Small Press Network - Most Underrated Book Award (MUBA) 2015 shortlist
The Most Underrated Book Award (MUBA) is presented annually to the best title released by a small, independent Australian publisher that, for whatever reason, didn’t receive its fair dues when first published.
Here are the three books shortlisted for 2015…
Funemployed by Justin Heazlewood
Funemployed goes beyond the press releases and the hype to show what it’s really like to be a working artist in Australia. Through candid interviews, brutal honesty and lacerating wit, Justin Heazlewood (aka The Bedroom Philosopher) provides a fascinating portrait of life in Australia for artists and aspiring artists alike. The book includes interviews with over 100 artists including Gotye (Wally De Backer), Clare Bowditch, John Safran, Tony Martin, Amanda Palmer, Christos Tsiolkas, Tim Rogers, Adam Elliot and Benjamin Law.
Isabelle of the Moon & Stars by S.A. Jones
Ever since ‘the incident’ two years ago, Isabelle has been stuck in a dead-end job, trying desperately to keep it together. Her best friend Evan is her safe place. They laugh at each other’s jokes, share the same interests, and take the piss out of each other with the ruthless efficiency of long acquaintance. Sex isn’t an issue because Evan has made a bargain with God to keep it in his pants, while Isabelle is still recovering from being deserted by her fiance Karl. Then, just as Evan reconsiders his vow, Isabelle contrives a bizarre passion for her boss, Jack.
The Grapple Annual No. 1 edited by Duncan Felton
The Grapple Annual is Grapple Publishing’s flagship publication. It’s a calendar-based anthology, always full of excellent prose, poetry, comics and art. Each will be a diverse collection, with contributors from all over Canberra, across Australia and around the world. Only 365 numbered and dated copies of each Annual are printed (366 in leap years). It’ll hook and hold you for the whole year.
