Catriona Sparks
Encyclopedia
Catriona Sparks (born 11 September 1965, Sydney
, New South Wales
) is an Australian science fiction writer, editor and publisher.
As manager and editor of Agog! Press
with her partner, Australian horror writer Rob Hood
, Sparks has produced ten anthologies of speculative fiction. She is also a writer, graphic designer, photographer and desktop publisher, with stories and artwork appearing in a selection of magazines and anthologies. She has won nine Ditmar Award
s for writing, editing and artwork, her most recent in 2009, when her short story Seventeen was awarded a Ditmar
for Best Science young Adult Short Story.
She was nominated for the Aurealis
Peter McNamara Convenors' Award for Excellence in 2003 and won one in 2004 for services to the Australian SF publishing industry. In 2006 Sparks was convenor of the Horror judging panel of the Aurealis Awards, and in 2008 she was Guest of Honour at the Conflux 5 Science Fiction Convention in Canberra.
Sparks has concentrated on her writing in recent years. In 2004 Sparks graduated the inaugural Clarion South Writers' Workshop in Queensland and won third prize in the first quarter of the Writers of the Future
competition. Her short fiction has been nominated for the Aurealis Awards in 2004, 2005, 2007 and 2008. Her short story Hollywood Roadkill won both the Aurealis Award
for Best Science Fiction Short Story and the Golden Aurealis Award in the 2007 Aurealis Awards. Her short story Seventeen won the Aurealis Award
for Best Science young Adult Short Story in the 2009 Aurealis Awards.
In 2010 Sparks was announced as the new Fiction Editor of Cosmos
Magazine replacing Damien Broderick
.
Awarded Best Young Adult Short Story in the 2009 Aurealis Awards
Awarded Best Fantasy Short Story in the 2008 Aurealis Awards
Short Story in 2008 Aurealis Awards
Reprinted in Award Winning Australian Writing 2009, Melbourne Books
Recorded as a podcast for Outlandish Voices in 2009
Awarded both Best Science Fiction Short Story and the Short Story Golden Aurealis in the 2007 Aurealis Awards
Nominated for Best Fantasy Short Story in the 2007 Aurealis Awards
Nominated for Best Science Fiction Short Story in the 2007 Aurealis Awards
Reprinted in Greek Newspaper Eleftherotypia, 2009
Nominated for Best Horror Short Story in the 2005 Aurealis Awards
Nominated for Best Science Fiction Short Story in the 2004 Aurealis Awards
Reprinted in The Year's Best Australian Science Fiction and Fantasy, 2005, eds. Bill Congreve and Michelle Marquardt, MirrorDanse Books
Reprinted in L Ron Hubbard presents Writers of the Future, vol XXI, 2005.
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
, New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
) is an Australian science fiction writer, editor and publisher.
As manager and editor of Agog! Press
Agog! Press
Agog! Press is an independent Australian book publisher, specializing in speculative fiction short story collections. It was founded in 2002 by Cat Sparks....
with her partner, Australian horror writer Rob Hood
Rob Hood
Robert Hood is an Australian writer and editor recognised as one of Australia's leading horror writers. He has published five young adult novels, three collections of his short fiction, fifteen children's books and over 100 short stories in anthologies and magazines in Australia and overseas...
, Sparks has produced ten anthologies of speculative fiction. She is also a writer, graphic designer, photographer and desktop publisher, with stories and artwork appearing in a selection of magazines and anthologies. She has won nine Ditmar Award
Ditmar Award
The Ditmar Award has been awarded annually since 1969 at the Australian National Science Fiction Convention to recognise achievement in Australian science fiction and science fiction fandom...
s for writing, editing and artwork, her most recent in 2009, when her short story Seventeen was awarded a Ditmar
Ditmar Award
The Ditmar Award has been awarded annually since 1969 at the Australian National Science Fiction Convention to recognise achievement in Australian science fiction and science fiction fandom...
for Best Science young Adult Short Story.
She was nominated for the Aurealis
Aurealis
Aurealis is a Australian speculative fiction magazine published by Chimaera Publications. The magazine was launched in September 1990 to provide a market for speculative fiction writers, with a particular emphasis on raising the profile of Australian authors.In 1995 the magazine instituted the...
Peter McNamara Convenors' Award for Excellence in 2003 and won one in 2004 for services to the Australian SF publishing industry. In 2006 Sparks was convenor of the Horror judging panel of the Aurealis Awards, and in 2008 she was Guest of Honour at the Conflux 5 Science Fiction Convention in Canberra.
Sparks has concentrated on her writing in recent years. In 2004 Sparks graduated the inaugural Clarion South Writers' Workshop in Queensland and won third prize in the first quarter of the Writers of the Future
Writers of the Future
Writers of the Future is a science fiction and fantasy story contest that was originated by L. Ron Hubbard in the early 1980s. Hubbard...
competition. Her short fiction has been nominated for the Aurealis Awards in 2004, 2005, 2007 and 2008. Her short story Hollywood Roadkill won both the Aurealis Award
Aurealis Award
Aurealis Award for Excellence in Speculative Fiction is an annual literary award for Australian science fiction, fantasy and horror fiction. Only Australians are eligible for the award.-History:...
for Best Science Fiction Short Story and the Golden Aurealis Award in the 2007 Aurealis Awards. Her short story Seventeen won the Aurealis Award
Aurealis Award
Aurealis Award for Excellence in Speculative Fiction is an annual literary award for Australian science fiction, fantasy and horror fiction. Only Australians are eligible for the award.-History:...
for Best Science young Adult Short Story in the 2009 Aurealis Awards.
In 2010 Sparks was announced as the new Fiction Editor of Cosmos
Cosmos
In the general sense, a cosmos is an orderly or harmonious system. It originates from the Greek term κόσμος , meaning "order" or "ornament" and is antithetical to the concept of chaos. Today, the word is generally used as a synonym of the word Universe . The word cosmos originates from the same root...
Magazine replacing Damien Broderick
Damien Broderick
Damien Francis Broderick is an Australian science fiction and popular science writer. His science fiction novel The Judas Mandala is sometimes credited with the first appearance of the term "virtual reality," and his 1997 popular science book The Spike was the first to investigate the...
.
Works Edited
Anthologies edited and published by Sparks through Agog! PressAgog! Press
Agog! Press is an independent Australian book publisher, specializing in speculative fiction short story collections. It was founded in 2002 by Cat Sparks....
- Agog! Ripping Reads (2006), ed. Cat Sparks, ISBN 0-8095-6237-5
- Agog! Smashing StoriesAgog! Smashing StoriesAgog! Smashing Stories is a 2004 speculative fiction anthology edited by Cat Sparks.-Background:Agog! Smashing Stories was first published in Australia in 2004 by Agog! Press in trade paperback format. It was a short-list nominee for best collected work at the 2005 Ditmar Awards but lost to Black...
(2004), ed. Cat Sparks, ISBN 0-9580567-3-0 - Agog! Terrific Tales (2003), ed. Cat Sparks, ISBN 0-9580567-2-2
- Agog! Fantastic Fiction (2002), ed. Cat Sparks, ISBN 0-9580567-0-6
- The Scary Food Cookbook, a compendium of gastronomic atrocity (2008), ed. Cat Sparks, ISBN 978-0-9580567-5-5
Works Published
Anthologies published by Sparks through Agog! PressAgog! Press
Agog! Press is an independent Australian book publisher, specializing in speculative fiction short story collections. It was founded in 2002 by Cat Sparks....
- AustrAlien Absurdities (2002), ed. Chuck McKenzieChuck McKenzie-Biography:McKenzie was born in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia in 1970. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Professional Writing & Literature. During his life McKenzie has worked various jobs including a commercial artist, restaurant manager, entertainment consultant, and previously as a television...
and Tansy Rayner RobertsTansy Rayner RobertsTansy Rayner Roberts is an award-winning Australian fantasy writer. She holds a Bachelor of Arts , and completed a PhD in Classics in 2007, both from the University of Tasmania. Roberts's short stories have been published in a variety of genre magazines, including Andromeda Spaceways Inflight...
, ISBN 0-9580567-1-4 - Daikaiju! Giant Monster TalesDaikaiju! Giant Monster TalesDaikaiju! Giant Monster Tales is a 2005 speculative fiction anthology edited by Robert Hood and Robin Pen.-Background:Daikaiju! Giant Monster Tales was first published in Australia in 2005 by Agog! Press in hardback format. It won the 2006 Ditmar Award for best collected work. Daikaiju! Giant...
(2005), ed. Rob Hood and Robin Pen, ISBN 0-9580567-4-9 - Daikaiju! 2: Revenge of the Giant Monsters (2007), ed. Rob Hood and Robin Pen, ISBN 978-0-8095-7231-1
- Daikaiju! 3: Giant Monster vs The World (2007), ed. Rob Hood and Robin Pen, ISBN 978-0-8095-7233-5
- Canterbury 2100: pilgrimages in a new world (2007), ed. Dirk Flinthart, ISBN 978-0-8095-7328-8
Published Fiction
Fiction written by Sparks and published in Australian and International markets.- All the Love in the World (2010). In Sprawl, ed. Alisa Krasnostein, Twelfth Planet Press
- The Piano Song (2010). In Scenes from the Second Storey, eds. Amanda Pillar and Pete Kempshaw, Morrigan Books
- Heart of Stone (2009). In X6, ed. Keith Stevenson, Coeur de Lion Publishing
- The Snow Leopard (2009), Borderlands Magazine, #11
- Seventeen (2009), In. Masques, ed. Gillian Polack, Canberra Speculative Fiction Guild.
Awarded Best Young Adult Short Story in the 2009 Aurealis Awards
- Piper (2008), Andromeda Spaceways Inflight Magazine, #36.
- Palisade (2008). In Clockwork Phoenix: Tales of Beauty and Strangeness, ed. Mike Allen, Norilana BooksNorilana BooksNorilana Books is an independent publishing company, founded in August 2006 and based in Los Angeles, California. It is operated and owned by Vera Nazarian. Norilana publishes reprints of previously published Science Fiction and Fantasy works, including the novels of Modean Moon...
- Shadows of Our Gods (2008), Borderlands Magazine, #10.
- Sammarynda DeepSammarynda Deep-Background:"Sammarynda Deep" was first published in 2008 in Paper Cities, edited by Ekaterina Sedia and published by Senses 5 Press. It was featured alongside 20 other stories by the authors Forrest Aguirre, Hal Duncan, Richard Parks, Cat Rambo, Jay Lake, Greg van Eekhout, Steve Berman, Stephanie...
(2008). In Paper Cities: An Anthology of Urban FantasyPaper Cities: An Anthology of Urban FantasyPaper Cities: An Anthology of Urban Fantasy is a 2008 speculative fiction anthology edited by Ekaterina Sedia.-Background:Paper Cities: An Anthology of Urban Fantasy was first published in 2008 by Senses Five Press in trade paperback format. It won the 2009 World Fantasy Award for best anthology....
, ed. Ekaterina SediaEkaterina SediaEkaterina Sedia is a Russian-born fantasy author who is currently living in the United States. Her most recent work is The Alchemy of Stone, a steampunk novel that explores sexism and class bigotry. Alchemy received a star review from Publishers Weekly and was made the LA Timess 2008 Summer...
, Senses Five Press.
Awarded Best Fantasy Short Story in the 2008 Aurealis Awards
Short Story in 2008 Aurealis Awards
Reprinted in Award Winning Australian Writing 2009, Melbourne Books
- A Million Shades of Nightmare (2007), Dark Animus, #10.
Recorded as a podcast for Outlandish Voices in 2009
- Hollywood Roadkill (2007), On Spec, #69.
Awarded both Best Science Fiction Short Story and the Short Story Golden Aurealis in the 2007 Aurealis Awards
- Right to Work (2007). In Workers Paradise, eds. Russell B. Farr and Nick Evans, Ticonderoga Publications.
- Champagne and Ice (2007), AurealisAurealisAurealis is a Australian speculative fiction magazine published by Chimaera Publications. The magazine was launched in September 1990 to provide a market for speculative fiction writers, with a particular emphasis on raising the profile of Australian authors.In 1995 the magazine instituted the...
. - A Lady of Adestan (2007), Orb, # 7, June.
Nominated for Best Fantasy Short Story in the 2007 Aurealis Awards
- The Bride Price (2007), New Ceres, #2, 2007
- Arctica (2007). In Fantastic Wonder Stories, ed. Russell B. Farr, Ticonderoga Publications.
Nominated for Best Science Fiction Short Story in the 2007 Aurealis Awards
- The Golden Hour (2006), WyR[E]d, November.
- The Jarrah Run (2006), In c0ck, eds. Andrew Macrae and Keith Stephenson, coeur de lion press.
- The Delicacy of Dragonflies (2006), Fables and Reflections, #8.
- Street of the Dead (2006), Cosmos, #9, June.
Reprinted in Greek Newspaper Eleftherotypia, 2009
- Blue Stars For All Saviours' Day (2006). In The Outcast, ed. Nicole R. Murphy, Canberra Speculative Fiction Guild.
- The Ice Bride (2006), Shadowed Realms, #9, The Redback Edition.
- Message in a Bottle (2005), Borderlands, #6
- Macchiato Lane (2005), TiconderogaOnline", #5
Nominated for Best Horror Short Story in the 2005 Aurealis Awards
- Historical Perspective (2005), Simulacrum, July.
- Arcana (2005). In Mitch? 4: Slow Dancing in Quicksand.
- Home by the Sea (2004), Orb, #6,
Nominated for Best Science Fiction Short Story in the 2004 Aurealis Awards
Reprinted in The Year's Best Australian Science Fiction and Fantasy, 2005, eds. Bill Congreve and Michelle Marquardt, MirrorDanse Books
MirrorDanse Books
MirrorDanse Books , founded in 1994, is one of Australia's longest running independent book publishers of science fiction and horror.MirrorDanse Books publishes the The Year's Best Australian SF & Fantasy anthology series, edited by Bill Congreve and Michelle Marquardt...
- Last Dance at the Sargeant Majors' Ball (2004). Borderlands Magazine, #3, 2004
Reprinted in L Ron Hubbard presents Writers of the Future, vol XXI, 2005.
- Meltdown my Plutonium Heart (2004). In Encounters, eds. Maxine McArthur and Donna Maree Hanson, Canberra Speculative Fiction Guild.
- I am my Fathers Daughters (2003), Visions Magazine, #23.
- The Birdcage (2003). In Elsewhere, ed. Michael Barry, Canberra Speculative Fiction Guild.
- Our Lady of Spatial Anomalies (2003), Fables and Reflections, #5.
- Song of the Crescent Moon (2003), Gynaezine.
- Gracelands (2003), Dark Animus, #3.
- Roswell 14 (co-written with Max Blaxall) (2003). In Consensual 2: The Second Coming.
- Cross the Nullarbor to the Sea (2003), In Glimpses, Vision Writer's Group.
- Pod (2003). In Ideomancer Unbound, eds. Mikal Trimm and Chris Clarke, Fictionwise.
- Rats Nest (2003). In Potato Monkey, #3,
- 14 Shopping Days Till Xmas (2002), Vision Newszine.
- Birthmark (2002), Antipodean SF, #55.
- Arthur Nolan's Twilight (2002), AurealisAurealisAurealis is a Australian speculative fiction magazine published by Chimaera Publications. The magazine was launched in September 1990 to provide a market for speculative fiction writers, with a particular emphasis on raising the profile of Australian authors.In 1995 the magazine instituted the...
, #30. - Rites of Passage (2002). In Mitch?3: Hacks to the Max.
- 100% M-Hype (2002). In Passing Strange, ed. Bill Congreve, MirrorDanse BooksMirrorDanse BooksMirrorDanse Books , founded in 1994, is one of Australia's longest running independent book publishers of science fiction and horror.MirrorDanse Books publishes the The Year's Best Australian SF & Fantasy anthology series, edited by Bill Congreve and Michelle Marquardt...
, 2002 - Reigning Cats and Dogs (2002), Andromeda Spaceways Inflight MagazineAndromeda Spaceways Inflight MagazineAndromeda Spaceways Inflight Magazine or ASIM is a fantasy and science fiction magazine and webzine published out of Glenn Innes, New South Wales, Australia. The publishers of ASIM describe it as "Australia's Pulpiest SF Magazine". The magazine is currently edited by Robbie Matthews and is...
, #1. - Meltdown my Plutonium Heart (2002), Borderlands Convention Program.
- Epiphany on the Wirewalk (2002), Fables and Reflections, #1.
- Hollywood Hills (2002), Antipodean SF, #45.
- Fuchsia Spins by Moonlight (2002), Redsine, #7
- Invasion of the Latte Snatchers (2001). In Mitch?2: Tarts of the New Millennium.
External links
- Cat Sparks' website
- 2005 Australian Speculative Fiction Snapshot Interview by Ben PeekBen PeekBen Peek is an Australian author. His middle name is Michael.Peek's short stories have been published in a variety of genre magazines, including Fantasy Magazine and Aurealis. His fiction has been reprinted in various Year's Best volumes...
- 2007 Speculative Fiction Snapshot Interview by Alisa Krasnostein
- Interview at TiconderogaOnline
- Guest Article on Ripping Ozzie Reads