The NZSA has an upcoming Book Buzz next Friday 6th March at the South Library, 5.30pm-8pm. I'll be there doing a belated book launch and reading from BEYOND THE BRIAR in the later part of the evening. The event is free with an optional koha and shared pot luck meal. It kicks off with an open mic for you to share some of your own work, if you're keen. For more details see their website: http://nzsacanterbury.weebly.com/book-buzz.html

Congratulations to the five winners of the Goodreads giveaway. Your signed paperback copy of BEYOND THE BRIAR will soon be winging its way to you from New Zealand!

Thanks to those who nominated me for the Sir Julius Vogel awards – I'm delighted to say that I made it into the final ballot for the categories of Best New Talent, Best Novella ("Ranpasatusan") and Best Collection (Beyond the Briar). 

Congratulations to all the other nominees! Follow this link to see who else is up for nomination - it's great to see some fellow Cantabs (AJ Fitzwater and Tim Stead) and some familiar names from The Best of Twisty Christmas Tales. My info and links should be up on the SFFANZ site within a day or two, but for now, you can find out anything you'd like to know about my writing here at my website or by asking me a question on my Facebook page. Voting for the SJV awards takes place at this year's SFFANZ convention at Easter, which I unfortunately won't be able to attend - good luck to all! 

A big thanks to local writer, Helen Mongillo, for organising an excellent writers' retreat this weekend. I and nine others had a fab time out in the countryside, talking writing and putting some downtime to good use on some drafts and manuscripts. Helen is an organiser extraordinaire - everything ran like clockwork, we were well-fed and had some interesting workshops. We were all keen for this to become an annual event, so I'll be looking forward to next year!

Perfect places for inspiration