Sylvia Petter Libri

Winner, IP Picks 2007, Best Fiction Sylvia Petter s collection flings the reader across the globe in its bold exploration of love, death, passion, relationship, and family. Echoing her own life experience, Sylvia Petter s award-winning stories explore universal themes through lenses of distance and separation. Back Burning spans continents, zooming in on snapshots of relationships from childhood and young love, through adulthood and career, political pursuits and history, to awakening in old age. Powerful stories of loss and rejuvenation emerge from this patchwork in unexpected ways. I want to tell them about timing, how a new fire can burn once an old one has died. I also want to tell them about back burning and fires that are lit to quell bigger flames.

How true are the family histories that tell us who we are and where we come from? Who knows how much all the beautiful liars have embargoed or embellished the truth?During a long flight from Europe to Sydney to bury her mother, Australian expat Katrina Klain reviews the fading narrative of her family and her long quest to understand her true origins. This has already taken her to Vienna, where she met her Uncle Harald who embezzled the Austrian government out of millions, as well as Carl Sokorny, the godson of one of Hitler's most notorious generals, and then on to Geneva and Madrid. Not only were her family caught up with the Nazis, they also turn out to have been involved with the Stasi in post-war East Germany.It's a lot to come to terms with, but there are more revelations in store. After the funeral, she finds letters that reveal a dramatic twist which means her own identity must take a radical shift. Will these discoveries enable her to complete the puzzle of her family's past?Inspired by her own life story, Sylvia Petter's richly imaginative debut novel, set between the new world and the old, is a powerful tale about making peace with the past and finding closure for the future.

Set against the backdrop of the International Telecommunication Union in Geneva, the story follows Pippa Sandberg as she navigates the complexities of global communication and technology. Through a series of flashbacks, the novella explores her ambitious journey and the challenges she faces in her quest to make a difference in the world. The narrative blends personal experiences with broader themes of innovation and responsibility, highlighting the impact of telecommunications on society.

Set against the backdrop of an Austrian health spa, this novella intertwines a murder mystery with elements of recent Austrian politics. The narrative is divided into two parts, featuring a total of 24 chapters, and includes Wikipedia entries in the latter chapters for additional context. The unique structure and the interplay of personal and political themes create a compelling exploration of intrigue and tension within a serene setting.

This collection features whimsical short stories centered around the adventures of Ben, an imaginative leprechaun who brings charm and mischief to everyday life. Each tale explores themes of friendship, magic, and the playful interactions between the fantastical and the mundane, inviting readers into a world where imagination knows no bounds. The stories promise to engage both children and adults with their delightful narratives and enchanting characters.

Set in an online group within Uncle Fritz's cabinet, the novella explores the interactions of three unique characters: Engelbert Dollfuß, Maria Montessori, and Miles Franklin, all of whom have a fascination with fascism. Written in flash format during the month of November 2023, it delves into their discussions and perspectives, offering a thought-provoking examination of ideology and historical context. The narrative's brief, impactful style captures the complexities of their beliefs and the dynamics of their virtual meeting space.

Set against the backdrop of an Austrian health spa, this novella combines elements of mystery and political intrigue. The narrative unfolds in two parts, with the first twelve chapters establishing the plot and characters, while the latter twelve delve deeper into themes inspired by contemporary Austrian politics. To enhance understanding, Wikipedia entries are included in the final chapters, providing additional context. The unique structure and integration of real-world references enrich the reading experience.

Several stories in this collection, some in earlier versions and one in a German translations, have appeared in the following print, online and broadcast Australian Multicultural Book Review, BBC World Service, Buzzwords Magazine, Conspire, Eclectica, Etcetera, Ex Tempore, Gangway, Intercultural Platform, Offshoots, Southern Ocean Review, The European, The Past Present, The Richmond Review, Woman to Woman and World Wide Writers.

A collection of flash fiction which will challenge and delight readers. All over the place in the space of a mind. Short and shorter stories that "are sometimes very funny and sometimes very moving, and often they are both at once, ..." - Robert Olen Butler

In dieser spannenden Novelle wird ein Aufenthalt in einem österreichischen Kurort zum Schauplatz eines mysteriösen Mordes. Die Handlung greift aktuelle politische Themen in Österreich auf und verknüpft sie mit der Atmosphäre des Kurorts. Der Leser wird in eine Welt voller Intrigen und unerwarteter Wendungen entführt, während die Protagonisten versuchen, die Wahrheit hinter dem Verbrechen aufzudecken. Die Verbindung von lokaler Kultur und politischer Situation macht die Geschichte besonders fesselnd.