Cirrus@Austlit

'New Australian Fiction is a collection of eighteen stories from some of Australia's best and brightest writers of short fiction. Featuring stories from: Chloe Michele, Jack Kirne, Julie Koh, Craig Cormick, Andrea Gillum, Tony Birch, Laura Elizabeth Woollett, Josh Kemp, Zoë Bradley, Allee Richards, Khalid Warsame, Mikaella Clements, A.S. Patrić, Melanie Saward, Laura Elvery, Gretchen Shirm, Wayne Marshall, Anne Hotta.' (Publication summary)

'A lonely yowie emerges from the bush to attend the Desperate and Dateless Ball. Mysterious creatures descend from the sky to place a ban on footy. A shark named Bruce turns up in the local swimming pool. A fisherman enjoying a boys’ weekend on the Murray River finds perspective where he least expects it.

'In Shirl, Wayne Marshall takes a range of what-if scenarios to their fabulist and comedic extremes. Superbly inventive and powerful, these fourteen stories skewer contemporary Australian society – particularly the crises of masculinity and national identity – in insightful and yet hilarious ways, blurring the line between fantasy and reality. This astounding collection will make you rethink what it means to be Australian.' (Publication summary)