WINNER OF THE 2024 MILES FRANKLIN AWARD

WINNER OF THE 2024 STELLA PRIZE

WINNER OF THE 2024 JAMES TAIT BLACK PRIZE

WINNER OF THE 2023 QUEENSLAND AWARD FOR LITERARY FICTION

SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2024 DUBLIN LITERARY AWARD

In a small town in the north of Australia, a mysterious haze cloud heralds both an ecological catastrophe and a gathering of the ancestors. A visionary on his own holy quest, Cause Man Steel seeks the perfect platinum donkey to launch an Aboriginal-owned donkey transport industry, saving Country and the world from fossil fuels. His wife, Dance, seeking solace from his madness, studies butterflies and moths and dreams of repatriating her family to China. One of their sons, named Aboriginal Sovereignty, is determined to end it all by walking into the sea. Their other child, Tommyhawk, wants nothing more than to be adopted by Australia's most powerful white woman. Praiseworthy is an epic masterpiece that bends time and reality--a cry of outrage against oppression, greed, and assimilation.

Selected from more than 1,500 entries, Cold Enough for Snow won the Novel Prize, a new, biennial award offered by New Directions, Fitzcarraldo Editions (UK), and Giramondo (Australia), for any novel written in English that explores and expands the possibilities of the form.

From USA TODAY bestselling author Victoria Purman comes an engaging, clever story about women's work--often unseen--during Australia's golden years of radio broadcasting.

Martha Berry is on the brink of fifty years old, unmarried, and one of an army of polite, invisible women who go to work each day at the country's national broadcaster and get things done without fuss, fanfare, or reward.

When the network prepares to launch a new radio serial in the style of their longest running and most successful show, Martha is transferred to assist the newly hired Quentin Quinn, the man who will write and produce the drama. But Mr. Quinn is wholly unprepared and ill-equipped for the role, clueless about radio and work in general. He'd rather enjoy his cigarettes and imbibe over lengthy lunch breaks and cannot be bothered to call his secretary by her correct name.

Rather than see the new show canceled, Martha steps in to hire a cast and write the scripts for the new show. Her authentic, women-focused storyline snags an ever-growing audience of loyal fans--and causes a stir with management. And Quentin Quinn is more than happy to accept the credit. But Martha's secret cannot remain hidden. All too soon she faces exposure and must decide if she will politely remain in the shadows--or boldly step into the spotlight.

The Radio Hour is at once a sharp satire exposing the lengths men once employed to keep women out of the workplace and a hopeful tale about how one woman proves her worth and unwittingly outsmarts them all.

Bestselling Australian author Victoria Purman is one of our nation's most valued storytellers . . . --Mrs. B's Book Reviews

Invited by a formerly estranged friend to write about her enigmatic new artwork for an upcoming show, an unnamed narrator makes the journey from Brisbane to Baltimore hoping to make sense of things both past and present. Following the strange logic of a Möbius strip, Thomas's debut grapples with the question of how to move through the world when one's sense of self is suddenly and fundamentally fractured. Recalling the early work of poet-novelist Paul Auster, and coupled with rare vulnerability, humour and great charm, Exhibition Text is a deeply layered investigation into the nature of self, reality, art and perception. Thomas magically balances contemporary anxiety and a deep existential curiosity to conjure moments of radiant insight and a profound, very human beauty in a debut that will quickly establish Thomas as a unique and essential voice among the emerging generation of Australian writers of experimental fiction.

Originally from Philadelphia, D. Frederick Thomas is a Brisbane-based Australian writer and artist whose work has appeared in publications such as Fence, Heavy Feather Review and Island. In 2023, Thomas's collection Work Poems was shortlisted for the Arts Queensland Thomas Shapcott Poetry Prize.

D. Frederick Thomas, Exhibition Text

October 2024. 129mm x 198mm. 96pp.

ISBN 978-1-925735-73-4

This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body.

When burnt-out nurse and wannabe writer, Ella, flees her suffocating life in Melbourne for a housesitting assignment on a remote rural property, she is thrust into a brutal and unfamiliar landscape. Her budding friendship with Tom from the neighbouring property reveals a more tender side to the land, with a vast beauty that penetrates all her defences, and stirs neglected yearnings and unsayable questions. Yet this strange mix of brutality and tenderness also uncovers buried bones of the past, and Ella's stubborn curiosity draws her into a dangerous mystery that has her spinning blind. Has her presence here disturbed more than memories, and will the swirling storm threaten to waken more than the land's red dust?

Dobson's worldly possessions were a couple of dirty dishwater shirts, a pair of frayed trousers, eating utensil; bent forks and a bone handled knife for eating, a blackened 'billy' for boiling water, a set of Boer war medals; not that Dobson ever went to war, and a battered felt hat that he wore to cover what was left of his grey hair. All this he carried in his swag; a long strip of calico wrapped up like a Christmas plum pudding that dangled at the end of a twisted gum tree branch.

The Matilda Man is a story full of twists, turns and intrigue, capturing the starkness and mateship of the early days of the Australian outback. This is an intricate web of cunning, survival, and betrayal in the harsh and unforgiving western landscape.

A unique and masterful novel that will have you reaching for the next page...

Alberta and Laura have seen enough horror movies to know their small town conceals dark secrets. The horses are dying. The land is haunted. A boy and his ailing mother need their help, and a sinister presence is following them. When one girl becomes nothing more than a spectre herself, it's up to the other to search for her amid the fog of remembrance.

Saint Laura is an enigmatic and eccentric debut novel that delves into the violent depths of girlhood, disability, and the transcendent nature of friendship.

Ostend, by Maxsense Maximus, is a literary triumph that pushes the boundaries of modern fiction, combining a razor-sharp narrative with profound social and psychological insight. This novel demands the reader's full attention, offering a richly layered story that is as intellectually stimulating as it is emotionally gripping. At the heart of the story is Jay Smith, a dissatisfied Nebraskan whose reluctant participation in a job-swap lottery thrusts him into a role as a journalist. Sent to Amsterdam to report on a medical trial, Jay stumbles into a dangerous world of human trafficking and organised crime. His transformation from an apathetic bystander to a reluctant hero unfolds with masterful subtlety, making his journey both believable and deeply resonant.

Maximus's writing shines in its ability to evoke vivid imagery and atmosphere. Amsterdam is more than a setting-it is a character in its own right, brought to life with poetic precision. Each location pulses with tension and meaning, reflecting the novel's exploration of contrasts. The characters are exquisitely drawn, each contributing a unique voice to the narrative. Every individual embodies a distinct struggle, creating a kaleidoscope of perspectives on life, survival and justice. The dialogue crackles with authenticity, laying bare the characters' vulnerabilities and strengths with disarming honesty, wit and wisdom.

Thematically, Ostend confronts the reader with difficult questions about morality, courage, and complicity. Maximus does not shy away from exploring uncomfortable truths, weaving these themes seamlessly into a plot that is as entertaining as it is thought-provoking. The novel's exploration of human trafficking, sexual assault, child abuse, domestic violence, systemic corruption, and collective resilience elevates it beyond mere storytelling, positioning it as a work of profound literary significance.

Ostend is an experience, one that challenges, entertains, and leaves an indelible mark. It is a testament to the enduring power of fiction to illuminate the complexities of the human condition. Maxsense Maximus elevates storytelling to an art form. This is more than a novel-it's a masterclass in literary brilliance, weaving profound social commentary with unforgettable characters and gripping narratives. To top it all up, Ostend is a beautiful, intimate, passionate and turbulent love story.

The love story between Jay Smith and his Dutch partner is a tempestuous journey of passion and vulnerability. Their bond evolves from a fragile connection born in the chaos of shared adversity into an intense, deeply human relationship marked by both fiery passion and profound sorrow. Their initial connection is tentative, coloured by mutual fear of vulnerability and the harsh realities they face. But an undeniable spark ignites as their lives intertwine through shared missions and moments of desperation. Their sexual connection is electric, a release of pent-up emotions and unspoken desires. In these moments of intense intimacy, their barriers crumble, exposing both their deepest fears and their longing for solace. Their love is not without its shadows. The weight of their personal grief-haunting memories of abuse and guilt over past failures-threatens to pull them apart. Each setback, each loss, chips away at their defences but also deepens their reliance on one another. Their passion becomes their anchor, a refuge against a world that offers little comfort.

Ostend isn't just a book-it's a literary milestone. It challenges, inspires, and transforms. If you value fiction that dares to push boundaries while delivering an unflinching portrait of our world, this is the masterpiece you've been waiting for.

Not recommended for readers under 15 years

Clara May is the legacy created by the determination of two people trying to create a life and family for themselves in a new country. Far from the support of their families and in a world so different from the lives they knew, the Stuart's faced the challenges of pioneering Australia. Set in the early 19th Century the story begins with the young Scottish boy full of adventure and an English girl who had already faced enough heartbreak from a young age that she was prepared to set sail for a new life. This couple show unwavering strength and resilience as they build their life in South Australia and then venture into Victoria and the Ballarat goldfields. The story is a creative non-fiction, based on the Author's Great Grandparents, and although it is a historical account it is more so a testament to the human spirit.

In the remote Australian outback, powerlessness drives desperation and all are powerless beneath the ancient landscape. The discovery of a horde of gold inspires self-appointed rebel leader Nelson. High aspirations are disfigured by lust and cruelty. News of the gold travels fast and soon everyone wants a share. Guns trump tradition, destroying love, alliances and friendships. Deception, lies and wrong-side love build to an explosive climax. All are committed to protecting country, but the ancient land is an unbridgeable gulf delivering a pyrrhic resolution.

Early pioneers settling at opposite ends of the Great South Land strive in the face of overwhelming environmental encounters, battling against everything the merciless climate of a fledging nation can throw at them.

The Parnhams, a blue blood family, settle in the lush farmlands east of the burgeoning city of Sydney and thrive on the fleece of their prize merino flock, ensuring generations of wealth, success and growing status.

In the stifling heat of outback Queensland, the Cuthbertsons are confronted with drought, choking dust and the tyranny of distance, achieving success and the respect of their community.

The commencement of World War II ultimately interferes with the respective lives of both the Parnham and Cuthbertson families. Ripples are set in motion that cause the families to question their morals and their place in society, ultimately threatening to bring down the government of the day.

A work of pure historical delight for those who enjoy the fictional accounts of an author's well-versed and well-studied intelligence in his craft... Exceptional reading! Travis, Readalot reviewer

The never-before-published novel by Charmian Clift.

'In those days the end of the morning was always marked by the quarry whistle blowing the noon knock-off.

Since everybody was out of bed very early, morning then was a long time, or even, if you came to think about it, a round time - symmetrical anyway, and contained under a thin, radiant, dome shaped cover...'

During the years of the Great Depression, Cressida Morley and her eccentric family live in a weatherboard cottage on the edge of a wild beach. Outsiders in their small working-class community, they rant and argue and read books and play music and never feel themselves to be poor. Yet as Cressida moves beyond childhood, she starts to outgrow the place that once seemed the centre of the world. As she plans her escape, the only question is: who will she become?

The End of the Morning is the final and unfinished autobiographical novel by Charmian Clift. Published here for the first time, it is the book that Clift herself regarded as her most significant work. Although the author did not live to complete it, the typescript left among her papers was fully revised and stands alone as a novella. It is published here alongside a new selection of Clift's essays and an afterword from her biographer Nadia Wheatley.

'The End of the Morning is full of feeling, animated by that formless, aching questioning of childhood, and a fascinating glimpse of the forces that shaped Clift as a person and a writer.' - Fiona Wright

'Reading her, even a glimpsed paragraph of her, is like quaffing the finest champagne on earth.' - Peter Craven, Sydney Morning Herald

'Forthright, funny and with an indefinable flair, Charmian Clift's writing plays second fiddle to nobody.' - Richard Cotter, Sydney Arts Guide

Spanning four generations, with a focus on the 1960s and 70s, an era of rapid social change and burgeoning Aboriginal rights, Where the Fruit Falls is a re-imagining of the epic Australian novel.

Brigid Devlin, a young Aboriginal woman, and her twin daughters navigate a troubled nation of First Peoples, settlers and refugees - all determined to shape a future on stolen land. Leaving the sanctuary of her family's apple orchard, Brigid sets off with no destination and a willy wagtail for company. As she moves through an everchanging landscape, Brigid unravels family secrets to recover what she'd lost - by facing the past, she finally accepts herself. Her twin daughters continue her journey with their own search for self-acceptance, truth and justice.

Andrew R. Cunningham had a passion for cricket and he has taken historical events and characters and re imagined them. He has produced a fascinating novel concentrating on certain aspects of the lives of individual players prior to and after the First IX Cricket Tour of England in 1868.

He has used his power of language to create and define characters in such a way that the reader will be entertained, whilst being introduced to perhaps unknown aspects of events in early days of colonial Australia, that were indeed real, and impacted on this story of the first Australian International team.

His evocative and clever writing describes aspects often forgotten or not previously represented by this story. He uses compassion and humour as he gently provokes the reader to think seriously about the past injustices practised by society at the time. His writing also celebrates the prowess, skills and sporting successes of the Aboriginal cricketers. His empathy is encapsulated in the title, 'Cry sorrowful for Bullocky.'

Love, family secrets, vengeance... everything is on the line in this gripping story of competitive rivalry and personal redemption.

When Rupert Kramer ousts him as coxswain of Queensland University's 1975 Championship crew, Finn Sullivan's dreams of athletic glory disappear into the murky Brisbane River.

Picking himself up to pursue his passionate competitive rowing ambition, Finn commits to becoming a great coach. But his growing achievements are upended when a tragic incident reignites his rivalry with Rupert and unearths the long-buried family secret behind his toxic relationship with his father.

With support from his spirited partner Sam, Finn endures unrelenting challenges on and off the water in his resolute determination to defeat Rupert. But to succeed in this pursuit of ultimate triumph and retribution, he must first reconcile with his father and mend his threatened relationship with Sam.

Finn's final challenge is to prove whether second chances can lead to victory and reconciliation.

This exhilarating story of physical daring and emotional growth, combines the tenacity of The Boys in the Boat with the passion of Barbarian Days.

*BOOK OF THE YEAR, IRISH CAP AWARDS 2023*

Dive into a gripping adventure of survival, mystery, and the transformative power of the Australian wilderness.

Jim Macken talks to trees. He dances around the fire and has made peace with the flies. In a bid to escape a mundane life, the broken-hearted Irish backpacker has gone walkabout in the West Australian Goldfields. The scorched land is hurting. The summer rains never came and the temperatures soar.

On a rare trip to a remote inn, an assault brings Jim's day to a premature close. He sleeps outside, sprawled across the wide front seat of his beat-up truck. Nearby, a body lies in the dirt. The evidence, much of it fabricated, paints Jim as a killer and Kelly Porcini, the disillusioned barmaid, as his accomplice.

Fearing for their lives, Jim and Kelly flee into the hostile interior of the continent. Along the way, the young couple find a beautiful but damaged country. There is the possibility of love and the opportunity for betrayal. Ultimately, an ancient and indigenous Dreamtime landscape may decide how their stories end.

Twenty-five years ago her child was stolen.

Doog Wilson has never forgotten her son and now, a quarter of a century on, with only hazy memories of the place where he was taken from her arms, she embarks on a quest to the north-west of Western Australia, but her search seems futile.

Contentment comes as she finds work on a bustling cattle station. The annual campdraft brings young men from miles around and Doog befriends Daniel Maroney, a visiting journalist whose experience as a child-migrant has blighted his life.

Together they dig into a sordid episode of Australia's recent past. It is soon clear that for five decades, up until 1982, many Australian institutions, including the church and the government, were complicit in what amounted to a baby-selling industry.

No Use Crying Now

A work of fiction - sadly based on all too real fact.

Life spins stories around us as we slide through time, anchored by our secrets.

Tristram Jones has an opal that is of deep significance to his teacher, Ivan MacAllister: a compelling and charismatic mentor haunted by a trauma caused by the witch doctor, Dinewan.

Named after the Great Emu Spirit of the Dreamtime, is Dinewan just a bitter, hateful misfit, whose mind has been warped by an old family legend... or something far more dangerous?

Tristram is haunted too, by dreams that feel like memories, of a terrifying monster that is waiting to pounce from the still waters of the billabong.

A web of stories surrounds Tristam and Ivan, and the truth of them must come out as life goes on with adventure, romance, and danger. The witch doctor is coming, and he will have his due.

Bunyip is a modern tale influenced by much older stories and spiced with science, legend and sensual experiences. It is gruesome in places, funny in others and tender where it counts.

This book is intended for a mature readership and is not suitable for readers under the age of 18.

Life spins stories around us as we slide through time, anchored by our secrets.

Tristram Jones has an opal that is of deep significance to his teacher, Ivan MacAllister: a compelling and charismatic mentor haunted by a trauma caused by the witch doctor, Dinewan.

Named after the Great Emu Spirit of the Dreamtime, is Dinewan just a bitter, hateful misfit, whose mind has been warped by an old family legend... or something far more dangerous?

Tristram is haunted too, by dreams that feel like memories, of a terrifying monster that is waiting to pounce from the still waters of the billabong.

A web of stories surrounds Tristam and Ivan, and the truth of them must come out as life goes on with adventure, romance, and danger. The witch doctor is coming, and he will have his due.

Bunyip is a modern tale influenced by much older stories and spiced with science, legend and sensual experiences. It is gruesome in places, funny in others and tender where it counts.

This book is intended for a mature readership and is not suitable for readers under the age of 18.

Life spins stories around us as we slide through time, anchored by our secrets.

Tristram Jones has an opal that is of deep significance to his teacher, Ivan MacAllister: a compelling and charismatic mentor haunted by a trauma caused by the witch doctor, Dinewan.

Named after the Great Emu Spirit of the Dreamtime, is Dinewan just a bitter, hateful misfit, whose mind has been warped by an old family legend... or something far more dangerous?

Tristram is haunted too, by dreams that feel like memories, of a terrifying monster that is waiting to pounce from the still waters of the billabong.

A web of stories surrounds Tristam and Ivan, and the truth of them must come out as life goes on with adventure, romance, and danger. The witch doctor is coming, and he will have his due.

Bunyip is a modern tale influenced by much older stories and spiced with science, legend and sensual experiences. It is gruesome in places, funny in others and tender where it counts.

This book is intended for a mature readership and is not suitable for readers under the age of 18.