Cirrus@Austlit

'In the near future, an incident off the west coast of America will prohibit the use of the ocean and contaminate the air.

'Swimming pools will become privatised and only for the elite.

'World War Three has come and gone but paranoia and fear between countries still lingers.

'Los Angeles-based architect and designer, Veronica Patton has a deep obsession for large bodies of water, and is starting to separate herself from the world of technology.

'The waters beneath the layers of ice of Enceladus, a moon of Saturn could perhaps be a great resource for mankind.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'This is the tale of Ladislav Kocek, a failed czech-magician and miserable drunk who is ready to give up his profession passed down by his forefathers and to cut the unfortunate lineage of public shame.

'In his dressing room on what was planned to be his final performance at a cabaret bar in the district of Zizkov, he is visited by Death who makes a startling proposition: to make audience participants DISAPPEAR to help his act, and perhaps, both of their careers.

'But where are these people going exactly? Is it a supernatural phenomenon or a political conspiracy which has the local communist garbage company in Prague involved.

'Rookie Officer Pavel Sitek is not far behind as the magician, his assistant Anna Lacinova and their manager Josef Exner hold performances in small towns throughout the country to adoring crowds.

'This is a dark, surreal satire-comedy-horror mess distilled in a tall bottle of absinthe.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Following the success of his New Caledonian-based journal "The Nouméa Neurosis" which catapulted him to mild b-grade stardom in his native homeland of Australia, Doctor Jack Gibson receives an unexpected letter from The French Embassy in Paris requesting his services to devise a new procedure to assist the Parisians with the harsh approaching winter. His previous studies on the coastline are tossed out the window, deemed worthless and a new system must be devised for the landlocked city at his residence on Avenue Émile Zola.

'From the importance of a rotating bicycle wheel in his earlier work, to the spinning cycle of a washing machine his study is underway with a loose concept to absorb the surrounding world like clothes soak in cleansing soaps.

'But can he remain focused with the lavish distractions of the French capital or spiral out of control in a foamy mess himself? '

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'A man wakes up in his small Kings Cross apartment and stares out from his window overlooking Sydney Harbour. Transfixed by the image from his own personal perspective, his mind starts to wander to those around him looking at that same image of the single framed world.

'He considers perhaps their suburb, demographic, and unique personality has helped shape the individual ideology of that wondrous view and for no reason in particular he wants to know what that is!

'Inspired by Brett Whiteley's "Balcony 2 (1975)" and John Olsen's "Five Bells (1963)" paintings hanging in the state gallery, he sets out to map the entirety of the coastline.

'On the voyage of discovery an ever-changing organic story with a multitude of characters that are as deep and rich as the oceans of the harbour are revealed, and beyond the summer glare possibly the answer of what it means to him.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Unofficial Dr. Jack Gibson has noticed the whole world around him is collapsing in shatters. Feeling inspired to address the situation he decides to get into the world of motivational speaking and alternative self-help.

'He claims to rid yourself of certain neurosis one can follow his four easy steps.

'1. Isolation from current surroundings and temporary relocation

'2. Heliosis (sunshine therapy) to burn the ill thoughts/work drive away with help from vitamin D

'3. A bicycle, mans best friend, a revitalising endorphin and trustworthy travel companion, ride to the point of exhaustion

'4. Finally, but most importantly: a bottle of your finest

'This is intended to be a cleansing and simplistic method to start anew. The good doctor heads off on assignment to see if his new "life changing" method will actually work before selling it to the world.

'For his research the capital Noumea on the French island of New Caledonia has been selected as the location where the experiments will take place. With the arrival of The Patient and the assistance of two local doctors Dr. Jean-Luc Abel and Dr. Felix Estienne things start to take shape.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'[S]atire/crime novel on contemporary art, and a strange storage factory in Woolloomooloo.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'A young Sydney playwright decides to give the inner-west the flick and head to Woolloomooloo.

'He hopes the rough harbour-side neighbourhood will give him the inspiration required for his next script.

'What he finds is steady bar work, a boarding house full of lunatics, the homeless and a new obsession in the form of a South Pacific Island paradise.

'Will it be enough to get the play sourced and completed or will it only encourage a pursuit to an alternative life of relaxation?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Jack Gibson had it all planned out. After more or less throwing his life away in Sydney, Australia he decides to bite the bullet and follow his dreams for the sake of creativity and the progression of an aspiring writer. The plan was simple, go to a cousins wedding in Toronto, do a quick lap of America and then fly to Spain for a writer's residency in Barcelona. It is there he's intended to write his modern masterpiece, a lengthy tale of a time-travelling poker player. He envisioned a cliche lifestyle of flowing wine, tapas and inspiration. With the residency confirmed all that he's waiting on is his already hinted promise of receiving a New South Wales quick response grant. The payment is essential to pay for flights and the residency itself.

After dialogues between employees at the office all is looking good until he finds out in Texas that his application was denied. In desperation and sorrow he jumps on the Hispanic bus to Mexico City and attempts to write a novel-by-default of exile south of the border. The only problem is he doesn't want to write it, nor can he stop thinking about his fiction novel.

'Expect run-ins with cartel, cockfighting in the hills, Lucha Libre Wrestling, fishing off the coast and too many cocktails on the beach. Join Jack Gibson as he speeds through onslaughts of unforgettable characters and reaches shockingly depraved levels of debauchery and shame. This is a story of regret and despair but written in laugh-out-loud, knee-slapping, belly-aching comedy.

'It goes to show that you should never rely on your government arts funding organisations to pull through with the goods and to always have a plan b.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Two Thousand And Eleven European Delusions is a collection of fragments that were once intended to be a full-length novel. After having a bag stolen on Corfu Island in Greece containing the novel, author Nathan Roche is forced to remember all that happened and to document it before he forgets. Instead of having a sentimental recollection romanticising Europe, it's a shambles of a disjointed essay on taboo topics. Ever wondered why Barcelona tap water taste like a high school swimming pool? Perhaps you'd like to know how much one would lose annually if they donated daily to street beggars. Have you ever had the urge to ride to the top of a mountain in the south of Germany whilst wearing a pair of beach thongs? Is it cheaper to buy beer than pay for public toilets in Paris? All of these questions, which have tormented travelers, will be analyzed and potentially answered.' [sic]

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Conway Enmore is back on the case and drunk as ever, after a series of failed stakeouts he finally gets offered a job worth taking and it could be the golden ticket for an early retirement. With a new job in the bag being the least of his worries, will he be able to ignore the distractions of his loveable derelict companion Terry and will he bother obeying his therapist Dr. Joel Swartz's medical diagnosis to keep him sane?

'Thrown into a endless race across Melbourne, Enmore gets summoned by a mysterious Carlton priest to help them find a notebook that could destroy their syndicates reputation. He will soon become aware that the alleged suspects, The Luna Knights could very well be the most ruthless organisation in the state. Cheapting husbands, grease monekys, asian grocery store owners, fisherman, athletes and drunken Irishmen.' [sic]

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Karl Dresden is just another dreamer of a different world, but unlike many, he’s putting his wild and ludicrous plans into action. After successfully assuming the roles of different personas inside stolen baggage from an airport carousel for a year, Karl’s one last steal turns out to haunt him more than he expected. It would also seem that more than one person wants the luggage he’s purposely taken. Sooner or later the whole government is on his tail and he can’t figure out why. A phone call from a mysterious man named Digit forces him to deliver the luggage to Birdsville in South Australia for a large sum payment and potentially the cost of his life. The real concerning question is whether or not Karl Dresden can deliver the luggage before whatever is inside it consumes him entirely. Confused? Well so is the author. With the assistance of a man in a suit, a rural rum distiller, an old man named Old Man plus a science fiction writer from Port Augusta – maybe everything will be explained before the last page. But its highly unlikely'.

'Mark Watson and David Crane were just two twenty-four year old students hoping to finally move out of home. After applying for a rundown house in Sydney they soon find that the place was bordered up for a reason.

'Following a series of disturbing events they go ahead with their per-organised house warming celebration. After the night ends in disaster, the two friends must do all they can to clear their names and to avoid a jail sentence – or risk getting thrown into the mental ward.

'Former alcoholic lawyer Barry Steinbeck might not be able to help them given their case is against a neighbour who might not actually exist. And they might not have any physical evidence to prove their innocence. None of this matters anyway because Lieutenant Callahan and the rest of the police headquarters won’t believe a word of it.

'The clock is ticking and according to their friendly informative neighbour Chuck from down the street their house and the abandoned one next door have been built on sacred land.

'And someone or something is not very happy about it.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'"It was the hottest day on memory. It felt like the world was in a muggy slow-motion trance - All David Banks wanted to do was go home and sleep and wait until winter.

But the man had obligations and hibernations were not an available option. For he had a business to run and leaving seven hours early before clocking off was just unacceptable. David Banks established and created the first batch of Banks Fine Wine over twenty five years ago to this day. The only thing was the wine he produced wasn't very fine at all. In fact it only came in a 5 liter cardboard cask and was aimed at a demographic of young rowdy teenagers, the homeless and students living on the dole."

'What do a lawyer by the name of Steinbeck, a depressed wine manufacture. A takeaway chicken company using recipes from Nazi Germany and a twenty-cent piece have in common? Well, not a lot except they all somehow freakishly relate to modern consumerism. At least in this book they do.

'"Let's Talk Consumerism" is the second short story collection by Nathan Roche and is pretty similar to the first one. But don't let that put you off because chances are you haven't even read it. Regardless, here's yet another brief journey into the world of satirical absurdism.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Conway Enmore isn’t your average detective hell bent on justice and solving cases. He’s got a server [sic] anxiety about leaving his natural surroundings of St. Kilda and is on enough illegally prescribed painkillers to have him locked up for good. With the disappearance of a young girl named Betty Hall, Enmore is sent on the trail of her chaotic path of sex, drugs and exploitation across the corrupt city of Melbourne. With the help of a homeless man named Terry who mysteriously reappears at the most convenient times and the guidance of his therapist Dr Joel Swartz can Enmore find Betty Hall before the town robs her of her innocence?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Jack Gibson is a man with no desire to be a successful musician.

'Faced with the pressures and boredom of unemployment in Sydney he decides to tour the country in support of his new album. Unfortunately, he isn't committed to booking shows or really even playing them. Nor does he have a driver's license to travel from city to city.

'Forced to endure his solo journey on crammed Buses from Townsville to Perth,

he finds the experience is filled will the far more entertaining distractions like boozing, beaches, fishing and the unique personal encounters that only a solo entity could go through.

'Furthermore, can he complete his tour before the government cut off his fortnightly payments or before they realise he's not looking for work on a daily basis as his documents and application lodgements otherwise suggest. Join Jack Gibson on his adventures of a failed and poorly organised musical tour which eventually turns into a alcohol-fueled social investigation rather than playing the shows he originally intended.

'And discover through the research collected on how people react to the sight of seeing an unfamiliar character walk about Australia wearing cheap aviators and carrying a guitar.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.