AustLit

'On the beach one day, as I was sliding my board back onto the tray of the ute and trying to clear my sinuses of salty water, an old neighbour who was passing by with his dog told me he didn't know what people like me saw in surfing. He said,'I see youse blokes out there day and night. Any time I go past you're just sittin there, bobbin around like moorin buoys. Tell me, Timmy, what's the point? And I didn't know how to answer. Almost every day of my life is shaped according to the weather, most acutely to swell, tide and wind direction. After surfing for fifty years, you'd think I'd be able to give a better account of myself. But there wasn't much to tell him, because there is no point. Surfing is a completely pointless exercise. Perhaps that's why I'm addicted to it. But he was right, my neighbour, God rest him. We go to the water every day and every hour we can. And most of what we do is wait.' (Introduction)

'Musician, Rhodes Scholar, social justice advocate and author Zoe Morrison wrapped a lifetime of experiences into her debut novel Music and Freedom. Ane her ever-persistent invention - a character named Alice Haywood - gave Morrison a mouthpiece for those living on the margins.'

'Liam Pieper's debut novel The Toymaker, is a story about privilege. fear and the great harm we can do when we are afraid of losing what we hold clear. Here Pieper offers some insights into the places. people and events that helped him shape this bold, dark and unflinching examination of society.'

'Five surprising facts about The Go-Betweens, from Robert Forster's unforgettable memoir Grant & I.'