The Balance of Things

Marianne here,

I was having a bad morning, lost my expensive new distance glasses and had a few other negative family things happen (which I won’t bore you with!). Then in the flip of a wrist, the blink of an eye, things got better.

It began with this amazing review of Burn Bright by Dr Karen Brooks:

” This is such a fast-paced, tight narrative with absolutely splendid and evocative writing. de Pierres knows how to hook the reader – her metaphors are sharp and powerful – you breathe the air of Ixion, you feel the effects of the tablets the young initiates swallow and you experience the pulsating terror that the night creatures evoke … I was reminded of other fabulous narratives such as Logan’s Run or the Hunger Games. I want to resist comparisons – but, while drawing on some similar themes, I feel Burn Bright is better than either of these. It is so original and intoxicating…” Read the entire review here.

That got me off my seat doing Belinda’s Happy Dag Dance. I have enormous respect for Karen Brooks. She’s a brilliant writer and critic and social commentator. If you don’t know what I’m referring to then read her bio. She is also a delighful, charming individual and a strong, intelligent woman. Needless to say, I’m thrilled!

This was followed by news that my pal Alison Goodman of Eon/Eona fame will be joining me for a kaffee klatsch in Melbourne soon (email Braiden if you’d like to attend: basciak (at) gmail (dot) com Places strictly limited.)

Then, a photo popped up on FB of me with my twin sister, Isobelle Carmody (it’s a psychic connection!) which made me grin no end.

These lovely moments were heightened by Janette Dalgliesh, just this morning, joining the Tara Sharp team; this rather cool blog post about loving speculative fiction from Holly Harper at Readings Books, entitled The Myth of Fanatsy; and finally, The Spotlight Reports feature on Yunyu and I, today.

Whew! Pinching myself for all the goodness. Now sending it your way as well.

MDP xx