Narrelle M. Harris's Blog, page 11

Quintette of Questions: Vikki Holstein

Today I’m asking Vikki Holstein 5 questions about her new book!

1. What’s the name of your latest book – and how hard was it to pick a title?

Breaking Storm went through a few name changes before my editor suggested the name should reflect one of the elements that weave throughout the book. As soon as she suggested Breaking Storm, I knew it was the perfect title.

2. If you could choose anyone from any time period, who would you cast as the leads in your latest book?

I’d pick Ryan Corr as Ethan, and Margo Robbie as Kelsey.

3. What five words best describe your story?

Emotional. Uplifting. Challenging. Tender. Intense

4. Who is your favourite fictional team/couple?

I’d have to say Eve Dallas and Roarke from J.D Robb’s “In Death” series. I love the growth between them throughout the series, and the way they each handle the challenging dynamics of their life together.

5. What song reflects a theme, character, relationship or scene in your book?

I had Yours by Russel Dickerson on repeat while writing a lot of Breaking Storm. It worked for both Ethan and Brian, but is mostly Brian’s theme song.

About Breaking Storm

Kelsey’s sole purpose in life is to keep four-year-old Pipa safe. Conceived in a violent, drug-induced rampage, Pipa is being hunted by the man responsible. He wants her dead, and no matter how far Kelsey and Pipa run, the brewing storm is never far behind.

Protection lies in Kelsey’s hometown of White Wattle Creek in the form of Ethan, the man who’d always been her safe place. The one she loved. And the one who broke her heart. But she not only has Ethan to face when she returns. The emotional abuse of her past and the truth surrounding Pipa’s existence both rain down on her from the clouds gathering overhead.

When Kelsey finally opens her heart to Ethan, her nightmares tip over into reality, and with Pipa’s future hanging in the balance, Kelsey must find the strength within to fight for their right to happiness… before the storm breaks.

Buy Breaking Storm

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About Vikki Holstein

Vikki Holstein is the author of Breaking Storm, the first book in her romantic suspense series, ‘White Wattle Creek’. 

An avid reader from a young age, Vikki often escaped into other worlds and lives, and discovered romance novels at the age of fourteen. She devoured romance, fantasy, science fiction, horror, and anything else she could get her hands on until the year 2000, after her third child was born, and she decided to write what she hadn’t found in any book yet. A story like her own.

A survivor of childhood sexual abuse, her writing reflects the courage it takes to trust again, and the struggle to forgive ourselves on the journey to finding love, peace, and happiness. Her stories invariably feature horses as they were an integral part of her survival as a child and teenager.

Now a wife, mother, and storyteller, she lives in central Victoria, Australia, with her husband and herd of animals. When not writing, she spends time with her horses, helping her husband on his latest renovation project, reading, or gardening.

Social Media

WebsiteFacebookTwitterNewsletterAmazonPinterestGoodreads

So many book launches and author talks have had to be cancelled, I’ve decided to run as many Quintettes as I can to share some great upcoming work – and let you stock up on things to read while we’re all self-isolating.

Quintette of Questions: Margaret Walsh

Today I’m asking Margaret Walsh 5 questions about her latest book!

1. What’s the name of your latest book – and how hard was it to pick a title?

My latest book is Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Perplexed Politician.  It was very hard to pick a title, because everything else I came up with pretty much gave away the plot of the book.  In the end I polled several variations on Perplexed Politician (Puzzled Politician etc) amongst friends and Perplexed was the favourite.  So I went with that.

2. If you could choose anyone from any time period, who would you cast as the leads in your latest book?

David Tennant as Sherlock Holmes and Michael Sheen as John Watson.

3. What five words best describe your story?

Murder. Mayhem. Mystery. Sherlock Holmes.

4. Who is your favourite fictional team/couple?

Sherlock Holmes and John Watson, naturally.

5. What song reflects a theme, character, relationship or scene in your book?

“The Mummer’s Dance” by Loreena McKennitt.  I listened to it a lot when I was writing the book.  The song always makes me think of the otherworldly eeriness that is a hallmark of the English county of Wiltshire, which is where the book is set.

About The Case of the Perplexed Politician

When the fiancé of the sister of a Member of Parliament is found dead in mysterious circumstances, the man turns to Sherlock Holmes and John Watson to get an answer to the puzzle. Journeying to the small Wiltshire village of Barrow-upon-Kennet, Holmes and Watson are soon deep into a murder investigation. With few clues and a mounting death toll, Holmes and Watson realize that they are facing something much more sinister than a perplexed politician.

Buy The Case of the Perplexed Politician

MX PublishingStrand MagazineBook DepositorySherlock Holmes and The Case of The Perplexed Politician[image error] Amazon US

About Margaret Walsh

Margaret Walsh was born Auckland, New Zealand and now lives in Melbourne, Australia. She is the author of Sherlock Holmes and the Molly-Boy Murders and Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Perplexed Politician, both published by MX Publishing. 

Margaret has been a devotee of Sherlock Holmes since childhood and has had several Holmesian related essays printed in anthologies and is a member of the online society Doyle’s Rotary Coffin.  She has an ongoing love affair with the city of London.  When she’s not working or planning trips to London. Margaret can be found frequenting the many and varied bookshops of Melbourne.

Social Media

Blog: Margy’s MusingsTwitter: @EspineuxAlphaFacebook

Lockdown Fiction: Getaway

Another story written for a Clan Destine Press prompt!

Getaway

Jase couldn’t afford a getaway car, and anyway, neither of them had a driver’s licence, so his  best friend Max waited outside the ratty house on a getaway bicycle.

Once Jase did the deed, he came belting out of Greasy Don’s house at top speed, the ill-kept puppy clutched to his chest. The puppy had yelped once, when Jase yanked the brutally short chain and the wooden stake out of the ground. Jase yelped too, because of the splinters, but he grabbed the dog close, even after she peed on him in terror, and ran for his –  and more literally for the dog’s – life.

Mounting the bicycle was a challenge, even though they’d rehearsed with a loaf of bread in Max’s back yard. But Jase got on behind Max and Max took off, dinking Jase and the rescued puppy, as though Greasy Don was in hot pursuit.

Greasy Don wasn’t. Greasy Don was snoring in front of the television in the front room of his neglected house. Greasy Don didn’t have much going for him, but at least he was an equal opportunity slob, neglecting the house, his own hygiene and sobriety and his health in general, as well as the puppy. He possibly had forgotten he even had a dog, which would explain the poor animal’s state. 

Jase, cynical about adults even at thirteen, had assumed Don enjoyed his power over the weaker creature. He couldn’t abide a bully.

The puppy shivered against Jase’s chest as Max pedalled his bike through the streets and back alleys – he was so good at shaking any pursuers that it was almost a shame they had none – and finally slewed to a halt in Jase’s back yard. He held the bike steady while Jase clambered off with the puppy.

Jase was covered in mud, blood and puppy pee. The rescue had indeed been a dirty deed. But they had rescued the animal. Jase put the puppy down and offered her the bowl of water and dog food he and Max had prepared earlier.  They watched, happy and proud, as the puppy drank and ate her fill, and then clambered all over them, wagging her tail and licking their hands and faces.

‘Stinky needs a bath,’ said Max.

‘Don’t call her that,’ protested Jase. ‘It’s not her fault.’

‘You stink too.’

Jase pulled his shirt out to take a long sniff, and his whole face wrinkled in disgust.

After they bathed the puppy – who frolicked in the water like it was the best game ever, delivering a series of high happy yips – she earned the name Flipper. Jase showered too, and then presented the now fluffy white dog to his father.

‘She followed me home. Can I keep her?’

Jase’s father was fully aware of the drunkard four streets away and the poor neglected dog chained in his back yard. He knew right from wrong, of course, but like his son, he didn’t consider a rescue the same as a theft.

‘You can,’ he said. ‘And if Greasy Don shows up and wants her back, we’ll say we bought you the dog for your birthday.’

 Flipper wagged her stumpy tail.

Greasy Don never did come looking.

Quintette of Questions: Paul Collins

Today I’m asking Paul Collins 5 questions about his latest book!

1. What’s the name of your latest book – and how hard was it to pick a title?

James Gong: The Big Hit was initially written as The Big Hit. Then I figured I might write this character into a series. A series needs a tag line so I decided to use the character’s name.

If the publisher commissions a sequel, it’ll be James Gong: The Chinese Dragon. I’ve already written a rough draft of the sequel.

2. If you could choose anyone from any time period, who would you cast as the leads in your latest book?

Definitely Bruce Lee as James. His love interest would be Winona Ryder. His sister, perhaps the girl who plays Alaska in Looking for Alaska: Kristine Foseth.

3. What five words best describe your story?

Action. Martial arts. Plot driven.

4. Who is your favourite fictional team/couple?

Modesty Blaise and Willie Garvin.

5. What song reflects a theme, character, relationship or scene in your book?

Hugo Montenegro’s version of The Good, The Bad and the Ugly. It gets played in the martial arts film that James Gong stars in.

About James Gong: The Big Hit

James Gong is training for his black belt in taekwondo. One night a camera crew from Hollywood Productions turns up at training for an episode of My Life, only to see James at his most ornery aggressiveness. They love James’ jumping spinning sidekick, and decide to star him in a small budget flick. Trouble is, Hollywood Productions is a scam company that basically produces B grade ‘loser’ movies to offset huge tax bills.

Meanwhile, James, who likes his sister Caitlin’s best friend, Amber, thinks his sudden film career will curry favour. Not so. If anything, Amber shuns him more.

Hollywood Productions may want to lose money, but underestimates their star.

James Gong: The Big Hit book trailer.

For ages 9 to 13: teacher’s notes available online.

Buy James Gong: The Big Hit

From paulcollins.com.auKoboJames Gong: The Big Hit[image error] Amazon US

About Paul Collins

Paul Collins has written many books for younger readers. He is best known for his fantasy and science fiction titles: The Jelindel Chronicles and The Quentaris Chronicles ─ co-edited with Michael Pryor. His trade series The Earthborn was published in America by Tor.

Paul has been short-listed for many awards and has won the Inaugural Peter McNamara A Bertram Chandler, Aurealis and William Atheling awards. He has two black belts in martial arts and was a kickboxer trained by Dana Goodson, then Heavyweight Kickboxing Champion of Australia.

Social Media

Website: paulcollins.com.auTwitter @fordstreetFacebook: Ford StreetLinkedIn: Paul Collins

So many book launches and author talks have had to be cancelled, I’ve decided to run as many Quintettes as I can to share some great upcoming work – and let you stock up on things to read while we’re all self-isolating.

Lockdown Fiction: Burning Love

Here’s another little story, written to fill the Improbable Press prompt on 23 April.

Burning Love

When Meredith’s girlfriend dumped her right at the start of their fifth anniversary date, her share house didn’t provide a lot of comfort. Caitlyn’s lunch dishes were still on the coffee table and her sewing project covered the sofa, the armchair and a footstool.

‘Least you could do is tidy up when it’s your turn,’ growled Meredith. Her mood for several months now had been at odds with her childhood nickname of Merry.

‘Time got away from me,’ said Caitlyn, trying to soothe. ‘I’ll put it away now.’ She bustled around, tidying up.

Meredith slumped on a kitchen chair, face in her hands. Her tear-wrecked kohl smudged over her palms. ‘Sorry, Caitie. Oh god. I’m such a mess.’

‘You’ll be all right,’ her friend reassured her.

Meredith suspected Caitlyn was right, but that wasn’t helpful. She didn’t like to think that her Great Love had not been such a great thing after all. ‘Thank god I didn’t tattoo her name over my heart.’ This had been a plan, of sorts, in year one. If they made it five years, Merry Nadia would have been inked on her pale skin forever.

Earlier in the week, Caitlyn had upset Meredith by suggesting she wait until after the anniversary dinner before getting inked. ‘It’s more a gift for you than Nadia,’ she’d suggested. ‘Get her some flowers and have her go with you for the tatt.’

Wise Caitlyn. Bloody irritating Caitlyn. Now Meredith would have to call Black Heart Ink and Piercings to cancel Tuesday’s booking.

‘Did you know she was going to dump me?’ Meredith demanded.

‘No. But you haven’t been happy,’ Caitlyn replied.

Now Meredith was waiting for Caitlyn to say I told you so. Caitlyn didn’t, and that only made Meredith sadder and angrier. She went on the attack.  ‘You should have said something.’

‘I tried. You couldn’t hear it. You wanted her to love you.’

‘She did love me.’

‘She did. Once. She’s been making you miserable lately.’

‘Like you know me so well.’

‘I do, Merry. I’ve been your flatmate for three years. I know you well enough to know she made you miserable.’

Meredith folded her arms on the table and sank her face into them. ‘She did.’ And she sobbed.

‘Let me make you dinner,’ Caitlyn said, a plea rather than an offer. Meredith’s tears obviously made her uncomfortable.

‘Don’t go to any effort,’ whispered Meredith.

‘It’s no effort at all, Merry. I want to.’

Meredith first went to the bathroom to wash her panda eyes. Fresh towels were out. The tiles gleamed.

She then retreated to the living room; she slumped on the sofa, head tilted back. She regarded the newly cleared spaces. Underneath the pieces of patchwork quilt and plate, the room had been impeccably tidy. The bathroom shone. The kitchen, too.

Poor Caitlyn. A good flatmate, a good friend, even when unfairly bearing the brunt of Meredith’s wounded heart. Why on earth did she stand it?

Meredith found the remote control, launched Spotify and proceeded to play tragic love songs at top volume. Maybe This Time. All By Myself. Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow? Nothing Compares 2U.

Caitlyn brought her a glass of wine. A plate of cheese and crackers.

‘I know you didn’t get to eat. Nibble on those while the veggie pie is baking.’

‘You’re making me a pie?’

‘I had the ratatouille already. I’ve just put a puff pastry lid on it and a swirl of goat’s cheese through the mix.’

Meredith gazed at her with mingled gratitude, apology and self-deprecation. ‘Thanks, Cait. You’re a good friend.’

‘So are you.’

‘I’m not, sometimes. I don’t know why you put up with me. You must love me a lot.’

Meredith laughed softly and then did not laugh at all at the look on Caitlyn’s face. ‘Shit.’

‘I’d better get back to the kitchen.’

Caitlyn fled. Meredith hesitated long enough to realise several things.

Caitlyn is my best friend.

Caitlyn loves me.

Nadia is nothing like Caitlyn, but for months I’ve wished she was.

Perhaps that’s why Nadia had dumped her tonight. Perhaps Meredith had been making Nadia miserable too.

Meredith stood at the kitchen doorway. Caitlyn, stricken, wrung her hands and looked for escape.

‘It’s okay,’ said Caitlyn shakily. ‘You don’t have to love me back.’

‘But I do,’ said Meredith.

‘Don’t say that.’

‘It’s true, though.’

‘You’re my friend. You love me like a friend.’

‘I love you like a friend,’ Meredith agreed. ‘I love you like a best friend. I love you like a co-conspirator. I love you like a soulmate. I love you like the sun. You’re the one I run to tell my happiest news to. You’re the one I want to cry with when the news is bad. You’re the one I come home to because you’re the one. You’re the one.’

Caitlyn cried. ‘You’re on the rebound.’

‘I’m an idiot, but I’m not that much of an idiot,’ said Meredith. ‘But it’s okay. I understand why you don’t believe me.’

She walked slowly to Caitlyn and touched her twisting hands.  ‘You’ve been so patient. I can wait. I’ll wait till you believe me, Caitie.’

Caitlyn blinked tears away. She met Meredith’s earnest, smiling gaze. For the first time in a long, long time, Meredith looked… Merry. Caitlyn leaned towards her friend, magnetised, drawn by the pull of her long unspoken love, until their lips met.

Their first kiss was soft, sweet. A bit wet from the crying.

It smelled of heat, of baking, of fire, of smoke…

And then the smoke alarm went off.

A dinner meant to offer kindness and care was a burnt offering, but that was all right. Merry said, for years and decades after, that it was fitting that their love be heralded by a noble sacrifice.

Crowdfunding for a Song: The Music of Duo Ex Machina

Can you help me fill my Ko-Fi cup?

I grew up influenced by musicals, and that may be why I now write so many stories with music in them.

As a child I learned piano and though that fell by the wayside – partly because my family kept moving house and moving the cheap old piano along with us was a bit of a palaver – I’ve always enjoyed playing around with lyrics and songwriting.

In the 80s, when I discovered fandom and film music, I ended up collaborating with Fiona Thompson (nee Undy) on a Blake’s 7 filktape called Voices from the Past.

Decades have passed since then. I still can’t play the piano, or really sing, but fandom led me back to songwriting once more. I wrote lyrics for an alternative universe Sherlock Holmes series and then started writing lyrics into other stories.

I wrote lyrics for songs relating to the Witches of Tyne series. Then I wrote them for the first Duo Ex Machina novella, Fly By Night, to go alongside the lyrics of songs by About Six Feet (used with their permission)

Then a few years ago, spurred on by those fan-inspired lyrics on AO3 and how much people liked them, I wrote more and more music. (I’ve since dragged both Blake’s 7 and Holmes filk into the worlds of Kitty and Cadaver and Duo Ex Machina.)

Further novellas in the Duo Ex Machina series – Sacrifice, Number One Fan, Kiss and Cry and the current (and final) story, Little Star, all contain songs that I wrote, because it’s easier to do that yourself than get permission to use other lyrics. Also because I love it!

It’s been my delight in recent years to work with Jess Harris of Bronze to bring Kitty songs to life in their performances and recordings.

I’m now aiming to work with another musician – music producer Joshua King – to transform the Duo Ex Machina songs from lyrics on a page to songs in your ear!

To this end, I’ve set up as Ko-Fi account to raise funds to pay for studio time, singers and musicians. I’ll be updating the site each week with lyrics, my a cappella versions of the melodies and examples of words-to-music that have come out of previous collaborations!

If you have a few dollars to spare and would like to support new music in Melbourne, you can donate below!

Fundraising through Dangerous Charm

If you prefer to wear your support, I’m also putting the proceeds of any jewellery sales from Dangerous Charm (which includes jewellery inspired by Kitty and Cadaver and Duo Ex Machina) directly into the song-making bank!

Quintette of Questions: Anne Buist

Today I’m asking Anne Buist 5 questions about her latest book!

1. What’s the name of your latest book – and how hard was it to pick a title?

Titles are so hard! The Long Shadow just seemed to fit all my criteria; suggestive of its rural location which is a big player in the book, as well as the psychological implications that are also apt.

2. If you could choose anyone from any time period, who would you cast as the leads in your latest book?

Margo Robbie as IssyClive Owen as DeanJessica Mauboy as TeaganNicole Kidman as SophieSaorise Ronan (with weight added) as RóisínLeila Hatami as ZahraKathy Bates as KateLeo McKern (he played Thomas Ryan in Ryan’s daughter) as ConorRobert de Niro as JoeJack Nicholson as Gordon Lauren Bacall as Grace Barclay

This was so much fun I could keep going but maybe this is enough!

3. What five words best describe your story?

Jane Harper meets Liane Moriaty.

4. Who is your favourite fictional team/couple?

It was a long time ago, but Hart to Hart (played by Robert Wagner and Stephanie Powers) created by Sidney Sheldon.

5. What song reflects a theme, character, relationship or scene in your book?

I have to pick two; the book is a thriller, so moody at times and with tension which is captured by Mike Oldfield/Maggie Reilly’s Moonlight Shadow

But whilst The Long Shadow isn’t an “Indigenous” story, Teagan, the Indigenous character, and country, are an integral part of the story, and Jessica Mauboy’s  I Believe has lyrics are of hardship, of scars, but with hope. Teagan doesn’t let go of this hope, and Issy as the group psychologist wants to instil in all her group members

About  The Long Shadow

Old Sins Cast Long Shadows…sometimes you have to deal with the past
before you can face the future

Issy Harris has never heard of Riley, a town on the edge of the outback,
much less want to end up there. But her husband Dean is the Red Adair of
hospital stuff ups, and Riley is where they and their two year old son need to
go. A psychologist, at least she gets a job running the mother-baby postnatal
group to keep her occupied.

From the first group, Issy knows something is wrong. Badly wrong. Pulled
into the politics of a company town where a culture of corruption is putting the viability of the hospital at risk, Issy is forced to make sense of a threats made against her and her son if she is to protect him. Nursing her own secret and struggling to keep her marriage together, Issy is pitted against the local union boss, the politician patriarch and his family as she tries to work out how they are tied into a twenty five year old tragedy – the kidnapping and murder of the older brother of one of the women in her group.  A desperate race against time and the unpredictable elements of nature results in a breathtaking climax where Issy is forced to choose what it is that she really values.

A story about mothers, attachment and the things that get in the way of
being the parent you want to be.

Buy  The Long Shadow

Text PublishingAmazon AustraliaThe Long Shadow (Amazon US)

About  Anne Buist

Anne Buist is the Chair of Women’s Mental Health at the University of Melbourne and has thirty years clinical and research experience in perinatal psychiatry, including forensic work. She is the author of three psychological thrillers, Medea’s Curse, Dangerous to Know, and This I Would Kill For, with tart noir heroine, psychiatrist Natalie King, and a new stand alone rural thriller, The Long Shadow.

She has been married to Graeme Simsion for thirty years and they have two children, and a joint romantic comedy/feel-good mid-age novel, Two Steps Forward, and a sequel in progress, Two Steps Onwards.

So many book launches and author talks have had to be cancelled, I’ve decided to run as many Quintettes as I can to share some great upcoming work – and let you stock up on things to read while we’re all self-isolating.

Lockdown Fiction: Patience

You know, I often don’t know where things in my stories come from, and that’s doubly true when I’m responding to a prompt. I’m just trying to use the suggested words and images in an interesting way.

Which leads me to this poem, written for Clan Destine Press’s latest story prompt. The words were: Don’t go; Paws; Slam; Burn.

Since CDP publishes a lot of crime, I wanted to write a story about murder and revenge, but I honestly did not expect it to come from this angle.

Patience

I have meant and done you harm
Disguised beneath my canny charm
So none believe in you

You are trapped, imprisoned here
There’s no escaping me, my dear
Not straight away, that’s true.

Don’t slam the door or slink away
Or plot to burn me down today
Revenge is better cold

And served up with a clever, sly
Pre-determined alibi
That under stress will hold.

Resist the worn out metaphors
Equating stealth with padded paws
Find other ways to stalk

Bide your time and make your plot
Until you think that I’ve forgot
Your will to do me in

And enjoy the wild surprise
Reflected in my dying eyes
As I perish for my sin

Lockdown Fiction: Tumble

I wrote this brief piece in response to the Improbable Press prompt of last week.

Tumble

His eyes were green, his skin pale. A right Irish honeypot, and everyone wanted a taste of the sweet lad.

His hair was his glory: golden red, which burned like a holy fire when the sun caught it.

When he walked, the little sway in his hip made traffic stop. He didn’t aim to seduce, but he could hardly help it. Fey blood made a fey boy potent, sparking desire even in those who never expected to desire a boy: a red-golden, cream-skin, emerald-eye, honeypot boy.

He ought to have been hung about with a sign.

Be careful.

His laugh was a siren call and a warning.

That cackle of joy burst out of him at the most unexpected things; but seriousness could also descend without notice, coming upon him like a solemn oath. He would burrow briefly into the dark, rooting uncomfortable truths from the soil and the roots of life, before turning it  all upside down again, flinging what he found into the light, cackling again.

The fey honeyed boy drew the flies, but also the bee, a lad sumptuously large, striped black and golden, full of the solemn hum of life, heavy with a rich nectar. Where the fey boy cackled, the sumptuous boy smiled, his solemn hum lilting lighter. The fey boy burrowed into the dark loam of him, turned it upside down into the light. The gold inside one glinted in the burning sun of the other.

Honeypot and bee, the fey and the earth, the sun and the glow.

Carelessly, they tumbled into love.

ToC Reveal: Oz is Burning

While the Branch and Root anthology has been delayed for various reasons, other anthologies are still being produced and I’m absolutely delighted to announce that I have a story in another new anthology: Oz is Burning.

I don’t have a cover to reveal for it yet, but I can reveal the table of contents. It’s always flattering and marvellous to appear alongside writers I admire!

Oz Is Burning is being published by B Cubed Press. The book of apocalyptic fiction was conceived as a response to February’s terrible bushfires (how long ago they seem now!) and the publisher’s share of the profits will be donated to a relevant charity.

More news to come when the cover is ready to share and the publication date known. (The book was originally to have been available for New Zealand’s August 2020 Worldcon, which is now an online event. )

In the meantime – here is the Table of Contents for the upcoming Oz is Burning by B Cubed Press!

And Gaia Screams by Ann PooreAcross the Ditch by Clare RhodenBurn, Burn! by Almas AlexanderRed Sky at Morning by Sue BursztynskiFires of the Heart by E.E. KingPay Back by Alex IsleBy the Grace of God by Harold GrossShould Fire Remember the Fuel by Kyla Lee WardWelcoming the End by Aura RedwoodBeef by Zena ShapterThe Last Wish by Lauren E. MitchellWollemi Dreaming by Jason NahrungFirestorm Sounds by Suzanne NewnhamRed Sky, Blue Dream by Jack DannInfestation by Paula BoerWriting on the Wall by Gillian PolackDire Insurance by Jared KavanaughDivorce by Donna J. W. MunroInconvenient Visitor by Lucy SussexBurning Hearts by Eleanor WhitworthHarvest by Narrelle M. HarrisA Town Called Hope by Silvia Brown