Skip to content
MacLean, Glynne
Writer's File

Glynne MacLean

Wellington - Te Whanganui-a-Tara
MacLean, Glynne
In brief
Glynne MacLean is a novelist and poet. Her first novel, Roivan: Book One of the A'nzarian Chronicle (2003), was a finalist in the Sir Julius Vogel Awards Best Novel category and won the 2003 Sir Julius Vogel Award for Best New Talent. The novel was also listed as a NZ Listener Best Book 2003. Her short fiction and poetry has been published in print journals, as well as online. MacLean's first novel for adults, Love in Shades of Grey, was published in 2004.
Bio

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

MacLean, Glynne (1964- ) is a novelist and poet.

Glynne MacLean was born in Christchurch and attended twelve schools throughout New Zealand. She graduated from Waikato University in 1984 with a Bachelor of Arts.

MacLean began her career in the travel industry, but has worked since 1996 as a writer both online and in print.

MacLean’s first novel Roivan: Book One of the A’nzarian Chronicle (Penguin, 2003) was a finalist in the Sir Julius Vogel Awards Best Novel category and won the 2003 Sir Julius Vogel Award for Best New Talent. The novel was also listed as a NZ Listener Best Book of 2003 and by the Children’s Literature Foundation as a Notable Book 2004. For more details and the companion website, including reviews and reader feedback please visit the Roivan link listed at the bottom of the page.

MacLean’s first novel for adults, Love in Shades of Grey (Penguin), was published in 2004. Sue Edmonds, writing in the Waikato Times, described the novel ‘as seen through the eyes of a woman whose determination to complete her task, whatever it takes, is brilliantly but calmly portrayed.’ Love in Shades of Grey was selected as a Dymocks Critics Choice.

MacLean’s third novel, The Spiral Chrysalis (Pearson Education, 2007) was released in New Zealand, Canada and Australia in 2008. The Spiral Chrysalis is a fast moving junior fantasy and part of the twelve-book Nitty Gritty Novel series II, written by New Zealand and Canadian young adult authors. For more details please visit the The Spiral Chrysalis link listed at the bottom of the page.

MacLean’s 2008 novel, The Time Stealers (Pearson Education) was released in New Zealand, Canada, and Australia. It is a science fiction novel for 12-14 year olds and part of the twelve-book Nitty Gritty Novel Series III, written by New Zealand and Canadian young adult authors. For more details please visit The Time Stealers link listed at the bottom of the page.

MacLean’s short fiction has been published in DIS Information, her poetry in the Swiss journal Niederngasse, the Journal of Winning Poetry. She has also published in the ezines Fantasy Folklore & Fairytales and Poems Niederngasse.

MacLean's published books are for a market that really excites her - young independent readers largely between eight and fourteen years of age. She uses exciting stories with simplified sentence structure and plot lines without compromising grammar, language or characterisation. To MacLean there is nothing better than getting kids excited about reading and starting to wonder, 'What if that was me?' and 'How would I react?' and 'What do I think the characters should have done?' MacLean uses science fiction and fantasy to create other realities both for kids to escape to and ponder. Science fiction also allows the introduction of scientific ideas that if presented in science class might not spark the imagination. Often her stories are set in a very recognisable 'now' with a twist.

The Test (Pearson Education. (NZ) Ltd) was published in May 2009, and it is a MainSails Level 4, Young Teenage Illustrated Fantasy, illustrated by Serena Kearns. The Silent (Pearson Education. (NZ) Ltd) was released in July 2009, and it is a MainSails Level 4, Young Teenage Illustrated Fantasy, illustrated by Steve Dininno.

The Time Stealers was a finalist in the 2009 Sir Julius Vogel Awards for Excellence in Science Fiction & Fantasy in the professional category of Best Novella/Novelette for books under 40,000 words, and The Spiral Chrysalis was a finalist in the 2009 Sir Julius Vogel Awards for Excellence in Science Fiction & Fantasy in the professional category of Best Young Adult/Children's Novel.

Glynne MacLean's fifth novel Escape (2009) was published by Pearson in New Zealand and Australia as part of their Nitty Gritty Novel series I. Escape is a fast moving historical novel set in Socotra, a bustling centre of sea-going trade in the days of the Byzantine Empire - a crossroads where races and cultures meet. Escape is suitable for a reading level of 6-12 years. For more details please visit the companion website by clicking on the book link in the Media links and clips section below.

Glynne MacLean's novel Space Race was published in New Zealand and Australia by Pearson in 2011 as part of their Nitty Gritty Novel series 0. Space Race is exciting junior science fiction for 8-10 years old. For more details please visit the companion website by clicking on the link in the Media links and clips section below.

MacLean's novel Escape, and the other books in the Nitty Gritty Series 1, were Finalists for Best Book or Series in Primary Publishing in the inaugural CLL Educational Publishing Awards 2010 and were Highly Commended.

Extreme Acceleration was published by Pearson in 2012 as part of their Sails Advanced Fluency series. Also published by Pearson in 2012 was The Camel And The Tiger Moth, a Silver - Narrative based on a visit to a "Wings Over Wairarapa" Vintage Airshow held in Masterton in 2011.

MacLean's first translated works were also published by Pearson in 2012. L'Énigme Est Percée, the French language translation of The Test, was published in Quebec, Canada, as was La Procession, the French language translation of The Silent.

Glynne MacLean lives in Greytown, Wairarapa.

Literary Agent Frances Plumpton has recently agreed to represent MacLean's latest novel.

MEDIA LINKS AND CLIPS

Related writers

View all