Cirrus@Austlit

'Warriors, pirates, murderers and queens…

'Throughout history, women from all walks of life have had good reason to be cranky. Some of our most memorable historical figures were outspoken, dramatic, brave, feisty, rebellious and downright ornery.

'Cranky Ladies of History is a celebration of 22 women who challenged conventional wisdom about appropriate female behaviour, from the ancient world all the way through to the twentieth century. Some of our protagonists are infamous and iconic, while others have been all but forgotten under the heavy weight of history.

'Sometimes you have to break the rules before the rules break you.' (Publication summary)

'A lonely, overweight vampire tends a sleazy video store in inner-city Sydney...

'A multi-billionaire sacrifices everything to become Earth's first ambassador to the stars...

'A legendary time-travelling assassin finds himself pitted against the greatest detective that never was...

'A young father goes to extraordinary lengths to save his child after a car accident...

'A collection of works old and new from the pen of Tasmanian author Dirk Flinthart, these stories deliver a perilous gauntlet of speculative fiction from contemporary fantasy through thoughtful science fiction all the way to disturbing horror. A dizzying, eclectic display of accomplished storytelling grounded in a deeply human emotional landscape, this book is sure to strike fire. ' (Publication summary)