I am very happy that I have a story appearing in CRUX 2026, created, published, edited, produced, etc, by Meridian Australis, “Melbourne’s premier speculative fiction organisation” – it must be true, they would not say it if it wasn’t.

CRUX Volume 1 is being launched at Readings Carlton on 4 June. Unfortunately I live 878 kilometres away, and though we enjoy a long drive in Australia, it is a school night, and so I won’t there. If I had, you would have been able to recognise me. I would have been the old bloke in the corner, clutching free wine (yes, there is free wine), saying to myself, go on, talk to someone, how hard can it be?, while scanning the Readings shelves to pretend I was not just standing there like a goose (geese do not just stand there, David) (whenever I am in Melbourne I make sure I take an opportunity to get to Carlton even if just to peruse the Readings shelves, probably also have Italian food and a glass of red – not free – in Lygon Street – but I digress).

Free tickets to the launch are available here.

Writing and publishing short stories usually involves little interaction once the story is accepted. I want to say OUT LOUD what a great experience this particular publication has been. Monte Weir was a great editor, she asked lots of fantastic questions, made terrific thoughtful suggestions, took a lot of time with me, and made me think hard about a piece that I had lived with for a long time. I am very grateful, and I am looking forward to reading CRUX 2026.