PARKER, Nicole
ISBN 978-1-922890-05-4
PAPERBACK
ISBN 978-1-922890-15-3
HARDCOVER
A to Z of Imagination
A fun, bright and magical way to spark your child’s imagination and learn the alphabet along the way.
DIMITRIJEVIC, Nicole
ISBN 978-1-922803-13-9
PAPERBACK
Living with Epilepsy
In her memoir Living with Epilepsy she explores the challenges and obstacles she faced because of the disorder, but also the amazing opportunity she was presented with as a child to have ‘pioneering’ surgery which would help to better control the seizures she was experiencing on a daily basis. She also discusses what life is like now for her as an adult, having had the surgery in 1991.
About the Author
Nicole Dimitrijevic has lived with epilepsy since childhood. This is her first published work.
POLA, Geoff
ISBN 978-1-922337-20-7
PAPERBACK
The Shit Fairy
Avril’s feelings for Dan are confusing. Hardened by institutional life, Avril Maguire sees Dan as someone she can use and manipulate. She has no concept of consequences and has difficulty adjusting to the psychological abuses by the staff.
Their friendship develops amongst the chaos of her mind, and her past. She inhabits two worlds. One of the sun’s rays, where she is burdened by her disability, and that of the moon’s beams, where she is tucked up tight in bed, free to explore her dreams. It’s through these worlds that Avril discovers a sense of identity and belonging.
The enigma that is Avril Maguire is unique in the complexity of a beautiful mind. Avril’s mischievous giggle is infectious and wills you into a world that is heart-felt and challenging.
ISBN 978-1-922722-05-8
PAPERBACK
The Circle
This is the second book in a series that follows Avril Maguire as she navigates a not so perfect world. At the age of five, Avril was sent to Pleasant Creek. In 1982 she was transferred to Aradale; formally known as Ararat Lunatic Asylum, which housed the adult population. We pick up Avril’s story as the year sees out the end of the 20th Century.
The true origins of the circle come from pagan rituals that worshipped the Sun and the Moon.
Avril knew the power of the circle; it was a symbol of defiance for the little girl that never grew up. She tried to block out the past and imagine her future. The scars on her forearms were a reminder; each one a chapter, a story. Danny Walters is one of Avril’s care workers; their relationship is conditional and one that is renegotiated on a daily basis. Hardened by institutional culture, Avril has no language and is frustrated by the restrictive practices to control her behaviour. Yet she is intrigued by the power she has over Dan.
“Dan thinks I’m all sugar and spice!” Hee
About the Author
I was born in Melbourne and completed formal studies to gain a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree at the federation University. My interest in psychiatric art lead to chance meeting with Dr Cunningham Dax in 1997 who was cataloguing the collection of psychiatric art from Aradale Mental Hospital, formerly known as Ararat Lunatic Asylum. This was the turning point in my career; I had the privilege of working with people in the disability sector who have fragile and broken minds, plus challenging and complex behaviours.
It was here I met some interesting characters and some beautiful minds filled with dreams and aspirations. I find it humbling to hold the memories of such souls; they will be always cherished and valued.
The Shit Fairy which is subtitled; The Complexities of a beautiful Mind, is a fictional book with contemporary historical elements. We follow the main character, Avril Maguire who has a profound disability. She was brought up in “institutional care” such as Pleasant Creek in Stawell and then transferred to Aradale in 1982, which housed the adult population. The plight of Avril is a poignant reminder regarding the recent Royal Commission into the Disability sector in Australia. I regard myself as a passionate advocate for people like Avril.
Avril story is set in the mid to late 1990’s and we follow her during the transitional period when it was Government policy to close these notorious institutions and integrate residents into social housing. These units were called Client Residential Units (CRU’s). The social expectations were a far cry from a society that had excluded her for thirty-six years.
This is the first book in a series that follows Avril Maguire as she navigates a not so perfect world. Her fear is that she will inflict her will on you! Will you still like me.
BOX, David
Australian Gin is now on the bookstore shelves Australia-wide through Novella Distribution.
ISBN 978-0-6486785-8-8
HARDBACK I 273 pages l FULL COLOUR
AVAILABLE THROUGH
TITLE PAGE (for booksellers) or DIRECT FROM THE AUTHOR (for readers)
Australian Gin
Until a few years ago David Box enjoyed gin. He then discovered Australian craft gin and he fell in love with a spirit that he never dreamt could be so complex.
Australia’s Jon Lark
David and contributors including Jon Lark – KI Spirits, Dave Irwin and Matt Argus – Patient Wolf, Cameron Mackenzie – Four Pillars and Phillip Jones – The Martini Whisperer open up the world of Aussie gin.
You’ll find detailed information on dozens and dozens of distilleries that started the current gin craze down under. The people, the gins, their cellar doors and much more.
The book explores in depth the definition of gin, the history of Australian gin, descriptions of different gin styles, what it is like to start a distillery and the issues distillers face, and most importantly how to enjoy gin and support Australian distillers.
Australian Gin covers such subjects such as:
- What exactly is gin?
- The history of Australian gin
- Different gin styles
- Starting a distillery
- The issues distilleries have to face
- How to enjoy gin
- and more!
It is indeed the book all gin lovers have been waiting for!
From the Author
We are in an unprecedented Australian gin boom. Distillers are winning prestigious global awards. Exports are starting to rise. The number of distilleries is growing exponentially. It is difficult for even the most dedicated fanatic to keep up, until now. Two years ago it became my mission to spread the word. So, whether you have already caught the Australian gin bug or maybe starting from scratch, this is definitely the book for you.
For many years – in my case decades – the 6 o’clock G&T ritual was more a habit. To be honest, I didn’t really love gin, but I certainly enjoyed it. I love good wine, good cocktails and good food, but back then I didn’t actually love gin. It was a surprise to me to discover that Australia even made gin despite the fact that, at that time, we had been doing so for over a decade. As I tried more Australian gin, my enjoyment grew, as did my curiosity and desire for more information. My search was extensive. Sure, there were occasional articles in magazines, newspapers, online and even the odd TV spot, but if you wanted to dig a little deeper into the world of Australian gin, there was bugger all. I honestly felt shocked. How could this be? Someone had to change that, and it might as well be me.
It wasn’t long before I fell in love with Australian craft gin. Those in the know say that gin is the wine lover’s spirit. It has flavours and aromas that are often used to describe the taste and bouquet of wine like floral, berries, length, bold, etc. It seemed natural then that this wine lover should fall head over heels for gin. Not satisfied with a book, discovering that so many people had no idea about Australian gin and having a particular patriotic bent, I took up the cause and became evangelical. I even started an Australian gin related business, Gintonica, to share the taste of Australian craft gin.
Over and over again people were asking questions like: How is gin made? What are the different ways to drink gin? What garnishes should I use? What tonics? What exactly is gin anyway!? Who are the people behind gin distilling? Where are they all? And, as a bit of a history nut, I also wanted to know where and when the first Australian gin was made and by whom?
The most surprising statement that I still come across on a very regular basis is: “I didn’t know that Australia made gin.” Most people know that we make rum, brandy and whisky, but gin? When I inform them that we have, in fact, over 150 distilleries making gin, they are astounded.
I wanted to write a book that could be enjoyed on many levels. For example, to discover where the distilleries are, their cellar doors and tasting rooms, the people involved in the industry and their gins. On the other hand, you can also pick up on some of the hot topics in the gin community and delve even deeper. For example, whether the ways of making a gin are important, the definition of gin styles, the ideas of provenance in Australian gin, what exactly defines a “craft gin”, what is involved in setting up a distillery and so much more.
Before you dive into these pages, do not miss the words on the next page. I was humbled that Jon Lark agreed to write the foreword to this book. He and Sarah Lark founded the first dedicated gin distillery in the modern era on Kangaroo Island. Jon touches on all the important aspects of gin in Australia today and is a perfect way to get started.
David Box l Gintonica
GRAHAM, Anthony
ISBN 978-1-922722-87-4
PAPERBACK
Reflections of Tiny Victories
LAW, LITERATURE, LOBS & LICKS
A droll memoir of an eventful life.
The author left school aged 14 to pursue a career as a professional square dance caller. Somehow, he found his way back to school and later university. He was diverted and became a jazz club promoter for a few years.
After finally completing his law degree he practised at the bar for nearly 40 years as a barrister and QC and spent 11 years as a judge
of the Family Court of Australia. Subsequently he was appointed a Professorial Fellow at Charles Darwin University and an acting judge of the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory.
Together with an old friend the author returned to the music business when aged 60. The Rocker and the Jazzer have written over 50 songs
and their albums are available to stream. Four of their songs have been recorded in Nashville and they have also been covered by German and Dutch bands.
This is not the author’s first excursion into print. He has written two textbooks, internationally circulated articles and two published novels, JERRY O and MONKEY MAN are available in print or as EBooks.
He is presently working on a new novel, when not playing tennis or writing songs.
About the Author
The author has practised as a barrister, QC, judge and Law Professor over a career spanning 50 years. He is also a musician and songwriter. He is the Jazzer in the Rocker & Jazzer band that has recorded a number of albums and he has co-written numerous songs that have been covered in the USA and Europe. He has written a number of published text books and his fiction, REFLECTIONS OF TINY VICTORIES, JERRY O and MONKEY MAN are available in print or as EBooks.
BERNARDI, Erin Joy
ISBN 978-1-922629-27-2
PAPERBACK
There’s a Monster on my Shoulder
…there’s a Monster on my shoulder, and he’s never, ever kind. He whispers things inside my ear that scare my anxious mind…
If there was a monster on your shoulder telling you scary things would you know how to make it go away? This is a story about just that! But beware…this monster is tricky and cheeky and definitely doesn’t want to leave you alone!
About the Author
I am a Teacher, qualified and experienced in both Primary and Early Childhood Education. I am also a Mum. It is my experiences in these roles that compelled me to write this book. Every day I see more and more children suffering with anxiety – be that very mild or quite extreme. To some extent, everyone suffers from it in one form or another. It is particularly hard to converse about anxiety with young children and explain exactly what it is in a way that helps them understand and cope with it. My hope is that this book can be a very effective tool in doing this. I also hope that it can enhance childrens understanding of who they are at their essence. Help them know that the thoughts that circle around their minds are not them, that they are the ones aware of those thoughts and as such can exercise much more choice about them.