AustLit

'Jules is pregnant and constipated. And freezing. Her husband is indifferent to her constipation, Google doesn’t seem to be able to help her, and something about her childhood is making her uneasy. It must be performance anxiety – but of what exactly?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Simon is an angry clown running late for work, Clark is on a bad acid trip and all nine year-old Tom wants to do is ride the Space Roller. In their rage, panic and disappointment, they are convinced of their detachment from everyone around them. Not until it’s too late do they realise that nobody exists in isolation – and all too soon their lives will intersect.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Kurt wants a promotion but he will have to compete with his workmate Jessica whose confident laughter he can hear coming from the interview room. So, armed with nothing more than bravado and someone else’s CV he goes forth.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'A father mourns for his son in a series of moments which explore a war fought out of sight.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'In I Put A Spell on You, Sam George-Allen explores how certain practices of women today mirror the work of their spell-casting ancestors. This collection sheds light on who witches actually were, before patriarchal societies painted these women as the wart-faced bedfellows of demons.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'‘Ever since I can remember, Mama has had a snake living inside her mouth.’

'So begins the strange tale of involving the Popop, Mr Anders and Mama by Ben Spencer.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Jaxon and his estranged scientist father, Arnold, struggle to find connection.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'In ‘Porch Steps’, Rose Graham takes us into the world of Ella, a small child faced with dealing with loss and alienation.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Sadie is a woman who likes to feel in control, but as she breaks her rule and pours another glass of wine, she opens the door to a past she’s worked hard to forget. Proving that time doesn’t heal all wounds, Abby Kong explores a woman who’s lost it all at the moment she can’t pretend anymore.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Set alongside the danger of the Australian coastline, Nick Couldwell explores the relationship between a father and son as secrets unravel and a family crumbles.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'In a town living in the shadow of a buzzing power plant, everything gets drowned out.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'A story which asks who are funerals for, anyway? Dealing with death is always hard, and it’s even harder for an atheist not entirely at home with his cultural roots who finds himself attending a traditional Jewish funeral for a family member.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'When his dog goes missing, the young narrator in Tyler Mahoney’s ‘Headlights Like Satellites’ has no choice but to turn to Corey, one of the toughest and most connected kids on The Mission where they both live.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'After being scammed on Airbnb, a young woman finds herself lost in an unfamiliar city. She ends up staying with an old friend, whose motives she can’t discern. When she chances upon a strange painting dated with the year 2133, she becomes obsessed with its secretive artist. As the mystery deepens, her suspicions about her old friend grow, and her ties to family back home begin to fray, she watches her life spiralling away from her.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Toxic friendships and social media, synaesthesia, and midnight sandwiches. Read this eclectic collection by Slinkies authors, Ch’aska Cuba de Reed, Sky Carrall and Teyha Nicholas.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Working retail is a drain. Who knew Lucia would still have a job in the zombie apocalypse?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'As a linesman, you get ‘danger pay’. And sometimes … you hit the jackpot.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Down in the bush, dark things are at play.

'Read these two short thrillers set in rural Queensland by Slinkies author, Thomas Alan.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'The ships are leaving. One ticket. One passenger. Keep it close.

'The ships are leaving. Keep your ticket close. Wouldn’t want to be left behind.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Hest’s life is stagnating, until a levitating housemate arrives. Is Sam for real? Find out in this great new short story by 2020 Slinkies author, Sophie Overett about the ups and downs of shared households and modern live for 20 somethings.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.