Cirrus@Austlit

'IAN MICHAEL , 32, is an actor, writer and director. He flunked every acting school audition. What does it matter now?' 

'Buckley’s Chance is a co-production between Australia and Canada in which British actor Bill Nighy plays a crusty old coot who runs an outback sheep station in the back of beyond. It’s the sort of role Bryan Brown plays to ­perfection and at first Nighy seems a bit uncomfortable, a bit displaced. But, experienced professional that he is, he succeeds eventually in creating a convincing character.'  (Introduction)

'Elegant, urgent and angry: Geordie Williamson reviews the six titles vying for our most prestigious literary prize'

Born in Italy, raised in country Victoria and with a background in criminal justice, Mark Brandi first came to attention with his debut novel, Wimmera. It was a story of friendship, danger and toxic masculinity for which he won the British Crime Writers Association Debut Dagger Award and the best debut prize at the Australian Indie Book Awards.' (Introduction)

'Michael Robotham should give himself a bit more credit, writes Mark Dapin I would like to say that I turned up to interview Sydney thriller writer Michael Robotham wearing a pair of tight, spangly shorts that once belonged to 80s pop idol George Michael – but that’s more Robotham’s MO than mine.' (Introduction)