ECHO BEACH

I had internet plans for this evening; blogging, newsletter prettying, researching … and then NCIS came on, my feet got warm and I ate casserole. Now my eyelids are now heavy and the screen is starting to blur. Bed is calling. I will, however, stir myself up enough to mention that some goodies are just around the corner.

Bec will be posting her interview with fascinating performance poet, Zenobia Frost over at Burn Bright in the next few days. I’ve also posted a mini review there on Betrayed from the House of the Night series.

My guest bloggers on this (MDP) site will be visiting soon, beginning with a writer whose work I love to bits, Jon Courtenay Grimwood. I don’t want to give away too many surprises but some of the other wonderful upcoming guests include Marjorie Liu, Charles Stross and Marv Wolfman.

Meanwhile, the Tara Sharp/Marianne Delacourt website is about to be re-launched with a beautiful, fun design by Austin Designworks. To celebrate the birth of the real Tara Sharp home, the second whodunnit, Fully Loaded is … well … fully loaded and ready to go online with the launch. Come by and meet Tara’s cousin Crack.

Lastly, don’t forget that if you wish to pre-order the Glitter Rose short story collection, just go to Twelfth Planet Press website (international orders taken). The book is a limited edition, with some beautiful colour and black and white internal illustrations.

Alisa and I have pretty much finished the edit on my new Straddie story, which is set to go into the Glitter Rose collection. The name of the story is Mama Ailon (the meaning of which will be made clear when you read it), and I believe/hope it will be a fitting end to the quartet. We’ve selected some beautiful black and white internal illustrations from Australian artists, and Alisa let me twist her arm to to include a colour internal as well. The cover, by Anna Repp, is going to be sensationally unique, and I can’t wait to hold the finished book in my hand.

A dream I had many years ago, is going to come true in a few months.
http://www.mariannedepierres.com/books/marianne-de-pierres/glitter-rose-collection/

I’ve ja-hawing about writing again:
http://www.supanova.com.au/media/podcasts/marianne-de-pierres-saturday-perth-podcast/

Working on my screenplay, Stalking Daylight, discovering how little I know about what I’m doing. But also discovering the absolute joy of so much dialogue. I wish I’d starting doing this years ago, so I could be better at it. When I’ve finished the first segment, it will go to my co-writer Lynne Jamneck, who’ll have her input. Should be really interesting to see what we come out with.

New website getting closer every day… and other than that… I’m on a DVD glut. One ep. of True Blood 2 to go and am fully appreciating Alan Ball’s genius. I’m surprised the series hasn’t caused more uproar though.

Painkiller Jane next. Has anyone seen that?

I’m crazily putting content on the new site. What a slow and boring process. But its looking slick and I can’t wait to share with you all. I estimate about a fortnight before it’s live.

I love the graphic on this site but it will be good to have some newer brighter colours. I’m moving to wordpress which has a simple back end as well.

Working on my screenplay. Page 17 and counting… that’s all for the moment.

I just posted links to three of my free short stories on Facebook. Or you can find them here (http://tarasharp.com/mariannes-free-online-short-stories/)

‘Nikei Love’ and ‘Gin Jackson’ were previously published in Cat Sparks’s anthologies. And ‘The Cure’ was published by (the now defunct) Simulacrum.

I’m really keen to turn Gin Jackson (my cowpunk/urban fantasy/rocking adventure) into a novel series in the future. Just need some enterprising publisher to love it and make me an offer :)

So thrilled with the illustrations Alisa has commissioned for the collection. Especially the cover which echoes my own vision so closely. I can’t wait to share them.

Started watching my Kimba DVD set today. I’d forgotten how funny bits of it were. Looking forward to some good viewing through winter. Have The Tudors, Spooks, BSG: The Plan locked and loaded, plus Tru Blood, Leverage and Fringe due to come out.

The US edition (Nightshade Books) of Dark Space has been listed on Amazon.com. Would love to know what the SC stands for???? Anyone have any ideas?

And Mark Chitty at Walker of the Worlds had kindly mentioned the Glitter Rose collection which can now be ordered internationally.

AAAAnnndd… some good news over at my Tara Sharp site.

And on FB people are telling me about their first published pieces. It’s so interesting…

Things are looking up for Tara Sharp. The boss of a motorcycle racing team has put her on retainer to find out who’s been sabotaging his bike ahead of a big race.

And the very wealthy “Madam” Vine wants her girls coached on how to better read their clients. But while Tara’s enjoying a few silver linings, more grey clouds are gathering.

Wal, her narcoleptic security chief is suddenly homeless, and word is that local gang lord Johnny Vogue, has bought a hitman to town to clean up some of his unfinished business. With their previous history, Tara has a fair idea that means her. Working hard and dodging bullets is something she’s getting damn good at.

Here are the details for the mega-panel at Logan Library:

Writing Panel – Simple Ways to Promote Your Book

Saturday 29th August

11.00-12.30pm

These fantastic authors, Andrew Warrilow, Marianne de Pierres, Rowena Cory Daniells, Trent Jamieson, Kylie Chan and Louise Cusack will speak about their experience as their own publicists.

And… I’ve had a first glimpse at the my new website design and it rocks. Sexy! Absolutely can’t wait until it’s up and running.