A circus is not all it seems. A monster… and opportunity… waits in ocean mists. A friendship is out of time. A group of kids escape scavenger dogs in a brutal world. A water sprite is far from home. And a machine generates romance. These stories and others await in this steampunk and dystopian anthology by Australian authors, sure to transport you into worlds of danger and wonder.

Authors include Lynne Stringer, Emily Larkin, Annaliese Hudson, Linsey Painter, Shaye Wardrop, Andreas Katsineris-Paine, Adele Jones, Elizabeth Klein, Jeanette O’Hagan, Rachel Denham-White, Jennifer Horn and Bianca Breen.

• By combining fantasy with mechanics, this anthology allows readers to explore the horrors and wonders of science, technology, and magic.
• With thrilling, fast-paced stories and emotional journeys that span across time, readers can immerse themselves in new worlds and learn valuable messages along the way.
• Stepping Sideways is highly relevant to young people since they are growing up with per-vasive technology at their fingertips, and several of the stories in this collection explore the impact of technology, including AI.
• Stories in Stepping Sideways explore social issues, such as animal welfare, class divides, worker rights, and living with disabilities. As teenagers learn about the world around them, they often become increasingly interested in social issues and thus these topics are likely to appeal to this demographic.
• The steampunk and dystopian narratives featured in Stepping Sideways are not limited to a particular time period, and so remain relatable and timeless.
• Stepping Sideways serves a gap in the Australian book market for short story anthologies specifically targeting readers 12+.