Katherine Blakeney

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About Katherine Blakeney
I am an author and independent filmmaker/stop motion animator with a BFA in Stop Motion Animation from the School of Visual Arts in New York and a PhD in Film Studies from the University of Edinburgh (Scotland, UK). My thesis focuses on silent film adaptations of late nineteenth and early twentieth century Gothic novels, with a special emphasis on psychological and aesthetic representations of the Monster figure. My debut novel, a YA Sci-Fi adventure called Digging in the Stars, is forthcoming with Blaze Publishing on March 28, 2017.
Raised by an Egyptologist mother, I grew up among museums and excavation sites, where I developed an unhealthy fascination with ancient art and mythology. I divide my time between bringing 12"-tall people to life in my studio in Edinburgh, excavating ancient tombs in the Egyptian desert, and researching Gothic literary monsters in silent film. I have worked for more than 10 years as photographer and videographer for the South Asasif Conservation Project, an archaeological expedition in Egypt and I have published numerous articles on film and archaeology.
I write, direct, design, and animate short films and commissioned projects in my studio in Edinburgh, Scotland and have been employed as an animator, screenwriter, modelmaker and art director for studios in Edinburgh, South Korea and Qatar. I have produced commissioned projects for IdeasTap in London, the Arts Trust Scotland and the British Library. My shorts have won competitions and screened at various international festivals including the Edinburgh Fringe. In 2015, my short film The Burglar With the Yellow Hand was nominated for an Arts and Humanities Research Council (UK) Research in Film Award.
You can find out more about all aspects of my work on my website, http://yorwickcastle.com
My new blog http://KatherineBlakeneyStardigger.blogspot.com is all about Digging in the Stars and my references and inspirations as a writer.
Raised by an Egyptologist mother, I grew up among museums and excavation sites, where I developed an unhealthy fascination with ancient art and mythology. I divide my time between bringing 12"-tall people to life in my studio in Edinburgh, excavating ancient tombs in the Egyptian desert, and researching Gothic literary monsters in silent film. I have worked for more than 10 years as photographer and videographer for the South Asasif Conservation Project, an archaeological expedition in Egypt and I have published numerous articles on film and archaeology.
I write, direct, design, and animate short films and commissioned projects in my studio in Edinburgh, Scotland and have been employed as an animator, screenwriter, modelmaker and art director for studios in Edinburgh, South Korea and Qatar. I have produced commissioned projects for IdeasTap in London, the Arts Trust Scotland and the British Library. My shorts have won competitions and screened at various international festivals including the Edinburgh Fringe. In 2015, my short film The Burglar With the Yellow Hand was nominated for an Arts and Humanities Research Council (UK) Research in Film Award.
You can find out more about all aspects of my work on my website, http://yorwickcastle.com
My new blog http://KatherineBlakeneyStardigger.blogspot.com is all about Digging in the Stars and my references and inspirations as a writer.
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Author Updates
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Blog postI’m back with more updates on my progress through the ranks of Throrian Scent Hunters. I’m still a humble Apprentice but I’ve finally progressed past the first chamber. The Scientists’ council has decided I’ve polished enough empty vials to get my hands on some fragrance-making tools!
Nothing too complicated (or delicate) yet, but I’m thrilled to be moving forward. Maybe in another hundred years or so I’ll even get to mix a couple of ingredients together.
My current task is d4 years ago Read more -
Blog postAs a writer I have always had my own take on the infamous piece advice given to many aspiring writers - “write what you know.” Personally, I believe in knowing what I write instead. I may not know what it’s like to be an ancient Throrian Scientist, but I can sure find out.
This is why, as part of my work on the sequel to Digging in the Stars, I have decided to come back to Thror and become an Apprentice Scent-Maker in one of the most legendary scent laboratories in the Known Galaxi4 years ago Read more -
Blog postDigging in the Stars arrives in the Milky Way galaxy today! Follow the Facebook party at https://www.facebook.com/events/1392939950780908/ and chack out my brand-new author website at https://katherineblakeneyauthor.wordpress.com/ for exclusive content on the book, details of upcoming events and signings or if you'd like to contact me. I'm always happy to hear from readers!
You can buy a paperback or Kindle copy at Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Kobo, and other online retailers. I will4 years ago Read more -
Blog postThe first and highest Stratum had only one member - the king. These images show King Loreval the Magnificent, the uniter of the Nine Strata and the most legendary ruler of Thror. He was responsible for Thror’s Golden Age, but his glorious facade hid dark and terrible secrets. His multi-layered robes and ornate golden mask combined materials imported from different galaxies. His tomb was known as the most glamorous and exquisitely designed in all the known galaxies. This is the tomb that C4 years ago Read more
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Blog postMembers of the Second Stratum, the Nobility, held most of the wealth and power of Thror in their webbed hands. The Vizier was always chosen from among the Second Stratum. Their impracticably long, ornate beaks, flowing robes, and floor-length, iridescent cerata were a mark of their privileged position and life of luxury and leisure. They were all ambitious, competitive, and dreamed of occupying the throne.4 years ago Read more
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Blog postThe third Stratum was occupied by the Military - the army of planet Thror. Their armor was designed to maintain the necessary level of moisture for long journeys on dry land, and was light and flexible enough for both running and swimming. Each of their sensitive cerata was enclosed in an individual sheath of pure Bjornium plates. Their scaly masks had short, sturdy, practical beaks. Their main weapons were poison darts and collapsible nets on long poles.4 years ago Read more
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Blog postThe Treasurers were responsible for maintaining, calculating and increasing the wealth of the Nine Strata. They established trade relations with many other galaxies and were valued for their intellect, quick-wittedness and diplomatic abilities. One of the most famous Treasurers of ancient Thror, Vanadival, left behind extensive chronicles that are among our main sources of information about the Throrian Golden Age.4 years ago Read more
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Blog postThe Scientists created all the scents of Thror. That included personal scents, mood scents, formal scents for public speeches, and dark scents such as poisons and nose-clouders. Although they were among the Middle Strata their secret power was immense and they bore no fragrance of their own. As the Throrians say, “Silent of step and silent of scent, such is the way of the Scientists.” Always engaged in the process of creating and blending new scents, Scientists never traveled far from their lab4 years ago Read more
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Blog postThe Artists worked both the metals and minerals of Thror to create sculpture, relief carving, mosaics, architecture and textile designs. They were responsible for the sophisticated beauty of the Nine Strata. They designed the masks for all Nine Strata and used their own masks to show off their skills.4 years ago Read more
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Blog postThe Metalworkers melted, welded and sculpted the metals found by the Extractors creating much of the furniture, jewelry, weapons, tableware and even books used throughout the Strata. The most skilled workers of the Lower Strata, the Metalworkers passed long and rigorous apprenticeships to earn their places. They wore leather aprons covering the length of their bodies to guard against hot fumes. The elegance of their simple attire highlighted their privileged position among the Lower Strata4 years ago Read more
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Blog postThe Tunnellers hewed massive tunnels that stretched for miles through the frozen core of the planet and maintained the interstratal transport passages. Their snout-like masks protected them from the cold and dust. They were the most warmly-dressed of the Nine Strata, using furs, woven fibers and leather to protect their sensitive amphibian skins from extreme temperatures. They were the fittest Stratum, able to glide quickly through frozen passages on foot blades similar to those worn by Earthia4 years ago Read more
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Blog postThe Extractors spent almost their entire lives submerged in underground streams, sifting sand infused with priceless Gunnarium metal particles, found only on planet Thror. They wore little to no clothing most of their lives. Only the Chief of the Stratum owned a set of ceremonial robes to wear when summoned to the Grand Council. Aside from their outstanding extracting skills, they were particularly proud of their fertility as evidenced by the substantial cod-shell you see on the Extractor below4 years ago Read more
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Blog postThe cover for my upcoming Young Adult Science Fiction novel, Digging in the Stars has just been officially revealed! Blaze Publishing, Jennifer Malone Wright and I had a party on Facebook to celebrate. We will have another to mark the release at the end of March.
In preparation for the actual release and the upcoming party, I am starting a series of posts to introduce you to the lost ancient extraterrestrial civilization that Carter and her friends discover on planet Thror in4 years ago Read more -
Blog postBlaze Publishing, Jennifer Malone Wright and I are throwing a party for the official Digging in the Stars Cover Reveal January 11 and 12, 2017! It will take place on Facebook so you can join in the celebration from anywhere on Earth (or anywhere in the Milky Way, or any other galaxy with an internet connection):
https://www.facebook.com/events/356770771333659/
There will be all kinds of entertaining games, quizzes, giveaways and guest hosts, as well as some exclusive details ab4 years ago Read more -
Blog postNow that I’ve shared some of the preparations for my journey, I believe it is time to reveal more about the civilization that I am actually exploring. I am planning a series of in-depth posts about the species that inhabit Planet Thror, their appearance, their cultures, food preferences, traditional costumes, art and languages.
Today’s transmission is all about the Stratinites, an ancient culture that inhabited Thror for centuries and left behind a wealth of mysterious subterranean5 years ago Read more -
Blog postI am very pleased to announce that the flying lizard colony clogging up my satellite dish has been safely and successfully relocated. The eggs are just beginning to hatch and watching newborn Throrian lizards learning to fly is a nerve-wracking and heart-warming experience at the same time. We are all confident they will acquire the necessary skills in the end and will shorty be attacking our field lunches with great acrobatic vigor.
This development also means that I can now5 years ago Read more -
Blog postFirstly, I must draw your attention to the successful creation of my “About Me” page. After a few hours milling about the spaceport and volumes of advice from the locals (Throrians have an unerring and unfortunately misguided belief in their brilliance with computers) have finally led me to victory. Now you can peruse my brief but thrilling biography at your leisure!
As you can see in this picture, I am toiling away in the corner of an ancient structure we have just uncovered, applying my5 years ago Read more -
Blog postStaring thoughtfully at the title of this blog, you may want to ask: “What on Earth is a Stardigger?” Good question. To begin with, I am not on Earth at all. I am currently on an expedition to the distant Planet Thror, countless light-years away from our small green planet, traversing the desert wastes on my trusty quadspacerover in search of lost ancient tombs. I am an Outer Space Archaeologist. Romantically put, that means I “dig in the stars”. You can read all about it in my Young Adult Scien5 years ago Read more
Titles By Katherine Blakeney
Digging in the Stars (Scent Hunters) (Volume 1)
Mar 28, 2017
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