Listening to a sequence of sounds has no obvious survival value for humans. Yet according to a 2001 study by neuroscientists at the University of Montreal, music has the same effect on our brains as sex and good food. Why? It could be because with music we get whatever emotion…
Who is Thoraiya Dyer? Thoraiya Dyer is an award-winning Australian writer. Her short science fiction and fantasy stories have appeared in Clarkesworld, Apex, Analog, Nature and Cosmos, among others. Fablecroft anthology Cranky Ladies of History will contain Vintana, Thoraiya’s take on Ranavalona the Cruel, Queen of Madagascar. Her collection of…
No matter what your vocation in life, music can inspire you. It can lift and comfort. It can embrace and acknowledge. It can nullify your existential loneliness in a way unique to any other art form. It can unite us and connect us, make us think differently about situations and…
Chuffed. Last night, at the 18th annual Aurealis Awards held in North Sydney’s Independent Theatre, the Australian speculative fiction scene was chuffed… and proud. It all started with Scott Westerfeld’s inspiring opening address. He spoke of speculative fiction as the revitalising force of the movie, television and literary industries, and…
How can I describe what it’s been like the last few days – being surrounded by 250 friends and like-minded people? The 52nd Natcon / Conflux 9 was just that. The layout of Rydges Capital Hill, Canberra, meant I could walk into any room, linger in any corridor, and be…
Okay, so for those who don’t know me, I’m not the fainting type. I have a sturdy constitution, I never throw up. I’m rarely sick. I have a high pain threshold too – I break bones and don’t know it; I needed no drugs to give birth to either of…
This weekend in Sydney, free love reigned… of the speculative fiction variety. Having been invited to join a host of local authors to promote and celebrate speculative fiction in 2012 – there was only one thing a girl like me could say… Yes, yes, yes! Towering high above Sydney in…
