AUSXIP NETWORK SITE UPDATES Created 15 December 1996 and maintained by MaryD   MAY 2019 Click here for the more current news Click here for the more archived news     31 May 2019 AUSXIP New Site Annoucement The new AUSXIP Gentleman Jack site is now up and running! It's still a baby so a few news articles, videos and links, some info about GJ in Australia, Season 1 and cast/character info etc. Enjoy! Site design by me. http://gentlemanjack.ausxip.com/ Set in 1832 West Yorkshire, England, Gentleman Jack is inspired by the true-story and coded journals of Anne Lister (played by Suranne Jones), and follows her attempt to revitalise her inherited home, Shibdhen Hall. Most notably for the time period, a part of Lister’s plan is to help the fate of her own family by taking a wife.   30 May 2019 Xena TV's Best Spinoffs Ever: Xena! Star Trek: Picard Brent Spiner Will Reportedly Return As Data For Star Trek: Picard Awesome Books! Now this news has set my heart aflutter. I simply ADORE Meryl Streep and I think she is one of my favourite actors (if not the finest of her generation). This just in about one of my favourite books of all time - Charlotte's Web and Meryl Streep - Meryl is narrating the book! I want that book right now! I read that book (and saw the movie) when I was ten years old (last century) and I have loved it ever since. It's such a beautiful story about love and accepting others for who they are. Superb message to young children who grow up to be decent adults. Meryl Streep Narrates New Charlotte's Web Audiobook — See the Cover!   27 May 2019 Xena Xena: Warrior Princess Lesbian Icon For The Ages - Huffpost 27 May 2019 Batwoman Batwoman Baddie Rachel Skarsten: Alice Teeters Between 'Sane and Completely Insane,' Has Axe to Grind 25 May 2019 AUSXIP Publishing We Welcome Author Blake Longdon Xena Xena, Army Recruit in Aust Defence Force - Sunday Herald Sun 26 May 2019 Lucy Lawless Press: Lucy On Masterchef Australia - Herald Sun 23 May 2019 Tickets Available to Watch Queering The Script Featuring Lucy TV News 'Pose' Issues First Teaser For Its FX Season 2, Spotlighting Transgender Ballrooms   22 May 2019 Xenite Memorial I've updated the Xenite Memorial with two Xenites who were not listed on the memorial. They passed away in 2008 and 2014 2014:  Patricia L. Givens (Dax) - 09 February 2014 (Passed away aged 44 years old - Beloved bard, wife to Rita and Xenite to the core) 2008: Atara - 21 March 2008 - (Beloved Bard, mother, Xenite) Adrienne Wilkinson Adrienne posts a message about her involvement in SIDETRACKED! Supergirl Video: Supergirl Battles Lex Luthor And Does Wonder Woman Signature Move! Dolly Parton I just ADORE Dolly Parton - an absolute LEGEND Dolly Parton library opens in Pittsburgh providing free books to kids TV News Succession Season 2 Adds Holly Hunter Rita Moreno Becomes First Latina to Achieve 'PEGOT' Status Movie News Downton Abbey: The Crawleys Welcome Royal Visitors in Full Movie Trailer Mila Kunis, Awkwafina, Regina Hall, Samira Wiley Among Cast Joining Allison Janney In Tate Taylor’s All-Star ‘Breaking News In Yuba County’ — Cannes   20 May 2019 Xena: Their Courage Changed Our World Updated Chapter Index: In Loving Memory of Our Fallen Bards and Their Legacy Supergirl She'll stand in his way. Don't miss the season finale TONIGHT at 8/7c on The CW! Nicole Maines 'Supergirl' Set Visit MaryD's Blog A Rescued Earless Seal Finds Toy Version Of Itself, Can't Stop Hugging It TV News "Vagrant Queen" reminds me of a story Sword'n'Quill (Sue Beck) was writing called "Cain Rose Up". Unfortunately I don't have a copy of "Cain Rose Up" on Sue's page on AUSXIP. If you have it, please contact me so I can add it. Syfy's 'Vagrant Queen': Adriyan Rae To Star In Live-Action Space Tale EXCLUSIVE: Syfy has given a series order to Vagrant Queen, a live-action adaptation of the star-spanning Vault Comics series that will be produced by Blue Ice Pictures and by an all-female team of writers and directors featuring Jem Garrard as creator and showrunner. Vagrant Queen follows Elida from child queen to orphaned outcast, as she scavenges the treacherous corners of the galaxy, always one step ahead of the Republic government out to extinguish her bloodline. When her old friend Isaac shows up claiming her mother Xevelyn is still alive, they head off with their new ally, Amae, to stage a rescue that will take her back into the perilous heart of her former kingdom and up against a deadly foe from her childhood, Commander Lazaro. Movie News Idina Menzel Talks "Badass," "Superhero" Power of 'Frozen 2' Stirring Aretha Franklin Doc 'Amazing Grace' Sells Around The World For Endeavor Content - Cannes   18 May 2019 From The AUSXIP Archives I have to laugh at myself because I was so riled up about this news that I posted it on AUSXIP. As you all know AUSXIP is all about positive news but somehow this got me so upset, I posted it! Well good thing it never happened and we got Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman (or did Sandra did become WW and I blanked it out of my memory?) 20 years ago I got riled up about Wonder Woman... I don't even remember this but I was doing research for something that happened in 1999 and I came across this. HYSTERICAL! This is the beauty of archiving a site....just too funny. 1 August 1999 This has absolutely NOTHING to do with Xena but since I'm a Wonder Woman fan I thought I would throw this in. Sandra Bullock is going to be the new WW in the new movie about the incredible Amazon. Oh puleeaassee! Who is going to play Steve? Hey how about Leonardo Dicaprio! Lets stuff up the whole movie and not just the character of Wonder Woman. I still haven't recovered from hearing that Sandra will play my first hero. Go figure...I know I can't. :-( I now return you to the normal programming....   Xena It's OFFICIALLY Finally Happened - Xena and Gabrielle Share A Kiss in Xena Comic #2   Batwoman Oh Crikey! Batwoman is Here and How!! Check out the new promo for the show AND check out AUSXIP's Batwoman FB Group!   16 May 2019 First some AUSXIP business... If you are finding little question marks in the middle of sentences, do not adjust your monitor. The AUSXIP server is being temperemental. We upgraded the backend and turns out something called a charset (Character encoding) is set incorrectly with the new update. How rude. So if you see ?? you know it's one of those things. Apparently it's happening  more on the main AUSXIP Xena site (and with older pages) than the other sections. It's currently being worked on. Podcast News She Nerds Out New Interview! I recently attended the Xenite Retreat and the dynamic team of Wendy Woody, Tara Chadwick and their missing teammember Cat Crimins (Cat couldn't make it) were there to record their new podcast called "She Nerds Out" - I love the title of this podcast! They graciously invited me to the podcast to talk about AUSXIP and all the stuff I'm doing. They also interviewed Penny Cavanaugh, Steven Sears and Ariel Wetzel. Subscribe to it, it sounds like so much fun. You can listen to the podcast online or via Itunes.   Sapphic Cast Podcast I was approached yesterday about having one of my stories on a new podcast called "Sapphic Cast" - they take a fanfic or an original short story or part of a story and create an audio version to share online. I liked the idea so much I gave them six chapters of my first novel "In The Blood of the Greeks". I'm not quite sure when it will air but I'm looking forward to it! They've done three podcasts so hop on over to https://anchor.fm/sapphic-cast and check them out. Also available on various podcast sites including Apple.           15 May 2019 What a crappy week... In addition to the Xenaverse losing two Amazon Elders (Lisa Scoggins and Sue Beck (Sword'n'Quil), the world has lost Doris Day AND Tim Conway! Sue Beck (Sword'n'Quill) I've been asked about the release of Sue's Redemption series. It was announced on 2 March 2019 that AUSXIP Publishing would be re-releasing Sue's incredible Ice & Angel series. AUSXIP Publishing WILL be publishing Sue's novels to honor her legacy and royalties will be donated to Sue's favourite charity. At this time I'm not sure about Driven (Sue was rewriting this with T. Novan) but I'll have more about that at a later date. Adrienne Wilkinson Crowdfunding New Series Featuring Adrienne! Rob Tapert Rob Receives His Official Insignia As Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in Auckland 14 May 2019 Movie News ‘Maleficent: Mistress Of Evil’ Teaser Trailer: Angelina Jolie & Elle Fanning Return As The Dark Fairy & Princess Aurora   14 May 2019 Xenite Memorial SwordNQuill (Susanne M. Beck) Passes Away - I'm in shock. Totally and utterly in shock. I actually don't believe I'm writing this but a dear friend and beloved bard SwordnQuill (Susanne M. Beck) passed away in her sleep over Easter. I'm absolutely heartbroken. I'm seriously in shock this morning. I woke up at 3 am and decided to read so I could nod off again. I received a message from T. Novan and I thought I was seeing things. This is one of those WTF kinda of things. It has to be a hoax. it just has to be. God, please make it a hoax! Unfortunately it's not. I just can't believe it. According to her brother's post, Sue passed away in her sleep over the Easter weekend. Sue was 55 years old. Earlier this year, I announced that one of my favourite series, The Redemption Series, was going to be republished by AUSXIP Publishing. We wanted that series to find a new generation of readers who would enjoy Sue's incredible talent. We were going to publish them later this year. AUSXIP Publishing WILL be publishing Sue's work and 100% of the royalties will be donated to Sue's favourite charities. It's our way of honoring Sue's legacy. I will say the Xenaverse's hearts are hurting today..     13 May 2019 Xenite Memorial Our Xenite sister, Lisa Scoggins Has Passed Away...   It's with a heavy heart tonight that I update the Xenite Memorial. Our Xenite sister Lisa Scoggins has passed away after she lost her battle with cancer today. My condolences go out to her family and many friends. Thank you to Carpe Chakram for letting me know. Lisa's name will be added to the site tonight. Rest in Peace, Lisa. Say not in grief 'she is no more' but live in thankfulness that she was'. #XeniteMemorial   12 May 2019 Renee O'Connor Steven and Renee as Queen of the Faeries Photo! Official MACBETH Page Now Online at ROC Pictures + ROC MACBETH Merchandise Update Grey's Anatomy Who Will Die Next on Grey's Anatomy? TV News It's Official -- NCIS' Pauley Perrette Is Returning to CBS in a Comedy   10 May 2019 Xena: Their Courage Changed Our World Do you want to be a part of the upcoming 25th Anniversary Xena Book? Here's your chance Submit your story - How Did Xena Change Your Life Create 25th Anniversary Xena Tribute Video Enter Art Competition. Winning Artwork (Digital & Line Art) To Be Included in Book Xena Press Xena Comics: The Return of Xena Gives Us The Hero We've Been Crying Out For.. A New Tough Parasite Named After Xena... Lucy Lawless Lucy Lawless as Felicity Huffman from Casting the College Admissions Scandal TV Show TV News Pauley Perrette's New TV Show "Broke" Madam Secretary Renewed at CBS   09 May 2019 Xena: Their Courage Changed Our World At the recent Xenite Retreat, Xenites got their first look at the upcoming Xena: Their Courage Changed Our World book set - a three volume set - which will be released on September 04, 2020 - Xena's 25th Anniversary. I'm pleased to announce that the official site for the book has now been updated with information from the guide. If you were at the Sunday panel I conducted at the Retreat, you will have received a full colour 16 page booklet, including artwork created by Arkie Ring and Linda "Calli" Callahan which were exclusive to the booklet. I will be posting the artwork to the site in addition to all the other images. Pages Updated About Xena: Their Courage Changed Our World New Pages Added Contributor List Chapter Breakdown and Contributor Writing it   08 May 2019 Batwoman JUST ANNOUNCED: WE ARE GOOD TO GO! BATWOMAN Picked up as a series by The CW! AUSXIP has had a Batwoman FB Group now up and running since Ruby Rose made her first appearance on Supergirl. Check it out Logline: Armed with a passion for social justice and a flair for speaking her mind, Kate Kane (star Ruby Rose) soars onto the streets of Gotham as Batwoman, an out lesbian and highly trained street fighter primed to snuff out the failing city’s criminal resurgence. But don’t call her a hero yet. In a city desperate for a savior, Kate must overcome her own demons before embracing the call to be Gotham’s symbol of hope. Executive Producer/Writer: Caroline Dries Executive Producers: Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, Geoff Johns, David Nutter Director/Executive Producer: Marcos Siega Auspices: Berlanti Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television Based on the characters from DC Star Trek Star Trek: CBS TV Studios Launches Global Franchise Group To Expand Brand TV News Drama ‘Bluff City Law’ Starring Jimmy Smits  Movie News Mackenzie Foy, Kate Winslet to Star in 'Black Beauty' Reboot   07 May 2019 Xena Game: Series Your Story Universe - Embark On An Epic Xena Adventure Supergirl Superhero Insider: 'Supergirl' star Nicole Maines on Dreamer's 'revolutionary' speech Killing Eve / Jodie Comer Performer of the Week: Jodie Comer 06 May 2019 Lucy Lawless Press Release: Lucy To Appear in Documentary "Queering The Script" At Inside Out Toronto LGBT Film Festival Now In NZ Cinemas “Soldiers Without Guns” Lucy Narrated Documentary   05 May 2019 Help Renee Name Her New Theater Company...Renee Responds! Message from Renee O'Connor about the Xenites suggesting names for her Theater Company. We stopped accepting submissions yesterday and sent Renee about 80-100 of them to go through! Thank you, everyone! "These are fantastic! I am going to take my favorites then discuss it. Please let everyone  know that the ideas are thoughtful and mystical and witty. I appreciate the creativity involved and will get back to you! Macbeth is up first but I'll make the list for future projects." - Renee O'Connor 03 May 2019 Renee O'Connor needs your help. For those of you who enjoy theater and are interested in supporting Renee O'Connor in future productions she is looking for suggestions for a name for a non-profit theater company she is forming. Renee was so impressed with the support she received from Xenites, attending the Xenite Retreat, who took time out to go see her in the Little Fish Theatre production of Uncle Vanya. Renee is looking for Xenite input on her new project. Renee said: "It was their support for theater and the arts which really helped me finally clarify what my vision is for my theater company … My company is producing Shakespeare, classical literature for the stage; to cultivate an appreciation of the classics in high schools by offering professional productions they can see." In addition to Macbeth this October, Renee is looking to produce "The Outsiders" in 2020. GO TO: http://ausxip.com/news/name-roc-theater/and make your suggestion. READ the rules first!   02 May 2019 I'm back! I had an awesome time and have lots to report but while I try and sort through tons of mail (the XR camping grounds don't have internet access - cue the shock and horror!) Will be posting my review of Renee's play "Uncle Vanya" which I went to see (I was MIA from the Xenite Retreat for Saturday afternoon) in the next few days.   Renee O'Connor Video: Renee Thanks Xenites For Supporting Local Theatre Lucy Lawless Video: Lucy and Magda Being Hysterical on My Life Is Murder Lucy Lawless's Fangirl Encounter With Aussie Star Magda Szubanski 10 Best Simpsons Treehouse Of Horror Episodes including  ‘Desperately Xeeking Xena’  TV News Nicole Kidman to Star in Hulu Series From Big Little Lies EP and Author Movie News ‘American Woman’ Stars Hong Chau & Sarah Gadon On The Virtues Of Historical Fiction — Tribeca Studio Robin Wright To Make Feature Directorial Debut On Wilderness Drama ‘Land’, HanWay To Launch Sales — Cannes Click here for the more current news Click here for the more archived news