New Zealand author Helen Lowe wins Morningstar Award

Helen Lowe who was interviewed for Galactic Chat by yours truly in April has taken out the Gemmell Morningstar award for best fantasy newcomer for her novel Heir of Night, the first novel in the The Wall of Night Series.

I know Helen will be stoked upon receiving this. So congratulations Helen for a well deserved award.

I note that Booktopia has the novel at $9.95.  If you are interested click the link above and type WINTER in the coupon box and you’ll get free shipping (only before Midnight Monday) anywhere in Australia.¹

 

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^{1. I will get a small commission too ↩}

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Antipodean Assault on the Gemmells

It has been brought to my attention that Helen Lowe and Kim Falconer both have books in the Gemmell Awards. 

Now these awards are named in honour of David Gemmell whose career was instrumental in reviving the Heroic Fantasy genre back in the day, when I was a young fella and we had to walk 10 miles to school, barefoot in the snow – yes, the mid 80’s.

A little messenger raven has also told me that no one from the southern hemisphere has ever won an award( I can’t seem to locate the list of previous awards to confirm). Tansy Rayner Roberts’, Power and Majesty got a Ravenheart last year, but the artist was Scandinavian.

Thankfully the voting in the Gemmell awards is free, and open to any fan, even us colonials.

There are three awards:

1. The Legend Award for best fantasy novel
2. The Morningstar Award for Best Fantasy Debut
3. The Ravenheart  Award for Best Fantasy Artwork/Bookjacket

You can go here and rectify the situation.

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Galactic Chat 11: Helen Lowe

I had the good fortune to interview famous New Zealand author Helen Lowe early last week.  The podcast has received the tender touches of the production team  and is available for download or streaming.

The Show notes

Sean interviews  New Zealand author Helen Lowe. It’s a lengthy conversational interview in which they discuss Helen’s career as both an award winning YA novelist and epic fantasy author, the influence of Lord of the Rings on speculative fiction writing scene in New Zealand and the effects of the Christchurch earthquakes.
Helen is launching the second book in the acclaimed Wall of Night Series,  hosting blog parties and guest posting on a number of well known sites like SF Signal.  She can be found at her blog or on Twitter.

You can stream it below or download it here.

Podcast Powered By Podbean

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Heads Up–Gathering of the Lost

I have just finished editing an interview with New Zealand author Helen Lowe for Galactic Chat, so keep your eyes open for that one.

In the mean time if you have never heard of this well regarded Epic fantasy author you could head on over to her blog where she’s having a massive giveaway to celebrate the release of book two of The Wall of Night Series – The Gathering of the Lost.

Helen’s been favourably compared to Karen Miller, and Trudi Canavan and should appeal to fans of Robin Hobb and Kristin Cashore.

You will find her blog and the competition here.

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