Overland Journal
@overlandjournal.bsky.social
Overland Journal – radical Australian literature and culture since 1954
overland.org.au
overland.org.au
“That old one — the working class as one dumb mass — is nothing but another bourgeois cliché. We are not simpletons, we’re just exploited.”
From a polemic by Sergio Chesán on literature and class, translated for us by Roy Duffield.
From a polemic by Sergio Chesán on literature and class, translated for us by Roy Duffield.
Literature, no place for the poor - Overland literary journal
That old one — the working class as one dumb mass — is nothing but another bourgeois cliché. We are not simpletons, we’re just exploited.
overland.org.au
November 25, 2025 at 1:15 AM
“That old one — the working class as one dumb mass — is nothing but another bourgeois cliché. We are not simpletons, we’re just exploited.”
From a polemic by Sergio Chesán on literature and class, translated for us by Roy Duffield.
From a polemic by Sergio Chesán on literature and class, translated for us by Roy Duffield.
By making the monster human and the humans monstrous, del Toro draws us back to the radical empathy of Shelley’s novel, but also into familiar ableist horror tropes.”
Kosa Monteith on maternity, monstrosity and disability in the new FRANKENSTEIN.
Kosa Monteith on maternity, monstrosity and disability in the new FRANKENSTEIN.
Frankenstein was a “bad” mother: maternity, monstrosity and disability - Overland literary journal
By making the monster human and the humans monstrous, del Toro draws us back to the radical empathy of Shelley’s novel, but into familiar ableist horror tropes. Empathetic, but not empowering. He’s a ...
overland.org.au
November 24, 2025 at 1:37 AM
By making the monster human and the humans monstrous, del Toro draws us back to the radical empathy of Shelley’s novel, but also into familiar ableist horror tropes.”
Kosa Monteith on maternity, monstrosity and disability in the new FRANKENSTEIN.
Kosa Monteith on maternity, monstrosity and disability in the new FRANKENSTEIN.
“She learned to use ink
to slowly cover
her reflection in the water,
hiding it from every eye,
until her skin
grew a waterproof shell.”
From HER NAME IS A RIVER, our latest #Fridaypoem by Tangqing Zhang.
overland.org.au/2025/11/her-...
to slowly cover
her reflection in the water,
hiding it from every eye,
until her skin
grew a waterproof shell.”
From HER NAME IS A RIVER, our latest #Fridaypoem by Tangqing Zhang.
overland.org.au/2025/11/her-...
Her name is a river - Overland literary journal
They measured her body / with iron chains, / and gave her a new name— / as if planting a eucalyptus / into a church vase, / uprooting the old one completely.
overland.org.au
November 21, 2025 at 1:39 AM
“She learned to use ink
to slowly cover
her reflection in the water,
hiding it from every eye,
until her skin
grew a waterproof shell.”
From HER NAME IS A RIVER, our latest #Fridaypoem by Tangqing Zhang.
overland.org.au/2025/11/her-...
to slowly cover
her reflection in the water,
hiding it from every eye,
until her skin
grew a waterproof shell.”
From HER NAME IS A RIVER, our latest #Fridaypoem by Tangqing Zhang.
overland.org.au/2025/11/her-...
“During the late months of 2024, it was becoming readily clear to some of us that Gaza existed on two incommensurable planes: one which was transmitted in Arabic and the other in English.”
An introduction to OF WEAPONS AND WORDS, and to the vital task of translating militant writings on Palestine.
An introduction to OF WEAPONS AND WORDS, and to the vital task of translating militant writings on Palestine.
To fight against the annihilation of thought: an introduction to Of Weapons and Words - Overland literary journal
Across Palestine and beyond, militant intellectuals continue to study the ongoing catastrophe despite Israel’s best efforts. This study and critical analysis has nothing to do with scholasticism. It r...
overland.org.au
November 19, 2025 at 2:01 AM
“During the late months of 2024, it was becoming readily clear to some of us that Gaza existed on two incommensurable planes: one which was transmitted in Arabic and the other in English.”
An introduction to OF WEAPONS AND WORDS, and to the vital task of translating militant writings on Palestine.
An introduction to OF WEAPONS AND WORDS, and to the vital task of translating militant writings on Palestine.
“Wianamattas’ emus are a testament to the importance of caring for even the ordinary parts of our living world—the parts that we take for granted.”
As part of our series supported by @copower.bsky.social, Andy Mason goes searching for Sydney’s last “wild” emus
As part of our series supported by @copower.bsky.social, Andy Mason goes searching for Sydney’s last “wild” emus
Over the back fence: in search of Sydney’s last “wild” emus - Overland literary journal
Everybody knows there used to be emus all over Western Sydney. It’s called Emu Plains, for flip’s sake.
overland.org.au
November 13, 2025 at 1:41 AM
“Wianamattas’ emus are a testament to the importance of caring for even the ordinary parts of our living world—the parts that we take for granted.”
As part of our series supported by @copower.bsky.social, Andy Mason goes searching for Sydney’s last “wild” emus
As part of our series supported by @copower.bsky.social, Andy Mason goes searching for Sydney’s last “wild” emus
In the final hours of our Subscriberthon, our brilliant co-editors Evelyn and Jonathan have an important message for you. Head to overland.org.au/shop or overland.org.au/donate today.
November 7, 2025 at 6:06 AM
In the final hours of our Subscriberthon, our brilliant co-editors Evelyn and Jonathan have an important message for you. Head to overland.org.au/shop or overland.org.au/donate today.
For the last day of our Subscriberthon we have set aside something *very* special: a gallery of stunning portraits of Palestinian activists by Tia Kasambalis, with an introduction by Tasnim Mahmoud Sammak.
Here’s PORTRAITS OF RESISTANCE.
Here’s PORTRAITS OF RESISTANCE.
Portraits of resistance - Overland literary journal
Tia’s Portraits of Resistance are a radical break from this assault against being a Palestinian settler in Australia. In these drawings we meet Palestinians, young and old, who found themselves holdin...
overland.org.au
November 7, 2025 at 1:14 AM
For the last day of our Subscriberthon we have set aside something *very* special: a gallery of stunning portraits of Palestinian activists by Tia Kasambalis, with an introduction by Tasnim Mahmoud Sammak.
Here’s PORTRAITS OF RESISTANCE.
Here’s PORTRAITS OF RESISTANCE.
LAST CHANCE! We're wrapping things up over here, which means today is your last chance to win BIG. Today's prize pack is looking pretty gorgeous, and don't forget you're still in the running to win either of our major prizes, too! Head to overland.org.au/shop now to enter!
November 7, 2025 at 12:26 AM
LAST CHANCE! We're wrapping things up over here, which means today is your last chance to win BIG. Today's prize pack is looking pretty gorgeous, and don't forget you're still in the running to win either of our major prizes, too! Head to overland.org.au/shop now to enter!
We have put a lot of effort recently in making available the entire archive of OVERLAND’s 70+ year history.
In that spirit, on the penultimate day of Subscriberthon we bring you this previously unpublished interview with historian Humphrey McQueen on state violence and the arming of the police.
In that spirit, on the penultimate day of Subscriberthon we bring you this previously unpublished interview with historian Humphrey McQueen on state violence and the arming of the police.
Back when they armed the police: an interview with Humphrey McQueen - Overland literary journal
In this interview with Rock Chugg, commissioned some twenty years by then-editor Nathan Hollier for a monographic issue that didn't eventuate, Australian historian Humphrey McQueen discusses the armin...
overland.org.au
November 6, 2025 at 1:08 AM
We have put a lot of effort recently in making available the entire archive of OVERLAND’s 70+ year history.
In that spirit, on the penultimate day of Subscriberthon we bring you this previously unpublished interview with historian Humphrey McQueen on state violence and the arming of the police.
In that spirit, on the penultimate day of Subscriberthon we bring you this previously unpublished interview with historian Humphrey McQueen on state violence and the arming of the police.
Good morning! It's the second-last day of our Subscriberthon, and the prizes don't stop coming. Head to overland.org.au/shop today to support us and go into the draw to win!
November 5, 2025 at 11:44 PM
Good morning! It's the second-last day of our Subscriberthon, and the prizes don't stop coming. Head to overland.org.au/shop today to support us and go into the draw to win!
“We live in an oligarchy,
but with this humidity
it feels like a dictatorship.”
On Day #5 of Overland’s subscriberthon, we bring you “Force posture agreement”, a new poem by Miroslav Sandev.
overland.org.au/2025/11/forc...
but with this humidity
it feels like a dictatorship.”
On Day #5 of Overland’s subscriberthon, we bring you “Force posture agreement”, a new poem by Miroslav Sandev.
overland.org.au/2025/11/forc...
Force posture agreement - Overland literary journal
The men of Darwin have all taken their rottweilers / out for a walk at the same time. / For our protection. Like Pine Gap: / all those big white eyes that scan / the darkening horizon. / The eyes stay...
overland.org.au
November 5, 2025 at 1:45 AM
“We live in an oligarchy,
but with this humidity
it feels like a dictatorship.”
On Day #5 of Overland’s subscriberthon, we bring you “Force posture agreement”, a new poem by Miroslav Sandev.
overland.org.au/2025/11/forc...
but with this humidity
it feels like a dictatorship.”
On Day #5 of Overland’s subscriberthon, we bring you “Force posture agreement”, a new poem by Miroslav Sandev.
overland.org.au/2025/11/forc...
On the third last day of our Subscriberthon, the prizes just keep coming - head to overland.org.au/shop today to support us and go into the running to win some amazing prize bundles!
November 5, 2025 at 12:57 AM
On the third last day of our Subscriberthon, the prizes just keep coming - head to overland.org.au/shop today to support us and go into the running to win some amazing prize bundles!
On day #4 of Overland's Subscriberthon, we bring you two reviews of books about Palestine: by Yahia Lababidi on ONE DAY, EVERYONE WILL HAVE ALWAYS BEEN AGAINST THIS and Norman Saadi Nikro on DAYBREAK IN GAZA.
Two reviews: One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This and Daybreak in Gaza - Overland literary journal
Yahia Lababidi and Norman Saadi Nikro review thew new book by Omar El Akkad and collection edited by Mahmoud Muna and Matthew Teller.
overland.org.au
November 4, 2025 at 2:09 AM
On day #4 of Overland's Subscriberthon, we bring you two reviews of books about Palestine: by Yahia Lababidi on ONE DAY, EVERYONE WILL HAVE ALWAYS BEEN AGAINST THIS and Norman Saadi Nikro on DAYBREAK IN GAZA.
Subscriberthon Day Four is upon us... today we have a prize pack that's ridiculously good - books, download codes, doubles passes, trinkets, treats, and tea! Head to overland.org.au/shop now to go in the running to win!
November 4, 2025 at 1:01 AM
Subscriberthon Day Four is upon us... today we have a prize pack that's ridiculously good - books, download codes, doubles passes, trinkets, treats, and tea! Head to overland.org.au/shop now to go in the running to win!
Reposted by Overland Journal
Thank you to @zahrastardust.bsky.social for this beautiful review of Love in a F*cked-Up World in @overlandjournal.bsky.social.
"Soft and fierce, utopian and practical, inscribed with beauty and strength, Love in a F*cked Up World is both an intervention and a guidebook."
"Soft and fierce, utopian and practical, inscribed with beauty and strength, Love in a F*cked Up World is both an intervention and a guidebook."
“Revolutionary promiscuity”: loving one another in a f*cked up world - Overland literary journal
Soft and fierce, utopian and practical, inscribed with beauty and strength, Love in a F*cked Up World is both an intervention and a guidebook, offering real pathways towards collective, abundant and m...
overland.org.au
November 3, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Thank you to @zahrastardust.bsky.social for this beautiful review of Love in a F*cked-Up World in @overlandjournal.bsky.social.
"Soft and fierce, utopian and practical, inscribed with beauty and strength, Love in a F*cked Up World is both an intervention and a guidebook."
"Soft and fierce, utopian and practical, inscribed with beauty and strength, Love in a F*cked Up World is both an intervention and a guidebook."
Reposted by Overland Journal
Renewed my subscription to @overlandjournal.bsky.social for another year. Always essential reading. Please subscribe/donate if you can - overland.org.au
Overland - Overland literary journal
overland.org.au
November 4, 2025 at 12:16 AM
Renewed my subscription to @overlandjournal.bsky.social for another year. Always essential reading. Please subscribe/donate if you can - overland.org.au
Reposted by Overland Journal
I love the perspective shot Sam uses in the final frame of this comic
"We work at the most automated port on planet Earth. Our job description is literally "assisting automation"."
On day #3 of Overland's Subscriberthon, we bring you — who else? — the great Sam Wallman.
On day #3 of Overland's Subscriberthon, we bring you — who else? — the great Sam Wallman.
When you're a nail, everything looks like a hammer: working at the most automated port on planet Earth - Overland literary journal
We work at the most automated port on planet Earth. Our job description is literally "assisting automation".
overland.org.au
November 3, 2025 at 1:25 AM
I love the perspective shot Sam uses in the final frame of this comic
"We work at the most automated port on planet Earth. Our job description is literally "assisting automation"."
On day #3 of Overland's Subscriberthon, we bring you — who else? — the great Sam Wallman.
On day #3 of Overland's Subscriberthon, we bring you — who else? — the great Sam Wallman.
When you're a nail, everything looks like a hammer: working at the most automated port on planet Earth - Overland literary journal
We work at the most automated port on planet Earth. Our job description is literally "assisting automation".
overland.org.au
November 3, 2025 at 1:14 AM
"We work at the most automated port on planet Earth. Our job description is literally "assisting automation"."
On day #3 of Overland's Subscriberthon, we bring you — who else? — the great Sam Wallman.
On day #3 of Overland's Subscriberthon, we bring you — who else? — the great Sam Wallman.
Reposted by Overland Journal
It's #Noirvember and also the @overlandjournal.bsky.social Subscriberthon! Here's a piece on the joys of themed viewing I wrote for Overland a few years ago, plus a reminder to: watch noir and support great independent publications. overland.org.au/2022/11/noir...
Noirvember at the movies: on the pleasures of personal curation - Overland literary journal
Watching noir all month, in its many transcontinental variants from the past eighty-odd years, really is a fantastic thing to do. I’m finding connections between films that aren’t obvious, or that mig...
overland.org.au
November 3, 2025 at 12:37 AM
It's #Noirvember and also the @overlandjournal.bsky.social Subscriberthon! Here's a piece on the joys of themed viewing I wrote for Overland a few years ago, plus a reminder to: watch noir and support great independent publications. overland.org.au/2022/11/noir...
The third day of our Subscriberthon is here! Today we have gifts from Kill Your Darlings, Voiceworks, UQP, and a very generous Readings voucher - plus, every day you go into the running to win a major prize! Head to overland.org.au/shop to subscribe or donate today!
November 3, 2025 at 12:01 AM
The third day of our Subscriberthon is here! Today we have gifts from Kill Your Darlings, Voiceworks, UQP, and a very generous Readings voucher - plus, every day you go into the running to win a major prize! Head to overland.org.au/shop to subscribe or donate today!
“I say let flesh caress metal. Make it syrupy. They can’t stand up for themselves, I have to lend a hand. Yes, that’s correct, I like that about the job.”
On Day #2 of our Subscriberthon, a brilliant new story by Claire Stendell.
On Day #2 of our Subscriberthon, a brilliant new story by Claire Stendell.
The dumb bike: tenderness as the ramification of arcane physical labour - Overland literary journal
I wouldn’t say it’s an important job. I wouldn’t even say it’s a job that makes much sense at first. I’d describe it more as having the virtue of simplicity, of being relatively easy to do as long as ...
overland.org.au
November 1, 2025 at 1:52 AM
“I say let flesh caress metal. Make it syrupy. They can’t stand up for themselves, I have to lend a hand. Yes, that’s correct, I like that about the job.”
On Day #2 of our Subscriberthon, a brilliant new story by Claire Stendell.
On Day #2 of our Subscriberthon, a brilliant new story by Claire Stendell.
Day two of our Subscriberthon is here to ring in November! Thank you so much to everyone who has subscribed or donated so far - your support means the world to us.
Head to overland.org.au/shop/ or overland.org.au/donate/ to go in to the running to win our Day Two prize pack!
Head to overland.org.au/shop/ or overland.org.au/donate/ to go in to the running to win our Day Two prize pack!
November 1, 2025 at 1:11 AM
Day two of our Subscriberthon is here to ring in November! Thank you so much to everyone who has subscribed or donated so far - your support means the world to us.
Head to overland.org.au/shop/ or overland.org.au/donate/ to go in to the running to win our Day Two prize pack!
Head to overland.org.au/shop/ or overland.org.au/donate/ to go in to the running to win our Day Two prize pack!
Reposted by Overland Journal
I’ve got a piece up at @OverlandJournal about Gaza and colonial Australia as part of Subscriberthon. Take out a sub and show your support!
overland.org.au/2025/10/stra...
overland.org.au/2025/10/stra...
Strategies of colonial denial: the case of Palestine and Australia - Overland literary journal
Australians shouldn't be surprised at the social and psychological mechanisms that have enabled the Gaza genocide, since similar techniques facilitated the violent dispossession of Indigenous people i...
overland.org.au
October 31, 2025 at 1:21 AM
I’ve got a piece up at @OverlandJournal about Gaza and colonial Australia as part of Subscriberthon. Take out a sub and show your support!
overland.org.au/2025/10/stra...
overland.org.au/2025/10/stra...
We're back for another annual Subscriberthon! Head to overland.org.au to check out the full list of prizes, and subscribe, renew or donate today to be in the running to win!
October 31, 2025 at 12:29 AM
We're back for another annual Subscriberthon! Head to overland.org.au to check out the full list of prizes, and subscribe, renew or donate today to be in the running to win!
“All of this is to say that, in TIANANMEN SQUARE, the past becomes a character in its own right.”
Tony McKenna reviews Lai Wen’s new novel.
Tony McKenna reviews Lai Wen’s new novel.
The horror of what is to come: Lai Wen’s Tiananmen Square - Overland literary journal
Is there an irreconcilable dissonance between the national and the global in Tiananmen Square? It is difficult to say, and each reader will have to come to their own conclusion. In any case, this is ...
overland.org.au
October 29, 2025 at 2:19 AM
“All of this is to say that, in TIANANMEN SQUARE, the past becomes a character in its own right.”
Tony McKenna reviews Lai Wen’s new novel.
Tony McKenna reviews Lai Wen’s new novel.