Bay author lifts two science fiction awards

Hawke's Bay author Lyn McConchie has scooped two major awards for her writing.
Ms McConchie, from Norswood, returned from the National Sci-Fiction Convention last week with the top prizes for both adult and young adult writing.
She jointly won the Sir Julius Vogel awards for the Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Book for Adults with her book The Questing Road and the Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Book for Young Adults with her book Summer of Dreaming.
"I actually tied for first place in the adult category with Helen Lowe. I knew she was going to be tough competition as she is a very good writer so to tie for first with her was really neat," Ms McConchie said.
"I was very surprised to win but elated at the same time. I was also a little bit embarrassed when they called out my name for a second time as I thought I was getting more than my fair share."
Her books were nominated and voted for by members of Science Fiction and Fantasy Association of New Zealand.
Ms McConchie is hoping the win will give her United States publisher a push to publish the second book in The Questing Road series.
"They already have the manuscript I have written for the next book and they have just been sitting on it. With The Questing Road now an award winner, it may just tip the scales to them publishing the second book."
Summer of Dreaming was one of a quartet of books sold to another US publisher.
She tried for a long time to have the book published in New Zealand, but was shocked at the reception she received from publishers.
"One told me there was no sex in it and another told me it was too happy. I was flabbergasted. [The characters] are only 11 years old and this series is written for 10 to 16-year-olds. At the age of 10, children don't want to constantly read about sex. Boys like adventure and girls like pony books."
Summer of Dreaming is set in New Zealand and is written specifically for New Zealand children. Ms McConchie was not expecting to be able to sell it overseas.
Ms McConchie has only written the first book in the quartet but her publisher has purchased the next three books and has indicated Summer of Dreaming may be used in schools in America in a cultural programme to teach children about other cultures.
"I find it quite frustrating I can win an award such as the Sir Julius Vogel Award with a book published in the US.
"People have asked me if I get them published there because the pay is better. I have to tell them 'no' and that I can't get them published here."
Ms McConchie has written or been involved in writing many books in many genres from science fiction and fantasy to anthologies. She said she does it entirely for love.