Mark Engels up for Ursa Major Award

Your votes are needed!

Many of you will remember author Mark J. Engels as one of our fantastic January guests. The preview we got of his novel, Always Gray in Winter, had us excited to read the rest. Well, now that novel is up for an Ursa Major Award, and it is time for us to do our part and vote for it! While you’re at it, check out the sneak peak of Always Gray in Winter (or purchase a copy) if you haven’t already, read up on Mark in his interview: On Fandoms and Storytelling, or get your creativity rolling with his article, Find Your “Why”. Also, be sure to check out Amy Sun Hee, the talented artist who created the awesome artwork of Pawly, Mark’s muse. Amy’s art is featured in the banner photo and in the special blurb of Always Gray in Winter.

More on the Ursa Major Award:

More formally known as the Annual Anthropomorphic Literature and Arts Award, the Ursa Major Award is presented annually for excellence in the furry arts. It is intended as Anthropomorphic (a.k.a. Furry) Fandom’s equivalent of the Hugo Award ® presented by the World Science Fiction Society, mystery fandom’s Anthony Award, horror fandom’s Bram Stoker Award, and so forth. Anyone may nominate and vote for candidates for the Awards. These Awards are decided by the fans, not by a committee.

(Info on the Ursa Major Award from http://www.ursamajorawards.org/)

Results of the 2017 voting will be announced at FurDU convention, Surfer’s Paradise, Queensland, Australia, May 4–6, 2018.

Don’t forget to vote!

Meet the Author:

Boyhood interests in trains and electronics fostered Mark’s career as an electrical engineer, designing and commissioning signal and communications systems for railroads and rail transit agencies across the United States. Along the way, Mark indulged his writing desire by authoring articles for rail and transit industry trade magazines. Coupled with Mark’s long-time membership in anime, manga and anthropomorphic fandoms, he took up writing genre fiction. Growing up in Michigan, never far from his beloved Great Lakes, Mark and his wife today make their home in Wisconsin with their son and a dog who naps beside him as he writes.

Mark is a member of Allied Authors of Wisconsin, one of the state’s oldest writing collectives. He also belongs to the Furry Writers’ Guild, dedicated to supporting, informing, elevating, and promoting quality anthropomorphic fiction and its creators.

Connect with Mark:

Check out Mark’s website, https://www.mark-engels.com/, for more on his writing, upcoming events, and to subscribe to his email list.

You can also connect with him on your favorite social media platform:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mark.engels.39
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mj_engels
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mjengels/

Don’t forget to check out Always Gray in Winter!

Book Cover by Boneitis

The modern day remnant of an ancient clan of werecats is torn apart by militaries on three continents vying to exploit their deadly talents. Born in an ethnic Chicago neighborhood following her family’s escape from Cold War-era Poland, were-lynx Pawly flees underground to protect her loved ones after genetically-enhanced soldiers led by rogue scientist and rival werecat Mawro overrun her Navy unit in the Gulf of Oman. Pawly’s family seeks her out in a desperate gambit to return their ancestral homeland and reconcile with their estranged kinsmen. But when her human lover arrives to thwart Mawro’s plan to weaponize their feral bloodlust, Pawly must face a daunting choice: preserve her family secrets and risk her lover’s life or chance her true nature driving him away forever.

“Part covert ops thriller, part werecat sci-fi, part Polish cultural heritage. This indie book is unique and a stellar read!”

— Mica Scotti Kole, book blogger and Free Writing Events organizer

“An intriguing tale of werecats and military operations that balances action with a well-rounded cast of characters. Buy if you like a touch of the paranormal with your military Sci-Fi.”

— Matt Doyle, author of ADDICT and Matt Doyle Media principal

“The most impressive debut novel I can remember! Mark Engels writes with a sure voice that’s witty, poignant, and just plain fun. I love this book!”

— William Allan Webb (member SFWA), author of STANDING THE FINAL WATCH and STANDING IN THE STORM

“ALWAYS GRAY IN WINTER is an action-driven furpunk military thriller with strong characters and great plot twists.”

— M. Crane Hana, author of MORO’S PRICE

“A great debut…something big waiting for Engels in his career.”

— Brett Brooks, author of THE DEVIL WAS GREEN

Buy it here: