Published...Or Not

Nadia Wright explores the myth of Raffles and the contribution of William Farquhar in her account, 'William Farquhar and Singapore'.Medieval Italy is the setting for Kate Murdoch's 'Stone Circle' with romance and the craft of geomancy, incantations and shape shifting in the plot.

Speechless: A Year in My Father's Business is a "masterpiece" memoir written by James Button, first published by Melbourne University Press in 2012, followed by a revised edition in 2013.James Button's 2016 book, published by Melbourne University Press, is Comeback: The Fall and Rise of Geelong.

Joel Martin is the organiser of the inaugural 'Speculate' festival of speculative fiction, being held on 28 April 2018 at the Gasworks Arts Park in Albert Park, Melbourne. For more info, visit: SpecFic.com.auGordon Thompson (and his company Clouds of Magellan Press) is the publisher of the inaugural 'Bent Street' anthology from Australia's LGBTIQA+ community. 'Bent Street' will be launched on Sund...

Glenna Thomson's second novel is 'Stella and Margie' (2018), her first is 'Blueberry' (2017), both are published by Penguin Random House (Bantam imprint). The Melbourne launch of 'Stella and Margie' is on 25 January 2018 at Readings in Hawthorn. The Cass Tuplin series of crime-comedy novels is written by Sue Williams, published by Text Publishing. 'Live and Let Fry' is now on pre-order for release...

Patti Miller's authoritative book on life writing is 'Writing True Stories: The Complete Guide to Writing Autobiography, Memoir, Personal Essay, Biography, Travel and Creative Nonfiction', published by Allen & Unwin.'Wish You Were Here' is a funny and moving memoir about driving across the USA, written by Sheridan Jobbins, published by Affirm Press.

Carmel Bird's latest collection of stories is 'The Dead Aviatrix: Eight Short Stories', published by Spineless Wonders. Available exclusively as an ebook.

'Siren' by Rachel Matthews is a compelling account of sexual exploration and the associated misunderstandings, published by Transit Lounge. (Replayed 2017 highlight from August.)'In The Dark' is a charming and humorous novel for younger readers, written by Carole Poustie, published by Celapene Press.

Tony Wilson talks about 'Sir Bum', his contribution to 'Laugh Your Head Off Again and Again' which delves into the possible improbabilities of the lives of childen. Monica McInerney explores the meaning of home, in this big read about family, love and secrets in 'The Trip of a Lifetime'.

The vibrant life and history of Acland Street is revealed in Judith Buckrich's 'Ackland Steet - The Grand Lady of St Kilda'.Tess Evans has written with humour about the community of a small Australian town, where a new business and new people will test friendships, in 'The Ballad of Banjo Crossing'.

A bird teaching about building design! 'Robin Boid: Architect' is a delightfully creative picture story book by Maree Cootes. The criminal and ethical implications of Australia's soverign border policy is starkly illustrated in Jock Serong's 'On the Java Ridge'.

Sandi Wallace writes about the highs and lows of cops on the job, in short stories 'On The Job' and rural crime in 'Dead Again'.'Insights and Reflections' is a selection of articles from Phillip Adams on the issues, people and ideas that have caught his attention since 2003.

'The Tides Between' is an historical novel of early migration to the Port Phillip settlement of Melbourne by Elizabeth Jane Corbett and published by Odyssey Books. Konrad Marshall delves into the stories associated with the Richmond Football Club; its players, leadership and support network. Serendipity saw the club win the 2017 premiership which makes 'Yellow and Black' a journal about success.

Life is a voyage on a deep, dark ocean in A.S. Patric's, 'Atlantic Black'.Alex Miller has written a novel which is also based on his own life in 'The Passage of Love'.

Would you write letters of regret or revenge as your 'Parting Words'?  Cass Moriarty has a family learning about their father through letters he has left. Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson travelled to Australia.  It's true! 'The Australian Casebook' proves it and Lucy Sussex, one of the contributors to the anthology, explains how it is so.

Fiona Wood joins with Cath Crowley and Simmone Howell for 'Take Three Girls, a story of school age friendships surviving toxic websitesClaire Aman's short story collection, 'Bird Country' beguiles, entertains and amuses.

Both redemption and romance can be found on Spain's Camino in 'Two Steps Forward' by Anne Buist and Graeme Simsion. There are five self contained stories introducing a variety of characters and lives, all with a connection to Pippa in Michelle de Kretser's 'The Life to Come'.

'The Rain Never Came' is a post-apocalyptic novel written by Lachlan Walter, published by Odyssey Books. Lois Murphy provides a cautionary tale of just how easily we can be overcome by an allegorical mist in her novel, 'Soon' - a Transit Lounge release.

Bram Presser's 'The Book of Dirt' delves into Jewish tradition and the struggle of assimilating the past.'The Blood within the Stone' is the first book in the Wraith Cycle of mind control and power at play by T R Thompson.

'We That Are Left' tells how some wives deal with their hopes, dreams and outcomes from a war, by Lisa Bigelow. Set in the near future, 'Widler Country' has the themes of asylum and violence in a continuation of the issues Mark Smith introduced in his first novel 'The Road to Winter'.

We see the challenging life around Justine through her young eyes in Sofie Laguna's 'The Choke'.'The Library: A calalogue of Wonders' is authored by Stuart Kells and is published by Text Publishing.

Featured this week are two contrasting novels of speculative fiction: The Art of Navigation by Rose Michael, published by UWAP; Year of the Orphan by Daniel Findlay, published by Penguin Random House.

Superstition, faith and witchcraft all feature in Chris Womersley's 'City of Crows' set in 1673 Paris. Emma Viskic has Caleb Zelik, deaf investigator,   m       doing his best to find out who is committing the crimes in 'And Fire Came Down'.

Rachel Leary's, 'Bridget Crack', is a convict struggling for survival in the township and wilderness of Van Dieman's Land. Jessica Alice provides an overview of the authors and events in the 2017 Melbourne Writers Festival.

Charlie was missing for three months, will the abuse warp her for the rest of her life? Family complexities are at the forefront in 'The Way Back' by Kylie Ladd. Dangerous challenges and unexplained events lie within Vikki Wakefield's 'Ballad for a Mad Girl'.

'Tell it to the Dog' is Robert Power's memoir that provides an unusaul take on memory and reflection and how these elements shape a life. Jennifer Down has death as a connection in the 14 short stories that make up 'Pulse Points'.