Wayne Peake shares his story ‘The Gambler’s Ghost’, the account of a tragic punter’s redemption, from his eBook ‘The Gambler’s Ghost and Other Racing Oddities’.
Almanac Books: ‘Here, Bear and Everywhere’
January 29, 2026 by 8 Comments
Damian Balassone has a new book out titled ‘Here, Bear and Everywhere’ featuring a ‘beary fun-filled romp through rhyme’ that early readers will love.
Almanac Books: Books in my life – A reluctance to read
November 14, 2025 by 14 Comments
Barry Nicholls was invited to speak to The Friends of the State Library of South Australia to talk about influential books in his life. Here is the speech he gave on Tuesday November 4 at the Hetzel Lecture Theatre.
Almanac Literary: An extract from Kelvin Templeton’s ‘Collision’
November 12, 2025 by Leave a Comment
In this extract from Kelvin Templeton’s debut novel ‘Collision’- the Prologue and the first two chapters – we are introduced to a gifted and determined young footballer, Joshua Shamrock, whose talent and interest in the game (and its complexities) make him the hope of the Footscray side in 1975. We also meet Faye. But what of the flashback to 1957?
Almanac Life: The Belligerent Seagull
October 10, 2025 by 3 Comments
Ian Wilson has a love for the comedy greats such as Peter Cook, Looney Tunes and Basil Fawlty. Coming across a couple of belligerent seagulls in Robe it provided a scenario for some comedic fun for Ian and Lynda as Ian explains.
Almanac (Footy) Fiction: Oscar Compson, revisited
August 30, 2025 by 1 Comment
A fictional account of a contentious AFL issue that this week made headlines after a former AFL player’s lifestyle admission.
Almanac Fiction: Swifty Taylor and the Errant Husband (Episode 8)
June 19, 2025 by 10 Comments
In the denouement to series 3 of Swifty Taylor’s adventures, Swifty has a final confrontation with Max
Almanac Fiction: Swifty Taylor and the Errant Husband (Episode 7)
June 12, 2025 by 7 Comments
Swifty heads back to Port Douglas, where he wrestles with his conscience
Almanac Fiction: Swifty Taylor and the Errant Husband (Episode 6)
May 29, 2025 by 13 Comments
In Episode 6, Swifty secures one of the things he has been seeking, putting another brick in the wall.
Almanac Fiction: Swifty Taylor and the Errant Husband (Episode 5)
May 22, 2025 by 7 Comments
Swifty makes small talk with Max, then chats to his new friend Jess.
Almanac Fiction: Swifty Taylor and the Errant Husband (Episode 4)
May 16, 2025 by 9 Comments
Swifty continues to make some pertinent observations
Almanac Fiction: Swifty Taylor and the Errant Husband (Episode 3)
May 9, 2025 by 7 Comments
Swifty continues to battle the North Queensland humidity as he tracks his quarry.
Almanac Fiction: Swifty Taylor and the Errant Husband (Episode 2)
May 2, 2025 by 8 Comments
Episode 2: Cairns, chinos, and clues. Swifty’s stakeout in FNQ begins.
Almanac Fiction: Swifty Taylor and the Errant Husband (Episode 1)
April 25, 2025 by 12 Comments
Fictional Williamstown gumshoe Swifty Taylor is back!! Join him for a third gripping series of noir mystery and mayhem.
Almanac Book Reviews: ‘Chinaman: The Legend of Pradeep Mathew’ by Shehan Karunatilaka
February 1, 2025 by 6 Comments
Peter Crossing reviews ‘Chinaman: The Legend of Pradeep Mathew’ by Booker Prize winning author, Shehan Karunatilaka, a fictional tale relating to the search for a ‘mysterious Sri Lankan scricketer who may or may not have been the best spin bowler ever’..
Almanac (Fictional) Cricket: Viv on run outs
December 11, 2024 by 2 Comments
Viv Tufnell, that cricketer from an alternate universe, gives his ‘two bob’s worth’ on the ‘yes-no’wait’ dilemma and the potential of run outs.
Almanac Fiction: Harry calls a winner
Wayne Peake has written a cracking fictional turf story about Harold Trump renowned race caller until sacked for calling the wrong winner, a bank robbery witnessed by Harold, the apprehension of the bandits at a race meeting, and in a twist, a reward from the man who sacked him.