Robert N Stephenson
Robert N Stephenson, author, publisher, retired literary agent and nutcase.
His ravings can sometimes be read in Aurealis Xpress and within his work on Gothic Reign Magazine - available for FREE from www.dianaarlyn.com
After many false starts and a disaterous release his Horror novel Uttuku was finally published in February 2010 and is available through Amazon.com. Robert J Sawyer and Ian Irvine both praised the novel in its original form and from their praise a stronger edition was created for a more international appeal.
Robert has won some awards for his work, including The Black Dog Award for his article on depression and runner up in the Pride of Australia Award for his work in developing new writers in Australia. He can also be credited with establishing the Perter McNamarra Achievement Award and the initial setup of the Australian Shadows Award (which was named by his then 9 year old daughter)
There are many things he wants to achieve in Australian writing in general but his greatest drive is to see Australian writers set out to prove him wrong, to set out and become the best writers the world has seen and create the strongest community possible for the support of the industry. When he started in writing his critical stance on the industry saw him frowned upon to the point of dislike in some circles but it was time someone took a stance and stood up and said 'Australians can do better'
Today he is proud to see that Australian writers are doing better and are making a difference in the world of Horror and other genres. Did he have a hand in this improvement? No, but his opinion has changed slightly from those wild days 13 years ago.
He still believes the good days are ahead, the real improvements in professionalism and vision are still developing but given the woirk done thus far, the future is not as distant as it once was...