Joyful Strains

These are stories about what they found, who they became and what they now think of Australia – stories that provide entertainment, perspective and cause to celebrate our increasingly diverse nation. This is an insightful, compelling and sometimes confronting collection for all Australians.

Contributors include: Alice Pung, Danny Katz, Mark Dapin and Diane Armstrong, with an introduction from Arnold Zable.

About the Authors

Kent MacCarter is a writer and editor in Melbourne. He’s the author of two poetry collections — In the Hungry Middle of Here (Transit Lounge, 2009) and Ribosome Spreadsheet (Picaro, 2011). MacCarter sits on the board of The Small Press Network and is active in Melbourne PEN. He is Managing Editor of Cordite Poetry Review. He was recently awarded a Fulbright Travel Award to read in Indonesia, promoting American literature.

Born and raised in New York City, writer and editor Ali Lemerm arrived in Melbourne in 2005 with just two large suitcases. After finishing a post-grad degree in editing at the University of Melbourne, she went on to work as an editor and writer for Melbourne-based travel guide publisher Lonely Planet for five years. The author of three travel guidebooks for Thomas Cook and a host of articles for LonelyPlanet.com, Ali has also had her work published in Meanjin, Eureka Street, and the University of Melbourne Postgraduate Review.