This collection of short stories about the Outback is the result of the eighth writing competition for the Outback Writers’ Festival held in Winton on 20–22 June 2023. The winner was announced at the Festival. The best stories are in this book. See www.outbackwritersfestival.com.au and Facebook for the results. Follow us on Facebook and let us know whether you think the judges got it right.

Audrey is Australia’s response to Pippi Longstocking. Determined, mischievous, imaginative and inquisitive, Audrey of the Outback will have every girl in the country, wishing she were a swaggie.

The tempestuous saga of AUtralia and the pioneers who risked everything to tame a continent.

Embark on an eye-opening adventure in the land Down Under, and see eight creatures in astounding motion. From the New York Times bestselling series. Using Photicular® technology that’s like a 3-D movie on the page, OUTBACK whisks you to the vast, remote world of wild Australia, where heat waves dance forever and animals, isolated by the vagaries of continental drift, are unlike those found anywhere else on Earth. Each moving image delivers a rich, immersive visual experience—and the result is breathtaking. The kangaroo hops. A wombat waddles. The frilled lizard races on two legs across the desert floor. A peacock spider dances and shows off its vibrant colors. Experience it for yourself!

How far will a girl go to win back a guy she can’t stand? This funny, sweet, and romantic story proves that opposites do attract—and that God has a sense of humor. Samuel Payton is a passionate youth pastor in Virginia, but below the surface, he’s still recovering from the blow of a failed business and insecurities he can’t shake. His coworker, start-up expert Kimberly Foster, is brilliant, fearless, and capable, but years of personal rejection have left her defensive and longing for a family. Two people have never been more at odds—or more attracted to one another. And every day at work, the sparks sure do fly. When Kimberly’s ambitious plans for Sam’s ministry butt up against his risk-averse nature, Sam decides that obligations to family trump his work for the church. He quits the ministry and heads home to Australia to help his sister, Jules, save her struggling farm. As Kimberly’s grand plans flounder, she is forced to face the truth: that no one can replace Sam. Together they strike up a deal: If Kimberly comes to work on Jules’s dairy farm and lends her business brains to their endeavor, then maybe—just maybe—Sam will reconsider his future with the church. As Kimberly tries her hand at Australian farm life, she learns more about herself than she could’ve ever expected. Meanwhile Sam is forced to re-evaluate this spunky woman he thought he already knew. As foes slowly morph into friends, they wonder if they might be something even more. But when disaster strikes the farm, will Sam find it within himself to take a risk that could lead to love? And will Kimberly trust God with her future? “Original, heartwarming, full of lovable characters amid a fast-paced plot. Romance readers will love the bicontinental adventure of a sassy, strong-willed woman going across the ocean to win back the Aussie man who holds the key to her career dreams—but also, as it turns out, so much more.” —Melissa Ferguson, author of The Dating Charade “Combining breathtaking realness, natural humor, and scorching romantic chemistry that leaps off the page, author Jessica Kate has given us a thoroughly modern tale about risk, acceptance, and the true meaning of home. Crackling with electricity and overflowing with heart, A Girl’s Guide to the Outback is one you won’t want to miss. Fair dinkum!” —Bethany Turner, award-winning author of The Secret Life of Sarah Hollenbeck and Wooing Cadie McCaffrey “A Girl's Guide to the Outback is as charming as it is hilarious! Jessica Kate’s fresh and unique voice is both humorous and endearing, leaving you no choice but to abandon all personal responsibilities so you can devour every page. This is one of those stories that leaves you looking around for the characters after you’ve finished reading, because they just had to be real.” —Betsy St. Amant, author of The Key to Love, coming October 2020 Contemporary inspirational romance novel Includes characters featured in Jessica Kate’s debut Love and Other Mistakes but can be read as a standalone Book length: 90,000 words Includes discussion questions for book clubs

Aust'n author Annaliese Porter captures the Australian outback in all its moods in this moving bush ballad about the country's vast interior.

The Australian supervillain, Outback Jack, and his sidekick, Jackie, are in search of buried treasure in Bumblyburg. No veggie will stand in their way! LarryBoy has to rely on retired superhero, Pruneman, to help him. But before they can capture Outback Jack, they must first battle the Hilaria-Mosquito, which stings victims with a green gag gas that keeps them telling jokes...for hours! Will LarryBoy respect the wisdom that Pruneman has to offer? Or will the Hilaria-Mosquito make him the next super-comic? Find out in this “hilarious” LarryBoy adventure that teaches kids about respecting their elders!Sunday morning values, Saturday morning fun. Now that’s the Big Idea!Through imaginative and innovative products, Zonderkidz is feeding young souls.