Lauren Beukes

Lauren Beukes was born 5 June 1976. She grew up in Johannesburg, South Africa.{{cite web|url=http://www.firststep.me/index.php/ultimate-careers/career-interviews/367-lauren-beukes-the-writer-who-is-inspired-by-the-world |title=Lauren Beukes the writer who is inspired by the world |website=FirstStep.me |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203060803/http://www.firststep.me/index.php/ultimate-careers/career-interviews/367-lauren-beukes-the-writer-who-is-inspired-by-the-world|archive-date=2013-12-03}} She attended Roedean School in Johannesburg,{{cite web | url =https://saora.org.za/2016/04/27/lauren-beukes-matric-class-1993/#more-287 | title =Lauren Beukes – Matric Class 1993 | date =27 April 2016 | publisher =South African Old Roedeanian Association | access-date =2019-11-25 }} and has an MA in creative writing from the University of Cape Town. She worked as a freelance journalist for ten years, including two years in New York and Chicago.{{cite news|last=Jakola|first=Kaitlyn |url=https://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/C-Notes/August-2013/The-Shining-Girls/|title=The Shining Girls Author Tells Why Everyone's Favorite Summer Novel Is Set in Chicago|work=Chicago |date=13 August 2013|access-date=2018-11-08}}

She is the author of The Shining Girls, a novel about a time-traveling serial killer and the survivor who turns the hunt around. It was published on 15 April 2013 by the Umuzi imprint of Random House Struik in South Africa,{{cite web|url=http://www.randomstruik.co.za/books/the-shining-girls/5011|title=The Shining Girls|publisher=Random House Struik|accessdate=6 May 2013|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130423165647/http://randomstruik.co.za/books/the-shining-girls/5011|archivedate=23 April 2013|df=dmy-all}}{{cite web|url=http://www.exclus1ves.co.za/books/Shining-Girls-AuthorLauren-Beukes/000000000100000000001000000000000000000000000009781415202012/|title=The Shining Girls|website=exclus1ves.co.za |publisher=Exclusive Books|accessdate=6 May 2013|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130227173919/http://www.exclus1ves.co.za/books/Shining-Girls-AuthorLauren-Beukes/000000000100000000001000000000000000000000000009781415202012/|archivedate=27 February 2013|df=dmy-all}} on 25 April 2013 by HarperCollins in the United Kingdom,{{Cite web|url=http://www.harpercollins.co.uk/Titles/76669/the-shining-girls-lauren-beukes-9780007464562|title=The Shining Girls : Lauren Beukes |publisher=HarperCollins|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130627175053/http://www.harpercollins.co.uk/Titles/76669/the-shining-girls-lauren-beukes-9780007464562|archive-date=2013-06-27}} and on 4 June 2013 by Mulholland Books in the United States.{{Cite web|url=http://www.mulhollandbooks.com/books/springsummer-2013/the-shining-girls/|title=The Shining Girls by Lauren Beukes to be Adapted for TV by MRC and Leonardo DiCaprio's Appian Way|publisher=Mulholland Books |date=3 June 2013|accessdate=2020-02-04}} HarperCollins had won the international rights to the book in a fierce bidding war with several other publishers.{{cite magazine|title=Bidding frantic for Beukes' thriller|url=http://www.thebookseller.com/news/bidding-frantic-beukes-thriller.html|last=Williams|first=Charlotte|date=7 October 2011|magazine=The Bookseller|accessdate=6 May 2013}}{{cite magazine|title=Shining Girl Beukes lands at HC|url=http://www.thebookseller.com/news/shining-girl-beukes-lands-hc.html|last=Williams|first=Charlotte|magazine=The Bookseller|date=21 October 2011|accessdate=6 May 2013}}

File:Lauren Beukes.jpg

The Shining Girls won The Strand Magazine Critic's Best Novel Award,{{cite web|last=Gulli |first=Andrew |url= https://www.prweb.com/releases/lauren_beukes_wins_the_strand_critics_award_for_best_novel_r_l_stine_and_peter_lovesey_honored/prweb12011263.htm |title=Lauren Beukes Wins the Strand Critics Award for Best Novel, R.L. Stine and Peter Lovesey Honored |work=PRWeb |publisher=Cision |date=11 July 2014 |access-date=14 July 2014}} the RT Thriller of the Year,{{cite web|url= http://www.rtbookreviews.com/rt-awards/nominees-and-winners |title=RT Award Nominees & Winners| work=RT Book Reviews|date=2013 |accessdate=14 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131115014455/http://www.rtbookreviews.com/rt-awards/nominees-and-winners|archive-date=2013-11-15}} Exclusive Books' Readers Choice Award,{{cite web|author=Carolyn |url = http://bookslive.co.za/blog/2013/10/29/lauren-beukes-the-shining-girls-receives-exclusive-books-book-of-the-year-reader%E2%80%99s-choice-award| title = Lauren Beukes' The Shining Girls Receives Exclusive Books Book of the Year: Reader's Choice Award

| work = BooksLive|date=29 October 2013 |accessdate=14 July 2014}} and South Africa's most prestigious literary award, the University of Johannesburg Prize.{{cite web|last1=Frenkel|first1=Ronit |last2=MacKenzie |first2=Craig |url = http://mg.co.za/article/2014-06-05-sparkle-and-flair-from-uj-prize-writers| title = Sparkle and flair from UJ Prize winners |work=Mail & Guardian|date=6 June 2014| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140608063542/https://mg.co.za/article/2014-06-05-sparkle-and-flair-from-uj-prize-writers/|archive-date=2014-06-08}} The TV rights for the novel have been acquired by MRC and Leonardo DiCaprio's Appian Way according to The Hollywood Reporter.{{cite web|last1=Kit |first1=Borys |last2=Lewis|first2=Andy |url= http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/hot-book-shining-girls-acquired-561252 |title=Hot Book 'The Shining Girls' Acquired by MRC, DiCaprio's Appian Way (Exclusive) |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=31 May 2013 |accessdate=21 July 2013}}

Her previous novel, Zoo City, a hardboiled thriller about crime, magic, the music industry, refugees and redemption set in a re-imagined Johannesburg won the 2011 Arthur C. Clarke Award,{{cite web| url= http://www.worldswithoutend.com/books_clarke_index.asp |title=Arthur C. Clarke Award Winners & Nominees|work = Worlds Without End |accessdate=28 April 2011}} and the 2010 Kitschies Red Tentacle for best novel.{{cite web|last=Shurin|first=Jared |url=http://www.pornokitsch.com/2011/02/the-kitschies-2010-red-tentacle-winner.html |title=The Kitschies: 2010 Red Tentacle Winner |website=Pornokitsch |date=2 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110205085234/http://www.pornokitsch.com/2011/02/the-kitschies-2010-red-tentacle-winner.html|archive-date=2011-02-05}} It was short-listed for the 2010 BSFA Award for best novel,{{cite web|url=http://www.locusmag.com/Roundtable/2011/04/bsfa-awards |title=BSFA Awards |work=Locus |date=24 April 2011 |accessdate=6 February 2013}} the 2011 World Fantasy award for best novel,{{cite web|url=http://www.locusmag.com/News/2011/07/world-fantasy-nominees-and-lifetime-achievement-winners |title=World Fantasy Nominees and Lifetime Achievement Winners |work=Locus |date=28 July 2011 |accessdate=6 February 2013}} the 2010–2011 University of Johannesburg Creative Writing Prize,{{cite web|editor=Ben|url=http://bookslive.co.za/blog/2011/04/14/the-20102011-university-of-johannesburg-creative-writing-prize-shortlists-english |title=The 2010/2011 University of Johannesburg Creative Writing Prize Shortlists (English) |work=BooksLive |date=14 April 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120406095307/http://bookslive.co.za/blog/2011/04/14/the-20102011-university-of-johannesburg-creative-writing-prize-shortlists-english/|archive-date=2012-04-06}} the M-Net Literary Awards,{{cite press release|url=http://www.mnetcorporate.co.za/ArticleDetail.aspx?Id=1859 |title=M-Net Literary Awards Shortlists 2011 |publisher=M-Net |date=9 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110909025706/http://www.mnetcorporate.co.za/ArticleDetail.aspx?Id=1859|archive-date=2011-09-09}} the Nielsen's Booksellers' Choice Award 2011{{cite press release|url=http://www.nielsenbookdata.co.uk/press.php?release_id=67 |title=Nielsen Announces The Booksellers' Choice Award 2011 shortlist |publisher=Nielsen BookScan |date=5 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718202233/http://www.nielsenbookdata.co.uk/press.php?release_id=67|archive-date=2011-07-18}} and long-listed for South Africa's Sunday Times Fiction Prize 2011{{cite web|url=http://www.timeslive.co.za/lifestyle/books/article1055471.ece/ |title=Longlist: The Fiction Prize |first=Tymon |last=Smith |work=The Times |date=7 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004213409/http://www.timeslive.co.za/lifestyle/books/article1055471.ece/|archive-date=2013-10-04}} and the 2012 International Dublin Literary Award.{{cite web |url=http://www.impacdublinaward.ie/award-archive/winners-1996-2012/2012-longlist/ |title=2012 Longlist |publisher=International Dublin Literary Award |accessdate=6 February 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130421025058/http://www.impacdublinaward.ie/award-archive/winners-1996-2012/2012-Longlist/ |archivedate=21 April 2013 |df=dmy-all }} The cover artwork received the 2010 BSFA award for best art.{{cite news |title=BSFA Award 2010 – Winners |author=Del |url=http://www.bsfa.co.uk/MatrixNews/tabid/108/smid/551/ArticleID/246/reftab/36/t/BSFA-Award-2010---Winners/Default.aspx |newspaper=Matrix |publisher=British Science Fiction Association |date=26 April 2011 |accessdate=28 April 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110513144337/http://www.bsfa.co.uk/MatrixNews/tabid/108/smid/551/ArticleID/246/reftab/36/t/BSFA-Award-2010---Winners/Default.aspx |archivedate=13 May 2011 |df=dmy-all }} The novel has also been short-listed for the Grand Prix de l'Imaginaire in France for best foreign novel, best translation by Laurent Philibert-Caillat and best cover by Joey Hi-Fi.{{cite web|url=http://bookslive.co.za/blog/2012/04/02/zoo-city-nominated-for-grand-prix-de-limaginaire-plus-interview-with-joey-hi-fi-and-lauren-beukes/ |title=Zoo City Nominated for Grand Prix de l'Imaginaire (Plus: Interview with Joey Hi-Fi and Lauren Beukes) |work=BooksLive |date=2 April 2012 |author=Sophy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130517015333/http://bookslive.co.za/blog/2012/04/02/zoo-city-nominated-for-grand-prix-de-limaginaire-plus-interview-with-joey-hi-fi-and-lauren-beukes/|archive-date=2013-05-17}}

The film rights have been optioned by South African producer, Helena Spring.{{cite news|url=http://blogs.indiewire.com/shadowandact/south-african-sci-fi-novelist-lauren-beukes-zoo-city-to-get-film-adaptation |title=South African Sci-Fi Novelist Lauren Beukes' "Zoo City" To Get Film Adaptation |first=Emmanuel |last=Akitobi |work=IndieWire |date=30 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111202163559/http://blogs.indiewire.com/shadowandact/south-african-sci-fi-novelist-lauren-beukes-zoo-city-to-get-film-adaptation |archive-date=2011-12-02}}

File:Finncon 2018 Guest of Honour Lauren Beukes.jpg 2018]]

Her first novel was Moxyland, a cyberpunk novel set in a future Cape Town. Both books were first published in South Africa by Jacana Publishing and released internationally by Osprey Publishing's Angry Robot imprint.

Her first book, the non-fiction Maverick: Extraordinary Women from South Africa's Past (Oshun 2004) was long-listed for the 2006 Sunday Times Alan Paton Award.

She has published short stories in several anthologies including "Further Conflicts" (NewCon Press 2011), Home Away (Zebra 2010), Touch: Stories of Contact (Zebra 2009), Open: Erotic Stories from South African Women Writers{{cite web|url=http://www.mg.co.za/article/2008-04-02-sa-women-dip-their-pens-in-saucy-ink |title=SA women dip their pens in saucy ink |first=Karin |last=Schimke |work=Mail & Guardian |date=2 April 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080725023643/http://www.mg.co.za/article/2008-04-02-sa-women-dip-their-pens-in-saucy-ink|archive-date=2008-07-25}} (Oshun 2008), FAB (Umuzi 2007), African Road: New Writing from Southern Africa (New Africa Books 2005), 180 Degrees: New Fiction by South African Women Writers (Oshun 2006), and Urban 03 (New Africa Books 2005).

In July 2014, Beukes published a new novel called Broken Monsters, which is set in Detroit, Michigan.{{cite news|last=Jamal|first=Ashraf |title=Lauren Beukes: At the forefront of the global invasion|url=http://mg.co.za/article/2013-03-01-00-lauren-beukes-at-the-forefront-of-the-global-invasion|newspaper=Mail & Guardian|date=1 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130307073337/http://mg.co.za/article/2013-03-01-00-lauren-beukes-at-the-forefront-of-the-global-invasion|archive-date=2013-03-07}}{{cite web|url=http://laurenbeukes.com/books/broken-monsters/|title=Broken Monsters|website=LaurenBeukes.com|accessdate=9 July 2014}}

Her first short fiction collection, Slipping: Stories, Essays, and Other Writing (Tachyon Publications), was released in October 2016.{{cite web|last=DeNardo|first=John |title=Coming in August: SLIPPING, a Collection by Lauren Beukes|url=http://www.sfsignal.com/archives/2016/02/coming-in-august-slipping-a-collection-by-lauren-beukes/|work=SF Signal|date=16 February 2016|accessdate=16 February 2016}}

In 2023, she published Bridge.{{Cite news |last=Hogarth |first=Ainslie |date=2023-08-07 |title=So Your Mother Is Hiding in the Multiverse? Then Here, Eat This. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/07/books/review/bridge-lauren-beukes.html |access-date=2024-06-12 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}{{Cite web |date=2023-08-12 |title=In 'Bridge,' Lauren Beukes Explores All the Roads Not Taken |url=https://www.elle.com/culture/books/a44793966/lauren-beukes-bridges-interview/ |access-date=2024-06-12 |website=ELLE |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2023-08-22 |title=According to Author Lauren Beukes, We're All Living in a Multiverse |url=https://www.shondaland.com/inspire/books/a44724001/according-to-author-lauren-beukes-were-all-living-in-a-multiverse/ |access-date=2024-06-12 |website=Shondaland |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Dumpleton |first=Elise |date=2023-08-07 |title=Q&A: Lauren Beukes, Author of 'Bridge' |url=https://thenerddaily.com/lauren-beukes-author-interview/ |access-date=2024-06-12 |website=The Nerd Daily |language=en-AU}}

As head writer for Clockwork Zoo, she was part of the development team that created South Africa's first half-hour animated TV series, URBO: The Adventures of Pax Afrika. She also wrote 12 episodes of the Playhouse Disney show, Florrie's Dragons for Wish Films and episodes of the animated series Mouk for French production company Millimages.

She directed a feature-length documentary on Miss Gay Western Cape called Glitterboys & Ganglands. The film has shown at various festivals including the Atlanta Film Festival, Encounters,{{cite web|url=http://mg.co.za/article/2011-06-10-whats-behind-sashaying-for-the-sash |title=What's behind sashaying for the sash |work=Mail & Guardian |date=10 June 2011 |accessdate=6 February 2013 |first=Nechama |last=Brodie}} Out in Africa and won best LGBT film at the San Diego Black Film Festival.{{cite web|url=http://www.iol.co.za/capetimes/city-documentary-glitters-at-film-festival-1.1236604 |title=City documentary glitters at film festival – Cape Times |publisher=Independent Online |work=Cape Times |date=17 February 2012 |accessdate=6 February 2013 |first=Avery |last=Carpenter}}

She was also one of the writers, together with Ben Trovato and Tumiso Tsukudu on the pilot of controversial ZA News, a Spitting Image-style satire show with puppets based on the work of South African cartoonist, Zapiro. The pilot was commissioned by the SABC but never broadcast.{{cite web|url=http://www.mg.co.za/article/2009-05-27-the-show-sabc-wouldnt-let-you-see |title=The show the SABC wouldn't let you see |first=Matthew |last=Burbidge |work=Mail & Guardian |date=27 May 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090530103156/http://www.mg.co.za/article/2009-05-27-the-show-sabc-wouldnt-let-you-see|archive-date=2009-05-30}}

Her novel, The Shining Girls, was adapted into a television series, Shining Girls by MRC and Appian Way Productions.{{cite news|title=Lauren Beukes novel coming to TV|url=http://www.channel24.co.za/News/International/Lauren-Beukes-novel-coming-to-TV-20130601|accessdate=1 June 2013|publisher=Channel24|date=1 June 2013}} It premiered on Apple TV+ on 29 April 2022.{{cite web|last1=Cordero|first1=Rosy|title=Elisabeth Moss, Up Next With 'Shining Girl,' Says She'd Be Open To A Rom-Com Role Next |url=https://deadline.com/2022/02/elisabeth-moss-eyes-rom-com-role-after-apple-shining-girls-1234926838/|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=February 4, 2022|access-date=February 7, 2022}}

As a journalist, her articles have been published in a wide range of local and international magazines including The Hollywood Reporter, Nature Medicine and Colors as well as The Sunday Times Lifestyle, Marie Claire, Elle, Cosmopolitan and SL Magazine.

She won "Best Columnist Western Cape" in the Vodacom Journalist of the Year Awards in 2007 and 2008.{{cite web|url=http://www.bizcommunity.com/Article/196/15/19400.html |title=Who will be Vodacom Journalist of the Year 2007? |work=Bizcommunity |date=2 November 2007 |accessdate=6 February 2013}}{{cite web|url=http://www.bizcommunity.com/Article/196/15/29202.html |title=Regional Vodacom Journalist of the Year winners so far |work=Bizcommunity |date=10 October 2008 |accessdate=6 February 2013}}

Beukes made her comics writing debut with "All The Pretty Ponies" in Vertigo's Strange Adventures one-shot.{{cite web|url=http://www.bleedingcool.com/2011/04/24/lauren-beukes-joins-vertigos-strange-adventures/ |title=Lauren Beukes Joins Vertigo's Strange Adventures |website=Bleeding Cool |date=24 April 2011 |accessdate=6 February 2013 |first=Rich |last=Johnston |authorlink=Rich Johnston}} She also wrote "The Hidden Kingdom", an arc of Fairest (issues #8–13), a spin-off of Bill Willingham's Eisner Award-winning Fables series,{{cite web|url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=36476 |title=Willingham Picks the "Fairest" for "Fables" Spinoff |website=Comic Book Resources |date=20 January 2012 |first=Josie |last=Campbell |accessdate=6 February 2013}} and a Durham Red story for 2000 AD's 40th anniversary special issue.

Her series Survivors' Club, illustrated by Dale Halvorsen and Ryan Kelly was published by Vertigo October 2015 – June 2016 for nine issues. Before its cancellation the series was under development as a TV series.

• Maverick: Extraordinary Women from South Africa's Past (2004){{Citation needed|date=May 2022}}
• Moxyland (2008)
• Zoo City (2010)
• The Shining Girls (2013)
• Broken Monsters (2014){{Citation needed|date=May 2022}}
• Slipping (short story collection, 2016){{Citation needed|date=May 2022}}
• Afterland (2020){{cite web | url=https://laurenbeukes.com/books/afterland/ | title=Afterland – Lauren Beukes }} – Originally titled Motherlandfantasticfiction.com/b/lauren-beukes/motherland.htm
• Bridge (2023)

Beukes has published short fiction in various collections:

• Urban '03 (2004)
• African Road: New Writing from South Africa (2005)
• 180 Degrees: New Fiction by South African Women Writers (2006)
• FAB (2007)
• Open: Erotic Stories from South African Women Writers (2008)
• Touch: Stories of Contact (2009)
• Home Away: 24 Hours, 24 Cities, 24 Authors (2010)
• Pandemonium: Stories of the Apocalypse (2011)

• Foreword for Jeff Noon – Vurt, 20th anniversary edition (2013){{cite web |url=http://upcoming4.me/news/book-news/giveaway-jeff-noon-vurt-20th-anniversary-edition |title=Giveaway : Jeff Noon – Vurt (20th anniversary edition) |website=Upcoming4.me |accessdate=17 April 2013 |date=16 April 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130419130522/http://upcoming4.me/news/book-news/giveaway-jeff-noon-vurt-20th-anniversary-edition |archivedate=19 April 2013 |df=dmy-all }}
• Foreword for Alan Moore – The Ballad of Halo Jones (2013){{cite web|last=Armitage |first=Hugh|url= http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/comics/news/a452364/alan-moores-the-ballad-of-halo-jones-gets-new-edition.html#~oD24zDvhgI9SBA |title=Alan Moore's 'The Ballad of Halo Jones' gets new edition |work=Digital Spy |date=20 January 2013|accessdate = 1 May 2013}}

{{Reflist|2}}

{{Commons category|Lauren Beukes}}

• {{Official website}}
• {{IMDb name|2310410}}
• {{gcdb|type=credit|search=Lauren+Beukes|title=Lauren Beukes}}
• {{comicbookdb|type=creator|id=32442|title=Lauren Beukes}}
• {{ISFDB name|id=Lauren_Beukes|name=Lauren Beukes}}
• [http://mg.co.za/article/2013-03-01-00-lauren-beukes-at-the-forefront-of-the-global-invasion Interview with the Mail & Guardian]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20150504222759/http://laurenbeukes.com/faq/ FAQ from the author's website]

{{Lauren Beukes}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Beukes, Lauren}}

Category:1976 births

Category:Living people

Category:21st-century South African journalists

Category:21st-century women journalists

Category:21st-century South African short story writers

Category:21st-century South African novelists

Category:21st-century South African women writers

Category:Afrofuturist writers

Category:Alumni of Roedean School, South Africa

Category:Writers from Johannesburg

Category:South African people of Dutch descent

Category:South African people of French descent

Category:South African science fiction writers

Category:South African television writers

Category:South African women journalists

Category:South African women short story writers

Category:South African women novelists

Category:Writers from Cape Town

Category:Women science fiction and fantasy writers

Category:University of Cape Town alumni

Category:Women mystery writers

Category:Women television writers

Category:21st-century screenwriters