ES-PRESS is a new imprint of Spineless Wonders specialising in curated editions of poetry, fiction, memoir and creative non-fiction which aim to provoke, inspire and entertain as well as non-fiction books dealing with issues in contemporary Australian life. We are particularly looking to provide a platform for diverse voices via ES-Press.
For more information contact, info[at]shortaustralianstories[dot]com[au]
Recent ES-PRESS titles
Siarad is a Welsh word, meaning to talk, to speak. In this collection of spoken word, prose poetry and micro-fiction, Reid speaks to the memories and emotions that move us through decades, continents and cultures. The collection pulses with images of stars and stray dogs, highways with no horizon and mothers with fading memories. Reid’s background as a performer and playwright shines in this collection of works that are as bold as they are tender, begging to be shouted, spoken, whispered many times over.
‘Psychedelic. Startling. Alive. This book takes you to places you never imagined you’d go, and some places you’ve already been, but thought you were alone when you were there. Caroline Reid is a fellow traveller in a chaotic world. She tells a woman’s story, but it is the story of us all.’ Donna Ward, She I Dare Not Name: A Spinster’s Meditations on Life.
‘Caroline Reid’s writing illuminates the mundane and the ordinary as spectacular and powerful.’ Rosslyn Prosser, University of Adelaide
Caroline Reid writes across genre and form. A regular spoken word performer and repeat finalist in the Australian Poetry Slam, her poetry and prose have also been widely published. Her play Prayer to an Iron God is published by Currency Press.
Also available as audiobook.
Shortlisted, 2020 International Beverly Prize for Literature
A deeply moving memoir about the battles waged against terminal illness and a mother’s struggle to comprehend the battlefield in its wake. While some family members wage war against her daughter’s disease with natural therapies, and doctors fight on using the latest developments in medical science, she longs to take her daughter to Paris instead, the city that inspired the young woman’s writing and art.
The Asparagus Wars asks questions about notions of victory at all costs. Shot through with fearless wit and resonant description, this story will break your heart but leave you richer for the experience.
'Read this book. It will break your heart, but your soul will be the richer for it. Carol Major takes us on a journey of unthinkable loss, and seamlessly weaves the personal into the fabric of the political, the larger historical picture. Her fierce honesty is shot through with a fearless wit. She never overwhelms; her reader can breathe and regroup. The writing is gold spun from the ashes of personal and collective sorrow - descriptions of nature and cities, interiors and people, that capture their truth, and their beauty. Some books change a reader. This is one of them.' Vicki Laveau-Harvie, The Erratics
‘A superb and courageous work suffused with honesty, vulnerability and poetic finesse. A book that compels us to endure the most challenging of both physical and emotional maladies with love, rather than resorting to waging war.’Dr Leah Kaminsky, The Waiting Room and The Hollow Bones
Carol Major was born in Scotland, grew up in Canada and finally settled in the Blue Mountains of Australia. Her short stories and poems have been published in Canadian and Australian journals. She provides mentoring services to authors at Varuna, Australia’s National Writers House.
Also available as audiobook.
Meet the ES-PRESS team
Editors
Matilda Gould is a journalist, writer and freelance editor. She holds degrees from University of Technology, Sydney's Creative Intelligence and Innovation as well as Creative Writing. Matilda is an experienced book editor with recent publishing credits including Siarad by Caroline Reid and Spineless Wonders' Dear Ibis by Kate Liston-Mills.
Marion Thomas is a freelance editor, proofreader and manuscript assessor. She received first-class honours in English (creative writing) at UTAS, and completed a certificate in Editing and Publishing through University of Southern Queensland. She is also an award-winning short fiction writer and has over a decade experience working as a freelance writer. Her work has been published in a wide variety of magazines and literary journals, including Island, Takahe,The School Magazine, Wellbeing and Nurture.
Camilla Cripps has 15 years in creative industries, with many of those years spent employed in the academic sphere. Her most recent publication credits include editing and typesetting of Spineless Wonders' verse novel, brb be right back by Maree Dawes. She has both undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications in writing and editing. Camilla is a registered professional member of the Australian industry body, the Institute of Professional Editors
Book design and covers by Bettina Kaiser Art + Design
Promotional strategies by Hannah Oakshott Marketing Services
ES-PRESS production manager, Bronwyn Mehan