Odyssey Books

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Featured Author: Bill Bateman

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Bill Bateman practiced medicine for 25 years on Victoria’s rugged south-west coast before moving with his family to the city. Currently he works at an inner suburban GP practice and a drop-in clinic for the homeless. He was the author of a fortnightly (hopefully funny) column in The Australian Doctor, a national medical magazine, and now turns his pen to novel writing. The sequel to his debut novel (Hard Labour), was launched last night at the Avenue Bookstore. We chat with Bill about writing and his new book, You're Never The Same. What type of trouble can we see Dr...

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Odyssey turns 10!

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Celebrating 100 titles in 2019

On 14 July 2009, Odyssey Books became an incorporated publishing company, with its first title—Operation Trooplift: Postcards From Home, an anthology of short stories, poetry, photos and illustrations—published in January the following year. Ten years later, Odyssey will publish its 100th title—a feat for any small press when you consider many shut down within a few years, for various reasons.  “When I first started Odyssey Books, it was very much a passion project. I had big goals to build the company into a full-time business, but kept a safety net in my day job, so it’s taken a bit longer...

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An anniversary … and a sequel

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  Michelle Saftich's historical novel, Port of No Return, turns one today. And what better day to announce we have signed on the sequel, titled Wanderers No More, to be published in early 2017. In Port of No Return, Contessa and Ettore Saforo awake to a normal day in war-stricken, occupied Italy. By the end of the day, however, their house is in ruins and they must seek shelter and protection wherever they can. But the turbulent politics of 1944 refuses to let them be. As Tito and his Yugoslav Army threaten their German-held town of Fiume, Ettore finds himself...

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Women of Spirit Awards – congratulations Dana Lim!

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  Each year, for the past ten years, Lifeline Canberra has recognised outstanding women in our community; women who have overcome adversity, given back to the community and inspired others to do the same. The Women of Spirit Awards is one small way to thank these amazing women, and to remind them just how special they are. We are proud to share that Odyssey author Dana Lim (Mother and the Tiger) is a finalist of this award. Congratulations Dana!

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76-Year-Old Author Maris Morton Releases New Book, The Herb Gardener, to an Enthusiastic Response

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Australian independent publishing house Odyssey Books has announced the release of acclaimed 76-year-old author Maris Morton's latest book The Herb Gardener to the excitement of her many fans. It's never too late to follow your dreams. That becomes clear when you take a look at the story of Odyssey Books author, Maris Morton, who's only a few years into her career as an award-winning writer. This is remarkable since Morton is 76 years young, having published her first novel at the age of 71. Morton's latest book The Herb Gardener will be published in paperback on 17 June; the ebook...

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Catching the Barramundi – longlisted for Edge Hill Short Story Prize 2013

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A record number of writers have entered this year’s prestigious Edge Hill Short Story Prize. A diverse range of talents from the literary world have entered their work in the 2013 awards, with interest from a wide range of large mainstream publishers and independent presses. Now in its seventh year, it is the only UK award that recognises excellence in a published collection of short stories and has attracted established names competing alongside relative newcomers for the £5,000 main prize and £1,000 Readers’ Prize. We are proud to announce that Rebecca Burns’ short story collection, Catching the Barramundi, has been longlisted for...

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Vietnam War Memoir shortlisted for 2012 William Saroyan International Prize for Writing

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Canberra-based publisher, Odyssey Books, is celebrating Stanford University Libraries’ announcement of the shortlist for the fifth William Saroyan International Prize for Writing. Tales from a Mountain City: A Vietnam War Memoir by Quynh Dao is one of twelve titles shortlisted in the non-fiction category in 2012. The winners will be announced in September. The award is intended to encourage new or emerging writers and honour the Saroyan literary legacy of originality, vitality and stylistic innovation. “Stanford is thrilled once again to honor the literary legacy of William Saroyan by awarding The William Saroyan International Prize for Writing,” said Michael A. Keller,...

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Tales from a Mountain City shortlisted for Asher Literary Award

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The Asher Literary Award was offered for the first time in 2005 in collaboration with the Literature Board of the Australia Council. This award has been made possible by a generous bequest from Mrs Helen Waltraud Rosalie Asher. Helen Asher was a writer (she also used the name Helen Ulrich) and published one novel, Tilly’s Fortunes (Penguin, 1986), and some other shorter works of fiction which appeared in various anthologies. Helen Asher was a post-WWII German refugee from fascism. Along with her husband Mervyn, she was deeply committed to the artistic and cultural life of their adoptive country, Australia, and...

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