# Pierre Durand ## Pages - [Contact](https://authorpierredurand.com/contact/): If you would like to send me a message please use below. - [Reading Preferences](https://authorpierredurand.com/reading-preferences/): Writers often find it easier to describe their fiction or creative non-fiction genres by telling you about their reading preferences. You will find mine on Goodreads, but here are the kinds of books I read (or avoid) and excuse me if my interpretation of genres isn’t entirely accurate—I’m certainly not a scholar of literature. 1. Most of all, I love original, well-crafted stories and characters. That could be any genre, but my preference is mostly for the unconventional. I like atmospheric stories and extra points if there is a touch of the bizarre, a sprinkling of the macabre, or some […] - [Newsletter](https://authorpierredurand.com/newsletter/): Newsletters Join Bertha’s World and you will discover that the untold stories are usually much more interesting, and the comedy and tragedy of human existence are found where you least expect. Quirky, dark, comic, and sometimes just plain nutty, this is a place where the ordinary is the extraordinary and you will find that meaning has a different flavour. I am very grateful to Hekma Press for the sponsorship. Monthly newsletters are content-rich and usually 1200 to 1500 words. They include commentaries and musings on stories, books, and the world of creative writing,and a small non-fiction corner of interesting trivia. […] - [Podcast](https://authorpierredurand.com/podcast/): The Bertha’s World Podcast Sponsored by Hekma Press. Join Bertha’s World to find your next favourite fiction writer. Discover stories and writers that you may not have heard about (but probably should), and the readers who enjoy them. It is named after the quirky protagonist in the book Bertha’s Law, whose life story was almost lost to time.Bertha’s World includes a monthly newsletter, a one-man show, and more… All episodes will be available on the usual outlets: Spotify, Google Podcasts, YouTube, Apple podcasts, etcLook for the Bertha’s World icon. Episode 9: Lisha and Pierre. January 2026. Over the Xmas holidays […] - [Events](https://authorpierredurand.com/events/): Events I am very grateful to publishers, bookstores, organisers of meetings for the invitations to launch my books or present seminars and informal talks. If you see me at any events, please come say hi!I am very grateful for the support from readers, booksellers, and organisers. 28 June 2025, book launch of Bertha’s Law at Exclusive Books, Africa Mall in Johannesburg, South Africa. Thank you to Margarita Nichas for her role as discussant, to SunLit (my publisher) and to Teven from Exclusive Books and for hosting us. 20 June 2025, visit to English Access Gauteng, a teaching college for learning […] - [Non-Fiction](https://authorpierredurand.com/non-fiction/): Non-Fiction Free reads are my articles from anthologies or educational newsletters in medicine and science. They change a few times a year. The current free read is an article I wrote for healthcare workers about all the maladies and syndromes that may be associated with Christmas.You can download the full article here.Some of my (older) non-fiction is for those with an advanced level of biology. More current and forthcoming books are for a general audience. The Conceptual Foundations of Cell Mortality This a chapter in the series Current Topics in Microbiology and Immunology: The New Era of Microbial Cell DeathEdited […] - [Fiction](https://authorpierredurand.com/fiction/): The current ‘free read’ is actually the episode King of Kaaps from the podcast channel Bertha’s World. If you in southern Africa, the best place to get a copy of my fiction books is direct from the publisher. Otherwise Exclusive and Wordsworth bookstores. Outside southern Africa, all major bookstores will order or stock copies and, of course, there are Amazon and other online retailers. D’après BerthaA French Language Translation of Bertha’s Law Ceux qui ont connu Bertha la décrivaient comme une guerrière, mue par une seule conviction : tous les êtres vivants naissent libres et doivent le rester. Sa vie […] - [FAQ](https://authorpierredurand.com/faq/): FAQs Instead of an ‘About Me’ page, I have chosen some of the common questions I am asked and the responses I gave. I will update this as the questions fall in and out of favour. The question I am asked with surprising frequency (and pretty unexpectedly, maybe it says something about where the world is at) is what I think is the meaning of life😊 Let’s get that out the way first. What do you think is the meaning of life?I think it’s the narrative we create for ourselves in our minds. You well travelled…which countries did you actually […] - [Home](https://authorpierredurand.com/): This website is about my books and other writing. If what you find resonates, sign up for my newsletter, or just enjoy the free reads. Have a look at my reading preferences and the FAQs, which will also give you an idea of whether my writing will appeal to you. If you asked me what genre of fiction I write and I had only a few seconds to respond, I would make it up and say nutty and noir. Now, I know that’s not a real genre, but I call the genre ‘nutty’ because it’s all a little quirky. 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