Just So Stories

New South Books

British Library

December 2025

9780712355544

AUD$29.99, NZD$34.99

This was another of my delightful surprises over the Xmas break and it’s been on my bedside table since arriving, but it was not until this cloudy, cool Saturday afternoon that I had time to be leisurely and read it. And how very delightful it is.

I tentatively call myself a writer these days but, let’s face it, very much a newbie and this had lots of great tips as well as loads of humour for anyone who has a yearn to write.

60 writers, both names well-known and others not so familiar to readers have contributed both their serious advice, or 10 top tips (or 11 if you have an extra one as at least one author did), cartoons [LOVE Tom Gauld’s work SO much!] or annotated artwork – all of it absolutely delightful. I think anyone who is either an established writer or a budding novice will find much to appreciate in this 200-odd pages of pure joy.

Some of my favourites were; of course! Cressida Cowell, Chris Riddell, Kwame Alexander, Anthony Browne, Matt Haig and our own Tom Keneally. But even the many names that were unfamiliar to me, made valuable and appreciated contributions.

With some pieces only a couple of pages long it’s precisely the sort of book that is perfect for a snack-sized reading – like a box of delicious chocolates one can pick and choose from at leisure.

Any literary types and certainly anyone in the writing fraternity but just those generally interested in the thoughts and ideas of others will thoroughly enjoy it. Very easily a 5 ✍️✍️✍️✍️✍️rating from for older students perhaps but anyone who loves books and words.