31 March 2025
The Bard’s Corner
29 March 2025
AUSXIP Publishing
Lucy Lawless
Renee O’Connor
25 March 2025
MaryD’s Fiction
MaryD’s Blog
21 March 2025
Upcoming Conventions – Renee O’Connor
15 March 2025
Today is a special day for AUSXIP Publishing – it’s our 10th Anniversary. Way back in 2015 it was a germ of an idea… and we all know what happens when an idea gets stuck in my head.
Celebrating 10 amazing years of AUSXIP Publishing, founded on March 15, 2015! Huge thanks to my incredible friends Cindy Tingley and Rosa Lambros (extarodainary our chief editor) for being supportive and encouraging me to take the next big step. To our talented authors and loyal readers, your trust and support made this journey possible. Here’s to many more decades of magic!
“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” — Eleanor Roosevelt
05 March 2025
Xenite Memorial Update: Cindy Tingley-Herrera
It is with a SHATTERED heart that I announce that my best friend / my adopted sister Cindy Tingley-Herrera has passed away about an hour ago today 05 March 2025. Read my eulogy for my friend
27 February 2025
MaryD’s Original Fiction
- Echoes of the Past Play Audio Now Available for Free
Sherri Rabinowitz and the terrific cast of Sherri’s Playhouse have produced another pearler. My play “Echoes of the Past” was performed on 17 February 2025 and you can listen to the audio here. The play is based on the Eva and Zoe novel “Hidden Truths” – and features chapters not included in the ebook or print edition. I hope you enjoy it as much I did. The cast are amazing!
Xena and Gabrielle Funkos Attend Xena Con
This is cute. The Funko team were out and about at the Xena con and the new Gabrielle and Xena funkos were a hit! Check out the video here
Convention News
23 February 2025
2025 Salute to Xena 30th Anniversary Con
07 February 2025
Xenite Memorial Update:
Amazon Elder and gifted bard Jenbob has passed away. I’m afraid this news didn’t reach me until the weekend of the Salute to Xena convention. Many thanks to Bat Morda for letting me know. Jenbob was an extraordinary gifted bard and I loved her work. Jenbob passed away on June 12, 2023. Bat has written a beautiful eulogy of her friend Jen. Click here to read it and also read Jen’s extraordinary fanfic and Lunacy’s reviews.
Salute to Xena Convention 30th Anniversary
- Will have some photos shortly; flew into Sydney yesterday and already missing my friends! Stay tuned
Renee / House of Bards News
- It was an absolute pleasure to go to see A Doll’s House by The House of Bards. The cast were amazing and a special shoutout to Steven Sears who was Torvald Helmer. The entire cast were brilliant and of course, it was directed by Renee.
Lucy News
- Season 5 of My Life is Murder was confirmed by Lucy at the convention. Filming will start in NZ.
17 January 2025
Renee Video – Gabrielle Funko!
Message from Renee / House of Bards
Dear Friends, Family, and Patrons of the House of Bards Theatre Company,
Please join us for a Live Stream performance of our newest production, an adaptation of Henrik Ibsen’s, A Doll’s House, at the El Segundo Performing Arts Center.
Performances Date: January 26, 2025, 3:00PM, Pacific Standard Time
Tickets are available at https://www.HouseofBards.org
CAST
Nora Helmer Sarajane Bradford
Torvald Helmer Steven L Sears
Doctor Rank Courtney King
Nils Krogstad Roberto Williams
Christine Linde Branda Lock
Anne Anne Elise Doherty
Emmy Helmer Emerson Kalb
Ivar Helmer Kino Arias
Henrik Ibsen, known as the father of modern drama, wrote A Doll’s House, published in 1879, based on a real-life story. Ibsen’s work challenged the socially accepted views on women in society, however, Ibsen noted his intention was never to advocate for the rights of women. To him, it was always a question of human rights. As his female protagonist, Nora says, “before all else, I am a human being”.
Many Thanks,
Renee O’Connor-Sura, Artistic Producer
Xena and Gabrielle Funkos
- Update for Aussies: You can buy the new Funkos from JB Hi Fi and other stores. Amazon.com will deliver to Oz but for some reason they are not available on the Amazon au store.
12 January 2025
The bushfires in California are horrendous. If you want to help, these are some of the places you can support and let’s not forget the animals
How to Help Victims of the Los Angeles Wildfires
American Red Cross
https://www.redcross.org/
California Fire Foundation Wildfire & Disaster Relief Fund
https://www.cafirefoundation.org/what-we-do/for-communities/disaster-relief
Wildfire Recovery Fund
https://www.calfund.org/funds/wildflre-recovery-fund/
Mutual Aid LA Network
https://www.mutualaidla.org
LA Regional Food Bank
https://www.lafoodbank.org
HELP ANIMALS AFFECTED BY DISASTER
spcaLA is currently housing pets of evacuees. Below are some ways to help.
- Dog food (urgent need: canned wet food)
- Cat food and Kitten Food
- Gently-used blankets and towels
- Perishables- cream cheese (single servings), string cheese, all-beef hot dogs. Please drop off during open hours.
- Funds- monetary contributions go a long way in ensuring pets get the quality care they need.
Visit https://spcaLA.com to donate
09 January 2025
To everyone who is the major bushfire in California, please keep safe! This is HUGE.
Xena News
Official Funko News – We Have New Xena and Gabrielle Funkos! Check out the news and how to get them!
New Renee Video with her Gabrielle Funko!
01 January 2025
Wishing everyone a safe 2025 – 2024 was tough with a few bright spots but it’s been generally a sombre 2024. News is sporadic due to the holiday season; nothing much happens in Australia during December and a good portion of January other than trying to survive the heat and humidity.
Site News
I’m working on redesigning Renee and Lucy’s fan sites – it’s been quite a few years since I’ve done a redesign and it’s time for some renovations. I won’t be updating those sites until I’m finished the renovations.
Our Fallen Warriors
- April: We lost Judith Kuwatch on April 25, 2024 unexpectedly, she was 63 years old.
Renee News
Tickets for A Doll’s House are available
A Doll’s House
by Henrik Ibsen
The El Segundo Performing Arts Center
Dates: January 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26
FRIDAYS, SATURDAYS, 7:30 PM, SUNDAYS 3:00PM
Tickets available here
Renee to attend Fanboy Expo in Knoxville
more news, click here for archived news
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