Prendergast is an award-winning young adult fiction writer. Her works include historical novels, science fiction and contemporary pieces. Her latest novel, Zero Repeat Forever, is the first in a new science fiction series, The Nahx Invasions.
Prendergast was drawn to write for young adults after her previous work writing screenplays and working in children’s television.
“When I did my Master of Fine Arts degree, the courses I liked the most were about writing for children,” she said. “Once you start writing for young readers, you start reading more books for young readers and I found them really engaging.”
Prendergast says one of the unique things about young adult literature is authors often write in multiple genres.
“One of the great things about young adult is it’s a category, not a genre,” she said. “There’s every genre in it, and they’re all placed together, so it’s easier for readers to explore different genres, even from the same author. YA readers read everything and love everything – and that goes for adult readers as well as teens.”
Prendergast is looking forward to connecting with readers, especially students.
“It’s a kind of magic for kids to meet an author and find out they’re a real person with funny stories,” Prendergast said. “You can see them getting engaged and interested, even they were kids who weren’t really keen on reading before.”
Prendergast will be joined by two local writers, NIC English student Ryan Grinas and BC-based journalist and author Mike Chouinard.
NIC’s Write Here Readers Series showcases the richness and range of literary arts, offering students and community members the opportunity to hear from some of Canada’s top writers. The series is possible through funding from the Canada Council for the Arts.
The series continues Dec. 5 with award-winning journalist Travis Lupick, author of Fighting for Space, the story of a group of activists in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside and their political fight to change how the city treats marginalized citizens.
The Write Here Readers Series is also looking to connect with under‐represented and emerging writers in the region, with paid opportunities to read alongside a featured series writer. For more information, contact Nick van Orden at Nicholas.vanorden@nic.bc.ca.
