About the Author
M.A.Batten is a neuro-diverse writer of fantasy, science fiction, and dark fiction.
After winning over 150 creative awards during a hugely successful 25-year career in advertising, M.A.Batten returned to his childhood dream of telling stories but without brands or their ridiculous reasons to buy.
His stories have since won four First Places at NYC Midnight, a Finalist at Page International Awards, a Quarter-Finalist at Unique Voices International, and he is the only author in the world to have two Shortlists for the Hammond House International Literary Prize, and his screenplays have won awards and official selections at film festivals around the world under the moniker Mr Chicken whose work has garnered interest from Rupert Grint (Harry Potter series), Kunal Nayar (Big Bang Theory), Greg Davies (Taskmaster), and Nitin Sawney (Mowgli).
As a self-confessed nerd, he delves deep into extensive research, from historical folklore to quantum mechanics, from the chemistry of gunpowder to the birth of blackholes, all in the pursuit of better storytelling. For those with a similar bent for curious discovery, his stories are also peppered with innocuous easter eggs, hidden etymologies, codified numbers, and inconspicuous crossover references.
As M.A.Batten writes, a hedgehog sits on his desk. Its name is Camden.
Recognition
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2023 Hammond House International Literary Prize, There's a Shadow in the Window, Shortlist
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2023 Hammond House International Literary Prize, Potatoes, Shortlist
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2023 NYC Midnight, Winner, First Place (Round 1)
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2023 NYC Midnight, Screw The Pooch, First Place (Round 2)
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2022 Unique Voices, Inheritance, Quarter Finalist
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2021 Open Screenplay, Scene, Best Screenplay
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2016 NYC Midnight, One Year Later, First Place (Round 1)
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2016 NYC Midnight, The Amnesiast, First Place (Round 2)
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2016 Page International Awards, Capture, Finalist
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2015 TMFF Screenwriting, Capture, Best Screenplay
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2015 TMFF Screenwriting, Capture, Official Selection
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2015 Summer Slam, Capture, Official Selection
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2015 Locomocion, Capture, Official Selection
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2015 New Animation International, Capture, Official Selection
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2015 TMFF Screenwriting, Scene, Official Selection
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2015 Summer Slam, Scene, Official Selection
Statement
"I do not use either generative or assistive Artificial Intelligence for any written works. All words and stories are my own original creative work."
– M.A.Batten
Trivia
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M.A.Batten was a firefighter, and once faced down a 40-foot tornado of flame – a firenado.
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He stood in silence with Tom Skerritt (Top Gun, Contact) to admire the Mona Lisa.
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He suffers from ferriphobia.
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He took a terrified cat on holiday across France and didn't even know whose cat it was.
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There was once a warrant out for his arrest without his knowledge.
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He threw wads of fifty-dollar notes around a room with Rebel Wilson (Bridesmaids, Pitch Perfect).
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While waiting for the morning train, he sat all night in a dark alcove with a wanted murderer.
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He cannot fall asleep if a wardrobe door is even slightly ajar in the bedroom.
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He has set not one, but three of his own cars on fire.
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He walked out of a hairdressing salon with only half a haircut and the apron still on.
Screenplays
Before becoming an author, M.A.Batten was an award-winning screenwriter and filmmaker with screenplays and films recognised at film festivals around the world.
