Short Story Writer

Job Overview: ZenaTech (Nasdaq: ZENA | FSE: 49Q) is a technology company specializing in AI drones, Drone-as-a-Service (DaaS), enterprise SaaS, and quantum computing solutions for mission-critical business applications. Since 2017, the company has leveraged its software development expertise and expanded its drone design and manufacturing capabilities through ZenaDrone to innovate and enhance customer inspection, monitoring, safety, security, compliance, and surveying processes. ZenaTech serves over 100 enterprise software customers in law enforcement, government, and industrial sectors, with drones used in agriculture, defense, and logistics industries. The company has offices in North America, Europe, and the UAE. ZenaTech is looking for a Short Story Writer to join our creative team in LA. The bulk of this role is creating and revising short stories — complete, polished prose fiction — for publication, with some of that work later adapted into scripts for vertical drama platforms and feature films with our studio division, ZenaStudios. The stories span legal thriller, sci-fi, action and drama, centered on how technology exposes the truth about human nature. You will spend most of your time drafting and revising short stories: developing plot, character, and voice on the page. Where a story is selected for adaptation, you will help reshape it into a serialized, mobile-first script — breaking the narrative into short, easily digested stories and sharpening dialogue for the screen. You will work closely with our writing and production teams throughout both processes. A strong portfolio of short story writing is required. This is a full-time, on-site role in LA, USA. Key Responsibilities: Short Story Writing: Develop plot, character, voice, and pacing appropriate to the short story format. Maintain a consistent, distinctive prose voice across a body of short story work. Revise stories across multiple drafts in response to editorial feedback. Maintain a well-organized library of short stories, drafts, and notes for ongoing reference. Vertical Drama Adaptation: Adapt selected short stories into serialized scripts formatted for vertical drama platforms. Break an adapted story into short episodes built around a cliffhanger or hook. Preserve the core intent, characters, and emotional throughline of the original story while reshaping it for episodic, mobile-first pacing. Write dialogue that plays naturally on camera and lands within short, mobile-first episode lengths. Partner with the writing and production teams to ensure adapted scripts are practical, shootable, and aligned with available cast, locations, and footage. Participate in briefings, brainstorms, and creative reviews, contributing ideas beyond the written word. Manage multiple short stories and adaptation projects simultaneously, meeting deadlines in a fast-paced environment. Incorporate feedback constructively and revise work efficiently through multiple rounds of review. Core Requirements: Demonstrated experience writing original short stories, with a strong portfolio of published or workshopped short fiction. Strong command of plot, character development, and prose voice within the short story format. Outstanding written communication with a sharp eye for clarity, tone, and pacing. Ability to revise and tighten prose efficiently across multiple rounds of feedback. Willingness and ability to adapt short story material into episodic script format when needed. Highly organised with the ability to manage multiple stories and deadlines simultaneously. Collaborative by nature, with a positive attitude toward feedback and iteration. We use artificial intelligence to review and screen applications and materials. However, every candidate we move forward with is reviewed and selected, and all final hiring decisions are made by a member of our hiring team. We are an equal opportunity employer committed to employment equity utilizing hiring practices on merit and business needs. We encourage applications from women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities and all others of legally protected status. #J-18808-Ljbffr