SPINELESS WONDERS is a Sydney-based multi-platform publishing house devoted to working collaboratively to produce books, ebooks and audiobooks as well as immersive and engaging literary-based experiences. Since 2011, Spineless Wonders has specialised in short fiction. We now also publish a range of titles under our new imprint, ES-Press. And our newly-established production company, Spineless Wonders Audio produces audiobooks, audio-drama, podcasts and location-inspired audio.
Acknowledgement of Country
Spineless Wonders is based on the stolen land of the Gadigal-Wangal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to elders, past and present. We acknowledge this land was never ceded, sold, or given up and extend warmth and solidarity to all First Nations people. Always was and always will be Aboriginal land. #IndigenousLivesMatter
Publications
SPINELESS WONDERS is interested in brief fiction in all its forms – from short short stories to novella. We also publish ‘microlit’, a unique blend of microfiction and prose poetry. We publish single-author collections and anthologies in print, ebook and audiobook format. Each year we host a literary award named after the outstanding Australian poet joanne burns and we offer Slinkies, a platform set up exclusively for emerging writers under 30. Thanks to our partnership with the Newcastle Writers Festival, we are able to continue to offer cash prizes and publication for The joanne burns Microlit Award. The annual Carmel Bird Award named after Patrick White Award recipient, Carmel Bird was established in 2011 and is currently on pause.
Location-inspired Storytelling
Spineless Wonders has embarked upon a new direction in collecting and sharing stories through the two projects, Sonic City and StoryRoad. Both projects involve collaborations with writers and other creatives including narrators, sound designers and online developers to create audio-stories about local people and places. We work with local writers groups, cultural festivals, educational institutions and local councils to curate and deliver local stories.
Sonic City is a nationwide initiative created by Spineless Wonders in collaboration with writers and sound designers aimed at activating urban spaces with new and existing stories inspired by the local area. We work with local councils, cultural festivals and writers organisations who are looking for innovative ways to share stories about their local area from the past, present and future. We provide support in collecting, curating and producing audio-stories which can be accessed by strikingly-designed QR code stickers and flyers. Sonic City audio-stories can also be accessed via the interactive map on the Sonic City website. Sonic City: stories and sounds of Sydney produced in partnership with the City of Sydney will be launched shortly.
Our History
Founded by Bronwyn Mehan in 2011, Spineless Wonders has expanded from a print, digital and audio publishing house to a short story production company working collaboratively with authors and artists across many disciplines to get short fiction out into the world – everywhere.
Performed Fiction
Since 2014, we have produced LITTLE FICTIONS (formerly known as Spineless Wonders Presents… a short evening of tall stories). LITTLE FICTIONS is a unique literary event where short stories are read by actors to a live audience. In 2017, we were invited by the City of Sydney to produce a series of Little Fictions shows for their Late Night Library program. The City of Sydney’s funding allowed us to create OFF THE PAGE, a new and exciting multi-media platform for performed short fiction, now part of Little Fictions Productions.
Storybombing
In 2016, we formed an interdisciplinary artists’ collective called #STORYBOMBING. Its aim is to work with others to find innovative ways to activate public spaces with short Australian fiction curated and produced by SPINELESS WONDERS. Think stories spraypainted onto pavements, in retro pushbutton phones, projected onto buildings… You can find out what we’ve been up to, what is coming up next and how you can get involved, under the #storybombing tab.
Microflix
In 2018, we established the Microflix Awards and Festival. It aims to encourage more Australian filmmakers to use work by Australian authors, to reward excellence and creativity in film adaptations and to champion the importance of the writer, and the original text, in the filmmaking process.
Our partners
We gratefully acknowledge the support given to our programs by The Australia Council, the Copyright Agency Cultural Fund, the City of Sydney, Newcastle Writers Festival, the National Young Writers Festival, the Surry Hills Festival, Inner West Council, Sydney Writers Festival and Deakin University.
We are very proud to have worked collaboratively with the University of Technology, Sydney (Media Arts and Production and Music and Sound Production), The Sydney Conservatorium of Music, The Sate Library of Victoria, University of Sydney (Media and Communications), University of Southern Queensland (Digital Publishing studies), Knox Street Bar, 107 Projects and Joynton Ave Creative Centre.
How to submit
At Spineless Wonders are interested in all kinds of stories – contemporary realist, black comedy, steam punk, historical, literary, romance, psychological, mystery, crime, futurist, speculative and genres yet to be labelled. We are interested in new writing and new voices.
For details on The joanne burns Microlit Award, go to the Opportunities tab. You will also find information there about our Slinkies platform, a place where we support and promote the work of emerging writers under 30.
We also regularly conduct call-outs for contributions to place-making projects and See Opportunities tab for details.
How to Get Involved
Collaborations
We welcome opportunities to collaborate with local councils, cultural events organisers and writing groups as well as writers and other creatives. Got an idea? Drop us an email at info [at] shortaustralianstories [dot] com [dot] au
Interns
SPINELESS WONDERS offers supervised internship and work experience projects to people as part of their tertiary studies and to those seeking experience with a literary production house. Inquiries can be directed to info [at] shortaustralianstories [dot] com [dot] au
Newsletter
How to order
Here at Spineless Wonders, we love bookshops – especially ones who champion quality short Australian fiction. So we encourage readers to purchase our print books from a local store.
But if that’s not possible, you can browse our Products page and order directly from our website using Paypal or a credit card. We can take orders from, and deliver to, just about anywhere in the world!
Distribution
Distributed by NewSouth Books through Alliance Distribution Services (ADS)
Tel: +61 (2) 4390 1300
Email: adscs@alliancedist.com.au
http://www.newsouthbooks.com.au/
Rights Inquiries
Please contact info[at]shortaustralianstories[dot]com[dot]au
Credits
Spineless Wonders logo by Paden Hunter
Web content edited by Bronwyn Mehan
Website design consultant Bettina Kaiser, Art + Design