"Fun with Thornspell": Novelist Plans Some Short Story Fun

 What do novelists do between books in a series? If the novelist is NZ-based Fantasy author, Helen Lowe, she likes to put her feet up on the porch and contemplate fun with short fiction—specifically, some short story action centred around the characters in her first novel, Thornspell (which won a Sir Julius Vogel Award in 2009 and was a Storylines Children's Literature Trust Notable Book in the same year.)

"But then," says Lowe, "I got to thinking that it would be even more fun if readers were to tell me the Thornspell character they would most like to have a standalone short story written for, or about—as well as why they've chosen that particular character."

Accordingly, this "intrepid author" will be featuring "Fun with Thornspell" every Thursday this month, through until 1 September inclusive, on her Helen Lowe on Anything, Really blog. On that day, she will post about an aspect of the Thornspell story from her perspective as the author—and give readers the opportunity to tell her the character that they like best, and would consequently love a spinoff short story about.

At the end of that time, three judges (to be named on the blog this Thursday) will decide on the very best character suggestion put forward—and Lowe will then write a story for that character and publish it on her blog, together with a personal dedication to the selected nominator.

Lowe also has 3 hard cover copies of Thornspell to give away. "And because Thornspell is a story primarily written for kids (as well as the young at heart!) I've decided that any of the commenters who are school pupils, and enter the name of their school in their comment, will go in the draw to win a copy of the book  for their school library."

"Fun With Thornspell" commenced on Thursday, August 4 with initial character and possible short stories suggestions here—but with another four Thursdays until 1 September there's still plenty of time for more Thornspell characters to be put forward for a chance at that spinoff short story. Just remember to check in on Thursday on the author's blog: http://helenlowe.info/blog/