I wrote Thrill Seekers a long time ago now as part of my Masters degree in Creative Writing. It was created from the stories I needed to get out of my head, the ones that wouldn’t let me sleep at night until I got them out and onto the page.
In 2012, Thrill Seekers was shortlisted for a prestigious New Writing Award alongside such well-known writers as Favel Parrett and Anna Funder. I was just a little bit excited!
Thrill Seekers is dedicated to my brother Matthew and his courage and resilience battling adolescent onset schizophrenia. My aim was to keep his memory and essence alive and in the world.
Then just a couple of weeks ago, following Thrill Seekers release as a new imprint by Ransom Publishing in 2019, a fresh review turned up. By someone who really “got it”. And I felt almost as thrilled as when I first heard I’d been shortlisted. Although then, I may have spent a few hours weeping and whispering, “Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
Thrill Seekers was reviewed in Paper Lanterns – a literary journal for all things to do with Teen and YA Literature by Luke Power, who’s my new favourite reviewer because he said great things like this:
“Thrill Seekers is a good novel. It isn’t a nice novel, and it certainly isn’t a fun novel, but it’s the kind of novel that grabs you by the front of your coat and shakes you around a bit before dropping you just as suddenly….
Not for the faint of heart and certainly not for the squeamish, Thrill Seekers is a bloody, harrowing, all-Australian tale which is well worth grappling with.” Luke Power
Enough showing off for me!
If you’d like a copy you can buy it directly from me. Only if you live in Australia though sorry.
Outside Australia you can buy it HERE.
Which cover do you like best? The new one is very snazzy but I’ve got a soft spot for the original because the young man in the image looks uncannily like my brother. Even down to his favourite shirt. It was kind of spooky when I first saw it.
Do let me know if you’ve read Thrill Seekers. It’s a writer’s greatest joy hearing from readers.
With lots of love
Edwina xx
Edwina Shaw 
I’e read it. I loved it. I’m glad Luke Power gets it. I’m glad it’s still finding its way in the world
Thank you Jonathan! Penny piece in the works!!
I remember the launch for Thrill Seekers – absolutely packed at Avid, so many adoring friends, readers and writers! Lovely to know the book is still finding new readers xx
Thank you dear Fiona. It was an amazing launch. Yours will be just as wonderful. Can’t wait to cheer you on! Lots of love Ed xx