Storytellers (and Other Tales‪)‬

Features 16 short stories of contemporary Australian life, illustrated by Robert Brunton OAM.

* The Kid
Benny was just doing his job when he found himself with an unexpected problem on his hands.

* The Other Car
Mary Greaves has gone missing, and her husband doesn’t seem to have any sensible answers.

* Long Exposure
An unexpected legacy gives Pauline a heavy and unwanted responsibility, and reminds her of the past she would rather forget.

* Murder Ballads
He thought he had found his perfect match in Claudia. But then he discovered what could be a fatal flaw.

* Handover
An old man confronts the loss of his family home, and bitterly resists the change.

* The Poppies
Paying a sad tribute to her lost husband, Sarah comes to realise how many others have had to do the same.

* The Project
When my ex-wife dropped off our daughter for a weekend visit, I got more than I expected.

* In Concert
Family responsibilities and work commitments clash, forcing a new look at life for Emma and Jim.

* On the Edge
Ricky had been driven to despair by the religious commandments of his father. But then he saw a different view.

* The Despised
Brian had been on a peaceful afternoon walk through the parklands when everything went wrong.

* Buddha Laughed
A late-blooming romance is blessed by Hotei, the Laughing Buddha.

* At the End of His Tether
Driven to despair, he prepares to take his own life. His one abiding concern – his dog Sally.

* Slow Dawn
Paul finds that a mountain bushwalk pushes him well beyond his physical – and social – resources.

* The Fire of the Gods
He thought that fire was sent from heaven. Too late, he discovered he was wrong.

* Heart of Oak
The storm which ravaged the suburb did more than tear apart trees and lift roof tiles. It also exposed a raw and hidden tragedy.

* Storytellers
On a normal day’s commuter bus-ride, the passengers turn out to have tangled tales.

Total size: approx 22,000 words, and about 84 pages at standard font size.