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Been really tied up with getting Angel Arias finished because the release date was brought forward a month. Now that it’s all done I’m up for air. Time to say hi and see how you’re all going.
News-wise, the Burn Bright campaign (Publish Burn Bright Worldwide) is gaining momentum with bloggers across the world generously spreading word. Notably, About Happy Books, Strangemore and The Yetzel Library have joined in. Then there are the Facebook communities and the individual tweeters. Thank you all, especially my own team, who tirelessly help share news – including the announcement that Yunyu will release a new song for the Angel Arias which will be available for FREE download via a QR tag in the book.
I’ve finished the rough version of Peacemaker issue 2 but need to go through it and make it ready to send to Brigitte Sutherland. I hope to get to it this week. Issue 2 is twice as long as issue 1 and introduces detective Indira Chance and Caro Jenae, investigative journalist and Virgin’s best friend. I find the comic calls to me constantly (when I’m working on other things), which is always a good sign.
The next two months though, will essentially be Tara Sharp 3 with my October deadline just around the corner. Tara is always a pleasure to spend time with and will make a nice break from Ixion and Grave (Night Creatures trilogy).
The Event Horizon (skiffy joke there!) is dotted with some upcoming good stuff: Logan Library SF Finale day panel, Gold Coast Literary Luncheon, Brisbane Writers Festival, SheKilda convention and Supanova Brisbane.
Also was fortunate to have a double page profile in the Sunday edition of the Sydney Morning Herald recently. Many thanks to Steve Meacham. Not often a SF writer gets that kind of spread in a major newspaper.
A bunch of my peeps have had some wins lately. I was thrilled to see Angie Slatter and Charles Tan nominated for a World Fantasy Award but am in absolute squee mode now that I know that Alisa Krasnostein at Twelfth Planet Press also has a nom. Alisa and I worked together on on my boutique collection, Glitter Rose and I’m so proud of her, and to be associated with her publishing endeavours (which also includes feminist spec fic podcast Galactic Suburbia).
Whew! Well that was a fair bunch of news. Hope you’re all well. Sending you my shiniest thoughts.
Due to the secret project upload, the website will down for a short period in the not-to-distant future. I’ll keep you updated on Facebook and Twitter when I hear exact times.
Meanwhile I’m sitting in my hotel room in Sydney hoping Virgin haven’t forgotten to reassign me a flight. Kind of a weird limbo not knowing when I’m going to Perth.
On the plus side, Sydney has been terrific. Much done and many people spoken to. Supanova, as you’ve all seen from pics, was a splendid affair and I enjoyed my time on the Dymocks stall talking to Alison Goodman and Kevin J Anderson. Rebecca Moesta and Kate Forsyth were within cooee, as were Rowena Cory Daniells and Jenny Fallon.
Saw many old reader friends and made some new ones. Was particularly delighted when Rena Nero dressed up in an outfit that perfectly matched the Burn Bright book cover. (Yes, I look positively evil!)
 I’ve had some lovely reviews this week that are really worth linking to. The first is a Nylon Angel review from Book Chick City, in tandem with my post on my researching confessions.
The second is this fascinating review of Burn Bright from a GoodReads reader. I love it when people put some real thought into their reflections. Reading Time (magazine of the CBCA) also gave Burn Bright an excellent review which you can read here.
Aside from that, my Aurealis Award turned up in the mail today, so photos are coming soon 
I’m working on edits of Angel Arias and Tara Sharp book 3, so am back in the writing groove after the disruption of book tour excitement. Now I’m a little more focused, I’ve been thinking of making the Sentients of Orion series available on Smashwords. Since Nightshade Books withdrew from the contract, I’ve been a bit unhappy and unsure as to how to go forward. Winning the award has given me a bit of confidence to pursue making the series more widely available. Currently you can only buy it in Commonwealth countries, and I would really like North American readers to be able to purchase it. If you have an comments or thoughts or advice on this, I would welcome them.
June is going to be a big month for me with two Supanovas and Voices on the Coast, so I need to keep my head down and working up until then. However, while I’m being boring, I think I’ve nearly managed to persuade Tricia Sullivan to guest blog for us soon. Fingers crossed!
I am so thrilled to say that I will be the National Guest of Honour at Doom Con (Swan Con 37) 2012. The International Guest of Honour is Brandon Sanderson and the Fan Guest of Honour is Chris Creagh. Below is the Doom Con launch video.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMH4tm0xls4
 Now I’ve had a day to get my brain back in order, I wanted to add a few things and thank a bunch of people. Firstly a HUGE shout out to Belinda Hamilton who supported my library visit, my book signing at Pulp Fiction and Supanova. She is an absolute trooper! I love her to bits. Cels Jansink also brought her mum and son to my Vicky Point library event on Thursday night. I really appreciated her support, and to see Robbie Kirk and Ruth and Loretta Cohen there as well. Karen Tyrell dropped by the store on the weekend, as did other Visionaries including Ben Payne and Arun. Missy and Fel (my Supa-girls) were fantastic as always and very accommodating with my son and his BFF who came up on Sunday. Bob Dobson and Trent Jamieson plotted a sock puppet convention.
Highlights for me were the Forlorn Gaze and Sheldon D’Arc‘s (damn photo’s too blurry to post!) performance (Jud you should be acting!), seeing Charisma Carpenter again, meeting the gentlemanly Tahmoh Penikett, having all my Brisnova readers come and tell me their news of the last year, Trent’s opening ceremony moment of risque, the Birdee bar conversations with Peter Budd (Apollo Awards), Ian Irvine and Lionel Midford (Publicist) and having Harshini watching our back at the Dymocks stall. (Sandra and Ineke were great bookseller hosts and had lots of our stock)
Rewind to Friday night: Beau at Pulp Fiction was fab and I got to have some lovely catch ups with peeps, namely Maree Kimberley, Azra Alagic, Yasmina Spiros, Rachel and Matt, Alex Adsett. YAY to you all!
 Where to start. Ok … well … record numbers for the weekend which meant lots of people to talk to and difficulty getting from ‘a’ to ‘b’. Saturday I had a stomach ache all day which made me a tad grumpy, but the good company cheered me up. My panel with Rowena on The Author as a Brand was well attended and the audience had lots of good questions. I got to chat to Charisma Carpenter who I love to bits (sad her mum didn’t come too). The green room was packed with happy talkative guests and I enjoyed a few words with Tahmoh Penikett about Vancouver and the lovely Leah Gibson who is one of the most beautiful souls I’ve ever met.
Survived the stomach pain thanks to Trent Jamieson having some panadol and went back to the hotel to get ready for the cocktail party. More good conversations with Ian Irvine, Lionel Midford and Peter Budd that evening. Then home when my voice began to hurt from shouting over the music.
I felt good on Sunday which was a relief and had fun watching the amazing cosplay. As you can see Catwoman and I had a moment. Other standouts for me were Captain Jack, Predator, Darth Vader and some of the steampunk. I also got a chance to finally speak to Robin Hobb, who is a charming lady. The day finished with a solid chin wag with Jenny Fallon about writing things. More thoughts when I get the rest of the pictures.
That’s what I’ll have to do in about a ten days when I get back from Melbourne Supanova. I’ll also need to remind myself that a writer writes and doesn’t just swan around the place talking to people. Which is what I’ve been having a great time doing! To add to the school and library visits I’ve done email interviews and blogs galore. At the moment I’m blogging for the whole week on the Random House blog. There are giveaways for Burn Bright going on, including winning the book and snaffling bookmarks and stickers.
I’m having my own MARCH MADNESS!
Pretty soon though it will be back to work and the year is going to be filled with Tara Sharp and Burn Bright #3. It should be huge fun. I LOVE my job.
Signing off with some pics from recent events – tty after the Supanova Extravaganza.
 Kinokuniya with Yunyu  Moorebank SHS  Callaghan College  Linsay Knight and MDP - Random House dinner  Redcliffe SH
Here is my schedule for the week. Would love to see some friends there!
MDP author talks will be held at: Arana Hills Library from 6.30pm on Monday, March 28; Strathpine Library on Tuesday March 29 from 6.30 pm; Narangba Library on Wednesday March 30 from 6.30pm; and at Redcliffe Library from 10am on Thursday March 31.
“Multi-faceted author Marianne de Pierres will bring her blend of fantasy, humour and crime writing talents to a series of talks at Moreton Bay Region Libraries later this month.
Moreton Bay Regional Council Lifestyle and Amenities spokesperson, Cr David Dwyer, said the popular author had just released her first novel for young adults, Burn Bright – which delves into the world of glamour and the darker aspects of teenage anxiety.
“Marianne de Pierres has a strong and dedicated following and her talks from the author’s perspective are always riveting,” Cr Dwyer said.
“It’s your chance explore the world and influences of a well regarded author in the comfort of a local Moreton Bay region library.”
Marianne de Pierres’ previous works include the multi-award-nominated Parrish Plessis and Sentients of the Orion series as well as the Tara Sharp humorous crime series written under a pseudonym, Marianne Delacourt.
Bookings are recommended and can be made through individual libraries.
Followed by:
An evening with Marianne de Pierres
Victoria Point Library
Thursday 31 March, 6 – 7pm
Come along to hear Marianne talk about her writing across both science fiction and crime genres and her new venture into young adult dark fantasy.
Refreshments will be provided. Please RSVP to Anne on 3884 4011.
This event is brought to you in partnership with Angus & Robertson Victoria Point.
With my Burn Bright book tour just around the corner, I thought it was time I put some links up. If you’re in Sydney, Yunyu and I’ll be at Galaxy Books (23rd March, 5.30), Ultimo Library (21st March, 4-5pm) and Kinokuniya (24th March, 6pm).
Following that I’ll be back in Brisbane for a week, visiting libraries. (Look in the sidebar for details). Then back down to Melbourne where events are yet to be confirmed.
And there have been some gratifying reviews for Burn Bright so far, none more than the two at Inside A Dog.
And Marcus has just finished the March newsletter which is a Burn Bright special.
I’ve got a bunch of appearances and online stuff coming up so I thought I’d put it all in one post so you (but mainly I) can keep track.
Upcoming blog posts/interviews:
Alpahareaderblogspot interview
Women’s History Month 2011: Gillian Pollack
Online chat at ASFFWA – March 9th
Coolshite podcast with Yunyu – March 7th
Random House blog series
Book Junky interview
Upcoming Events:
Book Tour Sydney – Ultimo Library, Galaxy Books, Kinokuniya Books (see events in the right sidebar)
Victoria Point Library, Brisbane – 31/3/11, 6-7pm (right sidebar)
Book Tour Brisbane – events TBC
Supanova Brisbane/Melbourne – confirmed
Book Tour Melbourne – events TBC
I’ll update this post as more things are confirmed.
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spend time with and will make a nice break from Ixion and Grave (Night Creatures trilogy).
