Will I regret having started this? Possibly. But look at all the cool stuff coming out from us kiwis! You can see (and add to) my spreadsheet of works I know are being released in 2020 here. Did you have something out in May or June that I missed?
Novel
By Piotr Mierzejewski, Released 12 May
As the world's superpowers battle an invasion from the stars, a forgotten corner of the world conducts its own war with the alien newcomers.
New Zealand Defense Forces helo pilot Sergeant Nate Harvey is drafted into an experiential Mecha unit after his aircraft is destroyed on the first day of the war, quickly finding himself in a struggle to survive. The black ops troops of the Cavalry Development Group take the fight to the aliens in their war machines, leading the way in an epic land and air battle for control of Wellington and the future of their homes.
Youth Novels
By Christopher Keene, Released 19 May
In a world beyond the reach of humans live the monstrous Melkai. Five hundred years ago, these powerful beings were banished from the human world, only welcome back when called and controlled by a human. But the spell that holds them back is weakening. Melkai are slipping through the barrier uncalled.
In order to restore the barrier, Nathan embarks on a quest to find the missing piece of an ancient and powerful artifact. Nathan’s own Melkai protects him as he travels the land filled with roaming monsters, but escaped Melkai are not the only threat he faces. An enemy kingdom is in possession of the missing piece of the artifact and they are more than willing to let Nathan’s people be overrun by Melkai rather than give up their power.
By Christopher Keene, Release 16 June
The hope of Crystalia lies in the Prophecy of Five.
The prophesied princesses have traveled the kingdom, fighting monsters and tyrants across the realm to bring about peace. But not all of the princesses have returned safely. Without them, darkness begins to overtake the land and its inhabitants. At the center of the growing darkness is the mysterious Midnight Queen, a figure seemingly involved in every plot against the Goddess, including capturing the missing princesses.
To protect the kingdom, Otto of the Royal Paladins volunteers to face the Midnight Queen. Eager to rescue their missing sisters, Princesses Sapphire and Emerald accompany him to the center of the darkness—the Midnight Tower.
The Midnight Tower is a terrible place—corrupted, deadly, and home to the Midnight Queen. Unless they defeat the evil sorceress, Crystalia will succumb to the dark creatures under the queen’s command. But the Tower knows their deepest fears, and a battle rages inside, as well as around, them. How will they keep the hope alive when they must overcome their greatest opponents yet—themselves?
Sea Dragon: Riders of Fire Book 6
By Eileen Mueller, Release 25 June
When Ithsar helps Ezaara and Roberto escape from her people, the Robandi silent assassins, she’s charged with treason.
And sentenced to death by her own mother, Ashewar, the Chief Prophetess. Ithsar will be thrown into of the Naobian Sea, to be devoured by the fanged monsters that prowl its depths.
But Ithsar, born with deformed fingers, has been scorned and maltreated all her life. She’s secretly learned to fight back.
And Ithsar’s seen visions of her future. Visions that mean she must fight to survive—or hundreds of dragons and riders will die.
Novella
Cover art of No Man’s Land by Laya Rose
By A.J. Fitzwater, Released 8 June
No Man’s Land is a historical fantasy and a love story set in the golden plains of North Otago, in the South Island of Aotearoa New Zealand.
Dorothea ‘Tea’ Gray joins the Land Service and is sent to work on a remote farm, one of many young women left to fill the empty shoes left by fathers and brothers serving in the Second World War.
But Tea finds more than hard work and hot sun in the dusty North Otago nowhere—she finds a magic inside herself she never could have imagined, a way to save her brother in a distant land she never thought she could reach, and a love she never knew existed.
Inspired by feminist and LGBTQ+ history and family memories of North Otago in wartime, A.J Fitzwater has turned a piece of forgotten women’s history into a tapestry of furious pride and love that crosses cultures, countries and decades.
Collected Works
Cover Art for Black Dogs, Black Tales by François Vaillancourt
Black Dogs, Black Tales: A Charity Anthology for the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand
Edited by Tabatha Wood and Cassie Hart, Released 17 May 2020
From the Introduction by Tabatha Wood: "What follows is a varied collection of dark canine tales that will excite, thrill and captivate readers, while supporting a truly worthwhile cause. And above all else, you know the dog won’t die."
New Zealand Stories included:
’Black Cloud Sunshine’ by Dan Rabarts
’The Dead Way’ by J.C. Hart [Reprint]
’Synaesthete’ by Melanie Harding-Shaw
’Night Wolves’ by Tabatha Wood
’Park Life’ by Ian J. Middleton
’I am Become’ by Hari Navarro
’The Feather Wall’ by Octavia Cade [Reprint]
By Anna Kirtlan, Released 27 May
Twisty scares with heart - Paranormal humour that will make you smile while you nervously look over your shoulder. Spirits, sea monsters and a rest home for troublesome witches all feature in this short story collection/creepy love letter to Wellington New Zealand.
Edited by Lucy-Jane Walsh, 1 June
New Zealand Stories (that I’m aware of):
‘Cracks’ by Dave Branton
‘A Day in the Life of Bubbles’ by Sarah Pratt
‘The Conductor’ by Andy Southall