A gut punch of a book in the style of Le Guin, Atwood, and Butler. Claire G. Coleman's debut novel blazes with truth.
-- Kelly Link, author of Get in Trouble

Terra Nullius (def): land belonging to no one; no man's land

Jacky was running. There was no thought in his head, only an intense drive to run. There was no sense he was getting anywhere, no plan, no destination, no future. All he had was a sense of what was behind, what he was running from. Jacky was running.

The Natives of the Colony are restless. The Settlers are eager to bring peace to their new home, and they have a plan for how to achieve it. They will tear Native families apart and provide re-education to those who do not understand why they should submit to their betters.

Peace and prosperity are worth any price, but who will pay it? This rich land, Australia, will provide for all if only the Natives can learn their place.

Jacky has escaped the Home where the Settlers sent him, but where will he go? The Head of the Department for the Protection of Natives, known to Settlers and Natives alike as the Devil, is chasing Jacky. And when the Devil catches him, Sister Bagra, who knows her duty to the ungodly, will be waiting for Jacky back at Home.

An incendiary, timely, and fantastical debut from an essential Australian Aboriginal writer, Claire G. Coleman.

Do you recognize this story? Look again.

This is not Australia as we know it. This is not the Australia of our history books. This Terra Nullius -- shortlisted for the 2018 Stella Prize and Highly Commended for the Victorian Premiers Literary Awards -- is something new, but all too familiar.

Special Intentions reminds us of the importance of not simply praying for what we need, but for what others need. Jesus taught us to ask God for our daily bread, but he also asked us to love one another. Commending our friends and families (and co-workers, neighbors, acquaintances and even those who bother us) to the care of God is a key aspect of that love, and an important element of the Christian tradition.

Claire Coleman's sensitive new work will help readers to more fully enter into this rich stream of the spiritual life.

--James Martin S.J, author of My Life with the Saints

If you've ever offered up a simple 'God help him' at the sight of someone less fortunate, then this book will resonate with your innate sense that prayers have power. Claire Coleman offers a graceful, easy way to benefit others with her beautifully written portraits of those in need. Take her advice, say a prayer for a stranger and make the world a better place.

--Patricia Sheridan, Assistant Editor/Features, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

While Special Intentions is a beautiful meditative book for the person alone in prayer before God, it likely also will be will be an inspiration for those in prayer groups, and friends who come together to talk about their life's journeys.

--Dianne M. Traflet, J.D., S.T.D., Associate Dean, Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology, Seton Hall University

Prayer is a personal experience, but sometimes we need a little reminder. Claire Coleman's Special Intentions is the perfect book to keep close at hand and close to the heart to reference, to inspire, and to share with others.

--Amelia Grey, author of twenty-three books

The] listings of special intentions are so global and yet personal, so ordinary and yet profound.

--Sr. Joan Noreen, OLME, co-founder and director of Our Lady's Missionaries of the Eucharist

Host, Eucharistic Journey, Eternal World Television, (EWT) Network

Ms. Coleman reminds us that every one of us is, for very different reasons, in need of prayers.... Her ability to lead us to pray for someone we suddenly notice, think about, and then care about--someone who we don't even know -- is truly a gift.

--Dr. Sharon Latchaw Hirsh, president, Rosemont College, Rosemont, Pennsylvania

Special Intentions reminds us of the importance of not simply praying for what we need, but for what others need. Jesus taught us to ask God for our daily bread, but he also asked us to love one another. Commending our friends and families (and co-workers, neighbors, acquaintances and even those who bother us) to the care of God is a key aspect of that love, and an important element of the Christian tradition.

Claire Coleman's sensitive new work will help readers to more fully enter into this rich stream of the spiritual life.

--James Martin S.J, author of My Life with the Saints

If you've ever offered up a simple 'God help him' at the sight of someone less fortunate, then this book will resonate with your innate sense that prayers have power. Claire Coleman offers a graceful, easy way to benefit others with her beautifully written portraits of those in need. Take her advice, say a prayer for a stranger and make the world a better place.

--Patricia Sheridan, Assistant Editor/Features, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

While Special Intentions is a beautiful meditative book for the person alone in prayer before God, it likely also will be will be an inspiration for those in prayer groups, and friends who come together to talk about their life's journeys.

--Dianne M. Traflet, J.D., S.T.D., Associate Dean, Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology, Seton Hall University

Prayer is a personal experience, but sometimes we need a little reminder. Claire Coleman's Special Intentions is the perfect book to keep close at hand and close to the heart to reference, to inspire, and to share with others.

--Amelia Grey, author of twenty-three books

The] listings of special intentions are so global and yet personal, so ordinary and yet profound.

--Sr. Joan Noreen, OLME, co-founder and director of Our Lady's Missionaries of the Eucharist

Host, Eucharistic Journey, Eternal World Television, (EWT) Network

Ms. Coleman reminds us that every one of us is, for very different reasons, in need of prayers.... Her ability to lead us to pray for someone we suddenly notice, think about, and then care about--someone who we don't even know -- is truly a gift.

--Dr. Sharon Latchaw Hirsh, president, Rosemont College, Rosemont, Pennsylvania