Madeleine D'Este's Blog, page 17

Set the Boy Free – Johnny Marr audiobook review

A few years back, a good friend of mine (Pete!) asked if I’d liketo go and see Johnny Marr play at the Corner Hotel in Richmond. I have always been a Smiths fan and said ‘why not!’

I’ve been a Smiths fan ever since I first came out as a little alternative girl in the early 90s but I was always a Morrissey girl and had never paid much attention to Johnny Marr or the others in the band. Perhaps it is because when I first discovered The Smiths, Morrissey was everywhere with his solo works; Nov...

Madeleine’s Speculative Fiction Review on artdistrict-radio.com

For something different, I’ve started a short book review radio show/podcast on artdistrict-radio.com, a French digital radio station focused on jazz and the arts. Each week I’ll be sharing a book I love from the speculative fiction genre. (And my show is in English, in case you were wondering.)

See details of my first review on Parable of the Sower by Octavia E Butler here.

What went well in 2016 – 3 good things

Now 2016 has been one of those bastard years. With the deaths of lots of beloved artists and surprising political results, it’s been strange and shocking. I wonder whether the Queen will announce 2016 as another ‘annus horribilis’ in her Christmas Speech.

But beyond the rejection letters, two-star reviews and disappointments, 2016 wasn’t all bad.

Here are my top 3 good things from 2016.

I published two novellas

This year, I published two ebook novellas. I finally put myself out there for the...

My favourite audiobooks of 2016

Another 2016 list…yes, I know. But today’s it’s all about the audiobook.

I’m a new convert to the audiobook and here are my favourite audiobooks from 2016 featuring conspiracy theories, crime, creativity, meditation and Victorian history. Diverse much?

T hem by Jon Ronson

Fascinating, funny and weirdly insightful book about “extremists”. Totally entertaining as Ronson follows different groups; from Islamic to Nazis, reptoids to Ian Paisley.

Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert

An inspiring discuss...

My favourite books of 2016

Yep, another top 2016 list. But this one is all about me.

Here’s mylist of 5 star rated books frommy own goodreads list (because I can’t rely on my own memory) filled with vampires, time travel, near future spy thrillers and twopresent day thrillers.

Books published in 2016

The City of Mirrors – Justin Cronin

The end of the trilogy which doesn’t disappoint. Truly scary vampires in a post apocalyptic world with characters I loved. I dawdled in the final pages because I didn’t want it to end.

...

What exactly is a Bunyip?

For all of you non-Australians still wondering what a Bunyip is, I wrote a piece for FolkloreThursday.com on Bunyips, exploring the folklore and the blurry details of the mysterious Bunyip.

Read The Bunyip: Australia’s Mysterious Man-eating Swamp Beastin full here.

If you’re interested in more Bunyip, don’t forget about Evangeline and the Bunyip and if you’re an iBooks reader, I have a few free coupons to give away. Just subscribe here and I’ll send a coupon code to you.

Free iBook coupon f...

Birching, medieval peasant life & Norse names: random writing research

I’m in the midst of Nanowrimo and closing in on 50k. Hoorah! I dip into research as I write and so I thought I’d share a few random links for interesting things I’ve researched during the past few days. My Nanowrimo manuscript is fantasy, so I’m going all medieval on your arse.

Birching

The use of birch rods for punishment and birches were always my favourite tree. I now look at them in a different way.

A day in the life of a medieval peasant woman

Here are two excellent links for descriptio...

The tale of two projects: kidney stone or maple syrup?

I still don’t have my writing process down pat. This has become bleeding obvious with my two most recent projects.

The Production – a high gothic YA novel – was a constant struggle, getting out 60k words was like passing a kidney stone. Whereas my current Nanowrimo project – The Ravens of Ambrovna: fantasy – is flowing out like maple syrup.

What’s the difference?

A well defined plot plan

I went a bit pantser on The Production, whereas The Ravens is an idea which has been knocking around i...

Free iBook copies of Evangeline and the Bunyip

Do you like free stuff? Are you an iBooks reader? How about a free iBooks copy of Evangeline and the Bunyip?

Evangeline is back with another adventure with Balls, Bunyips and blancmange.

In 1882, Melbourne is under threat from a fearsome Bunyip and The Argus announces a reward for the capture of the beast. But Evangeline is not afraid, this is a perfect chance for Evangeline to test out her new monster catching device and save the day. With help from her best friend, Mei, and plenty of raspb...

My Top 5 Childhood Movie Scares

Despite my earlier post about being the Halloween Grinch, I love a scary movie and this is the time of year to talk horror.

So, I’ve been inspired by my favourite movie podcast, Filmspotting, to list my top 5 childhood movie scares.

In no particular order, here are the top 5 movie moments which scared the pants off me as a little ‘un.

1. David’s Yellow-eyed Face in ‘American Werewolf in London’

I saw this movie on television as a child. It is one of my all-time favourites and this jump scare...