AustLit

'The storybook idea of family—dad, mum, kids, gran and grandpa—doesn’t always reflect the bonds that tie us most closely to one another in Australia today. Many of us, even those in traditional family structures, find that the people with whom we feel the greatest kinship—a godmother, a brilliant teacher, a tight-knit group of friends—have no biological connection to us.

'The contributors to this collection, among the finest writers in Australia, pay tribute to the people who shaped them, and reimagine what family can mean in the twenty-first century. Forget the old, rigid definitions: this is a celebration of families in all the wonderful forms they may take.' (Publication summary)

'800 stories were submitted for consideration this year, many exploring the politics of this decade. After six weeks we decided on a shortlist of ten impressive examples of the contemporary short story, which included this years three finalists.' (Introduction)