Issue Ten Issue Ten of Backstory.

Homeland

by Joshua Kepreotis I knew we had docked in Melbourne because the people around me rushed to the windows of the ship to look at our new...

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The Moirai

by Jane Frank   1. Clotho   I feel her thread spinning, spooling ahead through a sea of guinea grass as I run down the hill to...

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Empire

by Vasilka Pateras   The rust of empire has crumbled desiccated flakes float— over once traversed lands  stocked with wild tribes ...

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The Black Madonna

by Vasilka Pateras Monastic caves of Kalishta,  stone crevasses of solitude  on bare floors a monk’s prayer in worldly denial – ...

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At the Time of Numismatic Transition

by Srinjay Chakravarti After the emperor’s head has been chopped off, the royal executioner is paid his wages by his new masters. Till...

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Bush Fairies

by Michelle Freckleton Inspired by ‘The Babies in the Bush’ by Henry Lawson   ‘Please, Mumma, please. I’ll hold onto...

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Gumball

by Kristy Cornell For my Grandad, Geoff   ‘You know,’ Ernie said to no one in particular, ‘this war is a load of bollocks.’...

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In Ashes

by Sam Johnston The beat of the mallet echoed between the cracked lime trees. The sign still crooked, the edges chipped away, but the...

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TAJ MAHAL, AGRA

by Srinjay Chakravarti The dark river, draped like a clinging wet sari around the fleshy curves of rocks and boulders.   Against an...

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Movement Over Light

by Ellen Shelley The old bones of this house settled around my feet, called me home.    In this far from where I grew up place, I...

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Tensile Time

by David Atkinson Her brother, she must see for herself,  walking south, alone;  choking, astringency, fetid grit of the street. ...

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Empire Erased

by Magdalena Ball It was over in an hour a thousand people in an hour.   Who dared count the weary passengers  disembarking cramped...

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Life Can Only be Understood Backwards

by Magdalena Ball He knew how to read the weather, the synoptic, the radar strong winds, showers the rain was coming.    He knew a...

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Lent 1989

by Mary Chydiriotis At the port of Mytilene cinnamon filled pockets of air float past along the waterfront a café sells Bougatsa made...

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Book Review: The Freedom Circus by Sue Smethurst

Reviewed by Michelle Freckleton Sue Smethurst is an award-winning writer/ journalist, who has worked in the media industry for over twenty...

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Up Cannibal Mountain

by Reece Pye He keeps his eyes on it even though he is driving, that smooth grey crest protruding from the earth like an ancient monolith....

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Book Review: No Small Shame by Christine Bell

Review by Angela Wauchop “Even as Mary said it, guilt scalded her insides knowing that Maw had nearly died of the bleeding after the last...

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Book Review: A Roman Death by Joan O’Hagan

Review by Angela Wauchop “… ‘Our daughters are still children when they marry. Have you ever considered that?’ Fufidius gaped...

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Isolation

by Patrick Petraitis Stopping for a moment, Samuel lay his trunk down on the only flat piece of earth he could find and sat upon it. He...

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Lady Alexandra

by Carly Waller Cecelia Green sat before the crackling fire, alone in the library and reading her favourite novel. There was a ball that...

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Nowhere to Go

by Lyssa Stevens Sienna woke to loud bangs and sirens blaring. Confused, she sat up and peeked outside the window. The town was ablaze,...

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Empty Beds

By Janeen O’Connell Mary Allan Monegeetta (Victoria) 9 April 1873 – Good Friday I know he isn’t there, but I reach across to...

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How our forefathers failed them, and we fail to see them

by Holly Erin Jane   A personal learning of the Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels     Growing up, my favourite story was of my grandfather...

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This Devil Ship

by Alison Knight What is a man? A collection of atoms contained within a skin, framed by bone, tethered with sinew. What is a god? Yuri...

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S.C. Farrow Interview

Interview by Holly Jane Erin S.C. Farrow is an Australian screenwriter and author. Throughout her life, she has had an array of left of...

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Marina and The SS Oronsay

by Bella Bevan It was supposed to be an easy walk to the docks from Tilbury station, but after five minutes of lugging her trunk, Marina...

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A Conversation with Sue Smethurst

Interviewed by Michelle Freckleton About the Author: Sue is an award-winning writer/journalist who has worked in the media for over twenty...

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