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The Odd, Wild Escapade

interview with Marianne de Pierres

Marianne de Pierres is the author of the Parrish Plessis series: Nylon Angel, Code Noir and Crash Deluxe, the most recent listed as a finalist for this year's Aurealis Awards (all three titles were reviewed in the last issue of TiconderogaOnline. Marianne agreed to be interviewed by Liz Grzyb for this issue.

What first drew you to SF?

The love affair didn't really begin until I was in my twenties but it was profound. If you'll pardon the unimaginative explanation, I just don't get the same 'mindfuck' from anything else.

You first appeared as a short fiction writer. How did you find the transition from short fiction to novels? Was it a conscious decision to move in that direction?

Yes. Short stories open up worlds for me that I feel compelled to explore in more detail. I also felt very committed to a career as a writer and short fiction simply didn't satisfy that desire. I wish I had more time for short fiction but it takes me ages to write it.

Your novels are currently only available in Australia as a UK import. As an Australian, writing about a future Australia, do you find this globalisation of the publishing industry somewhat bizarre?

Not really. It seems like a very natural progression for business. I think it's wonderful that Australians are selling overseas. At a personal level, though, I think we (humans) remain quite tribal. I'm a very up close and personal type of person and I find the distance from my primary publisher and editor who are based in London, challenging. That said, they make it as friendly and intimate as possible. It's also odd not being in those places, seeing the books on shelves, talking to people, booksellers, readers. I think my website and message board help to forge some of those relationships — but its not really the same.

Parrish Plessis is the kind of heroine who the reader ultimately identifies with: smart and sassy, but utterly realistic. How much is she a reflection of your own personality?

Uhuh. Now that would be telling! Let me think...she's a lot more 'ornery than I am — I'm a compromiser. I can, however, admit to the odd wild escapade that would make even Parrish blush. Fortunately no one from those days recognises me in my current incarnation as suburban housewife and Citizen-Mediocrity :).... and that's the way I like it (cue Ben Lee).

The setting for the Parrish Plessis trilogy shows aspects of a mutated Australia. Is the Australian landscape important to all of your writing?

Hugely. It's me. My writing identity. I love having its flavour in my books. I've spent as much time in the country as the city so I feel like I understand most aspects of it ‚ or at least my relationship with it physical and emotional landscape. The challenging thing is to try and capture it in different ways. I have a series of short stories set on Stradbroke Island that have a totally different tone to the Australia in the Parrish novels. The Gin Jackson story (although a Parrish-like character) in Agog!, is a world influenced by my time in the Pilbara.
Reading Terry Dowling opened my mind to so many possibilities. His writing is genius.

Congratulations on your nomination for an Aurealis Award for Crash Deluxe! How does it feel to be a finalist?

Nylon Angel was listed last year, so it's very satisfying to know that the series is holding up well enough to garner a second nomination. I was so mindful of not letting the series splutter and run out of gas that when I finished Crash Deluxe I felt like it had gained a whole new sense of momentum.
Man, that Parrish is a wild woman... anyway, I'm looking forward to the awards night but I have to be honest and say it's hard to go past the combination of Sean and Shane. This year the award night will also be the celebration of Pulp Fiction's 10th year in business as a specialty bookshop. That is some achievement these days.

When will we see the next instalment in the Parrish series?

I'm not sure. A lot is dependent on Orbit's plans but I would like to see one more novel inside three years. Parrish still has a revolution to sort.

How do you see the SF "scene" in Australia developing in the next few years?

It is largely dependant on the general state of bookselling, but in terms of talent and craftsmanship, I feel optimistic. The quality and confidence is there. There's no turning back now the words are flowing out to the rest of the world.

How important do you think independent publishers are to the strength of the genre in Australia?

Crucial. Independent and small press constantly challenge what the industry thinks the readers wants to read. They keep writing and reading healthy and without them there would be fewer fresh voices.

Your next series, Sentients of Orion, is scheduled for release with Orbit in 2007. Can you give us a sneak peek of what it's going to be about?

There's an excerpt up at my website at www.mariannedepierres.com, but basically it much more far future, not earth-based, and has multiple viewpoint. A bit of a WHO IS GOD meets WHO AM I...with a large twist. There are some kooky characters and some straight ones and a fair bit of satire directed at academia. Oh, and a fair chunk of action :)

What else is on your horizon at the moment?

I'm working on a film treatment (and possibly the script) for Sydney-based Enchanter Productions with NZ writer Lynne Jamneck. It's a SF suspense with the working title of Stalking Daylight.
I also have YA story set on an island located in a Golden Spiral — a place that daylight never reaches. The island is exclusively nightclubs and party houses.
Then there's book 2 in the Sentient's series.
I'm a slow writer, Liz, so that's enough for a while I think....

Marianne de Pierres is the author of the Parrish Plessis series: Nylon Angel, Code Noir and Crash Deluxe. Her short fiction has appeared in Eidolon, Fables and Reflections and Simulacrum, and various book anthologies, including Agog! Smashing Stories, Forever Shores and Shelf Life. She has been an active supporter of Australian genre writing and was the co-founder of the VISION writers group, and ROR — wRiters On the Rise — a critiquing workshop for Australian professional genre writers. She also played an integral part in the early development of the Clarion South writer's workshop. She is currently working on the first book in The Sentient's of Orion series, Dark Space, which will be released by Orbit Books in 2007. Visit her website at www.mariannedepierres.com.