To some of us, Romy Ash might be in familiar west coast territory with her first novel, Floundering, but her unsentimental, suspenseful and strangely elegant story is as powerful as its backdrop is instantly recognisable. Robert Drewe’s rave review for Floundering in the Guardian. Along with Friday Brown, Floundering was just shortlisted in the 2013 Prime Minister’s Literary Awards.

In praise of itty-bitty books.

Zadie Smith, Jane Smiley and other authors take umbrage at Lauren Sandler’s suggestion that the secret to being both a successful writer and a mother is to have only one child.