A new collection of short stories by University of Auckland creative writing students explores the myriad myths and realities, pains and rewards, fears and desires of life in contemporary New Zealand. Spectrum 5 is the fifth edition of an anthology that showcases the talent of the University's burgeoning fiction writers. The first collection, published in 2004, was the brainchild of acclaimed writer and Department of English Professor Witi Ihimaera, who regularly heads up the 3rd-year fiction-writing paper. Associate Professor of English Lisa Samuels calls Spectrum 5 'a stellar anthology...bristling with life'. Emily Perkins, an internationally respected novelist and Senior Tutor in the Department of English, concurs. She guided the writing class in their work on Spectrum 5, overseeing the 12-student committee that spent hours vetting and editing submissions. Emily notes that the collection features stories that range from terrorism, snakes and suburbia to time travellers, arsonists and families. 'Spectrum 5 gives us a wonderful range, from inventive comedy to stories full of fear and longing. Teaching these students was stimulating and fun - they responded to the form with great enthusiasm and curiosity, and I think you can see that delight reflected in the collection. From a really strong year, the stories in this book are the cream of the crop,' she says. Karishma Kripalani, a graduate and a key member of the publishing committee, says producing the anthology has offered valuable insights into the publishing industry as a whole. 'From writing and editing the stories to learning about publishing and marketing the book, the University's fiction writing class is an important step for anyone interested in the writing process, from first drafts to publication and distribution,' she says. Spectrum 5 comprises the short stories of 23 graduates from the University of Auckland. The anthology's production is managed by Penguin Group (NZ).

Table of Contents

Garden Tap - Maria Belich; Dark Matter - Corinna Berndt; The Daring Rescue of Lady Jane Grey - Samuel Cardy; Yarna - Ana Demiraj; Castles - Helena Dunn; Flowers - Shardae Grenfell; A Walk On Part In A Story About Nipples - Ryan Hutchings; Calling Long Distance, And Waiting Ever Since - Anne Jones; Nest - Karishma Kripalani; Cartography - Natasha Lewis; Cringe Masks - Dennis Liu; The Intimate Myth - Courtney Meredith; Too Young to be critics - Bryonny Muir; The Swing Tree - Claire Nevans; Extracts From A Second Year Diary - Anna O'Callaghan; Candy Coloured Lady - Danielle Russel; Myth about Bill Hick's Chaos Theory - Edurne Scott; Empty Skies - Adam Simmonds; Hay Fever - Hannah Smaill; Travelling Light - Vashti Tymkin; The Round Table - Lenore Webster; Are You In - Shannon Williams; When the Bulbul stopped Singing - Simon Zhou