StorySALOON

StorySALOON 2025 wrap: Until next season

We're wrapping up our first year of growing the audience for Australian short stories and writers.
Check out the 24 episodes we've produced this year and head to our website to subscribe to our e-news for updates on the new live shows, regional tours and podcast episodes which we're underway planning for in 2026.
StorySALOON: Short Stories, Centre Stage was made possible in 2025 with the support of Australian Government through its arts and advisory body Creative Australia; the NSW Government through Create NSW; and Copyright Agency Cultural Fund. 
Thank you to our partners and collaborators NIDA, Better Read Than Dead, Macquarie University's Faculty of Arts PACE program, The Vanguard, Echidna Audio and All The Best Radio. 
Team credit: Diana Cordeiro, Snow Tuyet Vong, and Tamsin Navra; and interns Minh Nathan To, Matilda Beven, Miguelle Rodriguez and Ethan Davies.
StorySALOON is hosted by Jane Messer. Find out more about ⁠StorySALOON's⁠ live shows and podcasts at ⁠www.storysaloon.com.auSubscribe to StorySALOON Podcast and follow us on socials.
StorySALOON acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders as the first storytellers of this land. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, as we create, perform and listen on unceded Gadigal land.

In the SALOON with Luke Johnson and Michelle Hamadache

In our latest 'In the SALOON with…', host Jane Messer talks with writers Luke Johnson and Michelle Hamadache. We delve into their short stories 'Ferocious Animals' and 'The Crane Flies', their creative processes, writing craft, and discuss why literary journals have a key role for creative writers and readers.
Luke Johnson is the author of the short-story collection Ferocious Animals (Recent Works Press) which takes its title from today’s short story, and an acclaimed poetry collection titled Kangaroo Unbound (Puncher & Wattman). He has won or been listed for numerous national prizes over his writing life, including the Elizabeth Jolley Short Story Prize, and is the incoming fiction editor for the journal, Southerly.
Michelle Hamadache is a writer of short stories, essays and reviews, with publications in Australian, British and US journals. She’s had short stories long listed for the Elizabeth Jolley and short-listed for the Neilma Sidney Short Story Prize. Michelle is also a lecturer in creative writing at Macquarie University and has been a fiction editor with the journals Southerly and Mascara Literary Review.
Here are the links to the two journals mentioned in this episode: Southerly literary magazine <https://southerlylitmag.com.au> and Mascara Literary Review <https://www.mascarareview.com>StorySALOON is hosted by Jane Messer. Find out more about ⁠StorySALOON's⁠ live shows and podcasts at ⁠<www.storysaloon.com.au> Subscribe to StorySALOON podcast, and follow us on socials.StorySALOON acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders as the first storytellers of this land. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, as we create, perform and listen on unceded Gadigal land.

'The Crane Flies' by Michelle Hamadache, read by Charlotte Salusinszky

In this episode we’re going to hear the short story ‘The Crane Flies’ by Michelle Hamadache, read by Charlotte Salusinszky at StorySALOON's Nov 4, 2025 show.
Michelle Hamadache is a writer of short stories, essays and reviews, with publications in Australian, British and US journals. She’s had short stories long listed for the Elizabeth Jolley and short-listed for the Neilma Sidney Short Story Prize. Michelle is also a lecturer in creative writing at Macquarie University and has been a fiction editor with the journals Southerly and Mascara Literary Review.
Reading the story is the talented Charlotte Salusinszky —actor, writer, and theatre-maker —who has worked with Griffin Theatre’s emerging playwright program, with PACT, and Q Theatre. Her recent acting work includes Mercury Poisoning at KXT theatre, where I first saw her perform, and Shakespeare in Love at New Theatre. Her passion for stories about survival made her a perfect choice for this short story.
‘The Crane Flies’ is a story that takes us to Italy ostensibly in 1991 but with the myths of Dante’s inferno licking at the story’s edges. This is a rich, literary tale that’s completely contemporary with its themes of illegal immigration and wage theft, but also wonderfully gothic in style.
StorySALOON is hosted by Jane Messer. Find out more about ⁠StorySALOON's⁠ live shows and podcasts at ⁠www.storysaloon.com.auSubscribe to StorySALOON Podcast and follow us on socials.
StorySALOON acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders as the first storytellers of this land. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, as we create, perform and listen on unceded Gadigal land.

'Ferocious Animals', by Luke Johnson, read by Bayley Prendergast

In this episode we’re going to hear the short story ‘Ferocious Animals’ by Luke Johnson, read by Bayley Prendergast.
Johnson is the author of the short-story collection Ferocious Animals (Recent Works Press) which takes its title from today’s short story, and an acclaimed poetry collection titled Kangaroo Unbound (Puncher & Wattman). He has won or been listed for numerous national prizes over his writing life, including the Elizabeth Jolley Short Story Prize.
His short story ‘Ferocious Animals’ is read for us by Bayley Prendergast. Bayley is a rising talent who has had roles in numerous stage productions and television shows since graduating from the Actors Centre Australia. Roles have included Fearsome Creatures at the Old Fitz, Beautiful Thing at the New Theatre, and The Inheritance, at the Seymour Centre, and the Australian premiere of Champions. His screen credits include the Stan original shows BUMP and Watching You, the Fox Showcase series The Twelve and the short film WORM which was selected for Cinequest’s North American film festival.
'Ferocious Animals' is a gripping, intimate story set in small town suburbia on a Grand Final Day, about a father who should know better on Grand Final Day,  a young son who idolises him—until he doesn’t —and a mother who exerts great power in the flinging of a worn slipper. 
The story was performed at StorySALOON's November 4, 2025 show at The Vanguard, Newtown. 'Ferocious Animals' was first published in Griffith Review journal, Number 53, 2016.
StorySALOON is hosted by Jane Messer. Find out more about ⁠StorySALOON's⁠ live shows and podcasts at ⁠www.storysaloon.com.au
StorySALOON acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders as the first storytellers of this land. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, as we create, perform and listen on unceded Gadigal land.

'Zucchini' written and read by Monikka Eliah

In this episode we hear 'Zucchini' written and read by Monikka Eliah. Eliah is a talented emerging writer and playwright from Fairfield, located Sydney's western suburbs. Monikka has published short stories, poetry and essays in Australian literary journals and sites including SBS Voices, Meanjin, Southerly, and Kill Your Darlings, and as an emerging playwright and fiction writer has received new work development awards and residencies from the Wheeler Centre and Creative Australia, National Theatre of Parramatta’s Page to Stage program, CuriousWorks Breakthrough Screen Writing Program, Netflix and Co-curious’ On The Brightside Screenwriting Program and STC’s Rough Draft.
Much of her work reflects on her Assyrian heritage and contemporary life in Fairfield. The story needed an Assyrian performer, and so we asked Monikka to read her own story at StorySALOON’s November 7 show.You can read Monikka's short story 'Zucchini', online at Meanjin, Summer 2021:  <meanjin.com.au/fiction/zucchini/>
StorySALOON is hosted by Jane Messer. Find out more about ⁠StorySALOON's⁠ live shows and podcasts at ⁠www.storysaloon.com.au
Subscribe to StorySALOON Podcast and follow us on socials.StorySALOON acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders as the first storytellers of this land. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, as we create, perform and listen on unceded Gadigal land.

In the SALOON with Ren Wyld and Katie Beckett

In our latest 'In the SALOON with…', host Jane Messer talks with writer Ren Wyld and actor and playwright Katie Beckett. Together, we delve into Wyld's short story 'Clatter Tongue' which Katie Beckett read at StorySALOON Live on Oct 7, 2025. We explore the two artists' creative processes, challenges and pleasures of writing, what's current in  contemporary First Nations narrative and theatre, and much more. We recommend that you listen to Katie Beckett reading of 'Clatter Tongue' beforehand; it's episode 17 on StorySALOON Podcast.
Ren Wyld is South Australian writer of Martu descent. Their story 'Clatter Tongue' won the won the Borderlands 2020 First Nations Writing Award and is published in This All Come Back Now: An Anthology of First Nations Speculative Fiction. Wyld has written and published multiple award-winning works about Indigenous experiences and history, both fiction for and nonfiction for younger readers and adults.
Katie Beckett is a celebrated Murri actor, film writer and playwright. She is a winner of the Balnaves Award 2015 for her play Which Way Home which had a sellout season at Belvoir Theatre, and nominee for Green Room Award 2017. She has appeared on stage and in many tv series including Sunshine Super Girl, Milk, Which Way Home, Binary Stars and Best Lives, Lighten Up, Kill the Messenger, Coranderrk, Onwards and Upwards, This Fella, My Memory (Moogahlin Performing Arts), Redfern Now and Black Comedy. Beckett’s film credits include Slam, The Unlisted, Spread the Word, Diary of an Uber Driver, Smart Street, Rake, Harrow and much more.
This episode's conversation references a number of books and organisations. We've gathered them here to assist StorySALOON listeners explore further:
Katie Beckett, 'Which Way Home' <https://www.ilbijerri.com.au/event/which-way-home/>
his All Come Back Now: An Anthology of First Nations Speculative Fiction, ed Mykaela Saunders, UQP 2022 <https://www.uqp.com.au/books/this-all-come-back-now>
Southerly journal: <https://southerlylitmag.com.au>
Sovereign Texts journal: <https://www.sovereigntextsjournal.com/>
David Unaipon: Legendary Tales of the Australian Aborigines by David Unaipon, Kangaroo Press, ed by Stephen Muecke and Adam Shoemaker <https://shorturl.at/xXscc>
Miranda Tapsell, ABC tv series, 'Top End Bub' <https://shorturl.at/ZUhat>
'Bran Neu Day' song, by Knuckles, National Film and Sound Archive collection  <https://shorturl.at/uqY3Q>
'Bran Neu Day' film, info at Australian Screen an NFSA website <https://aso.gov.au/titles/features/bran-nue-dae-2009/>
Prof Natalie Harkin, Flinders University <https://www.flinders.edu.au/people/natalie.harkin>
ILBIJERRI, a leading theatre company creating innovative works by First Peoples artists. <https://www.ilbijerri.com.au/about/>
StorySALOON is hosted by Jane Messer. Find out more about ⁠StorySALOON's⁠ live shows and podcasts at ⁠<www.storysaloon.com.au>
Subscribe to StorySALOON podcast, and follow us on socials.
StorySALOON acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders as the first storytellers of this land. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, as we create, perform and listen on unceded Gadigal land.

‘The Couples Therapist’ by Abigail Ulman, read by Amber McMahon

In this episode we’re going to hear ‘The Couples Therapist, by Abigail Ulman from our October 7 show.   
Abigail Ulman is a talented short story writer whose first book Hot Little Hands received rave reviews. Her stories have appeared in Australian and international journals including The Monthly where this story was first published, and New England Review, Best Australian Stories, BBC Radio 4, Elle, Frankie, Literary Hub, and elsewhere. 
Reading ‘The Couples Therapist' is Amber McMahon, star of stage and screen, and a Helpmann Award-winner twice. Recent stage work includes roles at Belvoir St Theatre, Sydney Festival, Clubhouse Productions, Sydney Theatre Company and much more. McMahon's screen credits include Girl Asleep, the SBS mini series The Hunting and the show that has put food on the table for so many Australian actors, Home and Away.
StorySALOON is hosted by Jane Messer. Find out more about ⁠StorySALOON's⁠ live shows and podcasts at ⁠www.storysaloon.com.au
Subscribe to StorySALOON Podcast and follow us on socials.
StorySALOON acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders as the first storytellers of this land. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, as we create, perform and listen on unceded Gadigal land.

'Golden Hour’ by Claire Aman, read by Suzi Dougherty

In this episode we’re going to hear ‘Golden Hour’ by Claire Aman, from our October 7 show.
Claire is the consummate short story writer, and ‘Golden Hour’ is just one of it’s just one of her many prize-winning stories.  The story was first published in the journal Overland, and she’s published an acclaimed collection of short stories, Bird Country.
In this story we meet Faye and Dawn, two neighbours. ‘Golden Hour’ is a story about small towns, the small loan of money, mothering and childlessness, and a son that went missing decades ago.
Reading ‘Golden Hour’ is Suzi Dougherty, an accomplished actor who has worked with many of Australia’s leading theatre companies including Bell Shakespeare and for film and tv, including The Narrow Road to the Deep North, Fake, The Kettering Incident, Fighting Season, The Unlisted, The Gloaming and a recurring role on Home & Away.
StorySALOON is hosted by Jane Messer. Find out more about ⁠StorySALOON's⁠ live shows and podcasts at ⁠www.storysaloon.com.au
Subscribe to StorySALOON Podcast and follow us on socials.
StorySALOON acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders as the first storytellers of this land. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, as we create, perform and listen on unceded Gadigal land.

‘Clatter Tongue’, by K.A. Ren Wyld, read by Katie Beckett

In this episode we’re going to hear ‘Clatter Tongue’, by K.A. Ren Wyld, from our October 7 show.
Ren Wyld is a South Australian writer of Martu descent. This prize-winning short story combines realism with the fantastic. The young girl Treanna finds herself struggling to speak; instead of words other things come out and as the story unfolds we come to understand how her Aboriginal voice is profoundly linked to missing family and histories that can't be ignored.
Wyld has written and published multiple works about Indigenous experiences and history – fiction including for children, and adults, and nonfiction. This prize-winning story is from the collection This All Come Back Now: An Anthology of First Nations Speculative Fiction.
'Clatter Tongue’ is read by Katie Beckett, a celebrated Murri actor and writer whose stage and screen work brings both artistry and cultural resonance to this prize-winning short story.  She is a winner of the Balnaves Award 2015 and nominee for Green Room Award 2017. She has appeared in many tv series including Redfern Now and Black Comedy. Katie’s film credits include Slam, The Unlisted, Spread the Word, Diary of an Uber Driver, Smart Street, Rake, Harrow and much more.
StorySALOON is hosted by Jane Messer. Find out more about ⁠StorySALOON's⁠ live shows and podcasts at ⁠www.storysaloon.com.au
Subscribe to StorySALOON podcast, and follow us on socials.
StorySALOON acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders as the first storytellers of this land. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, as we create, perform and listen on unceded Gadigal land.
 

In the SALOON with Jake Dean and Adam Dunn

In our latest 'In the SALOON with…', host Jane Messer talks with writer Jake Dean and actor and film writer Adam Dunn.
 
We take a deep dive into Jake Dean's short story ‘Apocalypse, then?’, performed by Adam Dunn at StorySALOON’s September 2025 live show.  Dean speaks about the writing of ‘Apocalypse, then?’, the unique aspects of the short story as a genre, while Dunn discusses acting and preparing for the role, along with what makes a story or line comedic and what it is that apocalypse themed stories have to offer creatively.  
 
Jake Dean writes shorts stories and rides waves on Kaurna Country in South Australia. He’s been published widely in Australian journals including Griffith Review, Going Down Swinging, The Guardian, The Saturday Paper, Overland, Kill Your Darlings, Crikey, and Surfing World. Listen to Adam Dunn's reading of ‘Apocalypse, then?’ in Episode 15 of StorySALOON Podcast.
 
Adam Dunn is an actor and filmmaker whose short films having been winning awards in the US and Europe. Dunn is widely known and acclaimed for his roles in Australian and American films and tv roles including The Rising, Play Dirty, The Fall Guy and Elvis.
 
Read ‘Apocalypse, then?’ in Griffith Review 83: Past Perfect, 2024. https://www.griffithreview.com/articles/apocalypse-then/
 
StorySALOON Podcast has been produced with funding from Copyright Agency, Create NSW and Creative Australia. Find out more about StorySALOON at https://www.storysaloon.com.au