Thanks for stopping by my site. I’m a science fiction and fantasy writer and a winner of the Writers of the Future contest.
I love stories that make me laugh, that make me feel, stories that take me to magical worlds filled with memorable characters on epic adventures, and stories that make me stop and think. And those are just the type of stories I try to write.
Take a look around to find out more about me, where to read my stories and what I’m up to.
The climax of the Writers of the Future workshops in Hollywood is the annual awards gala, held in the rather grand Taglyan Complex.
The whole day was very Hollywood; from the black tie dress code, the limo ride from our hotel, and arriving to an actual red carpet ceremony where we were the stars. It was not something I ever thought I would experience and, my goodness, what an event it was! I shall remember it very fondly for the rest of my days and I’m very grateful to all the folks at Writers of the Future for letting me have that experience.
They say a picture says a thousand words, so here we go…
My red carpet moment
All suited and booted!
Limo ride!Arriving at the gala
Left to right: Jefferson Snow, Barlow Crassmont, Patrick MacPhee, Robert F. Lowell, and Joel C. Scoberg (me).The writer winners of Volume 41, left to right: T.R. Naus, Joel C. Scoberg (me), Jefferson Snow, Seth Atwater Jr., Sandra Skalski, Ian Keith, Lauren McGuire, Robert F. Lowell, Andrew Jackson, Randyn C. J. Bartholomew, Barlow Crassmont, and Patrick MacPhee.And the media lined up to take our photo!
Speech! Speech! Speech!
As you are about to see, the awards gala is a very prestigious event, packed full of luminaries from the world of science fiction and fantasy, not to mention watched by millions of people around the world. One of the most nerve wracking moments of the whole week (if not THE most) was giving my acceptance speech.
Despite my nerves, I was excited about it too because it was the opportunity for me to thank those who had supported me in my writing journey thus far. It was a special moment for me and, in the end, I managed to keep my emotions and tears in check.
Arriving on stage to collect my award alongside John Barlow, who illustrated my winning story “The Stench of Freedom”.Gulp! Here goes nothing…
A view of the grand ballroom as I was on stage giving my speech.Left to right: Laura Beraha (an illustrator judge), John Barlow and me with our awards, and Katherine Kurtz, most famous for her Deryni series of fantasy novels, who introduced me on stage to accept my award. What an honour that was!
Gala highlights
I’ve included a few pictures of other notable moments from the gala. It was a truly special night and hats off, and a massive thank you, to all the staff at Authors Services Inc. and Galaxy Press who organised it.
The amazing Naathan Phan entertained us with an incredible magic show.Ron Clements, director of The Little Mermaid, Aladdin and Moana among other Disney classics, was one of the keynote speakers. I met him over dinner the previous evening, which was a lovely surprise, and told him he directed my wife’s favourite Disney film as well as my daughter’s!
A cool centre piece that, unfortunately, I didn’t manage to keep.
The grand prize winners: Randyn C.J. Bartholomew, who won the Golden Pen Award for his story “Ascii”, and Jordan Smajstrla, who won the Golden Brush Award for her illustration for “Kill Switch” by Robert F. Lowell.
Dr. Sian Proctor, an astronaut, poet and scientist, was the other key note speaker. Her speech was brilliant, she is such an interesting and inspiring lady. I still can’t believe I met an astronaut! She also, by sheer coincidence, shares a name with a character in my story, which I told her as I signed her copy of WOTF41 later in the evening.Tim Powers accepting his lifetime achievement award from Joni Labaqui (Contest Director). Tim was one of the primary teachers during our workshop week (alongside Jody Lynn Nye) and has been teaching at the workshops since 1987, I think!Copies of Volume 41 of Writers of the Future on sale at the galaSigning autographs for the first time! I am sat between Patrick MacPhee (left) and John Barlow (right).Group photo! I’m on the back row, third from right, and three back from the great Larry Niven!
Tissues on standby…
If you’re interested, why not watch the gala for yourself below. All the other winners gave such lovely speeches, it was great to hear how they’d got to that stage and who was cheering them on and supporting them. Lots of emotional moments, so get your tissues ready.
I get called up to give my speech from the 1 hour 43 minute mark.
There is also a great write up on the gala on the Writers of the Future blog along with loads of additional photos.
