Holiday Season in Melbourne

The Melbourne Writers' Social Group brings you a collection of short stories about Melbourne in December—a time for sun, surf, celebration, decoration, family gatherings, and reflection. Whether you enjoy the funny, fantastic, romantic, horrific, surreal, or sublime, at least one of these short stories is certain to entertain as you recognize famous landmarks or discover more about Australia’s City of Literature. We invite you to sit back with a cuppa or a drink, relax, and enjoy the following stories. May they warm you or chill you, make you laugh or make you cry, and take you on a tour of one of the world’s most beloved cities.

Eight stories. Eight writers. Each tale voiced in a unique way to capture the spirit of the holiday season in Melbourne.

The first story we have for you begins in a simple cafe with a waitress waiting tables. Another year single. Another year of muted celebrations. But maybe today will be different. Maybe today she will speak to him and he will finally see her. And not just as his waitress.

Table Thirty-two
by Jason Hargenrader

We run along the railway track of existence like it’s going to go on forever. And yet we all know it won’t. This story delves into how life can change suddenly without warning. Sometimes good can come from it. Other times it makes us reassess where we are in life.

Solstice Reflections
by Lynette Jordan

Here we delve into the memories of our youth and beyond. We remember that we were once all young, naive and awkward. A lot of us probably still are. Maybe there is something of you in this tale?

A Distant Joy
by Karen Hancock

A close knit family. A crypt that wants disturbing. The flap of wings. And suddenly it’s a spooky Christmas.

Picking up Yiayia
by Mimi Turner

Two different points of view can often be so dissimilar that it’s like we’re from two different planets. Or are we looking at two different stories? You be the judge.

Festive Spirit
by Louise Crossley

Two homes. Two families and a mountain of Christmas lights. They have a chip on their shoulders and an aging vendetta bringing them to battle. Pick a side and may the best dad win.

A Matter of Lights and Death
by Jainash Prakash

It’s 1915, the men are off at war and women mind the home. Worry is always at the front of their minds. They have waited and wished for their family to be whole again. Random reports come through of the fighting, but it tells them nothing of who will be returning home.

We’ll be Home by Christmas
by Eloise Verlaque

A speck in time. That’s all the existence granted to mortals. Barely a single flutter in a bees’ wings. But what if our existence was born from a wish. What if our life had an expiry date of even less.

Sandy Days
by Mat Clarke

The Melbourne Writers’ Social Group began as a social outlet for those in a craft where most of their work is done in isolation. Our membership is a melting pot of novelists, short story writers, poets, playwrights, screenwriters, songwriters, and those who have an idea they want to write about, but don’t know where to begin.

This anthology is a representation of the spirit of what the Melbourne Writers’ Social Group is all about--cultivating an atmosphere where writers are encouraged to explore their passion, improve their craft, learn about their trade, and to do so in a social environment that is supportive and fun.

So, as we say in the Group, we invite you to sit back with a cuppa or a drink, relax, and enjoy the following stories. May they warm you or chill you, make you laugh or make you cry, and take you on a tour of one of the world’s most beloved cities.