Hi All

NEWS FLASH!

2016 is going to be a bit frantic, so this is going to be my only speculative fiction master class. Book now at the NSW WC so we can explore strange lands together!

Sydney, 30th April, 10am – 4pm.

All the details can be found here.

Marianne xxx

Marianne de Pierres

Enthusiast. Humanist. Feminist. Story wrangler suffering sugar withdrawal.

There are so many end of year posts on blogs and Facebook. It’s great to see people reflecting and appreciating what has been.

I expected I would be writing my own – at length – but 2016 seems so full of promise and possibilities that I can’t wait to get started on the new year. Before I do though, some thank you’s are in order.

Every year when I thank my writing team, I feel so inadequate. This year is no exception. Despite all leading terribly busy lives, they make time to read, review, critique, report, and blog for my websites, and for our readers. I admire their commitment and appreciate their friendship and talent. So once more… Krista, Belinda, Joelene, Bec, Mandy, Stephen, Jamie, Damian, Maria, Alison, Alayna and Amy (my UK daughter and spirit guide)… THANK YOU!

To my readers, thank you for your belief and interest in my stories. You sustain my life blood. I hope you get something in return! (looking at you Roy Varley and Bree)

Then there are some friends I’d like to give a shout out too, who are always in the background of my life, blessing me with their friendship: Trent, Debbie P, Robyn S, Kaylen J, Jo R, Anne B, Margo L, Pamela F, Tara M, Tansy RR, Paula W, Suzie P, Ju, Kendra, Melissa M, Joel L, Helen S, Kath H, Kath M, Alisa K, Jorge D, Fel B, Tania H, Azra A, Tracy W, Maxine McA, and Charisma C. (If you know you should be on this list and you’re not, kick me! – but I’ve been up since 4am)

And a big hola to my family (here, in the USA [including the Eriksons], Perth and Ramingining) who are everything to me.

Happy New Year you crazy kids!

May 2016 bring you roaring belly laughs, electrifying music, fine stories, meaningful moments, and good cheese (except Nick – who’s allergic to it!).

For me… well, I can’t wait for the opportunity to learn, write stories, hang out with friends, devour engaging Film and TV, go for walks, bike ride with Nick, and enjoy the little — important — things in life.

I wish the same for you all. Good health, and welcome to the New Year.

Marianne xxxxxx

Jamie Marriage

Jamie Marriage is an internationally published Australian cyberpunk author with a taste for the dangerous and obscene aspects of life. His work ranges from the sarcastic to the satirical. Links to his work can be found at www.JamieMarriage.com

Jamie’s Top Reads for 2015:

1. The Shepherd’s Crown – Terry Pratchett
   A beautifully tearful and satisfying end to the stories from the Discworld from one of the greatest writers of our time.
2. Aurora – Kim Stanley Robinson
   The chillingly harsh depiction of the struggles of the space ship Aurora as she travels through the empty void of space in search of a new planet to call home.
3. Luna: New Moon – Ian McDonald
   When every breath you take costs you money, and every step could cost you your life, sometimes it seems that the moon wants to kill you. There are a million ways to die on the moon; just working to stay alive is only the first of your challenges.
4. A Crucible of Souls – Mitchell Hogan
   A world of fantasy and intrigue with plenty of incredible surprises in store. With more books to come in this series, it’s is only going to get better and better.
5. The Girl Thing Who Went Out For Sushi – Pat Cadigan
   Defying outdated social constructs such as gender roles and identity, this short story is perfect in its succinctness and form, leaving the reader questioning what/who they are and where they fit in this universe.