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Canberra Speculative Fiction Guild Anthologies
Body of Work
A shapeshifter wakes up in a strange place. A witch's sibling rivalry gets out of hand. An unusual bee begins to swarm. BODY OF WORK gathers fantasy, science fiction, and horror from new voices and Australian luminaries, exploring the body - how we live in it, how we die in it, and how we transform it.
Including works by:
P.S. Cottier
C.Z. Tacks
J.M. Voss
Elizabeth Pendragon
Claire Fitzpatrick
C.H. Pearce
Freya Marske
Valerie Y.L. Toh
Kel E. Fox
Seaton Kay-Smith
A. D. Ellicott
D.J. Goossens
J. Lagrimas
Rebecca Fraser
Henry Liantziris
N.G. Hartland
Kiera Lesley
Britni Pepper
Geraldine Dark
Pamela Jeffs
Louise Pieper
Mark O'Flynn
Including works by:
P.S. Cottier
C.Z. Tacks
J.M. Voss
Elizabeth Pendragon
Claire Fitzpatrick
C.H. Pearce
Freya Marske
Valerie Y.L. Toh
Kel E. Fox
Seaton Kay-Smith
A. D. Ellicott
D.J. Goossens
J. Lagrimas
Rebecca Fraser
Henry Liantziris
N.G. Hartland
Kiera Lesley
Britni Pepper
Geraldine Dark
Pamela Jeffs
Louise Pieper
Mark O'Flynn
253 pages, Paperback
Published October 30, 2023
1 person is currently reading
21 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
November 14, 2023
Disclaimer: I have a story in this book. It is a piece of fluff compared to the others. Its only substance is a warning of what may happen once AI begins to gain control over our physical beings.
I have several of the Canberra Speculative Fiction Guild's regular anthologies. Every year or so a new team assembles a new one.
This is by far the best I've read. A thoroughly professional product, put together from pitch to publication in a scant six months, an amazing effort for something so very good.
I was expecting to enjoy a few, skip over a few, just read the thing as yet another effort but I was surprised to find there was not a dud in the bunch. Every story had something to catch my mind one way or another.
A single theme examined from such a diversity of minds. This body of work is greater than the sum of its parts: careful effort has gone into creating a mix of ideas that riff off each other. Each story is a surprise; just what tack will the writer take this time?
An excellent introduction to the tip of the Australian spec-fic talent scene. There are established writers here - Freya Marske is one Australian whose work is reviewed by the NYT - and complete novices. A D Ellicott's maiden effort delighted me with its clever and intimate retelling of an old trope.
I've been reading science fiction for a long time and the book that I feel comes closest to this is Harlan Ellison's ground-breaking "Dangerous Visions".
Yes, I think it is that good, and that diverse, and that penetrating in its examination of the theme.
There are stories here that had me howling with laughter, or cringing in fear. Wiping away tears or cheering a bold story twisting with each fresh page.
This is a book to read for - well, I won't say pleasure because some stories are passing grim - but enjoyment. Enjoyment of diversity, appreciation of clever writing, a continuing anticipation to see just what wonders or terrors the next story holds.
A book for giving to someone who likes speculative fiction. There is something here for everyone to love, whatever their tastes may be. And read the other stories - like me, you'll undoubtedly find yourself relishing every fresh story put before your gaze.
A stellar collection from the land Down Under.
(My longer review, with comments on and quotes from all the stories, here.)
I have several of the Canberra Speculative Fiction Guild's regular anthologies. Every year or so a new team assembles a new one.
This is by far the best I've read. A thoroughly professional product, put together from pitch to publication in a scant six months, an amazing effort for something so very good.
I was expecting to enjoy a few, skip over a few, just read the thing as yet another effort but I was surprised to find there was not a dud in the bunch. Every story had something to catch my mind one way or another.
A single theme examined from such a diversity of minds. This body of work is greater than the sum of its parts: careful effort has gone into creating a mix of ideas that riff off each other. Each story is a surprise; just what tack will the writer take this time?
An excellent introduction to the tip of the Australian spec-fic talent scene. There are established writers here - Freya Marske is one Australian whose work is reviewed by the NYT - and complete novices. A D Ellicott's maiden effort delighted me with its clever and intimate retelling of an old trope.
I've been reading science fiction for a long time and the book that I feel comes closest to this is Harlan Ellison's ground-breaking "Dangerous Visions".
Yes, I think it is that good, and that diverse, and that penetrating in its examination of the theme.
There are stories here that had me howling with laughter, or cringing in fear. Wiping away tears or cheering a bold story twisting with each fresh page.
This is a book to read for - well, I won't say pleasure because some stories are passing grim - but enjoyment. Enjoyment of diversity, appreciation of clever writing, a continuing anticipation to see just what wonders or terrors the next story holds.
A book for giving to someone who likes speculative fiction. There is something here for everyone to love, whatever their tastes may be. And read the other stories - like me, you'll undoubtedly find yourself relishing every fresh story put before your gaze.
A stellar collection from the land Down Under.
(My longer review, with comments on and quotes from all the stories, here.)
August 14, 2025
Freya Marske's short story is a stand-out here.
November 14, 2023
In the 21st Century the avenues for human-induced bodily evolution are immense. There's every chance we'll greet the dawn in 2101 as creatures shockingly different from our current selves. I'll personally be in my sixteenth decade, for example, and be terrorising the neighbourhood with my bionic implants. Half man, half motorcycle, half walking frame.
My local science fiction group, here in the national capital, has published a collection of stories (and a few poems) by Antipodean writers, all dealing with the general theme of body.
There is science - science gone right off the rails in some cases - and magic and horror and humour. A sparkling diversity of storytelling and genres. All linked by some extraordinary writing.
I chuckled my way through the opening story, written as a research report by an academic with a severe ethics problem. And in another story about office work but not as we know it, one where getting through the day needs buckets and mops and HR seems to be a portal to another dimension, there was anything but smiles. Another story has overtones of Mad Max and Alfred Hitchcock working together, and one or two are pure magic. With clever twists.
As individual stories, they are thoughtful, cleverly written, and evocative. As a collection, they are bound to set the mind running off in all directions, contemplating what might be, or in fact is right now if we only open our eyes to the possibilities.
Professionally produced, skilfully edited, artfully written.
In "Body of Work", the human body is a canvas for the mind. I loved it!
My local science fiction group, here in the national capital, has published a collection of stories (and a few poems) by Antipodean writers, all dealing with the general theme of body.
There is science - science gone right off the rails in some cases - and magic and horror and humour. A sparkling diversity of storytelling and genres. All linked by some extraordinary writing.
I chuckled my way through the opening story, written as a research report by an academic with a severe ethics problem. And in another story about office work but not as we know it, one where getting through the day needs buckets and mops and HR seems to be a portal to another dimension, there was anything but smiles. Another story has overtones of Mad Max and Alfred Hitchcock working together, and one or two are pure magic. With clever twists.
As individual stories, they are thoughtful, cleverly written, and evocative. As a collection, they are bound to set the mind running off in all directions, contemplating what might be, or in fact is right now if we only open our eyes to the possibilities.
Professionally produced, skilfully edited, artfully written.
In "Body of Work", the human body is a canvas for the mind. I loved it!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews