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Shirley Marr

Official Website of Shirley Marr, Author of Young Adult and Childrens Fiction

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A Glasshouse of Stars

Shirley Marr’s new middle grade novel A Glasshouse of Stars is due for release in Australia & New Zealand by Penguin Random House on 4 May 2021, available to pre-order through Dymocks and Angus & Robertson or through your favourite local bookstore. To be followed by a UK release on 10 June through Usborne books and a USA release on 29 June through Simon & Schuster.

Her latest book, Little Jiang, released 2020 by Fremantle Press is available NOW through all your favourite online and brick-and-mortar places.

A Glasshouse of Stars

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Little Jiang

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Preloved

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Fury

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Praise for A Glasshouse of Stars

Heart-twisting and hopeful, bursting with big feelings and gentle magic. This is a special book from a powerful, compassionate new voice in children’s literature.

JESSICA TOWNSEND, NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE NEVERMOOR SERIES

Poignant, authentic and heartbreakingly tender – a touching story of loss and resilience. Shirley Marr gives a face to our deepest fears and proves that even the scariest monsters can keep us company in the dark.

DARIA OSTROWSKA, COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST, WESTBOOKS

A Middle Grade novel to watch in 2021 … We share Meixing’s journey from loss and displacement, from heartbreak and confusion. A Glasshouse of Stars is ultimately, however, a tale of resilience, compassion and hope – with brushstrokes of magic to help illuminate the way. I loved this perfectly balanced book!

PAUL MACDONALD, OWNER, THE CHILDREN’S BOOKSHOP

About the Author

Shirley Marr is a first generation Chinese-Australian living in sunny Perth and an author of Young Adult and children’s fiction. Her titles are A Glasshouse of Stars, Little Jiang, Preloved and Fury.  It was while she was working on a very dry Accounting PhD that she realised she'd rather be writing down her dark, twisted daydreams instead. She is still a Bespectacled Accountant by day and a Masked Writer at night. Shirley describes … Read More about About the Author

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Wow! A truly magical look behind the scenes as the Wow! A truly magical look behind the scenes as the immeasurably talented @kathrinhonestaa brings my UK cover to life! So beautiful! 💚💚💚💚

#Repost @kathrinhonestaa with @make_repost
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Here's a sneak peek of my sketching process for "A Glasshouse of Stars" by @shirleyonmarrs ✨ Published by @usborne_books 💖

It all started with a clear brief & a lot of reading (actually my fav part!). We often start from scratch & are free to propose directions, but in some cases, arts director already have a clear direction of what they have in mind (ex: certain color palettes, rough sketches or compositions) so we just could start from there. For this book, it's the latter 🙂

After that, I'll move to sketches & references searching. I usually sketch out ideas in small thumbnails on papers, and but basically still in a very rough forms, as long as the compositions & the layouts are clear enough for me — see slide 2.

Then I'll simply take pictures of the sketches and transfer them to my procreate and start refining it even more. When I have to draw things that I'm not familiar with, I'll always find references and put it side by side when I'm drawing (This is important!). I had a very clear color palette in my mind for this one, so I sketched out directly in colors. Otherwise, it'll usually be in monotone ✨ Swipe to see the color sketches in details! 🌸🌸

Hope you like this kind of behind-the-sceen of a project. Do you wish to see more in the future? Let me know! 💖
My author copies of the final Australian edition o My author copies of the final Australian edition of A Glasshouse of Stars have arrived on my doorstep, the book primed for its release into the wild come 4 May next month! I’d always dreamt of being published by someone like Penguin since I was a little girl, despite having poor English ability and knowing next to none when I first arrived in Australia. I’ve always thought that one day when I was published by someone like Penguin I will finally feel like I was Somebody. Do I feel like Somebody right now? I still don’t know, but I’m very happy! Thank you @puffinbooksaus and @zozie_walton 🌈🌈🌈 P.S.: that little cat on the inside, I just totally can’t!!!
Tiger Daughter by @rebeccalim_writer is the most r Tiger Daughter by @rebeccalim_writer is the most relevant read of this year #OwnVoices #AsianDiaspora and I am so glad that migrant stories like this are finally seeing the light. I also have a copy of Fragile Monsters by Catherine Menon courtesy of @nadialking, which is set in my homeland of Malaysia. Delicious sfogliatella and chai latte courtesy of @vicparklarder. The best author company courtesy of @hm_waugh and @nadialking
Absolutely thrilled to be Editor’s Choice for Ju Absolutely thrilled to be Editor’s Choice for June in @_thebookseller! Thank you @fionanoblebooks 🙏🙏🙏 #feelingamazeballs
UK cover reveal! 🥳🥳🥳 I’m so excited tha UK cover reveal! 🥳🥳🥳 I’m so excited that the UK edition of A Glasshouse of Stars will be published through @usborne_books on the 10th June, but is available to pre-order now! The beautiful, bright cover is illustrated by talented Indonesian illustrator @kathrinhonestaa and lovingly designed by Katharine Millichope. Gorgeous animation by Penelope Mazza. I’m also pleased to announce the UK version will be released with a special gatefold design. Prepare the confetti cannons! 🎉🎉🎉
I’m just so excited to show you the beautiful pa I’m just so excited to show you the beautiful package that Stevie Hopwood from @usborne_books has sent out to early readers featuring this beautifully designed UK ARC proof with a cover by the talented @kathrinhonestaa and the blue pencil that my character Meixing attaches so much meaning to in the novel, and a little replica of the booklet she makes. Readers have already shared their pics and I am so thrilled and feeling so 💜💜💜
I simply cannot wait to start reading this #OwnVoi I simply cannot wait to start reading this #OwnVoices #GrowingUpAsian novel by @rebeccalim_writer! It’s my most anticipated read of 2021 so far! Perfect accompaniments: the best almond milk chai latte and vegan salted caramel slice from @dfrentcafe #VicParkLife and company from @hm_waugh ❤️
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Publishers blurb: Wen Zhou is determined to create a future for herself that is more satisfying than the life her parents expect her to lead. Equal parts heartbreaking and hopeful, Tiger Daughter is a wonderfully compelling and authentic Own Voices novel about growing up Asian in Australia.

What I feel most days is that nothing is ever going to change. That my life won't even start, and that I'll be stuck like this forever.

Wen Zhou is the daughter and only child of Chinese immigrants whose move to the lucky country has proven to be not so lucky. Wen and her friend, Henry Xiao - whose mum and dad are also struggling immigrants - both dream of escape from their unhappy circumstances, and form a plan to sit an entrance exam to a selective high school far from home. But when tragedy strikes, it will take all of Wen's resilience and resourcefulness to get herself and Henry through the storm that follows.

Tiger Daughter is a novel that will grab hold of you and not let go.

'An unforgettable story of family, friendship and finding your voice. I adore this book.' - Nova Weetman
Happy Galentine’s Day! 🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹 I go Happy Galentine’s Day! 🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹 I got to spend it with @brionystewartillustration @writermoss and @kittyblackauthor, have coffee & cake and then hang out with Nat @rabblebooks and buy all the books, so best day ever really!!!
Even though I am old, my dad still gave me an ang Even though I am old, my dad still gave me an ang pow this year and my mum (among other new year biscuits) gave me this fortune cookie. I think the lucky fortune is very applicable to me, what do you think? 😂😂

 

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