The Week in Review – March 29, 2025

This has been one of those weeks where I really don't have much to say – pretty much subsumed by work with a pack of brutal deadlines. I broke all my previous records and proved that when I have a fire lit under my arse I can type 2,500 words an hour. I don't recommend doing it, but I still have it in me. This was for an alt text job that I misjudged the number of images I had to write descriptions for. That was *fun*. Not. But hey, it pays the bills.

 

Anyhoo, I've not done nearly as much reading as I'd have liked to. I've just been so knackered in the evenings, and honestly, when I've spent my entire day reading and editing and writing, the last thing on the face of this planet I can bear doing is more reading. Nope, I watch short prank videos on IG. And chortle like a lunatic.

But today being my birthday, I'm taking things slow. The husband creature and I went to buy some nice things at the shops and we've got a few friends coming around for tea. Which is something we don't often do. My brain is itching for me to write, and my next WiP is nibbling at my grey matter. I've got some ideas I'd like to weave in. Mostly, I want to make some acerbic commentary about current global events. But it's good, also, that I'm not actively writing today. I need a break. I'm feeling a bit crispy at the edges.

And yeah I know, I'm blogging today, but I enjoy this; it's one of my guilty pleasures. In a few years' time I might look back at these words and cringe, but for now it's a valuable outlet. I'm not so vain to think I'll ever have a biographer looking through my dog ends of thoughts and opinions. But I'm not likely to inflict my memoirs on anyone either. Haha.

Which reminds me of a a writers' meeting I once ran. There were a dozen participants, of whom only one was a teen. The rest were all retired. There was the one prerequisite man with faulty hearing aids predictably sitting the furthest away from me (he was writing a political conspiracy theory thriller – of course he was). The rest were all ladies who were either writing poetry or their memoirs. The teen was sitting next to me, looking rather wide-eyed at all the older folks, and she leaned over to whisper, "What is a memoir?" At which point I laughed a little too loudly before I explained it to her.

We all want to be remembered. Have our names memorialised on stone. But when I walk in the local cemetery as I am wont to do, so many of the headstones are so badly eroded you cannot see the names. Particularly tragic are the ones that were initially intended as shared plots, with the one spouse's details on the joint headstone blank. There's a story there, except no one's around to tell it. Or the sad little stones, choked in long grass, of the little children who lived perhaps a day or two, who were so loved and wanted by their parents that they had their names carved into pale marble with a bible verse. The parents are now in the dirt, too. All gone. And homeless people make their beds on the graves.

I guess I'm always slightly maudlin about the ephemeral nature of life, conscious of trying to pack as much living into each moment before it's gone. I'm reminded of that immortal line from Highlander, when the Kurgan tells Connor McLeod: "It's better to burn out than to fade away" – and that's kinda been my ethos over the years.

Though now approaching 50 I have learnt to pace myself. 47 is plenty good to get stuff done, and I would prefer to be able to go at a decent pace for a good few years still. I like to remind myself that Robin Hobb wrote her breakout novel Assassin's Apprentice at age 47, when she'd already written and published countless other novels under the name Megan Lindholm. So perhaps there is hope for me yet.

And lastly... Because this is a bit of a rambling mess of a post. I have been slowly putting my ebooks up at my Ko-fi shop because honestly, I'm tired of Jeff Bezos getting more fancy yacht money out of me. If you've yet to read any of my books, do consider buying one of mine or simply buying me a cup of coffee just for shits and giggles. It being my birthday and all that... 

Almost Human by Lee Berger and John Hawks

I will admit straight-up that I'm terrified of caves, so there were parts of this book that had me kinda claustrophobic in a big way. But oh, what a wonderful read. I've been fascinated by the work done by archaeologists, anthropolgists, and palaeontologists since I was a wee lass, so Lee Berger's story in Almost Human (narrated by Donald Corren) about how he pulled together the team that discovered and described an early hominid and one of our ancestors – Homo naledi – was absolutely riveting.

What many of us often don't realise when we're watching a nature documentary is how much behind-the-scenes effort goes into these expeditions of literal blood, sweat, and tears at times. Lee Berger is a paleoanthropologist who has spent many years here in South Africa studying the ancient remains of our ancestors and near cousins, and he really digs deep into how he pulled his team together and how they faced and overcame the many challenges they encountered in their work.

What I love about his writing is that he not only comes across as a scientist who knows his stuff, but he tells a darned fine story, too – a rare combination. So his writing is very much accessible to those of us who may not be conversant in all the scientific terms. His approach of sharing his findings with the scientific world at large also goes contrary to the methods of many researchers who are not so forthcoming with their research – his attitude geared towards getting as much input as possible from those in the know.

The basic story of the H. naledi discovery is particularly fascinating because not only is the species a crucial, missing link in our understanding of human evolution, but also the the remains themselves were discovered in a practically inaccessible cave, making it an incredible challenge to not only analyse the site but to retrieve the remains for further study using a scientific method.

And for once this was an opportunity for women to shine – with young women researchers being the ones who had the physical characteristics that made them best suited to squeeze through the tight spots guys would struggle with and then still spend hours at a time at their work carefully retrieving the remains.

This was a thrilling account that turned, ahem, dry bones, into something exciting. 

The Week in Review – March 22, 2025

The big news this week has, of course, been the whole shitshow with Meta having been caught out for training its AI on a database of pirated books. The Atlantic made a link available where authors can search to see whether their books have been used... And lo and behold, six of my novels and one short story anthology that contains one of my stories appears there. I'm unsurprised. I'm not even angry anymore. Just sad and resigned that creatives' work has been reduced to mere 'content' to feed the capitalism machine. 

That won't stop me from continuing to write, however. But it does serve as a wakeup call that writing fiction will be relegated to a hobby, going forward, much like you still get some people who weave, crochet, or make crafts despite the availability of inexpensive, imported mass-produced goods. I know what I prefer in my home, and it isn't made in China.

THE BIG NEWS, OF COURSE...

Some of you may already have seen the Very Big Announcement on social media, but in case you haven't, I've just been contracted for a five-book fantasy series called Fate's Scatterlings with Mirari Press. You can read more about it here. But the short of it is that a few years ago, I wrote a book called Call the Fire, which was always intended as book one of an ambitious four- or five-book series. Life got in the way, as it invariably does, and quite by chance I figured out that Marius from Mirari might just love this story, which is a queer, adventure-packed fantasy. Turns out I was right. And now I've got a sufficient carrot to set aside the time to write the rest of the epic saga, which, my dearly beloveds, is going to be wonderful. 

Moving on from Amazon

I'm a little over Amazon, and am starting to see the need to diversify where my books are available. I'll still be using Amazon for my international print fulfilment because a) their quality is excellent and b) they know how to get stuff from A to B. But for ebooks, I'm getting seriously tired of handing over such a large piece of the pie every time I sell a book. Hence, I'm slowly going to be taking my works off KU and going wide. My shop of choice, however, will now be Ko-fi for my ebooks, and I've already put my very early Books of Khepera there. Go check out my shop, and if you're looking for a starting point for my weird and wonderful fiction, Khepera Rising and Khepera Redeemed will be a fun, and rather dark pair of reads. I'll let everyone know as the other titles come available there.

Witchmark (Kingston Cycle 1) by CL Polk

This one's been on my radar for quite some time, and turned out to be every bit as enjoyable as I'd hoped it would be. Witchmark by CL Polk brings us a recognisably modern fantasy setting reminiscent of early 20th century London, where the elites control magic and use it to manipulate the world (and by default others). This is very much a story that engages with the ideas of class consciousness while also unpacking the issues surrounding countries with jingoistic, colonial aspirations who seek to wage foreign wars. I'd say this was very much a parallel with Britain's actions in India, instead it's Aeland vs. Laneer.

Our magically gifted main character Miles Singer would have spent his days in a gilded cage, enslaved to do his family's bidding. Instead, he sought to flee, by going to fight in the war. While there, he had the opportunity to reinvent himself and start fresh with a new identity back home, working as a doctor, where his skills as a healer can go some way to repairing the incalculable damage that has been done to others. 

Yet he gets dragged into conflict nonetheless, torn between his desire for freedom and navigating the Machiavellian power plays of the nobles who are always hungry for more power. Added to this, he crosses paths with a man who's dangerous to know and love. 

With themes centred on the class struggle and freedom from oppression, this little book packs a powerful message. I am definitely going to hunt down the sequel.

The Week in Review – March 15, 2025

This week's very much been a case of 'butt on chair, fingers on the keyboard', and to an extent, I've been able to block out the awfulness of the world at large by focusing on work. It's not always easy, but rather concerning myself with the aspects of my life I have direct control over is better for my long-term mental health. I admit that I'm very lucky to be in the position that I am – working from home, doing work that I'm passionate about – whether it's designing printed assets for a large, multinational pet food company or editing a Daddy Dom book. My life is a far cry from what it was in the run-up to 2015, where I was depressed as all heck and stuck in a career in newspaper publishing that was fast going down the tubes. Life isn't boring. Also, I don't have a toxic work environment.

ABOUT LAST WEEK...

So, I was super anxious about my book launch at the V&A Waterfront Exclusive Books last week. As it turns out, I had nothing to worry about. It was AWESOME. Thank you so much to everyone who contributed to making the event successful. And there were OREO CUPCAKES. 

But seriously, if you're yet to pick up a copy, hie yourself down to your nearest branch of Exclusive Books or Wordsworth, and if they don't have a copy of The Company of Birds, order it. For too many years my South African readers have complained that it's been so difficult to get my books in print in South Africa, and that's all set to change as I'm now focusing rather on my local readers. 

With the world socio-economic situation being well [gestures vaguely around her] and with paper and fuel prices being horrific, it makes sense to focus on being sustainable and keeping it local. Late-stage capitalism has basically broken this planet. But anyhoo, let this not turn into a frothing rant.

As an author, I'm in a really happy place right now. I've got the long-term ghost-writing project that is helping to keep the lights on, and I've got multiple other projects on the boil. My editing income is steady, and I've enjoyable QA and alt-text writing work from a big publisher in the UK. Nerine in 2015 could only dream of what Nerine in 2025 is doing.

And on to Egyptian stuff...

So, The Egyptian Society of South Africa has its next meeting happening at the end of the month. 

In 1798 Napoleon launched a military expedition to Egypt, leaving France with 335 ships, the French army and 167 scholars that included many engineers, writers, artists, linguists, scientists and mathematicians. Although the expedition was a military disaster, with Nelson having destroyed the fleet, it revealed the splendour of a forgotten civilisation and gave birth to Egyptology.

This is just a taster of the lecture "Napoleon and Ancient Egypt" offered by Peter Loyson on March 25, at 7.30pm at the St George's Grammar School, Richmond Road, Mowbray. Parking is available on the premises. Free for members of TESSA, Visitors pay R30. Refreshments R10.

I've really enjoyed being an active member of TESSA again because oh my goodness, the library is just brimming with books that are giving me all the joy. Plus I get to hang out with people who are just as passionate about ancient Near Eastern history as I am.

How do I become a better writer?

The other day on Threads I encountered a heartbreaking post from a writer who'd had a bad review. They'd been told that the idea behind the story was great but that the writing could have been better. They were at a loss at where to start. Now, the advice I give to anyone who wants to take their craft seriously, is that all good writers are, first and foremost, rabid readers.

And I don't just mean reading in the genre that you want to write – I mean reading all sorts of books, be they the most recent TikTok sensation, a classic, a crime novel, something non-fiction ... A good author is conversant with more than their chosen genre. They have a good sense of style. They choose words not only for meaning but also for how they'll sound. And to this, I also advise you to read and listen to poetry, and to listen to audiobooks narrated by gifted human voice artists.

And then the hardest part: put what inspires you in others writing into practice. Be kind to yourself if you feel that you fall short. Get to understand what areas of your writing need improvement and be aware of them when you write new pieces so that you don't keep breathing life into the same gremlins over and over again. 

A good writer is someone who is constantly evolving and reinventing themselves. I look back at my earlier writing and I often wonder what on earth I was thinking when I did certain things – things I'd certainly never do now. And I'd like to think that I am a better writer for having made all those happy accidents.

If you're looking to embark on a career as a writer and don't know where to start, I do offer affordable, one-on-one coaching. Drop me an email at nerinedorman@gmail.com, and let's chat.

 

The Week in Review – March 8, 2025

At the time of writing, it's a few hours away from my big book launch at the V&A Waterfront branch of Exclusive Books. To put it rather indelicately, I'm kakking bricks. The last time I had a launch at an EB it was the larney one up in Joburg at the fancy mall where they have those hair salons where you have to take a second mortgage to have your highlights done. And that was back in 2019 when I won gold in the Sanlam Prize for Youth Literature. So if you're reading this now, a few days later, I hope I acquitted myself well and that things weren't a complete clusterfuck. This being a Cycle Tour weekend and all, which means I somehow have to negotiate Cape Town's foreshore to reach the Waterfront.

ANYHOO...

So, other than the obvious, I am finally able to share the following:

Sauúti Terrors: The Dark Side, co-edited by Eugen Bacon, Stephen Embleton, and Cheryl S. Ntumy, has been acquired by Flame Tree Publishing, distributed by Simon and Schuster. This acquisition was facilitated by Bieke van Aggelen of the African Literary Agency, who came on last year to represent this collection.

“We were confident from the onset in the capabilities of Bieke and her team, comprising Martijn Lindeboom and Debbie van de Zande, on this second major Sauútiverse project!” said co-editors Eugen, Cheryl and Stephen jointly.

Read the full story here at Brittle Paper.

I have a short story included here called "Endling" which draws on all my terrors of deep space and to a large degree inspired by the Alien franchise and the horrors of The Event Horizon. To say that I'm frabjous about this tale being included is an understatement. I love working with Eugen, Stephen, and Cheryl – so thank you for inviting me on board. And a HUGE thank you to my delightful agent Bieke for securing this deal.

But wait... There's more...

This week I received most tantalising news, but of course I'm going to have to leave you in a state of antici....

BUT OKAY, IMMA GONNA TALK ABOUT DRAGON AGE NOW OKAY

Those of you who follow my various accounts across FB, Threads and Bluesky are probably sick unto death about me blathering about Dragon Age but I make no apologies. Back in 2014 when my husband shoved Inquisition in my hands and said, "Hey, you're probably going to enjoy this game" little did he know what demon he was unleashing. 

Ten years down, it's right up there alongside the works of Tolkien for me in terms of world building. It came on the heels of me recovering from years of substance abuse, suicide attempts, and depression, and along with music and art, has been part of me regaining my joy.

Last night I finished my second run through Dragon Age: The Veilguard, and I loved it as much and had as many feels as I did after the first run. I got the ending I wanted, that tied up so many loose ends from Inquisition and its DLC Trespasser, and my headcanon is now in a happy place.

Was it a perfect game? No game is perfect. But this is the first Dragon Age game where I felt equally attached to all the companions. Each had a story that I felt was beautifully expressed, and the game in total foregrounded empathy, teamwork, reconciliation, diversity, and fighting against authoritarian fascist dictators. I can see why certain people embarked on a campaign to ruin this game for others.

This is not their game. And if anyone else hears that you're thinking of playing Dragon Age and tells you to 'play better games' tell them to go back to playing Call of Duty or Fortnite or whatever and to let you figure out for yourself if this game works for you.

Anyhow, this round, I did the Emmlich run, and it pleased my sense of taphophiliac macabre. I could have spent more time in the Nevarran Necropolis. I will say this much for all the other unrepentant Solavellans out there – if you get certain choices just right, you will have the closure you need. And it was lovely. I am pleased.

I'm going to take a short break to play Baldur's Gate 3 because it's healthy for me to play other games. And I will likely return to Veilguard in a year or so to do my Veil Jumper run.

OTHER STUFF    

I am now on book six for my ghostwriting client, and am also at the 30k-word mark of my children's fantasy story that I'll be translating into Afrikaans. And there's a short story I want to write, too, so I've got over enough to keep me out of mischief. I am in a really happy place with my writing, and I can honestly tell you, that if you're reading this and you're a pre-published author wondering what you should write – write the stories that spark joy for you. Don't try to ride on the coattails of all the authors who are currently being lauded for their romantasy and whatnot. By the time you've got your dragonrider book out the market will be oversaturated in dragons and the Next Big Thing will be selling piles of copies. 

But I'll give you a little trade secret – if you want to see what sorts of stories are perennial favourites, look no further than the fanfiction stories that are the most popular. But then find a story that makes your heart sing and run with it.

....pation

The Week in Review – March 1, 2025

Possibly the most telling bit of social media I've seen this week was a meme saying something along the lines of anyone merely posting "He's an idiot" will have like 90% of people knowing exactly who you're talking about. That's all I'll say. At any rate, it's somewhat staggering for me how prescient some of my older writing is when it comes to saying fuck you to the patriarchy. On Friday this past week, The Company of Birds saw its official release here in Cape Town and I've been absolutely overwhelmed by all the people letting me know that they'd bought their copies.

Here I am, living the author life by signing copies at my local Wordsworth, where I'm told they sold out within a matter of hours.

Anyhoo, while I'm not going to be buying that second property in the Klein Karoo anytime soon for that eco-retreat for artists that's my pipe dream, it's still lank cool to be able to have my book on shelves. But it's been a busy week, as you'll well see.

WRITING WORKSHOPS FOR TEENS

Something I've been passionate about for ages is the fact that there's so few resources available to encourage young people to write and to furnish them with the very important skills and knowledge to embark upon a career as a writer. The industry itself is either heavily curated by gatekeepers or is rife with predatory companies and individuals out to make a quick buck. And self-publishing itself is a veritable minefield of misinformation. I'm very pleased to be partnering with Fish Hoek Library to provide free monthly workshops for teens who wish to learn more about writing better stories, and am also available to advise and assist with any questions about the industry. We had our first meeting this past Thursday, and I'm once again blown away by the enthusiasm and brightness of the young minds I encountered. This is my way of paying it forward. Spaces are limited, so please get in touch with the library to book your spot.

RSVP 021 400 7101 or email fishhoek.library@capetown.gov.za

IT'S ALL ABOUT THE BIRDS

I'm tickled pink to say that I'm not having one but TWO launch events for The Company of Birds. On Tuesday, March 4, I'll be participating at the amazeballs Helen Moffett's Salon Hecate event at the Noordhoek Artpoint Gallery at 5.30pm. Rumour has it that local authors Sam Wilson, Diane Awerbuck, and Alex Latimer will be there, too, and they're some of my favourite people. So, join us for an evening of SFF bookish things, snacks, wine, and great company. My publisher, Marius, will be there with copies of The Company of Birds that you can pick up. What could be better than books in an arty environment? If the launch event at the V&A Waterfront Exclusive Books is a bit too much for you, then I recommend swinging past Noordhoek instead. 

Then, of course, this is your reminder that the official launch event will take place on March 8, at the wonderful big V&A Waterfront Exclusive Books branch. This is honestly a dream come true for me to have my first solo launch event at an EB. In hindsight, I've always been part of some bigger event in the past. Please RSVP and join us on the day. I have it on good authority that there will allegedly be chocolate cupcakes. 

MORE BIRDS

It's my birthday month. I forget how old I'm turning. I've been 46 for the past two years, LOL. Anyhoo, in lieu of gifts, I'm encouraging my friends to adopt a penguin on my behalf. Why am I so passionate about penguins? Well, back in 2000 there was a moerse big oil spill when the Treasure oil tanker ran aground off our coast. It got ugly. I wasn't working at the time, so I got roped into volunteering for a week at SANCCOB treating, feeding, and cleaning penguins. Needless to say, it's a quarter of a century later and I'm sure I can still wrangle penguins in my sleep. You spend a week covered in guano in a porta-pool with 100 angry African penguins... I had fish scales in my ears, up my nose, in my bra... hells, I even found fish scales in my knickers. No idea how they got there. It took me at least half a decade before I could ever eat pilchards again.

But anyhoo, thing is, the African Penguin needs our help. According to IFAW fewer than 19,800 mature birds remain. These happy little chaps live on my doorstep, and I would love to see them delight future generations with their antics. Adopt a bird today!

Where the Dark Stands Still by AB Poranek

If you're a fan of Slavic-style myths and legends flavouring your YA fantasy fiction, then Where the Dark Stands Still by AB Poranek is a book that I'll wholeheartedly recommend. In terms of themes, it recalls quite strongly Noami Novik's Uprooted, which I adored. I've seen folks compare it to Howl's Moving Castle, so yeah, I'll agree with that, but add that I got some serious Beauty and the Beast vibes, too.

We follow the story of Liska, who for reasons, finds herself in the service of the mysterious Leszy of the forest – a magical being who lives in his somewhat sentient mansion in the heart of the forest. This is a world that is vastly different from the village where she grew up, and I love stories like this where someone who, up until this point, had a *relatively* normal existence has their entire world view upended with magic and mystery. She might not be one of those kicka** heroines that we often encounter in fantasy, but her goodness of spirit and bravery make her relatable. Added to that are the support characters, who are all wonderful. I don't want to spoil – go meet them within the pages. And yes, I must warn you there is some tragedy and heartache, but it is oh so sweet. 

The story itself unspools slowly, with well-realised tension between Liska and the Leszy as they gain each other's measure. I know this might frustrate readers who prefer a much more fast-paced novel, but honestly, this was exactly what I needed at the time. Poranek effortlessly sculpts a highly detailed world, that feels tangible and engages the senses – and I really do love books that make me feel as if I'm present in the space. Authors who have this skill of description are treasures.

This is one of those books that when I do see it on a shelf at a bookstore, I point it out to friends and tell them they *need* to pick it up – so yeah, it's one of those. And I suspect it's one I'll enjoy revisiting again in the future.

The Week in Review – February 22, 2025

Jislaaik it, 2025 is fucking difficult, on so many levels. But this is not going to be me adding to the noise. I will be upfront and say that I'm having to work extra hard to manage my mental wellbeing, and for the most, that involves avoiding doomscrolling. Because I'm struggling to believe that people can truly be so callous and hateful. But anyhoo, this is your reminder that a little kindness is so important. And also, you don't need to engage with randos on the internet who annoy you. You don't owe them anything. Don't feed the monkeys.

FREE yourself from the hustle

So, part of the reason why I've started blogging again, even if it's old school, is that I'm sick unto death of this hustle culture that's gripped social media users. We've got all these influencers and super-users and what-not who're throwing terms like 'leverage your social media footprint' and 'boost your reach' and all that twaddle. I'm going to blunt.

Fuck that.

Now, with the enshittification of generative AI in the creative and media industry overall, the signal-to-noise ratio has whooshed past the abilities of mere mortals to keep up. You're going to keep getting al those AI bros telling you to adopt or lose out, banking on your FOMO. And I'll say it again.

Fuck that.

I know this makes me a fucking William Morris wannabe, but honestly, if we're not making art, music, or words with love and soul, then why the fuck are we doing this? I've seen so many movements pushing authors to put out a gazillion books in a short a possible time to maximise their profits that we're sitting with a shit avalanche of even shittier books that not only flood our retailers with dross but also erode readers' trust.

For those of us who're not hustling, we're not going to make all this apparent money that some of those schnaaiing scamsters promise in their advertisements. Ebooks are not some cash-cow renewable 'commodity' that will rake in piles of passive income. Anyone who says so is smoking their fucking socks. Plus the fact that they're likely trying to sell you some sort of skeezy get-rich scheme.

So this is me telling you to give yourself permission to take however long you want to write that novel, paint that picture, or record that album, for however long you want to take to do it. It's not about pooping the 'content' (and fuck me I hate that word – content) out as fast as possible. It's about process. About taking the time to create, to understand, to revise until you are happy with it, and then possibly still go onto collaborating with other creatives... until you can make something beautiful.

Don't get me wrong. It's great to hold a final work in your hands. But it's equally important to have that journey to reach that point. Giving in to the hustle will rob you of that very important part in the act of being creative.

Mini review – The First Murder on Mars by Sam Wilson

I will admit that this is the first Sam Wilson book I've read, and for a long time I've aways brushed shoulders with him at local bookish events and have admired his wit whenever we've had the opportunity to talk. He's done extensive work in the film industry, which most certainly shows in how The First Murder on Mars is structured. This is a really well thought out story, and has some relatable characters whom he really puts through the wringer. Mars as a setting provides a challenging environment, and humans are ... well... As a species, I get the distinct impression that we never learn, and Sam does an excellent job with his social commentary. The pacing is fast, and boy oh boy does shit go sideways, however I did feel there were three instances where characters withheld crucial information in a way that felt too contrived to heighten tension – which is something I've seen a fair bit in writers who come from a film background. That being said, this was not a deal breaker for me, but it did poke my buttons somewhat, and I can't help but feeling that this book would do really well if it was developed as a film or series where these sorts of withholding of information would not be an issue since we'd be outside a deep point of view. This is the one niggle I had with regards to an overall fantastic and highly engaging read. And for those of us who function in a daily routine that doesn't allow much time for reading – the short chapters were cherry.

Libraries of Ancient Egypt lecture

A bastion of knowledge, The Bibliotheca Alexandrina was founded in 2001 and is dedicated to recapturing the spirit of openness and scholarship of the original great library of Alexandria. Joseph Koetsier will start his lecture with an overview of ancient libraries around the world before sharing his impressions of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina. The Egyptian Society of South Africa invites you to attend this lecture at St George’s Grammar School in Richmond Street Mowbray on February 25, at 7.30pm. Parking is available on the premises. Lectures are free for TESSA members; visitors pay R30. Refreshments cost R10.

We're launching, baybeeeeeeeee

Anyhoo, I'm super stoked that The Company of Birds will be launching at the Exclusive Books in the V&A Waterfront on March 8 at 4pm. I have specifically requested that there are chocolate cupcakes, so please join me for a sugar rush and all things bookish on the day. The Company of Birds is currently only available to South African readers, so this is like totes super exclusive. I chat briefly with Marius about the book here, but do come on the day where I'll be in discussion with fellow SFF author Masha du Toit. And yeah, please RSVP so we can have just the right amount of nice things for folks. And bums on seats and all that. See you there!

The Week in Review – February 15, 2025

I know I've been preaching my five-point plan for surviving and (hopefully) thriving in current climes. I look at what our world leaders are doing and I feel as if my head is going to implode. I'm also painfully reminded of what's termed the false consensus effect where a person suffers the cognitive bias where they overestimate how many people might share their beliefs. Working from home like I do, often the only people I speak to are my husband, one or two friends online, and a business partner. Most of my clients and fellow creatives are also very similarly aligned ideologically speaking, so it's always somewhat of a shock when I encounter people whose thoughts are ... let's put it simply: vastly different from mine.

Now this is not going to turn into a rant about who's right and who's wrong. As the old saying goes: I don't have to explain myself to idiots. I'm not the fuckface whisperer. 

But I am going to talk briefly about kindness. It costs very little. It can be as simple as giving the domestic worker on the side of the road a ride or taking food to your neighbour who's just broken their arm. Finding opportunities to practise a little good, old-fashioned ubuntu goes a long way to make things a little better in the world. One small act of kindness a day is not only good for others, but also cracks a little light into your heart.

And that's it. That's all I'm going to say.

Mini Book Review

I realise I'm woefully behind on all my book reviews, but I recently finished reading In the City by the Lake by Taylor Saracen, which is one of those slow-burn books that creep under your skin and linger there. Set during the Prohibition in Chicago, we see the life and times of Russian mobster Viktor as he navigates the city's underbelly. Viktor can't be open with his family about who he really is, and he certainly doesn't expect the depth of his fascination with Cal. This is a sensitively crafted tale of queer love during turbulent times that rewards patient readers. Don't expect fireworks, but rather slowly unfolding revelations. 

Mirari Call for Submissions

I'm so excited to see my publisher Mirari Press has a new, exciting submissions call for Cyberpunk and Solarpunk short stories out in their UTOPIA/HAVOC anthology. I've enjoyed my collaboration with Mirari Press immensely – not only as author but also editor, and I've got a story I want to tell, so I'm definitely going to get crafting. Submissions close June 30, so there's plenty of time to get writing! 

Drabble

This week's drabble is once again from the Dragon Age universe, and features two of my favourite characters – Emmrich Volkarin and Dorian Pavus. There's been some debate of possible lore inconsistencies between Dragon Age: Inquisition and The Veilguard, but I'm totally headcanoning that Dorian would have been sent to study at Nevarra for at least a term and that he would have encountered a youthful Emmrich as one of his professors. Timeline-wise there is possibly a 10-15-year age difference between the two (yes, I've checked because I'm a bit OCD that way).

A Term in Nevarra

The apprentice slunk from Emmrich’s study as if he expected a lightning bolt to bite his backside. Emmrich sighed. That would not be the last he saw of the precocious Tevinter lad before his term in Nevarra was up. Such a brilliant young mind, if one looked past his propensity for involving himself in drama.

“Oh, one more thing,” Emmrich called, trying not to smile.

The lad froze, shoulders hunched.

“I anticipate great things from you, young Pavus. Now, get out of here, and for the love of Andraste, not every apprentice is as gifted at tugging the dragon’s tail.”

 

The Company of Birds

We're *so* close to release. Marius over at Mirari was gloating over the delivery of an entire box of The Company of Birds and sent me this wonderful photo. My own copies are arriving some time next week, so for now all I can do is salivate over this photo. I am so grateful that I have this opportunity to bring The Company of Birds to my South Africa readers, and looking at the novel now, I realise its message is even more important now than it was when I wrote it a decade ago.

I think we can agree that the amazeballs Stephen Embleton outdid himself on the cover design for this very beautiful book. Now, excuse me, I think I'm getting all choked up again.

I will always be grateful to my editor Storm Constantine who worked with me on the first edition. May she forever walk in graciousness in the Field of Reeds.

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The Week in Review – February 8, 2025

What a long year it's been, and it's only the first week of February! I make no apologies for my spiciness on my social media platforms. But anyhoo, I'm going to rather focus on the good things in this blog post, because if you're reading this, now, you're no doubt looking for a little haven of distractions.

While I've not been *very* vocal about it, I have not-so-secretly been working on a new WiP. The so-far untitled manuscript is a MG fantasy novel that features an owlcat as support cast and discusses important topics such as displacement of people from land and the importance of solidarity in fighting against injustice. (See my note below about writing as an act of resistance.) I'm about halfway through, with a target of around 50k words, after which I'll be translating this document into Afrikaans for a local youth literature competition. I did start writing in Afrikaans a few years ago, but ended up stalling – so this year I'm changing tactics and doing my first draft in English. So far, so good. And my alpha readers, whom include two thirteen-year-old girls, have responded favourably. So it's all systems go.

Helpers Helping Writers

Which brings me to the importance of collaboration. With this stupid-blind, headlong into LLM and generative AI, we're losing sight of what writers and other creatives did before all this techno-industrial horror. We collaborated. Create a community. Help each other. Pool your skills and resources and focus on human-first, human-centred creativity. We're in for a bumpy next few years, and creativity is so important – not only does it help foster understanding and empathy, it's a very valid way for you to find ways to express yourself and connect authentically with others. It's not so much the end result, but the journey that matters, and that is something I feel we've lost along the way. Too much emphasis is placed on More! Faster! And this has largely contributed to what I feel is the wholesale enshittification of the publishing industry. So I'm likely to be going full William Morris on y'all over the next while. It's likely not going to make me rich, but I'll be proud of what I create and put out into the world.

Drabble

So, I'm totally ovary-to-the-wall at the moment in terms of work, but I decided to take time out to celebrate the Dragon Age community by writing a drabble. Ladygelfling over at Threads suggested 'distracted by elfroot' as a prompt, so here we have my drabble, in all its glory. (And sans the glaring typo in the title that went out with my post during the week, DERP.)

But staying with the enshittification, I'm kinda bummed because EA (the holding company that owns Bioware, the publishers of Dragon Age) have basically killed the IP because of its "underperformance". (And for that, we've got the culture wars and late-stage capitalism to blame). One of the Dragon Age writers, Sheryl Chee posted on BlueSky:

And I'm going to hold onto that. So expect more Dragon Age fics from me in the future, and, time allowing, possibly some awful art. Because I suck at one of the things I really love doing – namely art. Which is kinda sad considering I majored in illustration at university. But who cares. Rather bad art than AI-generated slop, imo.

Writing as an Act of Resistance

I had some words to say earlier this week about writing as an act of resistance. And I'm going to stick to this opinion. I wouldn't be the person I am today if it weren't for the writers who shaped me when I was young – Anne McCaffrey, Kate Elliott, Robin Hobb, Ursula K Le Guin, Storm Constantine, Katharine Kerr, Poppy Z Brite, Mercedes Lackey, and yes, even Anne Rice. (Other than Tolkien, and He Who I Will No Longer Name, cis male authors don't really feature. Funny, that.) Theirs were the books that I gobbled up during my teens that, when I look at from the distance of years, made the hugest impact on me. Not only on my decision to become a writer, but also to celebrate the fight against injustice, to celebrate diversity, the queer and the weird. Which is why I encourage you to write the stories that speak to your truth and your lived experience. You never know when your words will reach someone. I've had readers write me letters to tell me how much my stories have meant to them while they've been in their darkest times. One person said that they loved my Wraeththu mythos stories in Storm Constantine's Para anthologies as they brought them comfort while they were undergoing chemo. I admit that this moved me to tears and is worth far more to me than the few pounds I earned from selling the story to Immanion Press. This is why I write, folks. This is also why I am a firm believer in equality, solidarity, and sustainability. Just FYI...

Important The Company of Birds update

I'm happy to report that the Kindle buy link for the South African edition of The Company of Birds is now live for the preorder. If print isn't quite your jam, or if you're one of those people who like to *look* at your print edition on your shelf but read your kindle version, then head over to Amazon and preorder your kindle version, asseblief, baie dankie. Foreign readers, I'm sorry you're all going to have to sit this round out. Y'all had your chance when the book was wide, and we're focusing on South African readers for this round. If my lovely agent happens to sell reprint rights for the second edition overseas, then hey, that's cherry.

 

Guest Post: 6 Purr-fect Cat Movies Based on Books by Vanessa Morgan

Do you think cats rule the internet? Wait until you see how they dominate the silver screen—especially when their movies are inspired by books. 

To celebrate the release of my book Meow! Cats in Horror, Sci-Fi, and Fantasy Movies, I'm diving into six unforgettable feline flicks that started as books.

Meow! dives much further into these six films and many others, with many behind-the-scenes insights, fun facts, and plenty of feline flair. It's the ultimate guide to all things cat cinema.

6 Purr-fect Cat Movies Based on Books

By Vanessa Morgan

1) Kiki's Delivery Service (1989)

Based on the novel by Eiko Kadono, Kiki's Delivery Service is a charming coming-of-age tale about a young witch navigating independence. Kiki’s black cat, Jiji, is her constant companion, offering sarcastic quips, loyal support, and comic relief throughout her delivery adventures. Jiji isn’t just a sidekick; he represents Kiki’s inner voice, grappling with doubts and confidence as she grows. Studio Ghibli’s adaptation perfectly captures the heart of this story, with Jiji stealing the spotlight as one of cinema’s most lovable feline characters.

 2) Apocalypse Z: The Beginning of the End (2024)

This recent horror film, adapted from the novel by Manel Loureiro, takes the zombie apocalypse genre to a chilling new level—and a cat plays a surprisingly pivotal role. In a world overrun by the undead, the protagonist’s tabby is a loyal companion that offers comfort and a sense of normalcy in a world descending into chaos. The cat’s presence in Apocalypse Z highlights the human need for connection and hope, even in the darkest times.

 3) The Three Lives of Thomasina (1963)

Based on Paul Gallico’s heartwarming novel, this Disney classic tells the story of a little girl, her veterinarian father, and their beloved cat, Thomasina. Narrated by the cat herself, the film explores her three “lives” as she connects the fractured family and helps them rediscover love and compassion. Thomasina’s role is both magical and deeply emotional, embodying themes of forgiveness and healing.

 

4) Morgiana (1972)

Adapted from Alexander Grin’s gothic novel Jessie and Morgiana, this Czech psychological thriller is a tale of envy and deception, where a mysterious feline plays a hauntingly symbolic role. The feline is a representation of guilt and justice (much like in Edgar Allan Poe's short story “The Black Cat”), mirroring the sinister undertones of a sibling rivalry that spirals into murder.

5) Felidae (1994)

Based on Akif Pirinçci’s novel, this German animated neo-noir film is anything but your typical cartoon. Francis, the feline protagonist, is a detective who uncovers a sinister conspiracy while investigating gruesome cat murders. Intelligent, gritty, and surprisingly philosophical, Felidae explores themes of morality, power, and survival, all through the eyes of its feline characters. 

6) The Cat (1992)

This Hong Kong cult classic, adapted from Ni Kuang’s book series, blends sci-fi, horror, and martial arts into a bizarre yet entertaining cinematic experience. The story centers on an alien cat and its human allies as they fight a malevolent extraterrestrial force. The Cat is without a doubt the craziest cat movie ever made.

Final Thoughts

Cats have captured our hearts in books, movies, and just about everything else! Luckily, these six cat movies based on books are just the beginning of what’s out there. Whether you’re a fan of spooky stories, sci-fi escapades, or charming magical journeys, there’s no shortage of feline-inspired entertainment. Plus, you’ll find all of these films—and over 200 other cat-centric tales—in Meow! Cats in Horror, Sci-Fi, and Fantasy Movies, your ultimate guide to the world of feline cinema.

Now it’s your turn—what’s your favorite cat movie or book? Is there a feline hero or literary kitty with a special place in your heart? Share your pick in the comments!

About Vanessa Morgan

VANESSA MORGAN is the editor of When Animals Attack: The 70 Best Horror Movies with Killer Animals, Strange Blood: 71 Essays on Offbeat and Underrated Vampires Movies, Evil Seeds: The Ultimate Movie Guide to Villainous Children, and Meow! Cats in Horror, Sci-Fi, and Fantasy Movies. She also published one cat memoir (Avalon) and four supernatural thrillers (Drowned Sorrow, The Strangers Outside, A Good Man, and Clowders). Three of her stories became movies. She also introduces movie screenings at several European cinemas and film festivals and is a programmer for the Offscreen Film Festival in Brussels. When she is not writing, you will probably find her eating out or taking photos of felines for her website, Traveling Cats.

 

The Greeks by Diane Harris Cline

If you're looking for a very light introduction to the immense body of history attached to ancient Greece, then The Greeks by Diane Harris Cline will be a good introduction. This audiobook is a companion to an illustrated book and a series, which I'm sure would have enhanced the experience for me, but since I traditionally listen to audiobooks while doing arb stuff like housework or driving, I wasn't in a position to look at any images.

I'd peg this as a general overview and a crash course into a highly complex culture, at best. And at the time I was looking for a bit of a refresher, so in that regard, it did its job. It also didn't hurt that at the time the book was included in my Audible subscription. I'd likely not have purchased it otherwise. I'd definitely want more meat on the bones, so to speak, otherwise.

I really don't have much more to say about this title that I've not summarised. It's easy enough to understand for folks who're not of a historical bent, so I'd recommend it for complete noobs, but as someone who's studied ancient Greek art and mythology at a tertiary level, it left me wanting.

The Week in Review – February 1, 2025

It's very much been a case of inoculating myself against the urge to doomscroll during the day by getting my whiff of 'What the fuck now, Murica' before I get up every morning. This week has offered in bucket-loads, and then some. But this morning was totally different when I discovered that the volume that has my essay about post-colonial themes in my writing in it – Afro-Centered Futurism in Our Speculative Fiction (Bloomsbury 2024) – is longlisted for a BSFA Award. I cannot underscore what an important read this is for African speculative fiction, and as an African author I'm both thrilled and honoured that I was invited to contribute.

Further news is that I've finally carried through on my vow to have a Little Free Library installed for my hood. I'm grateful to my handyman Johan van Zyl who took two days to construct the tiniest library for me, which I'm glad to report has already been supported by my community. As in 'no shit, Sherlock' I'm passionate about reading, and about accessibility for folks. Not everyone has the opportunity to visit a library (we are relative isolated on the urban fringe in a secluded valley). Not everyone can afford new (or even second hand) books. It is my hope that this Little Free Library will become a valuable resource to my community. If you've thought about doing something similar, a cursory Google will offer numerous ideas. Email me at nerinedorman@gmail.com if you're a local author who may wish to donate books.

Staying with books, I've just finished reading a little gem by Cristina Jurado translated by Sue Burke. ChloroPhilia is a novella that sits firmly at the crossroads of environmental horror and science fiction. We follow Kirmen's story, growing up beneath the domes of a settlement of humans trying to survive an environmental apocalypse. Intertwined with the story is the uncomfortable relationship Kirmen has with the doctor who is responsible for the biological engineering that sets the boy apart from his fellows. Plainly put, humanity is doomed (likely by its own actions) and Kirmen is their last hope against the all-consuming storm outside their protective outer shell. This is definitely a story that left me scratchy behind the eyes, but I enjoyed it. It's layered and lyrical, slowly unfolding, and steeped in self-reflection as Kirmen discovers who he truly is.

Our Little Tuxedo-Wearing Friends

Picture: Bl1zz4rd-editor
(Wiki Commons)

I'm currently doing QA on a book about the great auk, a bird few of you may have heard of. Which is hardly surprising as it's been extinct since the 1850s. I'm on the verge of tears while working on this book, which reminds me that our friend the African penguin is rapidly heading the same direction. These birds are dear to my heart, and we have a breeding colony right on our doorstep in Simon's Town, so I've decided this year that one of my causes will be to support the conservation efforts for these little chaps.

In 2000 during the disastrous Treasure oil spill, I had the incredibly privilege of spending a week helping to clean and feed penguins, an unforgettable experience. As a consequence, I can still wrangle penguins in my sleep. So although I no longer have the time to spend an entire day getting covered in fish entrails, scales and guano, I will do what I can to help these wonderful birds.

Fewer than 10,000 breeding pairs remain, and the bird has plunged to 97% of its previous population. If this is not a dire cause for alarm, then I don't know. This bird could be extinct within the next decade if we don't do something drastic, and soon.

SANCOBB has been doing incredible work with the penguins (and other seabirds) for decades, and I'd like to encourage you to adopt a penguin this year (or contribute to the hatching of an egg). 

More on Birds

So, this week I signed off on the print proofs for The Company of Birds. It's such an amazing feeling to know that this wonderful book will be winging its way out to South African readers who may have missed out on a print copy the first time around back in 2019. 

My friend and fellow author Cat Hellisen was so kind as to say these wonderful words about the story:

A lush, dark fantasy of academics and magic that interrogates class, gender, and culture divides, where forbidden powers and uncovered secrets will right a centuries-old wrong. A Company of Birds is a book of hard truths in soft plumage, set in a mesmerising and all-too-real world.

You will be able to order a copy from your local Exclusive Books or Wordsworth or, even better, order directly from Mirari Press. 

The Week in Review – January 25, 2025

We can safely say that I'm not a huge fan of summer, and late January and February precisely, because hissss... sunlight and armpit sweaty-heat. But mark my words, in six months' time I'll be bitching about how I don't cope with the relentless cold. That's Cape Town for you. We don't do things by half-measures here. Although my expat friends kindly remind me that Scottish summers are like Cape winters... Can't win, can we?

So, anyhoo... last week I was reminded yet again why I must moderate comments on my blog when some delightful individual tried to kindly tell me to unalive myself repeatedly. And this was purely from me making a post about how my media is a safe space for LGBTIA+ folks. [sigh] And if you can listen to Bishop Mariann Budde's impassioned plea for kindness and mercy, and respond that she's committing the 'sin of empathy' then I don't even know anymore. I am feeling inordinately rebellious at the moment.

All Things Egyptian...

I've been a bit ... let's say ... obsessed about ancient Egypt since I was a wee lass, so this year sees me returning to being a paid-up member of The Egyptian Society of South Africa. They meet monthly at the St George's School in Mowbray, and have wonderful lectures, as well as access to a library to end all libraries. I've been editing their newsletter for almost two decades now, so I think it's time that I start showing face again considering that I'm planning to write two novels set in ancient Egypt. This month's lecture on January 28 will be presented by Ona Viljoen and is about the Nubian pharaohs who ruled Egypt. If you're curious to know more, do go check out the Society's website. 

If You're Feeling Hopeless...

Let's not kid, the news has been pretty kak this past week. I've found myself muttering almost on the hour, saying, "Oh my fucking dog, can people really be this dumb?" Of course, there's not much I can do about things, but if I learnt a few tricks during 2020, it's about having coping mechanisms. Here are my five:

Stop Fucking Doomscrolling

I get it, you get sucked into your phone and then whoops, you've lost half an hour of your life. Staaaapittt. Just stop. Step away from your phone. If you must, check and respond to your notifications. But step away from social media. This is sanity saving. Trust me.

Touch Grass

Go outside (and yes, this follows on from the preceding point). Be it your balcony, your local park, your garden, if you're privileged to have one. Go spend at least half an hour or so outside. Walk the dog. Feed the birds. Spend a little time gardening. I do a little gardening every morning before I start work. It makes everything better and makes me realise there is still wonder and beauty in the world.

Read a Book

No seriously, I mean it. I set aside half an hour or so every day to read a few chapters out of a dead-tree book, the phone far away from me. I step into another world for a little, and it's glorious. Not only is this a genuine stress-reducer, but it's a way for me to make myself feel a little less guilty for being an irredeemable bookdragon. My hoard is now so teetering that one day there will be news headlines that go along the lines of 'local author crushed beneath a collapsed pile of books'.

Enacting Change

You may not be able to stop arseholes from being arseholes, but you can effect change in your immediate space. Whether it's volunteering at your local animal shelter, picking up litter, helping with your local community garden, or starting a book club in your hood – look at needs in your community and pitch in. I recently started hacking alien vegetation on the mountain behind my house, and this week I'm getting my handyman to build a Little Free Library that I'm going to endeavour to run. Last year, I started sponsoring my domestic worker's son's ballet lessons, so each week I'm doing the whole ballet auntie routine. I also sponsor all my workers' kids' school stationery each year. The bottom line is you can do small things for the people close to you to make their lives better. Pay it forward.

Governments are the Suck

Politicians are giant douchenozzles. We can't trust them to get anything right, and people vote in the most absolute turnips. So if you've got spare time, cash, or mad skills, consider supporting at least one NGO that does work you believe in that's doing the kind of work you feel is for the betterment of society. Whether you're feeding children in Gaza or helping to plant trees, every little bit helps. Kindness costs nothing, but offering material assistance (when you are in a position to do so) to those who are on the ground can help make a tangible difference in this shit show.

The Company of Birds Now Available on Preorder

I've been totally sucking at the whole promo thing, but I do have a book coming out in February. The Company of Birds is possibly one of the best books I've ever written, and sadly it got eaten by the pandemic (it released late 2019, and we all know what happened during 2020). Sadly, the publisher and editor, Storm Constantine, passed away in 2021, and I had the rights reverted to me not long after. I was absolutely blown away by Mirari Press's enthusiastic response when I offered them the rights for the South African edition. Previously, the book was not really affordable to most of my South African readers as it had to be imported at great cost, so I'm totes frabjous that we have a local edition releasing. And just look at that cover art by the amazing Stephen Embleton. Preorders are absolutely vital for publishers so that they can estimate print quantities, so if you've yet to read this epic tale, do consider ordering your copy now ahead of release. I will love you to bits and pieces if you do.