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Paul Collins has run the gamut of the book world: editor, publisher (he published my book Crossing the Line, Ford Street Publishing), full-time writer, bookseller, proofreader for Leader Newspapers and literary and speakers’ agent. 

Among other things, Paul and a partner have opened an online store called prelovedbookstore.com.au. 

It’s packed with all genres, but notably and understandably, it sells a lot of children’s and young adult books at very low prices.

Borderlands – Riding the Slipstream

Borderlands – Riding the Slipstream, edited by Paul Collins and illustrated by Anne Ryan (Ford Street Publishing) PB RRP $29.95 ISBN 9781922696403

Reviewed by Dianne Bates

Borderlands – Riding the Slipstream is an anthology for readers aged 14+ years. It features over forty short stories and poems by some of Australia’s best-loved authors, including Ursula Dubosarsky, Bill Condon, Justin D’Arth, David Metzenthen, Dianne Wolfer, Juliet Marillier, Sophie Masson, and Sue Bursztynski.

Illustrated with black and white pictures by a quirky artist, this unique collection spans a kaleidoscope of genres and themes. Stories are listed under genres, from science fiction (writers such as John Larkin and Ian Irvine), fantasy (Shaun Tan, Pamela Freeman), horror (Sophie Masson and Trinity Ryan), and historical (Gary Crew and Pamela Rushby), and more. Poets include Sherryl Clark and Harry Laing), but it is Steven Herrick’s poignant poem, ‘A Tattoo’ about an elderly woman in a cream-coloured cardigan with a tattoo of a swallow in mid-flight on her forearm and underneath it the name DAVID, which I most enjoyed.

It is difficult to comment on all the stories in this hefty 560-page anthology, but here is a smattering of stories: In a spiritual acceptance about the nature of life, Susanne Gervay writes in ‘Faith and the Elephant God’ about two friends surfing, one of whom luckily escapes from an attack by a great white shark. Bill Condon’s touching story ‘A Dog of His Own’ is of a boy who takes his skittish dog for a run: the dog vanishes, and he feels he will never see it again. In the humour stories (including Elizabeth Fensham and Victor Kelleher), Barry Jonsberg’s amusing story, ‘Mr Postlewaite’s Class of Exceptionally Gifted Children’, is of a of a Year One teacher of ‘the brightest, the cleverest, the most amazing children in the entire city, possibly the whole country’: his students are filled with curious, difficult-to-answer questions which makes reading a story to them prolonged, an agony.

This is a book which rewards one who dips into stories and poems and enjoys the wide breadth of subject matter. Its compiler, Paul Collins, is to be commended for not only finding the many stories but by publishing it.

This Spells Trouble

This Spells Trouble by Paul Collins and Sean McMullen. Ford Street Publishing, 2023. Paperback RRP $17.95. ISBN 9781922696311

Reviewed by Debra Williams

Fourteen-year-old Winston is an apprentice wizard a position arranged by his father. The senior wizard, Faramond Erris, to whom Winston is under obligation is, an aging, grossly overweight member of the Countercasts’ Guild of Wizards, and is, (in his own opinion), powerful and respected. The truth, however, is quite different, and the young apprentice is rather somewhat smarter (and much fitter), than his master.

When the young student of wizardry gives a demonstration to his peers at a Young Magical Apprentices conference, he and Faramond (as his senior), are summoned before the Guild Elders to explain Winston’s behaviour. The apprentice has used a way of balancing spells by using energy from other apprentices: a practice which is frowned upon and forbidden by the guild. They undertake a lengthy journey to appear before the elders, a group headed by the wicked sorceress Yolantha. Impressed with Winston’s abilities, she issues the task to retrieve the Imperium Key from Blackstone Tower, which is a portal to another world. In this other world dwell creatures known as iffryts. Power flows from their world into that of the wizards.

The iffryts are imps, who can transform from tiny beings into gigantic and powerful creatures. They can devour humans, destroy in an instant and their power is used to advantage by Yolantha and the Summoner wizards, whose spells outclass Faramond’s genre of wizardry. The wizards use the iffryts as slaves. Yolantha needs the key to control both the portal and the iffryts.

The spell of Yoal was designed to bind wizards together into something that could even defeat the power of dragons. It was lost centuries earlier. It is a spell that worries Faramond greatly, as he would prefer that the spell remain lost. The key has lain for those centuries in the skeletal fingers of a dead, foolish apprentice who learned the spell of Yoal and stole the key.

Winston releases a female iffryt by the name of Elvar who assists him, only because he is kind to her. (Iffryts are naturally suspicious, having been used to constant abuse and misuse.) When Winston destroys the tower and releases the imprisoned creatures, Yolantha is furious. Winston lies and blames Faramond, claiming that he blacked out and when he awoke, the tower had disappeared under Faramond’s hand. Yolantha issues an order for the two of them to meet her at Highport, where she will unleash another plan: to build another tower and portal. Thereby begins an arduous journey and assignment for Winston, Faramond and Elvar, involving an ensnared large green dragon, members of Winston’s family, a would-be knight called Larissa and numerous, apparently insurmountable challenges. 

Together Elvar and Winston unite (morphing into each other on and off), to complete the task, but there is a whole lot of trouble ahead, and Faramond is on the receiving end of more than one painful and humiliating lesson. Can they outwit, outclass, and outsmart the evil Yolantha and her plans?

 Using a lot of humour throughout the story, the authors have woven a detailed adventure which spreads over 363 pages. This is an amusing and entertaining YA tale for the 10-14 age group.

James Gong: The Big Hit

James Gong: The Big Hit by Paul Collins (Hybrid Publishers) PB RRP $16.95 ISBN: 9781925736441

Reviewed by Nikki M Heath

A 14-year-old taekwondo student pulls a flashy move in class, leading to an unexpected invitation to take the starring role in a martial arts film.  James Gong milks his impending fame for all its worth, making plenty of juvenile cracks and Kung fu slapstick humour along the way.  There’s definitely something fishy going on, but we are swept along with the chaotic film-making process as it impacts on James’ life and friendships until the climactic final few pages.

This book is funny but about as subtle as a jumping spinning side kick.  It reads as if a teenage boy is talking directly at the reader in a stream of consciousness, with all the associated awkwardness, distraction and developing sense of humour.  The first two chapters are dedicated to scene setting, character and backstory, so a reluctant reader may struggle to get through to the start of the true narrative.  Ethnicity and bullying provide background depth without ever coming strongly into focus.

The book saves its best for the last couple of chapters.  The ever-optimistic James shows an unlikely heroism in his persistent determination for stardom, turning what ought to be an unmitigated disaster into a triumph of sorts.  A series of twists bring layers of heartfelt meaning to the otherwise screwball comedy, although the timing leaves precious little scope for their implications to be teased out and appreciated. 

This is a light, fun book which will particularly appeal to 9 to 13-year olds with an interest in martial arts or film.  Teaching materials are available.

James Gong – The Big Hit

Paul Collins' latest book is James Gong -- The Big Hit

James Gong is training for his black belt in taekwondo. One night a camera crew from Hollywood Productions turns up at training for an episode of My Life, only to see James at his most ornery aggressiveness. They love James' jumping spinning sidekick, and decide to star him in a small budget flick. Trouble is, Hollywood Productions is a scam company that basically produces B grade ‘loser’ movies to offset huge tax bills.

Meanwhile, James, who likes his sister Caitlin’s best friend, Amber, thinks his sudden film career will curry favour. Not so. If anything, Amber shuns him even more.

Hollywood Productions may want to lose money, but they underestimate their star. Copies are available via any good bookshop or the author’s website: https://paulcollins.com.au/product/james-gong-the-big-hit/

About the author: Paul Collins has a black belt in both taekwondo and ju jitsu. He was trained in kick-boxing by former Australian Heavyweight Kickboxing Champion, Dana Goodson. He trained with the Los Angeles Hell Drivers and later served time in the army with 2 Commando Coy.

He drew inspiration from these experiences to write James Gong – The Big Hit. His last book was Harry Kruize, Born to Lose. Paul has written over 140 books for children and young adults and several books for adults. 

The Warlock’s Child, Book 1: The Burning Sea

The Warlock’s Child, Book 1: The Burning Sea by Paul Collins & Sean McMullen

(Ford Street Publishing)

PB RRP $12.95

ISBN 978-1925000924

Reviewed by Francine Sculli

The Burning Sea is the first book in the latest six-book fantasy series co-authored by well-known authors Paul Collins and Sean McMullen. And it wastes no time in plunging us deep into the thrilling adventure with Dantar and his sister Velza, our two main protagonists who, by command of their Dravinian Battle Warlock father, have landed themselves on aboard the fleet on its way to invade the Kingdom of Savaria.

Dantar is serving as a cabin boy, one of the lowest ranking roles on the fleet, constantly concerned that he is one of the few without magical abilities. While Velza, a shape-casting warrior, has found herself in the male dominated ranks as an officer in a tenuous role. The two of them despise each other and the power play and family tension ripples through the book as the drama unfolds.

But everything they know is about to change.

The fantastical, medieval world around them is in the midst of darkness. It’s a place governed by magic and roamed by dragons, but everything has been turned upside down. In a time before, the Dark Hands misused the powers they had created. The dragons intervened, breaking up the human magic into four parts, allowing only the dragons to have complete control of all four parts simultaneously. Now, in an attempt to reconnect the four powers, the Dravinian Emperor ordered war against Savaria.

Nothing goes to plan. On their way to battle the dragon Dravaud hovers in the air over the Dravinian fleet, convinced there is a dragon egg aboard the Invincible. He burns one of the fleets down to the ground. While putting out fires on board, through the speaking tubes Dantar overhears a conversation that he shouldn’t and unearths a traitor on board. He is convinced it has something to do with Meslit, the water wizard, who disappears in a cloud of ash. Dantar senses he is developing protection against heat and fire and harbouring magical tendencies far beyond his imagination. Velza loses her ranks as an officer. Much to her disgust, Dantar rises through the ranks throwing her world off kilter. As they near the shores of Savaria in the final pages, and more strange occurrences happen, Velza still finds it in her heart to rescue him as he goes overboard, giving Dantar his first taste of being part of a loving family unit. As readers, we are left hanging right there with the siblings, wondering what will happen next and with a sense that their bond will grow in future books as they are forced together to unwrap the deep mysteries and questions that have arisen.

The Burning Sea is an action-packed book with just the right amount of wit, characterisation, worldly carvings, mystery and plot twists to keep older primary school readers engaged and wanting more.

The Burning Sea

The Burning Sea by Paul Collins and Sean McMullen (Ford St)

PB RRP $12.95

ISBN 9781925000924

Reviewed by Emily Meldrum

Dantar and Velza are siblings aboard the mighty warship ‘Invincible’. As in many families sibling rivalry exists hand-in-hand with high levels of competition. This family is no exception. Their father is the emperor’s battle warlock Calbaras, Dantar a lowly cabin boy and Velza a female shape-caster and officer with magic fire powers that do not work at sea. 

The story begins with this fleet of warships close to enemy soil but under attack from a lone dragon – Dravaud. The dragon’s motives are simple, he is searching for confirmation of a dragon chick or egg that he suspects is within the ships below.

Dantar learns that dragons only attack the stronger side prior to battle and so he braces himself for his first encounter with a dragon. It appears to come in for a direct attack but the force of its flames land upon a nearby warship instead. The dragon then mysteriously flies back to his overhead vantage point observing all below. What is the dragon doing?

The reader learns that traditionally those who were called Dark Hands developed great power but not the sense in using it forcing dragons to intervene to break human magic into four parts – earth, air, water and fire. These days it was only the almighty dragons who wielded the complete power of all the parts enabling their magic to work enough across the deepest oceans. Such power was to be respected and guarded forcefully. Based on the notion that Savarian wizards were trying to join the four magics back together their emperor has ordered Dravinia at war with Savaria.

Told from alternate perspectives between brother and sister, and three from the dragon flying above their heads, The Burning Sea is a compelling introduction to a six part series entitled – The Warlock’s Child. It is a short book by fantasy standards with 119 pages and consequently many questions are left unanswered. What will happen to the invading fleet? Why does Dantar seem to be developing powers to protect him against heat and fire? What and where is the dragon chick Dravaud is so certain that is on-board the ‘Invincible’?

Readers who become entangled in this latest series published by Ford Street will be relieved to know that throughout 2015 there is to be a staggered monthly release of each volume from April through to September. It is recommended for ages ten and above.

The Maximus Black Files – Dyson’s Drop

The Maximus Black Files – Dyson’s Drop by Paul Collins (Ford Street Publishing)

PB RRP $19.95

ISBN 978-1-921665-66-0

Reviewed by Francine Sculli

Dyson’s Drop is the second book in The Maximus Black Files trilogy. Fran Atkinson of the Sunday Age warned readers of the first book, The Mole Hunt: “Don’t bother trying to acclimatise. There’s no meandering here, just a full throttle shove…” The second book is no meek and mild sibling, if anything it is a harder and faster journey that takes the readers on a thrilling, action-packed ride.

Maximus Black, the intriguingly dark and menacing character also known as Nathaniel Brown, is on a mission to conquer the galaxy. He will stop at nothing. With the mysterious alien, Envoy, by his side Maximus has set out to solve the riddles and uncover the locations of the three lost coordinates that will give him all the power he needs to rein over the entire galaxy. The only true thing standing in his way is Anneke Longshadow, one of RIM’s best agents back from the dead, whose sole agenda is to find the coordinates first and save the galaxy from the destructive ways of Maximus Black.

A whirlwind succession of events, including the dismantling of RIM as the galaxies law enforcement spy agency and the positioning of Black’s Majoris Corporata as the highest power, sees Anneke and Maximus tailgating one another through the galaxy in a battle between good and bad. With nail-biting encounters, near deaths, explosions, high-tech gadgetry, cleverly weaved problem solving and a chase that leaves you on the edge of your seat, Dyson’s Drop serves as a mesmerizing read.

The thrills are not the only things that make this book so rich. Collins has created a captivating and highly thought out world that is powered by a tapestry of themes not unlike those of our own earthly world. There is corruption, dictatorships and power struggles woven through the story. Then there are the strong characters that bind the story. It’s not just Anneke and Maximus that intrigue readers. The supporting cast of characters that surround and support both Anneke and Maximus are just as well carved with human struggles and psychology that piques the reader’s engagement and curiosity and the two themes of humanity that grasp us most are those of identity and belonging.

Dyson’s Drop is a brilliant read and not one not for the faint-hearted. It keeps you gasping for more with every turn of the page and leaves you hanging at the most crucial point at the end of the book – the perfect clincher to have you spurring Collins on to swiftly write the last book! 

Book Launch: Trust Me Too

Ford Street Publishing invites you to the launch of its latest book, Trust Me Too. Edited by Paul Collins with an introduction by Judith Ridge, Trust Me Too has never-before-published stories and illustrations from 57 contributors including Shaun Tan, Leigh Hobbs, Oliver Phommavanh, James Roy, Michael Gerard Bauer, Gary Crew, David Miller, Michael Pryor and many others.

Ford Street will be launching Trust Me Too in both Victoria and NSW.

Launch 1: NSW residents -- come along to the launch at Parramatta High School (Great Western Freeway) on Friday 20th of July. It'll start at 9:15. Wendy Orr (who will read from her story), Susanne Gervay, Meredith Costain, Oliver Phommavanh, Judith Ridge and others will be there. RSVP by July 14 to Terrie: fordstr@internode.on.net.

Launch 2: VIC residents – You’re invited to: Princes Hill Secondary College (Arnold Street, Carlton North) on July 27 at 6 pm. A STACK of children's authors and illustrators will be there, including Isobelle Carmody, Kirsty Murray, Meredith Costain, Marc McBride, Leigh Hobbs, Sean McMullen, Corinne King, Adam Wallace, David Miller, Janeen Brian, Gabrielle Wang, Sue Bursztynski and many others. It'll be a hoot! RSVP July 23 to Terrie: fordstr@internode.on.net.

Buzz Words loves Trust Me Too. This review was posted at BWB on 3 July:

Trust Me Too edited by Paul Collins (Ford Street Publishing)   

PB RRP $24.95

ISBN 978-1921665585

Reviewed by Francine Sculli

Trust Me Too is a wildly diverse collection of short stories and poems, edited by Paul Collins, that is jam packed with intoxicating tales written by an all-star line up of Australian writers. In her introduction, Judith Ridge sums the collection up perfectly: “If reading is something you do to find your way into the lives of other people, whatever kind of world they live in, you will find something to enjoy and ponder on within.”

And there is definitely no shortage of worlds and lives to explore in this collection; nor a shortage of themes, motifs and genres that will perfectly engage the middle-readers audience, but the one thing that truly binds this anthology is the thrilling sense of adventure and strong themes. From the very first story, Kerry Greenwood’s ‘The Calabar Crystal’, readers are thrown right into the very heart of a historical otherworldliness through the daring adventures and discoveries of best friends, Red and Liam, who unearth Liam’s eccentric great-aunt’s secrets from Zimbabwe.

There is no turning back from the benchmark of Greenwood, and the ripping pace continues as readers travel from world to world meeting strong characters of both old and young who encounter everything from a lone child raised by dingoes, scavenger hunts with prized ashes, sci-fi detective deaths inspired by plagues of rats, failed rock star fathers, cartoon farmers plagued by Zombies and so very much more. The big draw card of the Obernewtyn novelette ‘The Journey’ by Isobelle Carmody, is well worth its weight in gold. Carmody outdoes herself, once again, with a brilliant sci-fi story of Hannah, her telepathic powers and groundbreaking research. Hannah, drawn to the corporate city in search of people like her and a research internship that could change her life, finds herself attacked by a nunazi ganger and rescued by Jake Obernewtyn who shares his wisdom and creates a new path for Hannah.

The Obernewtyn novelette, however, does not outweigh the brilliance of this anthology as a whole. Each and every story, poem and illustration is well crafted and stands impressively on its own. This collection really does present the best of the best and there is so much to chew on that it is almost impossible to even select a stand-out. 

Trust Me Too

Trust Me Too edited by Paul Collins (Ford Street Publishing)

PB RRP $24.95

ISBN 978-1921665585

Reviewed by Francine Sculli

Trust Me Too is a wildly diverse collection of short stories and poems, edited by Paul Collins, that is jam packed with intoxicating tales written by an all-star line up of Australian writers. In her introduction, Judith Ridge sums the collection up perfectly: “If reading is something you do to find your way into the lives of other people, whatever kind of world they live in, you will find something to enjoy and ponder on within.”

And there is definitely no shortage of worlds and lives to explore in this collection; nor a shortage of themes, motifs and genres that will perfectly engage the middle-readers audience, but the one thing that truly binds this anthology is the thrilling sense of adventure and strong themes. From the very first story, Kerry Greenwood’s ‘The Calabar Crystal’, readers are thrown right into the very heart of a historical otherworldliness through the daring adventures and discoveries of best friends, Red and Liam, who unearth Liam’s eccentric great-aunt’s secrets from Zimbabwe.

There is no turning back from the benchmark of Greenwood, and the ripping pace continues as readers travel from world to world meeting strong characters of both old and young who encounter everything from a lone child raised by dingoes, scavenger hunts with prized ashes, sci-fi detective deaths inspired by plagues of rats, failed rock star fathers, cartoon farmers plagued by Zombies and so very much more. The big draw card of the Obernewtyn novelette ‘The Journey’ by Isobelle Carmody, is well worth its weight in gold. Carmody outdoes herself, once again, with a brilliant sci-fi story of Hannah, her telepathic powers and groundbreaking research. Hannah, drawn to the corporate city in search of people like her and a research internship that could change her life, finds herself attacked by a nunazi ganger and rescued by Jake Obernewtyn who shares his wisdom and creates a new path for Hannah.

The Obernewtyn novelette, however, does not outweigh the brilliance of this anthology as a whole. Each and every story, poem and illustration is well crafted and stands impressively on its own. This collection really does present the best of the best and there is so much to chew on that it is almost impossible to even select a stand-out. 

Mole Hunt—The Maximus Black Files: book 1

Mole Hunt—The Maximus Black Files: book 1 by Paul Collins (Ford St Publishing) 

PB RRP $19.95 

ISBN: 9-781-921-665-2-64

Reviewed by Jenny Mounfield

In a future far away—really, really far—the galaxy is a vastly different place where cities float, bodies are regenerated at will and human-kind has invented even more ways to torture and kill itself.

Eighteen year-old Maximus Black works for galactic law enforcement agency, RIM. In short, he’s a highly-trained killing machine who makes Hannibal Lector look like Goldilocks. And like Lector, he’s a sociopathic psychopath. He is also a mole with his own agenda. At age six, Black witnessed the murder of his parents by slavers and has made it his life’s goal to exact revenge on the galaxy for the wrongs done to him. The plan: to get his hands on a massive cache of Old Empire weapons. Whoever has possession of these weapons controls the galaxy.

Like Black. Anneke Longshadow is also an orphaned rimmer (RIM agent). Unlike Black, she has a conscience. When she learns a mole has infiltrated RIM she makes it her business to unearth him. When the mole kills her uncle, it becomes personal. What ensues is a cat and mouse chase where Black and Longshadow pit wits and muscle against each other in their quest for dominance.

In the first book of The Maximus Black Files trilogy the first of a three-part code that will lead to the fabled Old Empire weapons is retrieved. Readers are treated to a viewpoint that alternates between Black and Longshadow and are expertly drawn into a plot that’s tighter than the traps these two characters set for each other. The pace would give Matthew Reilly a nose bleed, and the attention to technological detail is impressive to say the least: I don’t know how much fact is woven throughout the narrative, but it all has a ring of truth and that’s what counts.

Without a doubt, Collins is a master of the SF genre. But unlike some SF authors his complex world-building hasn’t been at the expense of his characters. Though most are thoroughly loathsome, particularly Black, they are all multi-layered and compelling. My head spins at the scope of this book, which at its core is about loss and fear, good and evil—and all that falls in between. Highly recommended not just for kids 12+, but for adult readers as well.

Jenny Mounfield is the author of three novels for kids and YAs. She has reviewed books for Buzz Words since ’06, and more recently for, The Compulsive Reader: www.compulsivereader.com 

The Glasshouse

The Glasshouse by Paul Collins, illustrated by Jo Thompson (Ford Street Publishing)
HB RRP $26.95
ISBN 978-1-921665-04-2
Reviewed by Jenny Mounfield

Clara lives in a glasshouse where she grows perfect pumpkins that attract buyers from far and wide. Like her pumpkins, Clara’s life is perfect—until the day she spies a stranger peering through her doorway. Curious, Clara wipes the mist from a perfect pane and glimpses the outside world for the first time. She is shocked to see the hills all around littered with shattered glasshouses. And so, just as the serpent brought darkness into the Garden of Eden, this strange boy has struck a dark fear into Clara’s heart: What happened to the other glasshouses? What if the same fate awaits her?

Over the coming weeks Clara becomes more and more afraid of losing her perfect world. She scours her glasshouse for cracks, insects—the slightest indication that all is not well. As a result of her manic behaviour fewer and fewer buyers come to buy her pumpkins, and before long, Clara’s wonderful world falls apart. However, when the boy returns he offers Clara something she has never been offered before—friendship and belonging.

By far the star here—both narratively and illustratively—is Clara. Thompson’s depiction of this character is almost uncanny in its accuracy: her soulful eyes in particular speak volumes. So, too, Thompson’s attention to detail, use of colour and focus are right on the money.

The Glasshouse is one of those rare stories that offers poignant insight into the human heart. Its message is Zen-like: The world is in a constant state of flux; nothing stays the same. So, too, it poses the question: Is perfection, however fleeting, worth the fear of losing it? Paradoxically, Clara’s fear is her undoing, yet it is also her saviour. And there is so much more squirreled away between Collins’s words. How he managed to say so much with so few words is really quite a feat.

I recommend this book to readers of all ages—adults included. This story is not only ageless, it is timeless.

Jenny Mounfield is the author of three novels for kids, her most recent title being: The Ice-cream Man (Ford St). She has been reviewing for Buzz Words since ’06.