Marian Exall

Looking forward to this!

SISU STORIES, a workshop for older adults interested in telling their stories with Facilitator: Marian Exall, local writer of historical fiction and mystery.

Sisu is the Finnish word for grit, resilience, and determination in facing a challenge. The concept has its origins in Finland’s resistance to the Soviet Union during the Second World War. It continues today in a Finnish culture that encourages self-reliance from an early age: “raising little warriors, not worriers.” As Finland consistently ranks amongst the happiest nations, perhaps we all could learn from sisu.

At the next Methow at Home writing workshop on May 7 from 1 to 3 pm at the Winthrop Library Community Room, you are invited to explore your own sisu story. Can you think of a time when you or a person you know confronted adversity and came through it with courage and persistence? These character-forming personal stories are valuable, and worth sharing and preserving for future generations.

In this two-hour workshop, we will alternate discussion with writing and sharing. No prior writing experience is necessary, and sharing your work out loud is purely voluntary. Bring pen and paper, or laptop/tablet, if you are more accustomed to writing on these. Most importantly, come with an idea for a sisu story. We hope you'll join us!

Head over to www.methowathome.org/events to sign up.

Wonderful evening with Javier Zamora at Mt. Baker Theater celebrating Whatcom Reads 2026 choice SOLITO. “A new landmark in the literature of migration” Francisco Cantù.

I enjoy the annual NYC Midnight short story competition. A few years ago, my assigned genre for the one-week, 2,500 word contest was "crime caper." Read all about it in my blog, and link to my entry, "Silver Beeches" here:
https://marianexall.com/silver-beeches-escaping-into-cozy/
(Bonus: a photo of my best friend Bo, the Bouvier)

Silver Beeches: escaping into cozy - Marian Exall Revisiting a sweet short story in an unfamiliar genre that I wrote for a competition a few years ago about some elderly lawbreakers.

Do audiobooks count as reading? Yes! Jayne Entwhistle, featured in the Cascadia Daily News article below, narrated the audio version of my World War 2 novel Daughters of Riga. She was great to work with, and my decision not to try and narrate the novel myself was vindicated. If you haven't read Daughters of Riga, give the audio book a try.

Why audiobooks count as reading — and how AI is threatening the industry | Cascadia Daily News Whatcom librarians on what makes a good audiobook; Bellingham-based narrator explains recording process

"Sisu" is the Finnish word for resilience, grit, and determination in the face of adversity. The concept has its origins in Finnish resistance to the Soviet Union during World War II. Do we have the necessary sisu to resist the current political chaos? Read my blog.

Sisu Stories - Marian Exall Sisu, the Finnish word for resilience, shows up in wartime stories of everyday courage and in today's resistance to political cruelty.

Great crowd last night at Village Books for a Literature Live conversation about LONERS (my new release) with Linda Lambert. I get my earring chops from her.

LONERS is a Finalist for the CIBA 2025 Clue Award! First Place and Grand Prize winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on April 18. Fingers crossed!

The 2025 Clue Finalists for Thriller/Suspense | Chanticleer The Finalists for the Clue Awards in Thriller/Suspense are here! Congratulations to all who made it to the climax, and good luck in the final round!

Looking forward to a conversation with Linda Lambert at Village Books in Fairhaven on Friday, January 16 at 6 pm. Details in the link. Hope to see you there!

Marian Exall In Conversation With Linda Lambert- Loners | Village Books and Paper Dreams

LONERS made the list!

The 2025 Clue Semi-Finalists for Suspense/Thrillers | Chanticleer The Semi-Finals for the Clue Awards in Thriller/Suspense are here! Like the tension at the end of a book, the lists are coming fast, and not everyone will survive!

Starting the New Year with the news that LONERS, my new mystery, is a semi-finalist in the CLUE awards for thriller and suspense!

The 2025 Clue Semi-Finalists for Suspense/Thrillers | Chanticleer The Semi-Finals for the Clue Awards in Thriller/Suspense are here! Like the tension at the end of a book, the lists are coming fast, and not everyone will survive!

Friend, writer, and illustrator Andrea Gabriel interviewed me about my new release LONERS and other things. Watch it on her blog.
https://andreagabriel.com/overall-interviews/interview-with-marian-exall/

Interview With Marian Exall - Andrea Gabriel Join me in this conversation with author Marian Exall, whose new mystery Loners, features a detective who refuses to believe the convenient narrative that the death she is sent to investigate is a su***de.