Arlene F. Marks, writing instructor and author of over a dozen books, has released her latest novel, The Stragori Deception. This space opera espionage thriller is the first follow-up to Marks’ six-book Sic Transit Terra series, which completed in 2020.
Marks’ writing has been praised as “vast and amazing” (Booklist) and “a treat” (Toronto Star). Amazing Stories says she has “the knack of writing intelligent and original stories full of surprises and psychologically realistic characters” and Aurora Award-winning author Julie E. Czerneda calls Marks’ work “lively, compassionate, and full of action.” Marks’ story “Manua’s Children” was named a Year’s Best Novella in Year’s Best Canadian Fantasy & Science Fiction volume 1.
The Sic Transit Terra series has been called “smart, gripping, and breakneck” (Ed Greenwood, Canadian Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame author and creator of The Forgotten Realms) and “an intriguing story told with wit and constant invention” (James Alan Gardner, Sturgeon Award-winning author of They Promised Me the Gun Wasn’t Loaded). Of this newest book, Sally McBride, Hugo and Nebula Award-nominated author of The Fragrance of Orchids and Other Stories, said, “Laced and layered with intrigue, The Stragori Deception is a formidable addition to Arlene Marks’s growing list of adventure tales, possibly her best one yet.”
The Stragori Deception is now available 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 and can be ordered through bookstores everywhere. A virtual launch party will be held Thursday, February 6 at 7:00 p.m. on twitch.tv/brainlagbooks. The free event will feature readings, a Q&A, and an appearance by Aurora Award-winning author Derwin Mak.
Toronto-born Marks is retired from a career in teaching and now writes full-time from her home in Collingwood. In addition to writing, she offers her expertise at events like the Calgary-based writing festival When Words Collide, and is also one of the chief organizers of new literary festival CollingWord.
Milton, Ontario-based Brain Lag is proud to be releasing The Stragori Deception, the publisher’s 55th title and first release of 2025. 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 summer 2025 and early 2026.
Media inquiries and requests to contact the author can be directed to publishing@brain-lag.com.
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