Toronto author takes 1st prize in International Contest with short story inspired by Stan Rogers song

For immediate release

TORONTO - February 11, 2004 - Toronto-based author Genevieve Kierans has just been awarded First Prize in the prestigious Science Fiction Writers of Earth (SFWoE) annual international short story competition. The non-profit competition, now in its 24th year, is open to emerging writers of speculative fiction from around the world.

While Canadians have placed in the Top Ten in previous years, Kierans is the first Canadian to win First Prize. Her story, entitled "Mirror, Mirror", was inspired by the lyrics of the song "Lies", by acclaimed Canadian folksinger Stan Rogers. "Lies" is the poignant portrait of an aging farmer's wife grappling with her lost youth. The story will be published with original artwork by Peter Taschioglou on the SFWoE website in March.

Author/critic and two-time Nebula Award winner Edward Bryant, who adjudicated the competition, offered the following comments: "It's an intensely human story, gracefully and empathetically told. Ms. Kierans's story is a wonderful portrait of a frustrated and questioning woman; [her] protagonist convincingly comes to breathing, agonizing, deeply affecting life. It's a fine accomplishment." Bryant is a regular contributor to Locus and Talebones Magazines, essayist for the annual "Year's Best Fantasy and Horror" (St. Martin's Press) and author of over fifty short stories.

"I like the idea of weaving our legends and folksongs into my stories," says Kierans who won 2nd prize last year in the same competition with a story inspired by the ghost reputed to haunt the Percé Rock. "It's very gratifying to share our culture with a global audience. I've been a Stan Rogers fan since I first heard "Barrett's Privateers", and hope this award will bring a new audience to his music."

Kierans, who is physically disabled with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease), typed the entire story with her one working finger. Kierans previous writing experience includes reviews and features in various Toronto arts and lifestyle magazines and through her work as a publicist for over 16 years in the Canadian film & television industry. She is currently working on her first novel.

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For further information, please contact Ellen Woodger at 416-483-2358.