A 2021 Announcement

Competition Launch Deal

To kick off the 2021 competition, we’re having a special deal on our 2019 and 2020 anthologies, only $14 per copy, while stocks last. Each book has about 40 short stories of life and faith, from a sound-tech guy working on subtitles to a lady in retail asking existential questions, from piano solos to moving house, from facing mortality to an invitation to dance.

A great way to start thinking about your own story, told in your unique voice, is to read how other people have told their stories, and indeed, the unexpected places they found those stories.

The 2021 Stories of Life monthly focus:

  • April – Reading Month
  • May – Writing Month
  • June – Feedback Month
  • July – Submission Month

Submission period April – 31 July.

Pick up one or two books todayand start jotting down ideas for your own story of life. Then in May, when we start shining a spotlight on the many writing resources we’ve developed over the past 5 years, you’ll be all set to start writing! Will 2021 be the year your story of faith and testimony is published? We hope so!

 

 

A 2020 Story of Life reading

The Anthill by Diana Davison

Last year, Diana Davison’s story ‘The Anthill’ was published in our 2020 anthology, The Swimmer and other stories of life:

The Anthill, written and read by Diana Davison. Music composed and produced by Jason Shaw https://audionautix.com/

My father’s memorial garden.

This is where I spend a frequent amount of time reflecting. It is a realm immersed in nature and one where I can ‘just be me’ on a bench within my father’s memorial garden. Thoughts come and go but nature remains to inspire me with its insight.

It is approaching nearly three years now that I have found myself coming here. I have written words private and observational to me while paying respect and being respectful to my surroundings. My little hardback note book or notes on my phone are always at the ready to capture my thoughts before they become fleeting, like the breeze.

It was here – in this writing space – that I sat watching the build up of an anthill growing over time.  A reassuring presence in a dead quiet setting.  It inspired my short story for the ‘Stories Of Life’ anthology. I feel blessed to be included in this book of connectedness. The book itself has shown me that many people have different stories to tell in their own voice which, in the end, brings us all together.

~Diana Davison

The 2020 Stories of Life anthology

Enjoyed this? Get your copy of The Swimmer today – it’s filled with over 40 true short stories of life. You might even be inspired to send us one of your true stories of faith and testimony, and it might be published in the 2021 Stories of Life anthology. Wouldn’t that be grand?

A 2020 Story of Life reading

The Swimmer by Gaynor Faulkner

In the lead-up to the launch of our 2021 Stories of Life competition on 1 April, we are bringing you some of the best stories from last year.

The Swimmer was the title story in our 2020 anthology. Gaynor Faulkner read her story at the book launch, and also recorded this at the 1079 Life studios for broadcast over summer. We’re pleased to bring you the recording today.

Music composed and produced by Jason Shaw https://audionautix.com/

Gaynor reading her title story, The Swimmer

If you enjoyed Gaynor’s story, get a copy of The Swimmer for more stories of life. Available at Tabor Adelaide’s reception and online.

 

A 2020 Story of Life reading

A Small Giveaway

A small giveaway, written and read by Jennie Altmann. Music composed and produced by Jason Shaw https://audionautix.com/

Jenine at a microphone in a recording studio.
Jenine Altmann recording her story at 1079 Life studios in Adelaide

When we asked Jenine for a photo or video of herself, she sent us this snippet which her grandsons helped to produce: Jenine, an introduction. Thanks so much guys – looks like you had a bit of family production fun 🙂

If you enjoyed Jenine’s story, get a copy of The Swimmer, and tune in to 1079 Life for more stories of life. Feature photograph of Beijing Hutong by James Diewald from Flickr.

The 2020 Stories of Life anthology
A Stories of Life message

Goodbye 2020, Hello 2021

Thank you for being part of Stories of Life 2020 – whether it’s been taking the time to send us your story, or reading ‘The Swimmer’, or sharing it with someone else. One the last day of 2020, we bring you some of our 2020 Stories of Life contributors …

 

From us to you: may your 2021 be filled with stories of life!

If you haven’t yet read the book, start 2021 inspired… get a copy today.

The 2020 Stories of Life anthology

 

Meet our contributors

Holiday Plans Awry

Nesta Hatendi’s story, The Holiday, was published in our 2020 anthology, The Swimmer. A very short excerpt:

The Holiday

The last five months have not been how I envisaged them before I left home. I arrived in Australia in March for a family reunion and a once in a lifetime trip to Bali, thrown in as a bonus. …

The long-awaited Bali holiday dramatically smouldered into ashes as news headlines referenced new visa restrictions to limit the spread of the virus to Indonesia. The global epidemic was now a pandemic which had a name – COVID-19…

We asked Nesta about her experience of having her story published in our 2020 Stories of Life anthology, The Swimmer.

What led you to write this story?

I was feeling disorientated and somewhat despondent because my plans had gone awry and things seemed to be out of my control. Then when events started falling in line without much effort from me, I began to realise that there is a time and place for everything and I should just have faith which conquers all.

What has being published meant to you?

This was my first published short story ever! Since then, I have been writing more and submitting short stories online. I want to eventually publish an anthology of short stories. So thank you for the boost in my confidence.

Any feedback from people who have since read your story?

Relatable and inspiring.

To read Nesta’s full story, order a copy of The Swimmer today. Or order it for delivery for someone who could use a little encouragement and hope.

The 2020 Stories of Life anthology

 

 

 

 

A 2020 Story of Life reading

Andy by Craig Chapman

My family and I spent three weeks in the USA from December 2014 to January 2015, experiencing various locations, catching up with one of our daughters who was studying there at the time, and, of course, celebrating Christmas together. Several days after Christmas, we were shuffling our way through crowded Manhattan on our way to a restaurant. Although the weather was mild in New York, I was still wearing a coat which had been invaluable in the biting cold of Boston the previous week.

Craig and his family in Central Park, New York

Throughout our travels, we had been struck by the masses of homeless people in American cities. Sometimes it was hard to distinguish between those with real need and those just willing to receive handouts. However, one man on this particular street really drew my attention. Initially I walked past him before realising I had an opportunity to help him. The story relates how I wrestled with whether or not God was prompting me. Though the encounter was brief, it was a graphic reminder to pay attention to the situations we find ourselves in on any given day and the needs of those around us.

I don’t know the outcome of the few minutes Andy and I spent together. I can only hope that the coat proved to be a blessing to him.

Andy, written and read by Craig Chapman. Music is composed and produced by Jason Shaw https://audionautix.com/.

Craig recording his story at 1079 Life studios in Adelaide

If you loved this story, get a copy of The Swimmer and tune in to 1079 Life where selected stories from the anthology will be played over summer.

The 2020 Stories of Life anthology – available now online or from Tabor Adelaide.

Feature picture above of Craig and his family at Fenway Park, Boston. Craig, far left, is wearing the coat featured in the story.

Meet our contributors

The Ring: Backstory

When my story The Ring was chosen to be published in The Swimmer anthology and also won third place in the open section of the Stories of Life competition, I was delighted not only for myself but also for my friend Ruth Allan. Ruth and I have been good friends for over thirty years and even travelled overseas together in 2000 to Europe. I have forgotten when Ruth first told me about losing her ring as a young girl, but I was so taken with the story at the time that I carefully checked the details with her and recorded them on my laptop to be explored at a later date.

Finally, that date came this year. I had just completed my current novel and was checking what other writing projects I had that I could explore further when I saw the ad for the Stories of Life competition. I decided to polish up Ruth’s story, make sure I had all the facts right as best Ruth could remember, and send it in. Ruth has gone through some very difficult experiences in her life, yet she has held onto her faith in God through it all. And this event I have shared in her story The Ring had a key role to play in helping her do just that.

I hope this story honours God for enabling Ruth to keep going but that it also honours Ruth herself for holding onto God. And both Ruth and I hope that, as others read what happened that day down at the beach, they will draw that little bit closer to God and know for sure that God loves and cares for them too.

Jo-Anne Berthelsen

Feature photo of Jo-Anne and Ruth supplied by Jo-Anne (left)

To read Jo-Anne and Ruth’s story get a copy of The Swimmer and other stories of life from Immortalise or from BookDepository. In-person sales from the reception of Tabor Adelaide.

A 2020 Story of Life reading

Promised Rescue

Although I prayed that the bad things would stop, I mostly just talked to God about those bad things because my parents were preoccupied with their own problems, my sister too young to understand, and the topic of family troubles taboo in school…

Promised Rescue by Emma Taylor. Music is composed and produced by Jason Shaw. https://audionautix.com/

If you loved this story, get a copy of The Swimmer and tune in to 1079 Life where selected stories from the anthology will be played over summer.

The 2020 Stories of Life anthology

 

A Stories of Life message

The Gift of Stories

Karen Curran’s story, An Imperfect Mum, was published in The Swimmer and other stories of life. She gave a copy to her friend Michelle…

‘This book has been a blessing to me,’ said my friend, Michelle. ‘The stories are just the right length for this time in my life.’ Michelle’s husband died on 21 November of COVID-19. As she grieves and deals with the necessary work related to memorial services, finances, and administration of her husband’s estate, she is overwhelmed and often unable to focus long on any specific task or story. The short takes on life and faith in The Swimmer and other stories of life have been a soothing balm to her broken soul. 

Karen Curran

 

Order today for delivery to someone you would like to bless.

The 2020 Stories of Life anthology

 

Accepting submissions now. Closing date: 31 July 2021.