It seems a long while since I traveled around Australia, and one of the places I didn’t actually get to was Brisbane so I’m delighted to have the chance to go there with Linda Taimre today!

Staying in with Linda Taimre

Welcome to Linda’s Book Bag, Linda – and it does seem weird saying that! Thank you for agreeing to stay in with me.

Tell me, which of your books have you brought along to share this evening and why have you chosen it? 

I’ve brought along my debut book The Fading because it’s just been released this November!

(A slightly belated Happy Publication Day Linda!)

I’m so excited to share this story with you all – especially because it’s set in Brisbane, Australia, where I’m from.  Rarely do I find Brisbane-based books, so I was keen to bring a bit of Australiana to my novel… though perhaps not in the way you would expect!

(Hmm – sounds intriguing!)

What can we expect from an evening in with The Fading?

Your evening would fly by!  The Fading is fast-moving, peppered with moments that question the nature of humanity.  It’s quasi-dystopic speculative fiction, so be prepared for a different, darker world.  Shortlisted for Viva la Novella 2018, the panel noted:

“The Fading is an insightful and intriguing work of speculative fiction. [Linda Taimre’s] original characters and fresh take on the plague apocalypse narrative make it a great read.” (Alice Grundy, Seizure).

(You must be delighted both with the comment and the short listing Linda. Congratulations.)

What else have you brought along and why? 

I’ve brought a map of Brisbane with its brilliantly bendy river that features in The Fading.  I’ve always loved this river, it’s such an integral feature of Brisbane.  While it is beautiful, it is also dangerous, as the floods can cause havoc in the city. That twist of darkness and danger is definitely present in my novel as well.

And to soothe any anxieties – I’ve brought a packet of Tim Tams, original flavour, of course.  These are quintessentially Australian chocolate biscuits, and a perfect accompaniment to a night in with any book.  The packet never seems to be big enough…

(Ha! I’ve never heard of Tim Tams but you’re right. The packets are very small!)

Thanks so much for staying in with me Linda and transporting me to Brisbane. At lest I can visit through The Fading, even if I don’t get there in person.

The Fading

Something is awake.

An evolving virus threatens humanity. Insidious, unknown, ever-changing.

Katherine is sick, and her wife Harriet is searching desperately for a way to save her. But what chance does Harriet have against a virus she cannot see and does not understand? Nonetheless, she strives to find a cure for this virus, no matter the cost.

A cost that Lady Trinh, head of the Australian government, cannot bear. From her seat in Brisbane’s protectorate, a pollution-free haven for the lucky few, Lady Trinh will go to any lengths to protect her people from the virus. For her, failure is not an option, and loose threads must be quickly cut.

Something is awake. And it wants to feed…

The Fading is available for purchase here.

About Linda Taimre

Linda Taimre is an Australian author who writes speculative fiction – anything supernatural, fantastical, or futuristic.

In the past, she’s been an actor, corporate improvement analyst, teacher, producer, and operations manager.  Nowadays, Linda is also interested in neuropsychology, though she still loves the occasional theatrical stint.

To find out more, follow Linda on Twitter @lindataimre, find her on Facebook or visit her website.