
Zena Shapter
ABOUT
Zena Shapter
Zena Shapter writes from a castle in a flying city hidden by a thundercloud, reaching across age and genre into the heart of storytelling. A multi-award-winning author of science fiction, fantasy, speculative and contemporary fiction, she loves conjuring journeys into the beyond and unusual, and is the author of books such as ‘When Dark Roots Hunt’ (Finalist ‘Best Novel’ 2024 Ditmar Award), ‘When Dark Waters Burn’ (coming in 2025), ‘Towards White’, and co-author of ‘Into Tordon’. When not writing, Zena loves movies, frogs, chocolate, potatoes and living with her family among Sydney’s beautiful Northern Beaches. She’s travelled all around the world, visiting close to 50 countries, which inspire her to create worlds of her own. With her BA (Hons) in English Literature, Zena enjoys working as a mentor, editor and inclusive creativity advocate, teaching storytelling and writing at festivals, libraries and schools. She judges various literary awards and encourages everyone to value the importance of creativity.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY
The Manly Writers' Festival acknowledges and thanks the original storytellers on the lands on which our events take place, the Gameraygal people of the Eora Nation. We acknowledge and respect their continuing connection and culture, and we pay our respects to ancestors and Elders, past and present, as well as emerging leaders.