The Thousands

I have a fear of literary anthologies. Just like a boardroom table full of strippers, there’s always going to be some duds that make you feel queasy. Hence, I approached Voiceworks’ new anthology The Words We Found with trepidation.

Voiceworks is a quarterly magazine produced for, and by, people under 25, and this year marks its 21st birthday. To celebrate, local word-head/editor Lisa Dempster bravely trawled through the muddy Voiceworks back catalogue looking for crackerjack poems, stories, non-fiction works and cartoons. You’ll be happy to know that Lisa struck gold – The Words We Found is a spectacular winner; a cure-all for us anthlophobes.

Issue Two is published in its entirety (Issue One is lost – anyone got a copy?) and editors-past reflect on their stewardship. But it’s the zesty writing by Voiceworks’ alumni that gives this anthology teeth. Christos Tsiolkas, Mandy Ord and Alicia sometimes are standouts in a tight field.

I’m still wary of naked women on furniture, but would happily have this in my lap.