Zahid Gamieldien is an author, screenwriter, editor and writing tutor. His debut novel is All the Missing Children (Ultimo Press), which was optioned to be developed into a television series, and his next novel will be released in 2027.
Zahid’s short fiction has been published in literary journals including Overland, Meanjin, K
His screenwriting has been listed for awards, and as an editor and writing tutor he’s helped several authors get their work into print. Most recently, he received funding to undertake a residency at Varuna House and his second major arts grant from Create NSW.
You can find him on Instagram and Linktree, which will include announcements about upcoming events. If you are looking for a manuscript or screenplay assessment or would like to contact him, please see the relevant sections below.
Paperback edition
AUD 30.00 (plus postage)
Also available from good bookstores in paperback, e-book and audiobook formats.
All the Missing Children is a literary mystery-drama novel with creeping supernatural elements.
Ilene, a working class woman, is struggling to survive and desperate to reconnect with her children, Jack and Lonnie, in the aftermath of a near-fatal tragedy. But her children vanish, setting off a chain reaction within the community.
Suspended detective Omar helps out with the investigation, uncovering disquieting clues, but he keeps getting pulled away by a dangerous cold case.
Benji, a recovering addict, finds peace by breeding lorikeets and caring for his mother, only to have his clean life upended by a stranger’s menacing threat.
Nera, a city lawyer grieving on a country farm, wants to find out who killed one of her animals and is faced with increasingly strange and unsettling answers.
In this gripping tale of human frailty and the other-worldly, each of the characters must confront the mystery of what really happened to Jack and Lonnie.
Manuscript and screenplay assessments
As of 2026, I am offering limited places for manuscript assessments of short stories, novels and screenplays.
In addition to being an author, I have over a decade’s experience as a freelance editor and short story, novel and script writing tutor. In that time, I have worked with many aspiring authors who went on to find traditional publication and even to win awards. I have also provided freelance editing services to published authors and notes/coverage to produced screenwriters.
My approach to manuscript assessments is to give the writer a clear idea of the strengths of their work and to provide specific, targeted feedback that helps them address any opportunities. By doing this, I hope to put the writer on a path towards crafting a text that is at or above the standard required to find a publisher or producer.
The turnaround time for assessments of novels and feature-length screenplays is generally 6-8 weeks, while I can often finish assessments for short stories and short film scripts within 2-4 weeks, depending on my schedule.
Note: If you have a query or would like to order a custom editing service, please use the contact form below. If you know me through the Writers’ Studio, please email me directly or make an enquiry via their website.
Praise for All the Missing Children
“Gamieldien’s prose is clear-eyed about the manifestations of trauma, visceral and uncanny in its observations of everyday life[.] All the Missing Children is a tense, portentous book… a polyphonic novel teeming with disparate experiences, each of them key to unlocking the mystery of the two children’s disappearance and those before them.” Sonia Nair, Meanjin
“This book is an exceptionally eerie read, the kind that sends chills down your spine with its ever-present sense of foreboding… The author’s ability to immerse you in each storyline from the outset is truly impressive—I was so captivated that I often wasn’t ready to transition to the next narrative. The writing is brilliant, filled with such palpable tension that I found myself holding my breath through much of it.” Sammy thebookninja_, Goodreads
“It’s a compelling and haunting read, beautifully written. It presents like a crime mystery about two missing siblings but quickly becomes a deeper, more unsettling story about how trauma and loss affect a whole community… I really enjoyed this and don’t know why I hadn’t heard about this book sooner. If you enjoy a literary read I think you will enjoy this too. I couldn’t put it down! A wonderful book.” booksadaisyes, Instagram
“A stunning read that transcends genre… Since finishing it I have been obsessing over how all the parts fit together. There are no easy answers. The interludes are a link in the chain, which I recommend re-reading after finishing. A must-read for lovers of literary fiction who are hungry for more than just another story.” Alessandro, Goodreads
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