Cirrus@Austlit

'Forty-one engaging and clever short stories feature in this latest anthology from Stringybark Stories. Selected from over 290 entries these winning and highly commended tales are wickedly intriguing, thought-provoking, sometimes sad, sometimes funny but always a rollicking read.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'This fascinating anthology contains the winners and highly commended authors from the popular Stringybark Times Past Award 2024. Selected from over 115 entries the stories showcased here explore many facets of Australian history including — the Frontier Wars to the Great Depression, the Kokoda Track to Cyclone Tracy; and the search for Lasseter’s Reef to abuse in the Catholic Church. Taking the facts, authors retell events using real and fictional characters. This is historical ‘faction’ at its best.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Forty-four short stories are showcased in Stringybark Stories largest ever anthology of award-winning short stories. Selected from 360 entries from Australia and around the world, these stories are quirky, clever, poignant, sometimes sad, occasionally scary, sporadically funny, but always entertaining. They are a ripper read. Feral is contemporary short story writing at its best.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'This is the sixth delightful anthology of short erotic tales that Stringybark has published since 2010. In these pages you will visit a French chateau, go camping with the lads, picnic on the banks of an English stream, attend an interview for an ‘interesting’ job and get a new tattoo — among many other lusty adventures. We are sure you will have a fun and sexy read.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Thirty-two twisted and entertaining tales are featured in this, the forty-first, short story anthology from Stringybark Stories. Selected from over 150 entries these winning and highly commended tales are an intriguing read. From late night burials to art heists, dotty mothers to mischievous magpies, Stringybark Stories’ fourth collection of tales with a twist is certain to be a treat.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Thirty-three engaging and imaginative short stories are showcased in this, the fortieth, short story anthology from Stringybark Stories. Selected from over 280 entries these winning and highly commended tales are marvellously clever, intriguing and a ripping read. From love stories and the joy of flat packs to escaped plants and smashed avocado, this collection is sure to amuse and entertain.'(Publication summary)

'Thirty-two clever and engaging short stories feature in this latest anthology from Stringybark Stories. Selected from over 240 entries these winning and highly commended tales are wickedly clever, thought-provoking and a rollicking read. From priestly abuse to mysterious creatures in the Yarra River, this collection is sure to challenge and entertain.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Thirty-two award-winning stories in this intriguing and thought-provoking short story anthology explore the many facets of sex and gender. From sexual violence to questions of gender identity these stories from Australian and international authors challenge our perception of who we are.

'We are going to see a movie in Bankstown – movies are great. All that darkness and silence. I like to sit at the back with my date and focus on each centimetre of space that closes between us in delicate little increments. I like to place my arm just near enough his to feel the warmth of him. I could close my eyes and draw the space between our knees, our shoulders, our pinkie fingers. The anticipation is wonderful. In that moment before we are something, we could be anything.' (Publication summary)

'Australian history is replete with drama, yet for many, Australia’s national history consists only of indigenous [sic] dispossession, convicts, gold-rushes, bushrangers and ANZACs. This book proves this view wrong — sure, we do showcase the old favourites – but there are many other tales to intrigue you. There’s the custom official with the ingenious way of detecting illegal immigrants, the escapee who enjoys the taste of homo-sapiens, a colonial governor with a penchant for practical jokes, an evil military secret and an insider’s view of a female mental asylum. Showcased here are thirty-three award-winning stories from Australian history, all based on real events, that shine a light on some of the lesser known corners of our past.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Twenty-four highly-commended erotic tales are presented in this anthology for your entertainment. Selected from over eighty entries in the fourth Stringybark Erotic Fiction Awards these clever and arousing stories are certain to warm up your love life. Share them with a friend or settle down in some fluffy pillows and enjoy them yourself.' (Publication summary)

'Thirty-one award-winning stories fill these entertaining pages. Written by Australian and international authors these stories explore Australian culture — sometimes funny, often poignant, occasionally unsettling, this anthology showcases the best of Australian contemporary short story writing' (publication blurb).