Isolation and revolution are the themes in Arlene F. Marks’ upcoming book The Stragori Deception.
On the distant planet Stragon, extremist violence is threatening to escalate to full-blown civil war, and only a few former Earth Intelligence Service agents know that the unrest is being spearheaded by an imposter on the ruling Directorate.
The cover art was revealed today for this first book of Marks’ new science fiction trilogy, Sic Transit Stragon. Returning to the universe of her six-book Sic Transit Terra series, this standalone trilogy explores the politics of life on a long lost sister world centuries into an embittered future for Humankind.
The Sic Transit Terra series has been praised as “smart, gripping, and breakneck” (Ed Greenwood, creator of The Forgotten Realms and Canadian Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame author) and “an intriguing story told with wit and constant invention” (James Alan Gardner, author of They Promised Me the Gun Wasn’t Loaded). Marks’ other recent books have been called “well worth reading” (Amazing Stories), “vast and amazing” (Booklist), and “a treat” (Toronto Star).
The Stragori Deception will be releasing January 31, 2025 in trade paperback (420 pages, ISBN 978-1-998795-20-8, $26.99 CAD) and ebook (ISBN 978-1-998795-21-5, $7.99) formats. Preorders will be opening shortly through bookstores everywhere.
Toronto-born Marks is retired from a career in teaching and now writes full-time from her home in Collingwood. She is one of the chief organizers of new literary festival CollingWord, taking place October 19 at the Collingwood Public Library. The free event will feature Marks and half a dozen other Georgian Bay writers and industry professionals giving presentations ranging from writing children’s books to adapting from page to screen. Registration for the event is now open and more information is available on the Facebook event page.
The Stragori Deception will be Milton, Ontario-based Brain Lag’s 55th published title. It follows up Marks’ novels Adventures in Godhood (2021), Weekends Can Be Murder (2022), The Earthborn (2023), and The Bloodstone (2024), and her short story collection Imaginary Friends (2022). Brain Lag has two additional books signed from Marks to be released in 2025 and early 2026.
Media inquiries and requests to contact the author can be directed to publishing@brain-lag.com.
Leave a Reply