want to hear it.

Zena Shapter
@zenashapter.bsky.social

Only a few more weeks until voting closes!! 😮😮😮

Aussiecon5@aussiecon5.bsky.social

#DitmarAward includes Bluesky users @freyamarske.bsky.social @matttighe.bsky.social @kmjennings.bsky.social @zenashapter.bsky.social @pamelajeffs.bsky.social @adambrowneuk.bsky.social @chpearcewrites.bsky.social #AustralasianSFF #MeanjinIn2028 #BrisbaneIn2028

Zena Shapter
@zenashapter.bsky.social

How to ride The Great Silence that every #authorlife endures! From inspiration to analysis, true paths to hedgehogs!

zenashapter.comThe Great Silence of #AuthorLife!April has been a month of highs for me. Some months go by with little to no news – just words on the page. Which is heaven, of course. The gentle tap, tap, tapping on my keyboard. The act of imagining and creating something meaningful or resonant. The polishing of initial thoughts into ones that gleam or sparkle. I love it! But there's also a lot of waiting in the book industry. I call it The Great Silence. Sometimes The Great Silence can be a comfortable place to sit and create.
Zena Shapter
@zenashapter.bsky.social

At which number photo did you guess what I was baking today? 1-6?! Yummo!!!! #writingcommunity #baking #FYP #booktok #authorlife Want to read some of my work? zenashapter.com = perfect for lovers of escapist thrills and immersive worlds… and fans of baking!

Zena Shapter
@zenashapter.bsky.social

What a delightful surprise! Thank you @AustralasianHorror for this incredible award plaque, celebrating my AHWA short story competition win - ‘The Museum of Disease’ will be published in the Midnight Echo later this year. Can’t wait! zenashapter.com #horror #FYP #australianauthor #horrorstory

Zena Shapter
@zenashapter.bsky.social

Staycation Tips! #AuthorLife It can be difficult to take time off when you work for yourself. As an author, editor and writing mentor who works from home, the computer is always there, along with all the words and stories yet to be written. So I do sometimes struggle to down tools and disconnect…

zenashapter.comStaycation Tips! #AuthorLifeIt can be difficult to take time off when you work for yourself. As an author, editor and writing mentor who works from home, the computer is always there, along with all the words and stories yet to be written. So I do sometimes struggle to down tools and disconnect when it’s time to relax. However, this long weekend, I did smash out a staycation, and I thought you might like to know how. Here's a summary of what I did, which you could use to plan your own staycation, or there's a video you can watch below...
Zena Shapter
@zenashapter.bsky.social

Warning: there is no harmony or stargazing in these books! They’re pure adventure. Heart-pounding adrenalin. Friendship forged in desperation. Out of this world immersion. Plus, for those still at school, tick off two books on the #premiersreadingchallenge!

Zena Shapter
@zenashapter.bsky.social

I had a wonderful time at the Manly Writers Festival yesterday, and there’s more fun to be had at the festival today, so come on down! Want to read some of my work? zenashapter.com = perfect for lovers of escapist thrills and immersive worlds. #writingcommunity #FYP #sciencefantasy